Improving Contrast in Print OCR with IR Imaging

In the original image, a white backlight is used without a filter. When a MidOpt® BP850 Near-IR Bandpass Filter is placed over the lens and used with an IR backlight, the filter blocks the visible portion of the spectrum but passes only the ink illuminated by the output wavelength of the IR backlight. This makes the invisible print visible and also creates optimal contrast.

VIEW BP850

Application

Improving Contrast in Print OCR with IR Imaging

In the original image, a white backlight is used without a filter. When a MidOpt® BP850 Near-IR Bandpass Filter is placed over the lens and used with …

Learn more

Inspecting a Security Data Code on Flexible Tubing that is not Viewable in Visible Light

This application illustrates how a MidOpt® BP470 Bandpass Filter can be used with a UV light in a monochrome camera inspection application to view a printed security code. The Bandpass Filter passes the emission of the printed code allowing it to standout from the background. The use of UV fluoresce ink makes the code invisible to the eye and acts as a security and counterfeit feature.

VIEW BP470

Application

Inspecting a Security Data Code on Flexible Tubing that is not Viewable in Visible Light

This application illustrates how MidOpt® Bandpass Filters can be used with a UV light …

Learn more

Reducing Background Noise in a Plasma Bag Inspection Application

In this plasma bag application, background noise in the form of liquid bubbles was interfering with the inspection of OCR (Optical Character Recognition) printed on the plastic bag’s surface.
A MidOpt Blue Bandpass Filter (BP470) was used in conjunction with a UV light source to reduce the appearance of the bubbles in the final image.

VIEW BP470

Application

Reducing Background Noise in a Plasma Bag Inspection Application

In this plasma bag application, background noise in the form of liquid bubbles

Learn more

Silk Screening and Ink Printing OnProtective Windows

Protective Windows can be manufactured with glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, sapphire, as well as chemically strengthened glass options, such as Gorilla Glass®. In addition, custom silk-screening and ink printing can also be applied for borders, masking, fiducial marks, logos or patterns.

Solutions

Silk Screening and Ink Printing OnProtective Windows

Protective Windows can be manufactured with glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, sapphire, …

Learn more

Custom Beamsplitters

Available in thicknesses ranging from 0.5 to 3.0mm, beamsplitters can be made for specific wavelength and in various transmission/reflection ratios. A second-side anti-reflection coating is normally recommended and thus is offered as standard.

Beamsplitter types include:Reflection vs. Tranmission options:
• Cubes• 80/20
• Plates• 50/50
• Pellicles• 30/70

View Beamsplitters

Solutions

Custom Beamsplitters

Beamsplitters can be designed for specific wavelength ranges from visible to IR, and in various transmission/reflection ratios and can also include an Anti-Reflection coating …

Learn more

Creating Contrast for Plastic Surface Inspection with a UV Light and Bandpass Filter

Using a UV light source without a filter over the lens creates insufficient contrast for inspection. When a UV light source is used together with a MIDOPT® BP324 UV Bandpass Filter on the lens, the contrast dramatically improved allowing for clear inspection of the surface defects on the plastic.

VIEW BP324

Application

Creating Contrast for Plastic Surface Inspection with a UV Light and Bandpass Filter

Illumination by a UV light source without a filter over the camera lens does not provide enough contrast to differentiate …

Learn more

Creating Contrast for Optical Character Recognition on Reflective Metal Parts

In this application, UV light is overpowering the blue fluorescence emitted by this part making inspection difficult. A BP470 Blue Bandpass Filter over the lens blocks the UV light, and passes only the blue emission of the characters, producing excellent contrast in the final result.

VIEW BP470
Application

Creating Contrast for Optical Character Recognition on Reflective Metal Parts

In this application, UV light is overpowering the blue fluorescence emitted by this part making inspection difficult.

Learn more

Increasing Image Resolution Using Bandpass Filters

Many machine vision lenses are not able to converge all wavelengths into perfect focus at the same focal point. Some wavelengths focus differently on the sensor plane. Bandpass Filters can improve resolution by reducing the wavelength range of light allowed to pass through the camera, eliminating chromatic aberrations.

