UV Cameras for Machine Vision in Canada
UV cameras allow machine vision systems to capture information from ultraviolet wavelengths when visible-light imaging does not provide sufficient contrast for an inspection. VA Imaging offers UV cameras for industrial and machine vision applications across Canada, helping engineers evaluate ultraviolet imaging for specialised inspection tasks.
UV imaging can help distinguish differences in surfaces, materials, transparent components, coatings, fluorescence and UV emissions. The best results depend on selecting the camera together with suitable optics and, where required, appropriate UV illumination.
UV camera products
When Are UV Cameras Worth Considering?
UV cameras are worth considering when an inspection feature responds differently to ultraviolet wavelengths than it does to visible light.
In some applications, increasing resolution or changing visible illumination does not solve the underlying contrast problem. The object may contain two materials that look almost identical in visible light, a transparent layer may be difficult to separate from the surface underneath it, or the inspection may depend on fluorescence or ultraviolet emission.
In these situations, changing the wavelength used for imaging can provide information that a conventional camera does not make sufficiently clear.
Choosing UV Cameras: A Practical Evaluation Process
Choosing UV cameras should begin with the inspection requirement rather than with an individual camera specification. Understanding what needs to become visible makes it easier to determine whether UV imaging is appropriate and what the complete system requires.
Define the Inspection Target
Start by identifying the exact feature the system needs to detect. This might be a scratch, coating, material difference, transparent component, fluorescent tracer or UV emission.
The more clearly the inspection target is defined, the easier it becomes to evaluate whether ultraviolet imaging provides useful contrast.
Evaluate the UV Response
The target feature and the surrounding material need to behave differently enough in the ultraviolet spectrum to create a usable image.
Depending on the application, this difference may come from UV absorption, reflection, transmission, fluorescence or emission.
A successful UV inspection therefore depends on the optical behaviour of the object as well as the camera.
Consider the Required Image Detail
Resolution, field of view and the size of the feature being inspected should be considered together.
A higher-resolution camera can provide more image detail, but resolution alone does not create spectral contrast. The feature must first be distinguishable at the wavelengths used by the imaging system.
Account for Movement
Object movement can influence the required shutter technology and frame rate.
For automated inspection processes, a camera with suitable shutter behaviour can help capture objects while they move through the imaging area. The requirements depend on the speed and motion of the application.
What Makes Up a UV Imaging System?
A UV imaging system can combine a UV camera, suitable optics, illumination and software, with each component performing a different function.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| UV camera | Detects ultraviolet wavelengths and produces the image data. |
| UV lens | Transfers the required UV wavelengths to the camera sensor. |
| UV illumination | Provides ultraviolet illumination when the inspection method requires an external UV source. |
| Software | Controls image acquisition, camera parameters and integration with the machine vision process. |
The exact configuration depends on the application. Some inspections use external UV illumination to create contrast, while others may involve detecting ultraviolet radiation originating from the object itself.
This is why camera selection should be considered as part of the complete imaging setup rather than as an isolated decision.
Where Can UV Imaging Improve an Inspection?
UV imaging can improve an inspection when ultraviolet wavelengths create stronger or different contrast than visible-light imaging.
Fine Surface Features
Short ultraviolet wavelengths can make certain surface characteristics more distinguishable. This can support inspections where scratches, surface irregularities or other defects need to be identified.
Transparent and Similar-Looking Materials
Materials that appear similar under visible illumination may absorb or transmit ultraviolet wavelengths differently.
This can create useful image contrast for certain plastics, glass and other materials, supporting identification, inspection or sorting processes.
Coatings and Applied Materials
A transparent coating can be difficult to distinguish from the material beneath it with visible-light imaging.
If the coating and substrate respond differently to UV wavelengths, ultraviolet imaging can make the coated area easier to identify.
Fluorescent Tracers
Fluorescent materials can produce visible responses when exposed to appropriate UV illumination.
For example, a tracer can be added to an adhesive so that its application becomes easier to inspect without relying only on its visible colour.
