While some systems provide visual feedback for robotics, the bulk of vision systems assist or replace the work of human inspectors. Photographic lenses are a great resource for vision systems. Their design, optimized for larger 35mm film format, creates terrific images onto smaller format standard CCD cameras. With a large numbers of lenses available, the imaging component of the vision system is its best price-performer. Uniformity and stability over time is a must when it is critical to monitor lot variance from day to day.
Noisy images increase error in locating pattern, part sizing, and other calculations.
Color cameras are electronically balanced to compensate for its different responses to reds, greens, and blues. In color applications, balancing needs to be checked and adjusted, particularly when light conditions are changing. The color balancing process can have a big impact on image quality. Very often, a camera's blue channel has poor response and electronic gain is high to compensate - the high gain on small signal can create very noisy blue images of parts. Color cameras vary widely in their image reproduction and matters can become even worse when combined with poor lighting.