VIEW BANDPASS FILTERS

Application

Increasing Image Resolution Using Bandpass Filters

Not all lenses are able to converge all wavelengths into perfect focus at the same point on the focal …

Learn more

Filtering Uncontrolled Ambient Light in Robotic Bin Picking

Many applications that use 3D Structured Light to ‘visualize’ tasks, such as robotic bin picking, typically use red light sources. However, ambient light can interfere with robotic vision systems. The solution to this is using a bandpass filter that matches this red light light source, which can filter the ambient light, providing excellent contrast to help with accurate and consistent picking.

VIEW BP635

Solutions

Filtering Uncontrolled Ambient Light in Robotic Bin Picking

Applications that use 3D Structured Light to ‘visualize’ tasks typically use red light sources. However …

Learn more

Custom Mounting Solutions for Board and Micro Lenses

Optical filters for M12 Board Lenses and other Micro Lenses can be custom made to your application requirements. This includes a full range of Bandpass, Longpass, Shortpass and other filter series.

In addition, for micro camera lenses that cannot accept threaded filters or slip mounts, MIDOPT® offers the option to cement (mount) the filter behind the lens, closer to the sensor.

> Learn More

Solutions

Custom Mounting Solutions for Board and Micro Lenses

Optical filters for M12 Board Lenses and other Micro Lenses can be custom made to your application requirements.

Learn more

Close-Up Lenses for Machine Vision

MidOpt® Close-Up Lenses offer +1, +2, and +4 magnification in a single kit. They can be stacked together for increased magnification power. These lenses are necessary to get closer to your subject when restricted by your lenses MOD (Minimum Object Distance). They thread onto the lens and maintain clear focus while achieving sharp magnification. 

VIEW CLOSE-UP LENSES

Solutions

Close-Up Lenses for Machine Vision

MidOpt® Close-Up Lenses offer +1, +2, and +4 magnification in a single kit. They can be stacked together for increased magnification power.

Learn more

UV Absence and Presence Using a Bandpass Filter

MidOpt® Bandpass filters can be used in conjunction with a 365nm UV light source to capture fluorescence emissions at a given wavelength range. In this case, a seal on a credit card emits light back to the sensor at roughly 450-470nm (Blue). A MidOpt® BP470 Blue Bandpass Filter is then used to isolate only the blue fluorescence while darkening everything else in the image, creating excellent contrast.

VIEW BP470
Application

UV Absence and Presence Using a Bandpass Filter

A 365nm UV Light is used to fluoresce a credit card seal. The seal emits light back in the blue range at roughly 450-470nm. A MidOpt® BP470 Blue Bandpass Filter …

Learn more

Using Longpass Filters to Enhance SWIR Imaging

Longpass filters, such as the MidOpt LP920, block visible and unwanted near-IR wavelengths and can provide excellent results in enhancing InGaAs camera imaging. These filters can also be placed in front of multi-spectral lighting used in semi-covert or photographic darkroom applications.

View LP920

Application

Using Longpass Filters to Enhance SWIR Imaging

ngpass filters, such as the MidOpt LP920, block visible and unwanted near-IR wavelengths and can provide excellent results in enhancing InGaAs camera imaging.

Learn more

Solving Applications Quickly and On-site

A filter testing kit is a smart tool that allows you to test nearly any application right on site. With these kits you can quickly and easily control the variability of ambient light, evaluate glare reduction, and determine filtering requirements to solve applications quickly.

View Filter Kits

Solutions

Solving Applications Quickly and On-site

A filter testing kit is a smart tool that allows you to test nearly any application right on site. With these kits you can quickly and easily control the variability …

Learn more

Create Contrast Between Two Different Materialsof the Same Color

In this application we demonstrate the benefits of using a MidOpt® optical filter to help create excellent contrast in a machine vision inspection application in the infrared (IR), at the 830-850nm range.