Ultraviolet Emissions
Some inspection tasks involve detecting ultraviolet radiation produced by the object or process itself.
A UV-sensitive camera can be used where the relevant emission falls within the supported spectral range of the selected camera.
UV Cameras in Automated Inspection Systems
UV cameras can be integrated into automated inspection systems in the same way that other industrial imaging components are incorporated into a machine vision workflow.
The camera needs to capture the required information at the appropriate speed and then transfer the image data to the software responsible for processing or analysis.
Important integration considerations include the camera interface, required frame rate, shutter type, resolution, available installation space and the connection to the wider machine vision system.
The individual camera specifications should therefore be checked against the requirements of the automation process before a model is selected.
Selecting a UV Lens
A suitable UV lens is essential for transferring the required ultraviolet wavelengths to the camera sensor.
A lens designed primarily for visible-light imaging may not provide the same transmission or imaging performance at ultraviolet wavelengths.
VA Imaging offers UV lenses intended for use with UV imaging systems. Matching the lens to the required wavelength range, sensor format and field of view helps create an optical setup appropriate for the inspection.
Software and UV Camera Integration
Software integration connects UV image acquisition with the wider machine vision application.
VA Imaging provides camera software and SDK resources that can support camera operation, image capture and parameter control. Available programming examples and compatibility depend on the camera, so the documentation for the selected model should be checked during integration.
This approach keeps the software selection aligned with the actual camera used in the system rather than assuming that every UV camera has identical integration requirements.
Canada
< UV Camera Support for Projects in Canada \>
VA Imaging supports customers evaluating UV cameras and machine vision components for projects across Canada.
When discussing a UV imaging application, useful information includes the material being inspected, the feature that needs to be detected, the approximate field of view, the size of the feature and whether the object moves during image acquisition.
These details help determine whether ultraviolet imaging is suitable and what camera and optical requirements should be considered.
You can also compare our wider selection of industrial cameras for machine vision if UV imaging is one of several technologies being evaluated for the application.
Frequently Asked Questions About UV Cameras
Reviews UV Camera
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10Absolutely thrilled
I am absolutely thrilled with the MER2-160-227U3M camera I purchased from VA-Imaging. The camera exceeds my expectations in every way. The image quality is sharp and clear, even with fast movements... I am absolutely thrilled with the MER2-160-227U3M camera I purchased from VA-Imaging. The camera exceeds my expectations in every way. The image quality is sharp and clear, even with fast movements. Installation was straightforward. VA-Imaging's customer service was also outstanding. They were very helpful in answering my questions and delivered the camera quickly and securely.
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8Cameras are a great value for money
The cameras are a great value for money and the lenses also. The software is outdated and needs refreshing. It took me considerable amount of time to discover how to access the camera features. The cameras are a great value for money and the lenses also. The software is outdated and needs refreshing. It took me considerable amount of time to discover how to access the camera features.
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10Easy to deal with
Its a pleasure to contact with the sales department. They are very polite and always ready to help. Our orders are always delivered on time and the communication is easy and simple. High quality pr... Its a pleasure to contact with the sales department. They are very polite and always ready to help. Our orders are always delivered on time and the communication is easy and simple. High quality products.
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10embedded camera
We initially explored several embedded vision camera and USB3 camera options for our application. Our main priorities were compact dimensions and keeping the required software development to a mini... We initially explored several embedded vision camera and USB3 camera options for our application. Our main priorities were compact dimensions and keeping the required software development to a minimum. We selected a VEN-161 boardlevel camera. It was easy to integrate and USB3 Vision interface allowed our software team to get started quickly. The sales guy was very helpful with selecting the hardware for us. We are happy that we selected the USB3 board-level camera instead of a Mipi embedded vision camera as we didn't require now the additional driver development.
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10Excellent
It was easy and quick process from ordering to receiving. One personal message from the team is making it even better. Thanks It was easy and quick process from ordering to receiving. One personal message from the team is making it even better. Thanks
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10Excellent quality material and attentive and reliable supplier
In the commercial phase we had maximum support and delivery times were respected. The material is quite good with low and competitive costs. In the commercial phase we had maximum support and delivery times were respected. The material is quite good with low and competitive costs.
