Capsule contamination in clear blister packs: reducing curved-surface glare
Clear blister domes act like a row of curved mirrors. An arch-shaped shadowless light lights them from every side at once, so the domes stop glaring and a tiny black speck on a capsule stands out.
Reduce glare before searching for a dark speck.
Real camera capture
- LightArch shadowless, 125 × 70 mm emitting
- Working distance5–50 mm (light spec)
- Viewport45 mm camera hole
- ResultDirt clear, even background
Explore it in 3D
Camera and available lens CAD are published models. Lens and light envelopes use printed dimensions. The linked station uses its published base size and column height; carriage, brackets, fittings, parts and spacing are illustrative. Confirm load, travel, fasteners and clearances before ordering. Light paths explain the arrangement and do not simulate optical performance.
Lighting application-lab image sheet
What the camera saw
Cropped from the source test sheet; original test annotations are retained. Captures are not generated or enhanced. Drag a comparison slider, or open any image full size.
The challenge
Each blister dome reflects a bright highlight from any small light. Highlights hide what is under them and can be mistaken for defects.
The defect is small and dark on a two-tone capsule, so the light must be even over the whole pack.
How it was solved
The LS-DL12570 arch light curves over the pack along the conveyor and sends light down from every angle across the web. The domes reflect the evenly lit arch instead of a hot spot.
The supplied capture shows the capsules against a dark background, with a dark mark visible on a light capsule surface. It demonstrates useful contrast, without establishing contamination size or a production acceptance threshold.
Why it works
- 1
Diffuse light from a wide arc removes glare from curved, glossy packaging.
- 2
The open ends of the arch let the web pass through, so it fits inline on a blister machine.
- 3
The 45 mm viewport keeps the camera on axis without a beam splitter.
Lighting application-lab image sheet
Evidence you can inspect
The supplied camera image shows a dark mark on a capsule under diffuse arch illumination.
The source identifies the white arch light and describes visibility of the dirty region; no defect size is stated.
An optical contrast trial. It does not establish pharmaceutical process validation or a contamination detection limit.
From image contrast to a production decision
What to validate on your part
- 01
Cover packaging variation
Test dome shape, foil finish, wrinkles and position variation.
- 02
Use known defects
Include the smallest required speck and contaminants on both capsule colours.
- 03
Measure false calls
Run acceptable packs at the intended speed and check reflections against the rejection rule.
From the demo to your test bench
Parts in this setup
LightTested
LS-DL12570
125 x 70 mm Arch shadowless light (LS-DL12570)
Arch shadowless light, 125 × 70 mm emitting, 139 × 112 × 62 mm, 45 mm camera viewport.
$279.00
In proposed setup
CameraOur pick
MV-CA050-12GC
Hikrobot MV-CA050-12GC 5MP Area Scan Camera, GigE, IMX264, Color
5 MP 2/3" colour, so capsule colour can be checked in the same image.Not available in the United States. Available for delivery to other countries.
$679.00 · quote
In proposed setup
LensOur pick
LS-KF1628M-ML
16mm, F2.8, 1.1", C-mount, Macro lens (52 mm (-0.25X) to 546 mm (-0.03X)) (LS-KF1628M-ML)
16 mm macro lens; a 100 mm pack on a 2/3" sensor needs about 0.085x.
$319.00
In proposed setup
Camera test stationOur pick
LS-BT-XZ-G-6-6045
Camera stand with XZ adjustment and glass tray, height 600 mm (LS-BT-XZ-G-6-6045)
600 mm column, 600 × 450 mm breadboard, XZ adjustment, glass tray and two lighting holders as listed. Proposed bench fixture; confirm loads, travel and camera/lens clamps.
$359.00
In proposed setup
"Tested" identifies the part named in the source. "Our pick" is a proposed alternative or supporting part. Confirm colour, optics, controllers, power supplies, cables and mounting before ordering.
The set-up
| Light | Arch shadowless light (LS-DL12570), white 6600 K |
|---|---|
| Working distance | 5–50 mm (light spec) |
| Camera | Area scan through the 45 mm viewport |
| Mounting (proposed) | LS-BT-XZ-G-6-6045 · camera test station with glass tray and two lighting holders |
Mount the optics with intent
The station is an optical test bench, with its two lighting holders included in the catalog listing. The 3D column and base follow the published height and footprint. Carriages, clamps and part supports are schematic: confirm camera screw pattern, lens support, light fasteners, permissible load and actual travel before ordering.
Complete the electrical system
Select a controller against the exact light voltage, drive mode and power, then confirm camera data/power/I/O cables and a suitable PC. These are not silently added to the proposed optical kit.
Build this system
Start from this setup, adapt it to your part.
The configurator opens with this study's camera, lens, light and station picked. Swap any part, check fit and price, then buy or ask for a quote.
Camera and available lens CAD are published models. Lens and light envelopes use printed dimensions. The linked station uses its published base size and column height; carriage, brackets, fittings, parts and spacing are illustrative. Confirm load, travel, fasteners and clearances before ordering. Light paths explain the arrangement and do not simulate optical performance.
Food, pharma and agriculture
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Make the next trial specific.
Tell us the part size, smallest defect or tolerance, available working distance, material and line speed. Include what a good part and a reject look like.
About this case study: the photos and camera images come from the application laboratory of the maker of the lighting and optics we sell, imaged on the parts shown; your results depend on your part, camera and set-up. This is an application-lab study, not a LumaSpec customer deployment. Source figures are reported results; proposed components require a fresh trial. The 3D scene illustrates the arrangement and does not simulate imaging performance.