Application

Create Contrast Between Two Different Materialsof the Same Color

Achieve contrast in machine vision inspection applications operating in the near-infrared (Near IR), at the 830-850nm range.

Learn more

Custom Acrylic Protective Window for Thermostat Application

Anti-reflection-coated custom acrylic windows are most commonly used as protective covers for cameras used in surveillance, and other similar applications. Options for MidOpt® custom acrylic window designs are available for nearly any industrial imaging application need.

VIEW CUSTOM PROTECTIVE WINDOWS

Application

Custom Acrylic Protective Window for Thermostat Application

Anti-reflection-coated custom acrylic windows are most commonly used as protective …

Learn more

Achieving Exposure Control and Shallow Depth of Field in Machine Vision

Neutral Density Filters (ND Series), are recognized in the industry as “sunglasses for your system.” These filters are designed to reduce light intensity over specific wavelength range without affecting image color, contrast and overall integrity. They also serve as a great solution for lens aperture control and reducing depth of field in machine vision applications and range of other industrial imaging applications.

VIEW ND/Ni SERIES

Solutions

Achieving Exposure Control and Shallow Depth of Field in Machine Vision

“Sunglasses for your system.” These filters are designed to reduce light intensity …

Learn more

The Strength of Sapphire

Sapphire delivers superb protective performance for applications in particularly harsh environments. With a useful range of 250-2300nm, and 90%> peak transmission, the LP190 Sapphire Protective Window is a great option for applications requiring resistance to high impact, chemicals and alkalis. 

VIEW LP190

Performance

The Strength of Sapphire

MidOpt® Sapphire delivers superb protective performance for applications in particularly harsh environments. With a useful range of 250-2300nm and 90%> peak transmission, the LP190 …

Learn more

Reducing Light Intensity with Neutral Density Filters

MidOpt® Neutral Density Filters are available in a variety of optical densities and can be used with monochrome or color cameras. They are specifically designed for Machine Vision applications to reduce light intensity neutrally over a specific wavelength range without affecting image color or contrast. They can also be stacked with other Neutral Density Filters to test various optical densities.

ND200 absorptive neutral density filters have an optical density of 2.0, transmitting an average of 1% of the visible spectrum.

VIEW ND200

Application

Reducing Light Intensity with Neutral Density Filters

MidOpt Neutral Density Filters are available in a variety of optical densities and can be used with monochrome or color cameras. They are specifically designed …

Learn more
Machine Vision Optical Filter Color Rendition
Machine Vision Optical Filter Color Rendition

Blocking IR Wavelengths for Natural Color Rendition

Also known as a hot mirror, SP700 Near-IR/UV filters are useful for broad visible wavelength transmission and to block IR over the sensitivity range of a monochrome camera with minimal effect on the red portion of the spectrum.

VIEW SP700

Application

Blocking IR Wavelengths for Natural Color Rendition

Also known as a hot mirror, SP700 Near-IR/UV filters are useful for broad visible wavelength transmission and to block IR over the sensitivity range …

Learn more

Maximizing Contrast for Character Recognition

A MidOpt® BP470 Blue Bandpass Filter is placed over the camera lens resulting in excellent contrast. By blocking the yellow portion of the spectrum, the material background is darkened allowing the white lettering to greatly stand out.

VIEW BP470

Application

Maximizing Contrast for Character Recognition

MidOpt® BP470 Blue Bandpass Filter is placed over the camera lens resulting in excellent contrast. ced over the camera lens resulting in excellent contrast. By blocking the yellow …

Learn more

Machine Vision Backlighting A Metal Part Using Front Illumination for Dimensional Measurement

For stamped metal parts, it’s common for Machine Vision quality control systems to be used for measuring the sizing of parts and features. Using Midopt Backlight fluoreSHEET, BP590, and a Blue LED Light source, we can create sharp contrast and edges for gauge measurement tools. This set-up is common when a traditional backlight can not be placed behind the object due to space constraints or cost. A great solution for gauge measurement, edge inspection & detection, dimensional measurement, quality control & assurance, and more.