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10Fast cable delivery
I had ordered a camera but forgotten to include the required cable. the cable was ordered and delivered very fast. I had ordered a camera but forgotten to include the required cable. the cable was ordered and delivered very fast.
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8Fast delivery
Fast delivery even without paying the speed premium Fast delivery even without paying the speed premium
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9Fast Delivery and good quality!
A very good company, I will continue to cooperate next time！ A very good company, I will continue to cooperate next time！
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10Fast service
Extremely fast service. I got the camera next day. Highly recommend the seller! Thank you! Extremely fast service. I got the camera next day. Highly recommend the seller! Thank you!
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8.5Good Experience
Top, good experience. Very attentive and quick to respond. Product arrived in good condition. Top, good experience. Very attentive and quick to respond. Product arrived in good condition.
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10Good products and services
Lead time are a bit long but they VA imaging is a reliable provider that simply does what it says. Each time we needed to talk to someone, we had a proper client service with real listening and the... Lead time are a bit long but they VA imaging is a reliable provider that simply does what it says. Each time we needed to talk to someone, we had a proper client service with real listening and the will to find solutions.
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8Good quality and fast delivery
So far, all components meet expectation, it would be great, though, if 3d models for all components were available. So far, all components meet expectation, it would be great, though, if 3d models for all components were available.
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10Great
These people know their subject. Thanks to their help, I was able to successfully complete my machine vision project. They are competent in optics and that makes the difference. Delivery and post-d... These people know their subject. Thanks to their help, I was able to successfully complete my machine vision project. They are competent in optics and that makes the difference. Delivery and post-delivery service at the highest level.
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9Great customer service, fast delivery.
Unfortunately they could not help me finding a suitable camera+lens combination for a specific application, but they even assigned a physicist to my query. Unfortunately they could not help me finding a suitable camera+lens combination for a specific application, but they even assigned a physicist to my query.
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10Great customer support, products and prices
I contacted GeT Cameras to help out with selecting the best camera and lens solution for me. They provided great support. I ordered with express and received the products 2 days later :) I contacted GeT Cameras to help out with selecting the best camera and lens solution for me. They provided great support. I ordered with express and received the products 2 days later :)
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9Great prices, great service, everything great
Bought quite a few cameras from these guys, prices are great, service is great, delivery times of the hardware is also very nice. Bought quite a few cameras from these guys, prices are great, service is great, delivery times of the hardware is also very nice.
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10Great products. Excellent support.
GeT Cameras in Germany made some photo's of our products to show the performance of their cameras and they looked perfect. Recently we purchased a camera with lens, and LED lights. We are not exper... GeT Cameras in Germany made some photo's of our products to show the performance of their cameras and they looked perfect. Recently we purchased a camera with lens, and LED lights. We are not experienced with machine vision but the installation worked out fine. After installation on our laboratory we were surprised again of the high quality of the photos and the versatility of this system. (options in Galaxy viewer and integration in Python. Recently we had an issue with the software and the customer support was able to give us the relevant information to fix it within one day. The next time we need a camera we will not be looking to other suppliers but contact GeT Cameras immediately.
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10Great service
I needed a replacement part for a camera - not only was it delivered almost two weeks earlier than expected, but it also arrived well packaged. I needed a replacement part for a camera - not only was it delivered almost two weeks earlier than expected, but it also arrived well packaged.
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10Great support and inhouse knowledge of the cameras
First I was a little bit sceptic about buying online industrial cameras. It’s a critical part for our machine. For a new product development there was a lot of price pressure. We needed a cheap cam... First I was a little bit sceptic about buying online industrial cameras. It’s a critical part for our machine. For a new product development there was a lot of price pressure. We needed a cheap camera. I called them and Caspar was providing great support. He even advised a cheaper camera than I had in mind. I was just surprised by the inhouse knowledge of get cameras about machine vision. Never expected this from a webshop. The image an built quality of the camera is also great. The camera feels and operates the same as our Basler cameras.
