Industrial cameras, as an essential component of machine vision systems, are the only hardware for the entire system to obtain image information. Classified by the structural characteristics of the sensor, industrial cameras can be divided into two types: area scan cameras and line scan cameras. Both have their advantages and are widely used in many industries.

This article will introduce in detail why use line scan cameras, in which they are applied and what problems they can solve.

Why Use Line Scan Cameras?

1. The Perfect Combination of High Speed and High Resolution

Line scan cameras can provide higher resolution than area scan cameras, can capture images by scanning line by line and can continuously obtain image data during the movement of the object. Therefore, line scan cameras are very suitable for high-speed and high-precision applications.

2. Adapt to the Detection Needs of Various Sizes and Shapes

Due to the imaging principle, area scan cameras can only cover static objects within a limited field of view. For irregular or items of different lengths and widths, they cannot be fully photographed under the same shooting distance. However, line scan cameras can achieve full scanning by adjusting the scanning frequency in such cases, without any shooting dead angles.

3. Flexible Configuration and Customization Capabilities

Line scan camera systems are usually very flexible and can be customized according to different application requirements. From the selection of light sources, types of lenses, to the adjustment of scanning speed and triggering mechanisms, users can optimize the configuration according to actual application scenarios to achieve the best detection results.

4. Long-term Stability and Cost-effectiveness

Cost is an issue that any enterprise needs to consider, and this cost is calculated from two aspects: long-term cost and usage cost.

• 1. Long-term Cost. In the long run, line scan cameras with precise detection, stable performance, high durability, and low maintenance costs are more cost-effective for enterprises. They do not have workers’ shifts, holidays, and truly work non-stop throughout the day. Precise detection and stable performance bring higher product qualification rates, greatly reducing production costs.
• 2. Usage Cost.The actual cost of line scan cameras is the one-time purchase cost of the entire vision system. Labor costs include wages, bonuses, and if workers are injured in harsh industrial environments, enterprises also need to compensate, making the cost of labor possibly higher than that of line scan cameras.

Application Fields of Line Scan Cameras

Electronic Components Industry

In the electronic components industry, the application of line scan cameras is very extensive, and the most common application is PCB detection. Line scan cameras provide high-precision imaging and high line frequency, which can meet the detection requirements of micrometer-level line widths and spacing on PCB boards and also cope with the fast speed of PCB production lines.

That’s the most common application is PCB detection and provide high-precision imaging and high line frequency.

Printing Industry

Line scan cameras play a key role in the printing industry, especially in color correction and pattern alignment. High-precision line capture ensures the color consistency and pattern accuracy of printed products.

New Energy Industry

In the new energy industry, line scan cameras are mainly used for the detection of lithium batteries and photovoltaic panels. In the field of lithium batteries, line scan cameras are mainly used to detect surface defects of lithium battery films, such as holes, scratches, dirt, abnormal overlap, unevenness, and width measurement. In the field of photovoltaic panels, Do3think line scan cameras support conventional ISP, true color SCS spatial color correction, and TDI functions of black and white cameras, which can capture dirt and hidden cracks on the surface of photovoltaic panels under weak lighting conditions.

Textile Industry

In the textile industry, line scan cameras combine dark field and bright field detection techniques. By using a backlighting method, they can detect color or dark spots and minor stains and dust on the fabric, which appear as black features against a bright background and are easily identified by the detection system.

By using a transillumination method, they can detect yarn-level subtle defects on the fabric, such as broken warp and weft, missing warp and weft, thick knots, thin warp and weft, and foreign fibers. Additionally, line scan cameras can achieve high-speed detection, with the highest detection speed reaching 90 meters per minute, detection accuracy up to 0.1mm or customized, and detection width up to 100-2000mm or customized. This is crucial for improving production line efficiency and reducing labor costs.

Food Industry

In the food industry, line scan cameras are mainly used for appearance defect detection, size measurement, and character recognition. High frame rate line scan cameras combined with detection algorithms can quickly identify damage and dirt on the surface of food packaging boxes and bags; they can quickly and accurately measure the length, width, and height of food products; and they can quickly and accurately recognize printed information such as production dates, QR codes, and barcodes on packaging. The application of line scan cameras in the food industry greatly enhances food safety and quality.