1. Optical System
1.1 Video Camera
The video camera is a high resolution color CCD camera or a monochromatic automation camera. It mounts to the top of the adapter tube and sends a live video image of the part under inspection to the system computer, which displays the image on the system monitor.
1.2 Adapter Tubes
Adapter tubes mount between the zoom lens assembly and the video camera, and are used to increase or decrease magnification. An adapter tube is required for proper system operation.
1.3 AccuCentric Assembly
The AccuCentric assembly mounts on the left-hand side of the zoom lens assembly and contains an LED reticle that is used to recalibrate the optical system automatically whenever you change the zoom position (magnification).
1.4 LED Surface Illuminator
The LED surface illuminator mounts on the right-hand side of the zoom lens assembly and provides direct, square-on, white light. Note: A fiber optic surface illuminator is available in lieu of the LED surface lluminator.
1.5 LED Surface Illuminator/Grid Projector
The LED surface illuminator/grid projector mounts in place of the standard LED surface illuminator and adds the ability to project contrast onto surfaces that have little or no contrast, such as glass. This allows you to perform an autofocus on such surfaces.
1.6 Replacement Lenses
Replacement lenses mount to the bottom of the zoom lens assembly, and are automatically identified by the system if the system is equipped with magnification identification (Mag ID).These lenses decrease the field of view and increase the magnification without changing the magnification range. However, they do change the working distance. A replacement lens is required for proper system operation.
1.7 SmartRing Light
The standard SmartRing light provides oblique illumination and mounts on either the 1X replacement lens or the 2X Laser Lens. It has of six concentric rings that can be split into eight 45° sectors. In the metrology software, you can turn on/off individual rings or sectors as well as adjust the intensity of the illumination to effectively illuminate staged parts with varying incidence and directionality.
A Fresnel lens, mounted to the bottom of the SmartRing light, angles the light toward the part surface. Optimal ring light performance occurs when it is approximately 75 mm (3″) from the surface under inspection. Systems can be operated without a SmartRing light.
The Vu-Light produces high intensity angled flood lighting at a selected incidence angle without the use of a Fresnel lens. The Vu-Light comes in two interchangeable versions. The standard model is intended for use with the standard 1X replacement lens. The low angle model is intended for use with the 1.5X and 2X lens attachments, and the 2X Laser Lens.
1.9 Lens Attachments
Lens attachments mount to the bottom of the 1X replacement lens and the lens extender that is standard with the 1X LWD replacement lens (SmartScope ZIP/ATS systems); they are not available with any other replacement lens. Lens attachments either increase the field of view and decrease the magnification, or decrease the field of view and increase the magnification. They do not change the range of the zoom lens, but they do change the working distance.
Important Optical Terms
A lens aberration that results in horizontal features being in focus at a different plane than vertical features. Images in one axis are in focus across the entire field of view while images in the other axis are not, and appear “fuzzy.” This source of imaging error is corrected by lens combinations.
An optical device that divides one beam of light into two or more separate beams. An uncoated piece of glass at a 45° angle to the incident beam will reflect approximately 8% of the light at a 90° angle, and pass approximately 92%.A lens aberration that results in horizontal features being in focus at a different plane than vertical features. Images in
■ Depth of Field
Distance along the optical axis over which an object will remain in focus. Depth of field is larger at lower magnifications, and smaller at higher magnifications.
A general term used when an image does not fully represent an object. There are many types of distortion; pin cushion and barrel are common.
■ Field of View (FOV)
Maximum area that the system can see at one time (usually expressed as a diagonal measurement). The field of view increases when the magnification decreases.
■ Fresnel Lens
As used in the SmartRing light, a Fresnel lens is a lens that is cut into narrow rings and flattened, without the thickness of material that would be required in a conventional lens design.It focuses the LEDs to a spot.
■ Hot Spot
An area near the center of an FOV of above average light intensity.
■ Laser Pointer
A laser that projects a spot on the part but does not collect reflected light.
Condition where the part image stays in focus through the full magnification range.
■ Step Size
The distance traveled in Z, between video frames during an autofocus. (The step size is an approximate representation of the depth of field at any given magnification when multiplied by four.)
■ TTL Laser
A laser that emits and collects light produced from a laser through the replacement lens.
■ Working Distance
The distance from the closest surface of a lens system to the area of the sample being imaged when properly focused.