Line-scan metal-scratch inspection: light, lens and motion
Start with a real lighting-lab capture, then explore a proposed line-scan station with a GigE camera, M42 lens, angled line light and adjustable test stand. Material motion builds the image one line at a time.
The lighting reveals the feature; synchronized material travel turns the line into a useful image.
Real camera capture
- Proposed camera2048 pixels · mono
- Lens interfaceM42 × 1 · 12 mm flange
- Light aperture300 × 18 mm
- EvidenceLighting trial; system proposed
Explore it in 3D
Test stationIncluded light holdersCameraLensLightPartAcquired lineMaterial travel · external transport
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. Rollers and travel arrows represent external motion hardware, which is not included.
Lighting application-lab capture + proposed line-scan system
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
Scratches on a reflective cover can disappear into the direct reflection. The light angle has to make their scattered light stand out against the surrounding metal.
A line-scan system also has to hold the moving surface at a controlled height and synchronize each acquired line with material travel. A good still image alone does not establish conveyor performance.
How it was solved
The application sheet identifies the white LS-LSC-0293 and shows it tilted toward the surface. Its camera, lens, material speed and acquisition mode are not specified. The published image supports the lighting choice, not a claim that our proposed camera was tested.
The proposed Hikrobot MV-CL024-91GM uses 2048 × 7 µm pixels across the line, with GigE output and external line triggering. The LS-FFL-0420 lens covers a 29 mm image circle and has the same M42 × 1 mount and 12 mm flange back as the camera.
At the lens table’s 300 mm working distance and 0.078x magnification, the proposed width is about 183.8 mm (14.336 mm sensor length / 0.078). The narrow cyan fan in 3D is the acquired line; the material travels across it. Conveyor, rollers and encoder are illustrative motion requirements, not items in this quote.
Why it works
- 1
An angled line light concentrates illumination across the acquired strip. Its angle changes how the surface sends direct reflections and scattered light into the lens.
- 2
The lens must cover the whole sensor line. This proposal uses a 14.336 mm line and a 29 mm image circle; the matching mount and flange back avoid inserting an arbitrary adapter.
- 3
Cross-web sampling is width / pixels. Along-travel sampling depends on motion per trigger, so an encoder or verified constant-speed synchronization is needed before interpreting image dimensions.
Lighting application-lab capture + proposed line-scan system
Evidence you can inspect
The source capture shows bright scratches on the dark metal cover; the red rectangle is the original test annotation. This crop excludes unrelated printed markings on the cover.
The source attributes the visible surface contrast to the named angled line light. It provides no line rate, transport speed, defect-size threshold or detection statistics.
A real lighting application with a proposed line-scan system design. No claim is made that the proposed camera, lens, motion system or processing algorithm produced this capture.
From image contrast to a production decision
What to validate on your part
- 01
Prove surface contrast
Test the worst acceptable surface and the smallest reject at multiple orientations and across the full illuminated width.
- 02
Synchronize the image
Set the line trigger from measured travel; verify the encoder ratio, camera input levels, line pitch and conveyor speed changes.
- 03
Close the throughput budget
Check exposure, light output, camera line rate and network/PC bandwidth together. Include dark-field noise, vibration and focus variation.
From the demo to your test bench
Parts in this setup
Line-scan cameraOur pick
MV-CL024-91GM
Hikrobot MV-CL024-91GM 2k linescan camera, mono, GPixel, 7μm
GigE monochrome line camera with 2048 × 7 µm pixels and external line triggering. This is a proposed replacement for an unspecified source camera.Not available in the United States. Available for delivery to other countries.
$1,209.00
In proposed setup
Line-scan imaging lensOur pick
LS-FFL-0420
25mm, F2.4, Image Size φ29mm, Recommended Magnification 0.04~0.18X, M42-Mount (LS-FFL-0420)
25 mm, 29 mm image circle, M42 × 1 and 12 mm flange back. Printed magnification is 0.078x at 300 mm WD.
$639.00
In proposed setup
Line-scan lightTested
LS-LSC-0293
Natural cooling line scan light, 340 x 50 x 95 mm (LS-LSC-0293)
The white light identified on the source application sheet. Adjust angle and intensity on the real surface.
$1,109.00
In proposed setup
Camera test stationOur pick
LS-MNT-0097
Camera stand with XZ adjustment and glass tray, height 600 mm (LS-MNT-0097)
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.
$629.00
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
| Camera (proposed) | MV-CL024-91GM · 2048 pixels · 7 µm · GigE |
|---|---|
| Lens (proposed) | LS-FFL-0420 · 25 mm · M42 × 1 · 12 mm flange |
| Illustrated working distance | 300 mm; confirm focus and required width |
| Derived width | 183.8 mm at the printed 0.078x magnification |
| Illumination | LS-LSC-0293 · white · 24 V |
| Motion and control | Conveyor and encoder integration to engineer; not included |
| Mounting (proposed) | LS-MNT-0097 · 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. It supports the bench camera and trial light; it is not a conveyor gantry. Production mounting, transport and encoder integration are separate requirements.
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. Rollers and travel arrows represent external motion hardware, which is not included.
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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.