Machine vision lighting tips for overdriving LEDs

Lighting is a vital element of an optimized inspection using machine vision. Even the best camera can capture what it can see, and the best image processing software relies on good results from the camera. Illumination consistency, intensity, and resolution will have an effect on the final accuracy of an application. Despite this, lighting historically has not been an integrated part of a machine vision system.

A fundamental element of a successful and effective vision system is the visibility of the target object to be inspected, especially the specific objectives for an inspection: missing parts, color differentiation, blemishes, character recognition, or sizing, for example. The starting point for the quality of these source images is the suitability and effectiveness of the lighting for a machine vision system to perform consistently. The primary images need to be consistent, making undefinable variations in lighting unacceptable.

Five LED overdriving tips

Most machine vision applications are short of light, so overdriving light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is a common practice–it allows users to increase intensity from LED lights for a short, defined, period of time (with up to 1,000% overdriving capability). However, LED overdriving limits are based on generalized parameters that are considered safe for all LEDs so are usually set lower than is possible in reality for a specific light.

Five tips for intelligent LED overdriving follow.

1. Ensure generation of maximum brightnessfrom a light. This is achieved by having data readily available on the actual light being used, therefore enabling the overdriving of a particular light to its safe optimized limits.

2. Calibrate lightingbrightness to allow more repeatability of lighting intensity.

3. Set thresholdsand feature detection to be more sensitive, while maintaining good repeatability and reliability of detection.

4. Use actual temperatures.Overdrive limits also are based on the maximum operating temperature, but most lights run at a lower temperature. So, by measuring the actual temperature of the light, it is possible to allow for more overdrive in systems which run below the maximum temperature.

5. Pay attention to timing.Some systems need to capture many images of each product item in a sequence of varying lighting requirements. With application-level visibility of the timing of the system, and a fully featured lighting controller, such systems are easier to set up, monitor, and maintain.

An intelligent lighting solution can offer benefits throughout a machine vision project cycle for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), systems integrators, and end users. End users will see benefits with their final applications, such as long-term stability of brightness, which helps to enhance the reliability of machine vision systems over many years.

– Edited by Mark T. Hoske, content manager,Control Engineering, CFE Media,mhoske@cfemedia.comfrom an April 22 article, "Seeing the light," posted byControl Engineering Europe. See more product-related information from Gardasoft Vision Ltd. in that article.

MORE ADVICE

关键概念

• Lighting qualityis critical to machine vision quality.
• LED lightingcan run brighter (overdriving) for limited periods.
• Careful controland system integration of machine vision LED overdriving helps.

Consider this

How much moreaccurate could your machine vision system be with better lighting?

ONLINE extra

An intelligent lighting controls company, Gardasoft Vision Triniti, offers advanced control of machine vision lighting via integration and networking from the product level to the application software level. Learn more in the April 22 article, "Seeing the light," posted byControl Engineering Europe.

www.gardasoft.com

Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our CFE Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Clickhereto start this process.