1. Introduction

A fundamental requirement of a machine vision system is to produce images of the required quality for the inspection. The components in the system (optics, imaging software, lighting, etc.) and the characteristics of the inspection object contribute to the image produced by the system. Illumination is a critical contributor to image quality. Improper or inadequate lighting causes loss of information, and no software program performs correctly if the image is missing the necessary details.

With a rich choice of machine vision lighting available, the prime objective for vision systems designers is to utilize the most effective illumination to deliver the best images for the particular application. The key is to consider the lighting techniques and technologies available, the physical characteristics of the workpiece, and the way these two interact to deliver the required image. This lighting guide shows how to combine the science and application of lighting for the most effective machine vision imaging.

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