Machine Vision

Choosing Machine Vision components

Machine vision is a system, not a component — a camera alone will not inspect anything. Replacement of a vision cell starts with understanding which element failed and what the rest of the cell expects from it. A swap that ignores lens, lighting, or interface details usually results in a working camera that produces unusable images.

Specs to confirm before ordering machine vision parts:

Camera type: area-scan (2D field), line-scan (continuous web or rotating part), 3D (laser profiler or stereo)
Sensor resolution, pixel size, and sensor format (1/2", 2/3", 1", APS-C)
Interface: GigE Vision, USB3 Vision, Camera Link, CoaXPress, MIPI
Lens mount (C-mount, CS-mount, F-mount) and lens focal length matched to the working distance and field of view
Lighting type: ring, bar, dome, backlight, low-angle, coaxial — and color/wavelength
Processor or PC requirements, including OS support for older driver versions
Cable length and shielding — long Camera Link runs need active cables; GigE has a 100 m limit per segment

Common gotchas: a higher-resolution camera with the same lens gives a smaller field of view at the same working distance (because pixel size shrinks). Replacing a CCD camera with a CMOS unit of the same resolution can shift exposure and gain behavior enough to break a tuned inspection. Camera Link cables come in Base, Medium, Full, and Deca variants — using a Base cable on a Medium camera works at lower frame rate, but using a Medium cable on a Base camera is harmless. Lens iris settings affect both brightness and depth of field; a "matched" replacement camera with the iris reopened gives a different depth of field.

Typical applications: 100% inspection on packaging lines, weld-bead verification on body-in-white, surface defect detection on coil and web, bottle fill-level verification, and robot guidance for pick-and-place. On legacy vision cells where the original camera and lighting are out of production, in-kind replacement is the lowest-risk path; substituting modern components typically requires re-developing the inspection.

For obsolete machine vision components, request a quote with the OEM number.

Do you stock obsolete machine vision cameras and processors?

Yes. Discontinued Cognex In-Sight, end-of-life Keyence CV processors, retired Sick IVC, and older Basler scout/ace cameras are sourced through our supplier network.

GigE Vision vs. USB3 Vision — does it matter for a replacement?

Yes. The interface is part of the camera's driver and the host PC's expected configuration. Replacing a GigE camera with a USB3 unit means new cables, possibly a new frame grabber, and new driver setup.

Will my application program transfer to a replacement camera?

If the camera is the same model and firmware, usually yes. Across models, the application may need re-tuning even when the resolution matches — gain, exposure, and noise characteristics differ.

Can you source obsolete Camera Link frame grabbers?

Yes. Legacy National Instruments, Matrox, and Euresys Camera Link grabbers are still available through surplus channels. Send the OEM part number.

How are vision components packed?

From St. Louis with original or equivalent ESD-safe packaging. Lenses ship separately from cameras when ordered together to protect optical surfaces.

What is the warranty?

12 months functional on cameras, processors, lenses, and lighting. Damage to optical surfaces from improper handling is not covered.

Keyence CA-CM20 Camera

Keyence CA-CN17X Camera Cable 17-m for Repeater

Keyence CA-DBB13 Blue Bar Light 132 mm

Keyence CA-DBB5 Blue Bar Light 50 mm

Keyence CA-DBR13 Red Bar Light 132 mm

Keyence CA-DBR5 Red Bar Light 50 mm

Keyence CA-DBR8 Red Bar Light 82 mm

Keyence CA-DBW12W White Bar Light 120 mm

Keyence CA-DBW13 White Bar Light 132 mm

Keyence CA-DBW5 White Bar Light 50 mm

Keyence CA-DBW50H White High-intensity, Large bar-type light 500 mm

Keyence CA-DBW8 White Bar Light 82 mm

Keyence CA-DC100 Light and Light Controller

Keyence CA-DC10E LED Illumination Controller

Keyence CA-DC20E Expansion Unit of LED lighting

Keyence CA-DC30E Dedicated illumination controller

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