Aimed to Boost Production and Meet Rising Demand for Optical Filters

PALATINE, Ill. (October 20, 2023) – Midwest Optical Systems (MidOpt®), an industry leader in machine vision filters and optical solutions, announced the opening of its second location, a manufacturing facility in southeast Wisconsin.

With over three decades of experience and innovation in optical design, fabrication, and inspection, MidOpt® has been at the forefront of providing high-quality products designed specifically for machine vision applications. The new facility is part of the company’s strategic expansion plan to meet the growing demand for their products worldwide.

“We are thrilled about this significant milestone,” said MidOpt® President Mike Giznik. “The new manufacturing facility will not only allow us to increase our production capacity but also enhance our ability to deliver innovative and customized solutions faster.”

The new state-of-the-art facility features advanced machinery and technology that will enhance all facets of production from prototyping to large volume manufacturing runs. This includes the manufacturing of proprietary MidOpt® StablEDGE® Filters, which offer superior wavelength control at any angle – critical as machine vision imaging moves toward more compact inspection layouts.

“Expanding our operations signals our commitment to serving our customers better by ensuring we can meet their needs quickly and efficiently,” Mike added. “We look forward to continuing to produce cutting-edge optical filter technologies that elevate machine vision capabilities across the industry.”

About Midwest Optical Systems

Midwest Optical Systems (MidOpt®) has more than 30 years of experience and innovation in the fields of optical design, fabrication, and inspection. As a worldwide leader in machine vision filters and optical solutions, they are represented in over 30 countries and offer more than 3,000 cutting-edge products. From optical bandpass filters to custom optics, MidOpt® is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in optical technology. For more information, visit midopt.com.

Safeguards: How to Select the Right Protective Optical Window

by James Gardiner

When choosing a protective window, we first need to select the substrate material. For applications where the optics may be prone to scratches or used as a wear plate, a scratch resistant material should be selected. If the window will be exposed to high temperatures, like in a hot steel or glass factory, a material with a higher temperature rating is important. If the system uses a thermal or LWIR sensor, a material that can withstand harsh environments should be chosen.

Protective windows are an essential element in any automation system. Although they may not be a fundamental component, they serve an integral purchase in safeguarding critical components. Protective windows are one of the most cost-effective ways to ensure system longevity, repeatability, and reliability. With so many material and coating options, here’s how to select the best protective window for our system.

When choosing a protective window, we first need to select the substrate material. For applications where the optics may be prone to scratches or used as a wear plate, a scratch resistant material should be selected. If the window will be exposed to high temperatures, like in a hot steel or glass factory, a material with a higher temperature rating is important. If the system uses a thermal or LWIR sensor, a material that can withstand harsh environments should be chosen.

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Selecting the Right Filter Is Critical to SWIR Imaging

by James Gardiner

Shortwave IR (SWIR) imaging has seen a surge in use in recent years, playing an important role in imaging agricultural products, food, pharmaceuticals, and high-heat glass and metal manufacturing. Given the strong absorption of moisture within the SWIR range, users can check fill levels in opaque bottles, visualize underlying features such as anti-counterfeiting security codes, or use the technology for a wide range of other applications.

Innovations in sensor technology, availability, and cost have opened the door for more and more applications that can be addressed with NIR and SWIR. Just like with monochrome and color cameras, picking the right filter can mean the difference between a poor image and an acceptable one.

One of the most critical advancements has been in innovation sensor technology. Recent SWIR cameras have integrated both quantum dot SWIR sensors and Sony’s new IMX990 and IMX991 SenSWIR sensors, which are unique in that they are sensitive to the visible, NIR, and SWIR portions of the spectrum.

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