Why Lighting is Important in Machine Vision Applications

Employing the right lighting is often the difference between creating a reliable, repeatable application and one fraught with challenges. Machine vision systems can only create high quality images if the lighting used to inspect an object clearly defines the elements being analyzed - so it’s critical to understand how different lighting options will act on it.

To understand this, you need to understand the material that the object is made from, its size, shape and finish. The object’s color is also important; even if the inspection system is monochromatic (a red part will reflect differently from a pink part). All of these characteristics affect how light is reflected, and may pose challenges in creating a good image.

Lighting can also affect how your vision system analyzes an object and produces a workable image. You need proper focus and illumination to create a good image. Images with poor contrast and uneven illumination require much more effort from the imaging device, which ultimately increases the processing time, and can increase the number of incorrect image analyses. It’s like driving a car with clogged fuel injectors.

Finding the right lighting can simplify an application and help you get the highest efficiency from your vision system.