Vision Sensors

Vision sensors capture images by camera to determine presence, appearance, orientation, and completeness of parts or assemblies. They have many applications across industries and can range from machine vision image sensors to datalogic vision sensors.

These self-contained devices include vision lighting, lens, and camera in a single compact unit. Vision sensors are easy to set up and can integrate into larger systems and are best suited for simple quality control applications. They've become a valuable product of the Internet of Things (IoT) over the years, allowing data collection and processing to become more efficient over time for personal and professional purposes.

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What are vision sensors?

Vision sensors can examine the features of an object in the frame. They can give you information about the size of an object and can even help with character recognition.

Examples of inputs they can detect include:

• Light
• Heat
• Pressure
• Motion

Meanwhile, the output is usually a more reader-friendly display, where you can read detailed specifications about the object captured. They can also be transferred elsewhere for further processing.

What characteristics can vision sensors identify?

Vision sensors have been designed to identify several features on top of object detection, such as:

• Shapes
• Color
• Barcode recognition
• Alignment

Sometimes, users will buy accessories such as lighting to help achieve the most accurate results from a vision sensor.

What are the different types of vision sensor?

There are several ways to characterize vision sensors.

• Machine vision image sensors: Digital sensors are located inside the cameras to generate images so that computer software can process this information and display it for decision-making purposes. They are often used for medical purposes.
• Smart vision sensors: This is where a device uses input from the surrounding environment and executes programmed functions when it identifies specific input. The data is then processed and displayed. In other words, smart vision sensors are integrated with other technology to perform more detailed functions.
• Color vision sensors: Color vision sensors detect the three primary colors (red, green, and blue). This is done by receiving ambient light using a photodiode.
• Monochrome vision sensors: Some vision or image sensors provide gray-scale monochrome image data. Color filters are not used in these cases.

CCD and CMOS vision sensors

CCD and CMOS vision sensors have different characteristics and can therefore be used in different ways. They're also known as charge-coupled device vision sensors (CCD) and complementary metal oxide semiconductor vision sensors (CMOS).

Although CCD vision sensors have been around for longer, CMOS vision sensors are becoming a more popular choice when it comes to cameras, including those in smartphones, due to having greater speed and less power consumption. Both analog and digital circuits can be mounted onto a single chip and their continued development means they can achieve high quality moving and still images. CMOS vision sensors are also being used more frequently for medical imaging purposes.

What are vision sensors used for?

Vision sensors have useful applications across different industries. They can be linked up to wider systems and software so that the information (output) is displayed in a user-friendly way. People can view the results and information, but also set parameters to dictate a final decision. This can be used in everything from factory settings to medical screening. An example of vision sensors being used in industry is for the measurement of a hole diameter or assessing the product quality in manufacturing.

Industries that use machine vision and image sensors include:

• Electronics
• Automotive
• Medical
• Robotics
• Manufacturing

Why choose RS for vision sensors?

At RS, you can choose from an array of high quality vision sensors by respected brands such as SICK, Banner, and Omron.

Our accreditations speak volumes, with ECIA, CTPAT, and NAED certificates to our name. As an industry-leading electrical supplier, you can be confident we will supply you with high quality vision sensors for industrial purposes and beyond.

Start your order with us online today and make the most of fast and efficient delivery. Our orders are managed at our Texas-based distribution center and our no-hassle returns policy is there in case you aren't satisfied with your order. If you need any questions answering in the meantime, get in touch to speak to our friendly team of experts. Alternatively, our expert hub is a great place to gather more information, with lots of industry articles to explore.