VIEW BACKLIGHT fluoreSHEET™

VIEW BP590

Application

Filters to Reduce Light Intensity in High-Temperature Machine Vision Applications

Applications involving inspection at very high temperatures, a high degree of light intensity, over saturation and blooming can be a problem. MidOpt® offers a series of Neutral Density filters and Shortpass filters designed to address this problem in machine vision. MidOpt filters can be threaded together (stacked) in order to create an optimal solution to this problem. In this case, the MidOpt SP645 is threaded together with the MidOpt ND060.

View Natural Density Filter Series
View Shortpass Filter Series

Application

Filters to Reduce Light Intensity in High-Temperature Machine Vision Applications

Applications involving inspection at very high temperatures …

Learn more

Rotating Right Angle Attachment

The Right Angle Attachment by MidOpt® permits viewing at a 90° angle and it can be used in conjunction with a filter. It can be adjusted through 360° (RA034 and RA060), and is particularly helpful for applications with space constraints.

LEARN MORE

Solutions

Rotating Right Angle Attachment

The Right Angle Attachment by MidOpt® permits viewing at a 90° angle and it can be used in conjunction with a filter.

Learn more

Optical Filters for NDVI Aerial Plant Health Surveys

MidOpt® has designed optical Filters for NDVI. Triple and Dual Bandpass Filters can help go above and beyond traditional Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) indicators to modify the way crop health is monitored in order to collect more information than ever before. NDVI was used to determine vegetation health, which utilizes a camera with both a red and (near-infrared) NIR filter, the equation being, NDVI = (NIR – Red) / (NIR + Red).

However, various scientific advances find that modifying this calculation provides more details about crop and farm field health. Like red light, plants also absorb visible blue light, and in addition to the NIR light, healthy plants also reflect some green light.

View Multi-Bandpass Series

Solutions

Optical Filters for NDVI Aerial Plant Health Surveys

MidOpt® has designed optical Filters for NDVI. Triple and Dual Bandpass Filters can help go above and beyond traditional NDVI …

Learn more

MidOpt® High Transmission Anti-Reflection Coating For Machine Vision

When light passes through a surface, a small amount of light is reflected. This results in a 4% transmission loss per surface (total of 8% loss). MidOpt® uses a anti-reflection coating on all filters, reducing the surface reflection to less than 1%. This improves overall efficiency of the vision system by increasing the transmission.

LEARN MORE

Performance

MidOpt® High Transmission Anti-Reflection Coating For Machine Vision

When a ray of light passes through a glass surface, a portion of the light is reflected …

Learn more
Machine Vision Polarization Filters
Machine Vision Polarization Filters

Reducing Glare in Metal Stent Inspection with Machine Vision Polarizing Filters

In this application, Machine Vision Polarizing Filters are used to reduce glare during inspection of a metal stent that is producing uneven light. Using a MidOpt® PR032 Linear Polarizer in conjunction with a MidOpt BP635 Light Red Bandpass Filter, produces excellent results in eliminating the glare while darkening the background, making the specific feature of the part clear and ready for inspection.

VIEW BP635

VIEW PR032

Application

Reducing Glare in Metal Stent Inspection with Machine Vision Polarizing Filters

In this application, Machine Vision Polarizing Filters are used …

Learn more

UV Food Inspection: Detecting Aflatoxin on Figs

MidOpt® Longpass filters can block an excitation light source and pass multiple emission wavelengths. In this case, the LP415 is used to block the UV wavelengths of the light source, making the aflatoxin show as a teal green color.

