When integrating a vision system into your production line, one of the crucial decisions you’ll have to make is selecting the right lens for your camera. The lens determines how well your camera can image an object and is pivotal in ensuring the system’s overall effectiveness. To calculate which lens you need, several parameters are important:
- Field of View (FoV): The viewable area of the object.
- Working Distance (WD): The distance from the lens to the object.
- Sensor Size: The size of the camera’s image sensor.
- Resolution: The smallest feature you want to be able to discern.
Fortunately, there are online tools available that can help guide you in selecting the appropriate lens:
Cognex Lens Advisor
https://www.cognex.com/resources/interactive-tools/lens-advisor
This interactive tool from Cognex helps you find the right lens based on your camera’s sensor size and the required field of view. The lens advisor is user-friendly, intended for both novice users and experts who want to quickly identify compatible lenses for their Cognex vision system.
Scorpion LensCalculator
http://scorpion.tordivel.no/lenscalculator.htm
The Scorpion LensCalculator from Tordivel assists users in calculating the field of view, working distance, and lens focal length for Scorpion Vision Systems. It’s tailored for Scorpion cameras but can also provide general guidance for lens selection based on your specific parameters.
Vision Doctor’s Optical Calculations
https://www.vision-doctor.com/en/optical-calculations.html
This resource offers a suite of calculators for various optical calculations. You can find tools for lens selection, depth of field estimation, and resolution calculations. It’s a comprehensive site that’s ideal for deep diving into the optical aspects of vision system design.
Differences between the tools:
- Cognex Lens Advisor: Specifically designed for Cognex systems, it makes recommendations based on sensor size and desired field of view.
- Scorpion LensCalculator: Offers specific calculations for Scorpion Vision Systems, but also useful for general lens selection.
- Vision Doctor’s Optical Calculations: Provides a broader range of optical calculations and is great for a more in-depth analysis.
Each site serves a similar purpose but caters to different levels of complexity and specificity. By utilizing these tools, you can ensure your vision system is equipped with the right lens, leading to optimal performance and reliability.