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10Great support by email
I ordered a 20MP USB3 camera including a lens 2 months ago for a datamatrix code reading application. In the beginning I was sceptic because of the low prices, but support by email was great. They ... I ordered a 20MP USB3 camera including a lens 2 months ago for a datamatrix code reading application. In the beginning I was sceptic because of the low prices, but support by email was great. They advise a lens and provided additional technical information. Unfortunately they don't offer a loan service, but I decided to try it. I had the cameras in house within 2 weeks and connection was easy. The SDK looks like the SDK from Basler so I felt directly comfortable with it. The camera and lens was a perfect match and now I'm able to read small DMC codes on large products with just a single camera.
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10Great support while selecting a lens
We have bought a 20MP camera and lens with extension tubes to use it as a digital microscope in our lab. The support with selecting a lens was great. Connecting the USB3 camera was easy. We receive... We have bought a 20MP camera and lens with extension tubes to use it as a digital microscope in our lab. The support with selecting a lens was great. Connecting the USB3 camera was easy. We received everything on time.
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10High quality
High quality components and service! My order was handled quickly and arrived ahead of schedule. Would recommend. High quality components and service! My order was handled quickly and arrived ahead of schedule. Would recommend.
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10I like the quality and price of the camera
I bought a camera and lens. It was delivered fast. Connecting was easy using their quickstep article. The image quality is really great. I bought a camera and lens. It was delivered fast. Connecting was easy using their quickstep article. The image quality is really great.
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10It is important to have a skilled and efficient team of workers to get the goods efficiently.
Maintained a good relationship and very good communication from start to finish to purchase the item. Maintained a good relationship and very good communication from start to finish to purchase the item.
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10Just great
Needed a customized lens with fixed iris and I just needed 10 pieces. They where able to do it for just a few euro's extra per lens. Great service Needed a customized lens with fixed iris and I just needed 10 pieces. They where able to do it for just a few euro's extra per lens. Great service
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9Outstanding products and customer service
The customer service staff was friendly, easy to approach and helped us select the appropriate products which fit our use case perfectly. The customer service staff was friendly, easy to approach and helped us select the appropriate products which fit our use case perfectly.
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10Outstanding products and customer service
Get Cameras were extremely kind to sponsor us with some amazing equipment for our RoboCup student team, Delft Mercurians. We had no issues with the cameras, they perform as advertised and enabled u... Get Cameras were extremely kind to sponsor us with some amazing equipment for our RoboCup student team, Delft Mercurians. We had no issues with the cameras, they perform as advertised and enabled us to continue with the project and the company was extremely supportive of us overall. The customer service staff was friendly, easy to approach and helped us select the appropriate products which fit our use case perfectly.
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8Perfect customer interaction
Good site and perfect customer interaction. Good site and perfect customer interaction.
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10Products delivered sooner than promised
Ordered products were delivered sooner than promised, all ordered items were included in the package and we had no problems to make them work (cameras work with the attached software and with Matlab). Ordered products were delivered sooner than promised, all ordered items were included in the package and we had no problems to make them work (cameras work with the attached software and with Matlab).
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10Professional support, fast delivery and good product.
I liked that your team helped me chose the needed equipment by my description. The items that i have ordered are exactly what i have looked for. I liked that your team helped me chose the needed equipment by my description. The items that i have ordered are exactly what i have looked for.
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10Prompt responses to many questions
Prompt responses to our many questions. A good selection of cameras despite shortages elsewhere in the industry and we have been able to specify some of these cameras to keep projects moving forwar... Prompt responses to our many questions. A good selection of cameras despite shortages elsewhere in the industry and we have been able to specify some of these cameras to keep projects moving forward. We continue to buy regularly.
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10Prompt shipment
Reachable by phone and smooth cooperation. Invoice provided without the need for extra requesting for it. Reachable by phone and smooth cooperation. Invoice provided without the need for extra requesting for it.
