What are possible vision solutions for these high requirements?
James Cameron: There are various technical options on the market, like multi-camera solutions with separate waveband selection and combining the images together. Or having two cameras looking through a beam splitter, that divides the image acquisition and inspection tasks, but this usually leads to synchronization issues, more complex set-ups and higher cost. PRISM cameras on the other hand can optimally exploit their advantages under the conditions: They have the great ability to compromise depth of focus with difficult angles looking at objects, in such way that the image as output can be used directly. PRISM cameras offer great opportunities to see visible and infrared wavelengths by using just one camera and supply multiple streams as output. This also helps to be much more flexible with the set-up for focal distance, as you can easily change a different lens, which is more difficult with a beamsplitter set-up.
This type of camera can solve the challenge of obtaining multispectral data in lane-sorting, belt-sorting and free-fall sorting machines to inspect, grade and sort food items looking at both visible and infrared( NIR or SWIR) light data. JAI offers 4-sensor prism-based line scan cameras that allow for simultaneously catching R-G-B images for precise color grading plus NIR or SWIR images to detect foreign objects like stones, stems and leaves or catch“ under surface defects” like bruises or rot. An important feature for users is that, compared to multi-camera setups, this technology helps to reduce calibration and installation time.
JAI Sweep + Series multi-channel cameras allow for getting simultaneous and separate inspection images of visible R-G-B light( 400 to 700 nm) and NIR light( 700 to 1000 nm) or SWIR light( 800 to 1700 nm).
How come JAI has such special products and PRISM cameras for this particular market?
James Cameron: JAI was one of the first industrial camera manufacturers offering these kinds of solutions for color inspection, using area-scan and line-scan camera types. Prism-based cameras separate light into red, green and blue or if required even NIR or SWIR wavelengths and direct the light to three respectively four separate and perfectly pixel aligned image sensors. With a single optical axis for all light bands, these cameras eliminate parallax issues, so-called HALO effects, and ease complex spatial alignment procedures associated with off-angle viewing, round objects, or objects falling at different speeds. There is only minimal color crosstalk between the colors because the precisionengineered hard dichroic filters with steep spectral cutoff direct the different pure wavelengths to the dedicated sensors, so you get true-to-life colors which improves the image quality and thus the inspection results. JAI cameras even provide individual exposure control for each channel if there is a need to look at specific wavelengths. These features result in better, HALO free images with supreme color accuracy and spatial precision, helping users to obtain better and more consistent quality in their free fall sorting machines. The food industry uses this type of machines a lot, so JAI’ s PRISM cameras were somehow predestined for this market.
The single optical plane in prism cameras( left image) ensures that each pixel on each sensor is focused on the same point at all times to give HALO free images for best color accuracy and spatial precision, whereas quad linear cameras( below image) lead to Halo effects.
Apart from the food industry, are there other fields where JAI PRISM cameras offer advantages?
James Cameron: As mentioned before, the food industry is special as food is organic, meaning its characteristics are always changing and not all the same. You need the right pixel information to ensure clear separation of details. In addition, food manufacturers have high standards when designing machines that need to offer high performance in food safety and quality. This is where PRISM plays an important role and enables smarter solutions for customer demands. The market shows there is a growing need for customized solutions, so machine builders depend on reliable hardware for easy integration with software packages.
Nevertheless, there are other fields of application apart from the food industry where the image quality of JAI’ s PRISM cameras offers advantages. One of these examples is the recycling industry, the large fields of textile, print and glass inspection, or even agriculture. These and many more industries can benefit from this technology. Applying PRISM blocks in cameras ensures that the collected light from objects can be transformed into true color information, making challenging color separation easier, no matter if you inspect food or other products.
James Cameron:“ One of the main issues in the food industry is to increase inspection efficiency and endquality when grading and sorting food items.“
Image Credits: JAI
For information about requirements and vision solutions for the food industry, please visit insights. jai. com / jai-cameras-forfood-and-beverage-industry
For more information please visit: www. jai. com
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