VIEW LP415

Application

UV Food Inspection: Detecting Aflatoxin on Figs

MidOpt® Longpass filters block an excitation light source or to pass multiple emission wavelengths. In this case, the LP415 is used to block the UV wavelengths …

Learn more

25.4 C-Mount, A MidOpt Exclusive

  • Exclusively designed by MidOpt® to work with a C-Mount Camera between the lens and sensor
  • Recommended for wide angle lenses
  • Helps to prevent vignetting and angular shift
  • Useful in applications that have space constraints and/or lenses that do not have Filter threads
  • Custom installation wrench included

LEARN MORE

Solutions

25.4 C-Mount, A MidOpt Exclusive

Exclusively designed by MidOpt® to work with a C-Mount Camera between the lens and sensor. Recommended for wide angle lenses and helps to prevent vignetting …

Learn more

Custom Protective Window Design

MidOpt offers decades of experience custom designing optical filters and windows for a broad range of machine vision applications.

Capabilities include:

  • Glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, sapphire and other substrates
  • Oleophobic, anti-reflection, anti-smudge, anti-fog and hydrophobic coatings available
  • Chemically strengthened glass options, including Gorilla Glass®
  • Wavelength and polarization filtering
  • Custom silk screening service for borders, masking, fiducial marks, logos or patterns
  • Available with various mounting configurations based on need

VIEW PROTECTIVE SERIES

Solutions

Custom Protective Window Design

MidOpt offers decades of experience custom designing optical filters and windows for a broad range of machine vision applications. Capabilities …

Learn more

Day/Night Imaging using Dual-Bandpass Filters

To achieve accurate color rendition in applications using a color camera during the day and infrared (IR) illumination at night, a Dual Bandpass Filter is an ideal solution. Dual Bandpass filters pass visible light and a narrow wavelength range in the near-IR spectrum that directly corresponds to the emission wavelength of the IR illumination that is used. This helps to ensure imaging results that are clear and accurate under most lighting conditions.

VIEW DB SERIES

Solutions

Day/Night Imaging using Dual-Bandpass Filters

To achieve accurate color rendition in applications using a color camera during the day and infrared (IR) illumination at night, a Dual Bandpass Filter can …

Learn more

UV Fluorescence Paint Marker Inspection

When a railroad tie with a metal endplate runs through vision inspection, a UV (325nm) light is used with a BP525 Light Green Bandpass Filter to ignore (block) the reflection from the end-plate and pass only the emission of the fluorescent paint marker in order to determine orientation of the tie.

VIEW BP525

Application

UV Fluorescence Paint Marker Inspection

When a railroad tie with an endplate runs through vision inspection, a UV (325nm) light is used with a BP525 (500nm – 555nm) Light Green Bandpass Filter …

Learn more

Protecting Sensors from Laser and NIR Damage

For applications in which full spectrum infrared (i.e., heat) and/or UV radiation are an issue. The SP701 and SP705 allow cameras to eliminate blooming to achieve natural color, and protect the camera sensor from IR damage. The SP701 blocks UV light and IR light up to 1550nm. Heat-resistant Borofloat® substrates available in 1mm and 2mm thicknesses.

Custom unmounted sizes can be provided up to 760 x 200mm in size.

VIEW SP SERIES

Solutions

Protecting Sensors from Laser and NIR Damage

For applications in which full spectrum infrared (i.e., heat) or UV radiation are an issue. Hot mirror blocking throughout the UV and NIR out to 1500nm …

Learn more

Out-of-Band Blocking

Superior out-of-band blocking is an important consideration when choosing an optical filter for Machine Vision applications. Even a small amount of out-of-band light that passes can reduce contrast and cause read errors.



Performance

Out-of-Band Blocking

Superior out-of-band blocking is an important consideration when choosing an optical filter for Machine Vision applications. Even when a small amount of out-of-band light is allowed to pass …

Learn more
Performance

The MidOpt Gaussian Passband

The spectral output from a single color LED light source used in any vision application typically follows a normal Gaussian or “bell shape” profile.

Learn more

Coatings: Oleophobic

The Oleophobic coating, by MidOpt, resists moisture, oils, grease and smudging from finger prints. This coating is a particularly useful in a wide range of outdoor and harsh environment applications, such as outdoor camera enclosures and drone applications.