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10Quick responses and good selection of cameras
Prompt responses to our many questions. A good selection of cameras despite shortages elsewhere in the industry and we have been able to specify some of these cameras to keep projects moving forwar... Prompt responses to our many questions. A good selection of cameras despite shortages elsewhere in the industry and we have been able to specify some of these cameras to keep projects moving forward. We continue to buy from Get-Cameras regularly.
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10Quick shipping and excellent customer service
The customer service is quick, friendly and helpful, shipping takes place fast and the quality of cameras and accessoires is excellent. Very useful is also the provided software, including coding e... The customer service is quick, friendly and helpful, shipping takes place fast and the quality of cameras and accessoires is excellent. Very useful is also the provided software, including coding examples to implement the cameras in our systems.
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10Quick shipping and excellent customer service
The customer service is quick, friendly and helpful, shipping takes place fast and the quality of cameras and accessoires is excellent. Very useful is also the provided software, including coding e... The customer service is quick, friendly and helpful, shipping takes place fast and the quality of cameras and accessoires is excellent. Very useful is also the provided software, including coding examples to implement the cameras in our systems.
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10Really nice products
i called them and they proposed the camera, lens and light setup. I received everything 2 days later. Tested it and it works. I didn't expect such a good image quality for the total set price. They... i called them and they proposed the camera, lens and light setup. I received everything 2 days later. Tested it and it works. I didn't expect such a good image quality for the total set price. They recommended the cheapest camera they had, but it's perfect for detecting the defects on my products.
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9Suitable product for us
We already have several of your cameras. These are for stock only. Since we are taking them into stock, that means we are happy with them. Only lead time is little bit longer. We already have several of your cameras. These are for stock only. Since we are taking them into stock, that means we are happy with them. Only lead time is little bit longer.
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10The German-speaking customer service team is very attentive to our needs.
We greatly value our collaboration with VA Imaging. The German-speaking account managers always address our individual requirements and consistently find suitable solutions, even for last-minute ch... We greatly value our collaboration with VA Imaging. The German-speaking account managers always address our individual requirements and consistently find suitable solutions, even for last-minute changes. Thanks to their support and flexibility, we have always been able to implement our projects quickly and smoothly. Thank you for the excellent collaboration!
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8Very good service
We are very happy with the quality of goods and services. We are very happy with the quality of goods and services.
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10Very good value for money
The camera arrived on schedule and gives excellent images. Very good value for money. The SDK makes it very easy to acquire images into a program of my own written using C++Builder (about 2 hours p... The camera arrived on schedule and gives excellent images. Very good value for money. The SDK makes it very easy to acquire images into a program of my own written using C++Builder (about 2 hours programming).
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10Very happy with the support
I was using cameras from a German competitor, but I was not happy with the support. They contacted me and we where able to select a camera with the same sensor. I received the camera within 2 days.... I was using cameras from a German competitor, but I was not happy with the support. They contacted me and we where able to select a camera with the same sensor. I received the camera within 2 days. It took me half a day to implement their SDK into my software so it was relative easy.
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10Very helpful customer service
We needed a vision camera for our project very urgently. They where able to deliver it in a few days time. They responded quick to my emails also when I needed support. They send me an article how ... We needed a vision camera for our project very urgently. They where able to deliver it in a few days time. They responded quick to my emails also when I needed support. They send me an article how to quickly install the camera and set the most important parameters. it was very helpfull and within half an hour we had a good live view image. We have also ordered the lens they advised. It provides a nice and sharp image.
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10Very pleasant contact, quick response
My questions were answered very quickly. The right camera was determined quickly and the order placed immediately. Camera delivered within two days. I hope to do business again in the future! My questions were answered very quickly. The right camera was determined quickly and the order placed immediately. Camera delivered within two days. I hope to do business again in the future!
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10Very smooth transaction
Great seller, good comunication, ship very fast. Great seller, good comunication, ship very fast.
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