The number of cameras and their mix of low- and high-end models are critical considerations in designing a machine-vision system, but how do you determine what is needed? According to Joost van Kuijk, VP of marketing and technology at Adimec, this decision depends entirely on the intended application.

Why Use Multiple Cameras?

There are several reasons why multiple cameras may be necessary:

  1. Speeding up production lines: For applications requiring high throughput, such as pick-and-place component inspection, parallel camera systems can capture images of moving objects from similar angles simultaneously. This approach is often more efficient than increasing the number of images per object or using single-camera systems with higher processing speeds.

  2. Increasing data availability: Complex defect detection algorithms require large datasets. By capturing multiple images of each object under different conditions, you can enhance the quality and quantity of input data for these algorithms.

  3. Multi-angle/field-of-view inspection: For stationary objects or complex geometries, combining multiple camera angles with varying fields of view provides more comprehensive coverage.

  4. Spectral requirements: Applications requiring multiple wavelengths (e.g., infrared and visible light) may need specialized cameras capable of capturing different spectral bands simultaneously.

Camera Selection Strategies

The optimal mix of low-end and high-performance cameras depends on specific application needs:

  • For simple tasks, two basic cameras often provide better cost efficiency than a single high-end model.
  • High-complexity applications benefit from advanced camera configurations that balance performance with system integration requirements.

Example Configuration Considerations

When configuring multi-camera systems, it’s important to consider the relationship between sensor speed and interface capabilities:

  • A 4-Mpixel Q-4A150 camera demonstrates this principle well, featuring a sustained image-acquisition rate of 157 fps when paired with an eight-tap Camera Link frame grabber. This configuration allows for burst-mode capture at higher speeds without requiring complete system redesigns that would increase costs unnecessarily.

Cost Optimization Approaches

Beyond careful selection and configuration:

  • Leveraging high-end cameras’ buffer memory to handle some image processing tasks can significantly reduce the need for additional external hardware, lowering overall system costs while improving performance efficiency.

Last Updated: 2025-09-04 21:35:20