Q+A CENTER

In the early years of machine vision UV excitation inspections used a monochrome camera. A monochrome camera can only give gray scale information in pixel intensity. Each image contains only information on the intensity of a pixel (fig. 1). A color camera adds to the formula by using wavelength in addition to intensity, which allows the inspection to make a decision on a certain color or wavelength (fig. 2).

New High Brightness HB LED’s in UV wavelengths have changed the usable distance and power of UV lights. UV HB LED’s in 1 watt packages are now available. Using UV HB LED’s in new lights increase the lights output by a factor 10x to 30x. UV HB LED’s can be strobed at an increased intensity for even brighter output for high speed inspections. Another advantage of UV HB LED’s is the ability to focus the light. Parabolic reflectors and lenses on the HB LED’s allow a more concentrated light pattern. The end result is more light in the area needed and longer working distances. Fluorescent black lights were the main source of UV in earlier years and the main disadvantage to these lights is the low output and wide angle of illumination. HB LED’s have changed this by providing a focused higher output illumination for use at greater distances.

Matt Pinter
Design Engineer
Spectrum Illumination
www.spectrumillumination.com