During our recent visit to the Midwest Optical Systems booth at Automate in Chicago, we got a fascinating look at how bandpass filters are revolutionizing machine vision applications. Georgie from Midwest Optical Systems shared some great insights into how these filters can make all the difference in inspection processes.
The Role of Bandpass Filters in Monochrome Systems
Bandpass filters are vital when it comes to creating contrast in monochrome machine vision systems. Georgie explained it best: “Contrast is typically the name of the game when it comes to machine vision. You’re trying to create some difference during your inspection process so the system has an easy time picking it up.”
In other words, while our eyes can easily differentiate between colors, monochrome cameras often struggle. This is where bandpass filters truly shine.
A Real-World Example: Red vs. Blue Caps
To put it simply, let’s consider an example with red and blue bottle caps:
- A color camera captures these caps without any issue – the difference is clear.
- A monochrome camera, on the other hand, might see very little distinction.
- However, when a red bandpass filter is attached, the red caps stand out while the blue ones fade into darkness.
How Does It Work?
It's quite straightforward. The bandpass filter attaches to the lens of your machine vision camera, allowing only certain wavelengths of light to pass through. This selective filtering is what creates the contrast you need in monochrome images, making objects more distinguishable.
Where Can You Use It?
From sorting bottle caps to other applications requiring color-based contrast, bandpass filters are incredibly versatile. As Georgie put it, “Bandpass filters work really well in those types of applications.” If you’re looking to enhance contrast in your monochrome systems, Midwest Optical Systems' bandpass filters are definitely worth checking out.
