Keypad legends: preserve small print on a moulded surface
The source capture shows several moulded numeric keypads with their small legends visible. Four-sided adjustable illumination provides directions to test when curved key surfaces and printed strokes compete for contrast.
Choose the lighting direction for the printed stroke, not just the key outline.
Real camera capture
- Light in sourceLS-ROS154 · white
- EvidenceReal application-lab image
- Imaging kitCamera, lens and fixture proposed
- AcceptanceValidate on representative parts
Lighting application-lab catalog capture
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
A legend may cross a curved key surface and change appearance with the lighting direction.
Small print and normal mould texture need to remain distinguishable at every required keypad position.
How it was solved
The source identifies the white adjustable four-sided light for keyboard-character inspection. The capture shows several keypad pieces, not a labelled defect set.
Compare light directions on actual good and reject legends. The proposed camera field is a bench scenario and does not claim to cover the full source array at its original scale.
Why it works
- 1
Adjustable light directions give more options for testing printed-stroke contrast on shaped keys.
- 2
Legends being visible in one image does not establish missing-print detection or OCR performance.
Lighting application-lab catalog capture
Evidence you can inspect
Small printed key legends and the moulded key boundaries are visible.
The source captions keyboard-character inspection using the white adjustable four-sided light.
No glyph-size, missing-legend example, read rate, source camera or production field is supplied.
From image contrast to a production decision
What to validate on your part
- 01
Use every required legend
Cover the full character set, key positions and accepted print variation.
- 02
Change the light direction
Find settings that preserve strokes without saturating the curved key surfaces.
- 03
Test actual rejects
Include missing, shifted, weak and incomplete legends, then record false calls on accepted texture.
From the demo to your test bench
Parts in this setup
LightTested
LS-ROS154
Four-side adjustable bar light (LS-ROS154)
White LS-ROS154 four-sided adjustable light explicitly identified in the keyboard-character example. Printed outer size 154 × 154 × 42 mm; angle adjustment 0–90° per side. Internal bar sections and selected angles in the illustration are schematic.
$119.00
In proposed setup
CameraOur pick
MV-CS050-10GM(NPOE)
Hikrobot MV-CS050-10GM(NPOE) 5 MP GigE area scan camera, IMX264, Gen 2 basic version, Mono, Without PoE
5 MP monochrome global-shutter camera proposed for a contrast trial. Confirm field, sampling, exposure and algorithm on the actual application.
$819.00
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)
Proposed 16 mm C-mount macro lens at its printed 0.1x magnification / 152 mm working-distance pair. The proposed 2448 × 2048 sensor with 3.45 µm pixels gives a derived 84.456 × 70.656 mm field; confirm focus, coverage and residual distortion on the real sample.
$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
| Tested light | LS-ROS154, white |
|---|---|
| Source camera / lens | Not specified in the source image caption; proposed parts below |
| Proposed lens point | 0.1x at 152 mm, printed lens pair |
| Derived proposed field | 84.456 × 70.656 mm = sensor dimensions / 0.1x; not a source test field |
| Light envelope (printed) | 154 × 154 × 42 mm |
| Angle range (printed) | 0–90° per side; proposed illustration angles are not source settings |
| Mounting (proposed) | LS-BT-XZ-G-6-6045; 600 mm column, 600 × 450 mm base, glass tray and two included 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. Representative part geometry is illustrative, not reconstructed inspection evidence. The specimen and lighting angle are representative, not dimensions or settings recovered from the source capture.
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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.