For machine vision applications, lighting techniques play an imperative role to bring about enhanced vision to help accomplish mundane industrial tasks. However, compromising on the quality and accuracy of lighting can degenerate the inspection carried out by the advanced machine vision and imaging systems. “Inappropriate or poor quality lighting can often result in longer processing times and reduced throughput. However, by carefully selecting the optimum illuminator, we can ensure that defects are detected quickly and easily, increasing quality, reliability and yield,” reveals Tim Losik, President and CEO, ProPhotonix. Tending to this need, ProPhotonix chips in to accelerate the implementation of cutting-edge technologies by providing LED illumination solutions and laser modules. “As an early adopter of LED Chip-on-Board technology, ProPhotonix provides high intensity illumination across all LED wavelengths including UV,” extols Losik.

With over 15 years experience in laser diodes, Salem-based ProPhotonix designs and manufactures high quality, consistent, and uniform LED and structured light laser products that are critical for faster processing times, faster line speeds, and higher quality products. ProPhotonix’ extensive portfolio of products is specifically designed for medical, security, transportation, and other industries. Detection of defects in the objects that are being inspected, graded, sorted or measured form an important part of the functionality of machine vision systems. Taking this in to consideration, ProPhotonix offers UV LED Curing Systems, LED Line Lights, LED Spot, Area, and Ring Lights; Structured Light Lasers, Laser Modules, Assemblies and Lenses, and Laser Diodes for generating accurate image. This would help accentuate the features and enables easy detection of defects in the material by system software.

“We utilize Chip-on-Board technology to create compact, high intensity, and uniform LED Light sources, from intricate LED arrays to complex turnkey solutions, integrating custom optics, electronics, mechanics, and software to provide the best possible solution,” illustrates the CEO. The company stands out for employing the latest Chip-on-Board LED technology that makes a broad spectrum of wavelengths or non-visible wavelengths such as UV and IR solutions available in the market.

As an early adopter of LED Chip-on-Board technology, ProPhotonix provides high intensity illumination across all LED wavelengths - including UV

“Our comprehensive LED experience has enabled us to develop unique capabilities and proprietary thermal modeling techniques, setting us apart from others,” adds Losik.

Unlike an off-the-shelf lighting solution, the customized lighting system supplied by ProPhotonix meets the specific needs of the customers by helping them overcome diverse complexities of machine vision applications. ProPhotonix has worked closely with California based medical instrumentation vendor, Evena Medical, where the client’s system required a near- IR illuminator with a compact controller for the detection of deoxygenated blood within veins. They employed ProPhotonix Near-IR SpecBright Line Light that offers Chip on-Board LED technology for intense, uniform illumination which can penetrate through hair and skin, offering the clients a deeper insight for an enhanced, improved contrast image. The uniformity of the light source also improved the detection of IV fluid or blood product escaping from the veins of the patient. Apart from the medical industry, ProPhotonix’s products can also be extensively used in Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems, automotive manufacturing, banknote inspection, and many other diverse industrial applications.

ProPhotonix accentuates the need for innovative lighting techniques to help manufacturers maintain the safety and quality of their products. Considering the huge potential for future growth in the machine vision market, ProPhotonix is determined to innovate more to bring in exactness and conformity required for product inspection with increased quality and reduced costs.