Machine vision camera enclosures

The housings are rated IP67, which means they give your industrial camera complete protection against dust and can be submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes. This is especially useful in environments where the camera might be exposed to dust, rain, or accidental splashes of water. For example, in industrial settings, outdoor installations, or locations prone to heavy rainfall, these housings ensure the camera remains functional and protected. 

However, it’s important to remember that while these housings can handle short-term water exposure, they aren’t designed for extended periods underwater. So, if your application involves the camera being submerged for longer than 30 minutes or at depths greater than 1 meter, you will need additional protective measures. This might include using specialized waterproof enclosures or placing the camera in a location where it won't be underwater for long durations. 

Additionally, when using these housings outdoors, it is crucial to consider the temperature variations they might be exposed to. Learn more about these considerations in the section below. 

In summary, IP67-rated housing is excellent for protecting your camera in challenging conditions involving dust and water. They provide peace of mind in knowing that brief water exposure won’t damage your equipment, but they should not be relied upon for long-term underwater use.

• Higher Temperatures

When camera enclosures are installed outdoors or in warm industrial environments, temperature should be considered alongside the IP rating.

Direct sunlight can significantly increase the temperature inside the enclosure and may cause the camera to overheat. The operating temperature of the camera itself should therefore always be checked before installation.

If the enclosure is exposed to high ambient temperatures, additional heat dissipation may be required.

• Freezing Conditions

Low temperatures can also affect camera operation.

If a camera is switched off in freezing conditions, it may not restart if the temperature falls outside its specified operating range.

When the camera is continuously operating, the heat generated by the camera may help maintain a higher internal temperature, but this should not be relied upon as the only thermal measure.

Always check the operating temperature specifications of the camera being used.

The environmental conditions of the application should also be considered when selecting a machine vision camera enclosure.

• Food Industry and Front Window Material

The front-window material differs between the VA-MVEC enclosure models.

The VA-MVEC-167-IP, VA-MVEC-167-ALU and VA-MVEC-267-IP use a Gorilla Glass front window. The VA-MVEC-367-ALU instead uses PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), also known as acrylic or acrylic glass.

This material difference can be relevant for applications with specific hygiene or material requirements, including certain food-industry applications. The requirements of the complete installation should always be checked before selecting an enclosure for use in food-processing or hygienic environments.

• Salty Environments

In environments with high levels of salt and humidity, corrosion between different metal components may become an issue over time.

The combination of stainless-steel screws and aluminium components can increase the risk of galvanic corrosion in highly saline environments. This may eventually make the enclosure more difficult to disassemble.

The specific environmental conditions should therefore be evaluated before installing the enclosure in coastal, marine or similarly corrosive environments.