VIEW SERIES

Solutions

Coatings: Oleophobic

This coating is a particularly useful in a wide range of outdoor and harsh environment applications, such as outdoor camera enclosures and drone applications, where the lens may need extra protection.

Learn more

Establish Repeatability in Your Machine Vision Applications

When choosing a machine vision filter it’s important to select one with exceptional optical and surface quality in order to establish repeatability with your applications. Surface quality is also important for optimal image results. MidOpt filters are near-flawless and exceed the industry surface inspection standard with a 40/20 scratch/dig ratio. 

Performance

Establish Repeatability in Your Machine Vision Applications

It’s important to select one with exceptional optical and surface quality in order to establish repeatability with your applications.

Learn more

Glare Reduction with Polarizing Filters and Film

Reduce glare and achieve the best image results by using a polarizing filter over the lens and polarizing film over the light source. MidOpt offers three types of polarizers: PR/PL Series Linear Polarizers, PC Series Circular Polarizers and Pi Series Infrared Polarizers.

Solutions

Glare Reduction with Polarizing Filters and Film

Reduce glare and achieve the best image results by using a polarizing filter over the lens and polarizing film over the light source. MidOpt offers three types of polarizers …

Learn more
UV Machine Vision Application
UV Machine Vision Application

Fluorescence Inspection of Code Marking

A UV light and monochrome camera is used to illuminate a black ink cartridge with a blue code marking. Using a MidOpt® BP470 Blue Bandpass Filter only the emission from the blue ink code is captured and all other light blocked, creating sufficient contrast.

VIEW BP470

Application

Fluorescence Inspection of Code Marking

A UV light is used with a monochrome camera and blue bandpass filter in order to improve contrast of a blue code printed on a black ink cartridge …

Learn more
Solutions

Custom Filter Mounts

MidOpt Custom Filter Slip Mounts can be designed for a wide range of lenses including varifocal lenses, wide angle lenses, oversized and telecentric, and lenses without filter threads …

Learn more
Performance

StablEDGE® Filter Design by MidOpt

MidOpt StablEDGE® optical filters are specially designed to be less susceptible to effects that arise from angular shifting. This is produced by most optical filters when …

Learn more

The MidOpt 40/20 Scratch-Dig Standard

Most MidOpt filters are designed with a 40/20 scratch-dig ratio. What exactly does this mean in terms of your image results? Surface quality is an important for optimal image results. MidOpt filters are near-flawless and exceed the industry surface inspection standard with a 40/20 scratch/dig ratio. (Most manufacturers follow 50/80 scratch/dig criteria.) And in applications where the filter is placed in front of the sensor—where imperfections are most pronounced—MidOpt offers a 10/5 standard. Every filter is examined using state-of-the-art spectrophotometer technology. Each filter must pass strict guidelines for proper transmission, full-width half-max and out-of-band blocking.

This standard ensures consistent, optimal quality and repeatability with your machine vision imaging.

Performance

The MidOpt 40/20 Scratch-Dig Standard

Most MidOpt filters are designed with a 40/20 scratch-dig ratio. What exactly does this mean in terms of your image results? Surface quality is important for optimal image results …

Learn more

Glare Reduction in Glass Bottle Inspection

In this example we see beer bottles imaged at the same time, which have dark, specular, cylindrical surfaces that are difficult to image because the labeling tends to produce glare regardless of how the bottles and lighting may be setup. Polarizing filters used over the lens as well as the light source significantly reduces the specular glare from the application. In addition, because of the curved shape of the bottle, ambient light is also contributing to the glare. Using a MidOpt BP635 Light Red Bandpass filter together with a 625nm red LED effectively eliminates the glare entirely.

Filters used:
PR032 Linear Polarzier
PS030 Ultra High Contrast Linear Polarizer Film
BP635 Light Red Bandpass Filter

Application

Glare Reduction in Glass Bottle Inspection

In this application we illustrate how a MidOpt Bandpass filter is used in conjunction with a MidOpt polarizer to completely eliminate glare …

Learn more