Gaspar van Elmbt
Not sure which machine vision light you need? Download our free lighting flowchart and choose the right option based on your inspection goal, object shape and surface reflection.
Fill in the form and receive the machine vision lighting selection guide.
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Open the form hereInstead of starting with the product, start with the image you need. Do you need a sharp outline?
Once those questions are clear, choosing the right light becomes much easier.
For dimension measurement, a backlight is usually the best starting point. It creates a bright background behind the object, so the camera sees a clear silhouette. This makes it easier to measure shape, position, edges, holes and outside dimensions.
For scratches, edges and surface defects, dark-field lighting is often the better choice. It lights the object from a low angle, making small surface changes stand out more clearly.
For text, colour, labels and product features, the choice depends more on the object shape and surface. A simple ring light or bar light may work well on matte surfaces, while reflective objects often need more controlled lighting such as coaxial or dome lighting.
Flat, non-reflective objects are usually the easiest to illuminate. A ring light is simple and compact, while bar lights give more freedom to adjust the angle. Reflective flat objects need more care. Coaxial lighting can work well for small shiny surfaces, printed details or labels. Angled bar lights are useful when you need to move reflections away from the camera.
Curved or uneven objects can create shadows and bright spots. When the surface is glossy, dome lighting helps by spreading soft light from multiple directions.
Moving objects need a different approach. For conveyor lines or continuous inspection, line scan lighting provides a narrow, controlled beam of light for stable image capture.
Some applications need special wavelengths. UV, IR or SWIR lighting can reveal material differences that are not visible with standard white light.
Best for silhouettes, outside dimensions, contours, holes and position checks.
Best for scratches, edges, dents, surface defects and small texture changes.
Best for compact objects, general inspection and simple front illumination.
Best for larger objects, rectangular objects and adjustable lighting angles.
Best for flat reflective objects, printed details, labels and small shiny surfaces.
Best for curved or reflective objects where direct light creates glare.
Best for surrounding illumination, surface inspection, edge defects and positioning.
Best for moving objects, conveyor inspection and continuous production lines.
Best when standard white light does not create enough contrast or material differences need to become visible.
Not sure which machine vision light you need? Download our free lighting flowchart and choose the right option based on your inspection goal, object shape and surface reflection.
We are happy to help you with the right machine vision product for your project.
We are experts in industrial cameras, lenses and machine vision lighting.
