When the sensor is mounted with optical elements, such as lenses and other optomechanical components, we can call it a machine vision camera or machine vision imager. Machine vision cameras require optical design.
Commercial lenses can be used with optomechanical components and machine vision sensors. Further, prototype imagers can be built from scratch using, for example, extension tubes, individual lenses and filters.
Combining a sensor and lens requires only a basic understanding of an imager’s design, whereas the more complex systems require a mathematical understanding of the geometrical optics. Both approaches can be valuable in science and enineering. Prototypes pave the way for new applications, and the optics, if needed, can be improved within the continuation studies and tests.
This series of posts introduces the basic terminology for optics, which would help to select and understand the optical parameters for designing a machine vision imager.
At first, we will get known with optics’ terminology (Post 3.1); next, within Post 3.2, we will form an optical image. Post 3.3 introduces lens mounts, 3.4 explains the image circle and sensor diagonal details. Focal length, magnification and working distance are covered in Post 3.5, and the series of posts is finalised with a peek of optical and optomechanical components (Post 3.6).
Links to related posts
- 3.1 Optics’ terminology
- 3.2 Forming an optical image
- 3.3 Lens mount
- 3.4 Lens image circle and sensor diagonal
- 3.5 Focal length, magnification and working distance
- 3.6 Optical and optomechanical components
Found something useful? Wish to cite? This post is based on my dissertation. For citations and more information, click here to see the scientific version of it.