In a special anniversary report from IMVE, we get a closer look at MidOpt’s evolution over the past 30 years, along with newly developing applications and emerging markets for precision optical manufacturing.

MidOpt helped showcase the future of machine vision system technology with their SensorSmart Machine Vision and ID Seminar presentation on filters. Optical filters are the simplest and most effective way to gain control over what enters the system and is where image quality begins. Filters are no longer an accessory in machine vision; they’re a necessity.

Red and blue MidOpt Bandpass Filters are used to compare the sensitivity and contrast of plant health in normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) applications. Each were placed into a camera that had the internal factory infrared filter removed. Raw images were captured, which proved previous findings that red filters perform better than blue when looking at plant health.

MidOpt Filter Kits were showcased at SPIE Photonics West. The FK220 BN Filter Kit is designed with reduced bandwidth for further wavelength separation and is compatible with LED and laser diode light sources. The kit includes blue, green, orange, light red and dark red filters; four near-infrared filters; a linear polarizer; ultra-high contrast polarizing film; and more.

Attempting to capture high-quality images of extremely fast events can be difficult, but it’s required by many analysis applications. In an effort to capture a high-speed bullet, a camera and illumination system was developed, featuring the BP880 MidOpt Bandpass Filter. This filter minimizes background light to effectively illuminate and “freeze” the motion of the projectile.

After automotive manufacturing, sub-assemblies must be inspected to ensure that the molded locking tabs and clips are in place. To determine if machine vision is an option for this application, a cutting-edge vision system incorporating a MidOpt BP635 Bandpass Filter is designed. This detailed inspection plan successfully identifies if the tabs are properly formed.

Machine vision systems are now commonplace in factory automation systems. When building these systems, developers must carefully evaluate the type of product being inspected and how illumination and optics can be used to increase the contrast and resolution of captured images. Here are the most important steps when choosing the best optical filters for your system.

During an automated wheel and tire verification process, a global manufacturer began experiencing unacceptably high levels of false fails. It was determined that by employing a combination dome light and brick light configuration, a MidOpt Bandpass Filter, and multiple smart cameras, the wheels, tires and resulting assemblies could be successfully verified.

Although optical filters are often an afterthought in machine vision systems, they are a critical element for optimizing lighting. Filters can be used to improve contrast, reduce glare, sort colors, remove barcode interference and more. Learn more about the many advantages of optical filters and how to choose the right one for your system, including real-world examples.