Food Engineering logo
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
  • EXCLUSIVES
  • MEDIA
  • FOOD MASTER
  • EVENTS
  • RESOURCES
  • EMAGAZINE
  • SIGN UP!
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Latest Headlines
  • Manufacturing News
  • People & Industry News
  • Plant Openings
  • Recalls
  • Regulatory Watch
  • Supplier News
  • PRODUCTS
  • New Plant Products
  • New Retail Products
  • TOPICS
  • Alternative Protein
  • Automation
  • Cannabis
  • Cleaning | Sanitation
  • Fabulous Food Plants
  • Food Safety
  • Maintenance Strategies
  • OEE
  • Packaging
  • Sustainability
  • More
  • EXCLUSIVES
  • Plant Construction Survey
  • Plant of the Year
  • Sustainable Plant of the Year
  • State of Food Manufacturing
  • Top 100 Food & Beverage Companies
  • MEDIA
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • White Papers
  • EVENTS
  • Food Automation & Manufacturing Symposium and Expo
  • Industry Events
  • RESOURCES
  • eNewsletter
  • Custom Content & Marketing Services
  • FE Store
  • Government Links
  • Industry Associations
  • Market Research
  • Classified Ads
  • EMAGAZINE
  • eMagazine
  • Archive Issue
  • Advertise
Food Engineering logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Engineering logo
  • NEWS
    • Latest Headlines
    • Manufacturing News
    • People & Industry News
    • Plant Openings
    • Recalls
    • Regulatory Watch
    • Supplier News
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Plant Products
    • New Retail Products
  • TOPICS
    • Alternative Protein
    • Automation
    • Cannabis
    • Cleaning | Sanitation
    • Fabulous Food Plants
    • Food Safety
    • Maintenance Strategies
    • OEE
    • Packaging
    • Sustainability
    • More
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Plant Construction Survey
    • Plant of the Year
    • Sustainable Plant of the Year
    • State of Food Manufacturing
    • Top 100 Food & Beverage Companies
  • MEDIA
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • FOOD MASTER
  • EVENTS
    • Food Automation & Manufacturing Symposium and Expo
    • Industry Events
  • RESOURCES
    • eNewsletter
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • FE Store
    • Government Links
    • Industry Associations
    • Market Research
    • Classified Ads
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issue
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!

Engineering R&D

Helping machines see more clearly

Machine vision systems work amazingly well, but high-speed cameras, along with intelligent lighting and enhanced software algorithms, make their sight even better.

By Wayne Labs, Senior Contributing Technical Editor
James Gardner
James Gardner, KEYENCE senior manager, application development group, machine vision technology.
Factors that diminish machine vision

Factors that diminish the effectiveness of machine vision (with before [left] and after processing [right] images) include color-obfuscated cut lines (top), reflections and glare (middle), and an almost invisible lot number (bottom). Source: KEYENCE.

James Gardner
Factors that diminish machine vision
January 25, 2016

When you pick up a plastic-wrapped package in a grocery store and can’t read everything on the label because of a reflection or crease, you probably turn or tilt the package until the lighting is just right. If only it were that easy for machine vision systems.

With them, finding the right amount of light or the right angle to get a clear image without shiny surface reflections has always been tricky. But, KEYENCE Corporation of America (Itasca, IL) worked on this problem; came up with a solution; and received an award for it.

This past March, the company’s LumiTrax machine vision lighting technology was recognized among the best in the industry by the judges of the Vision Systems Design 2015 Innovators Awards Program. What makes the technology special is its ability to counter the ever-varying reflections and distortions shrink wrap causes to text laying underneath it. The result? High-quality, stable images for easy, reliable and consistent machine vision processing.

FE caught up with James Gardner, KEYENCE senior manager, application development group, machine vision technology, to find out more about this technology. As part of the company’s US product creation team, Gardner played a key role in its development.


FE: Can you explain some of the issues in machine vision applications?

James Gardner: The key challenge is getting a consistent, decent image—clearly defining the feature for inspection versus the background. Other challenges include accommodating and accounting for variation, which can come from a range of parts, changes in their presentation and changes in the ambient environment. A good image is at the heart of a good machine vision setup.


FE: LumiTrax technology includes high-speed cameras, intelligent lighting and algorithms. Can you explain the thought process behind this combined solution?

Gardner: We started with the problems every user of machine vision has faced: image consistency and stable extraction of the feature versus the background. Essentially, we had two-thirds of the solution [high-speed cameras and algorithms] on our XG and CVX series platforms. We recognized machine vision is like a house of cards: Everything is stacked on the image.


FE: How does this solution work?

Gardner: It works on the concept of taking multiple images, using a different segment of the light each time. Each segment produces a slightly different image, where the shadow from the structure of the target changes, yet the underlying detail remains the same. Using the varying and constant elements in the series of images allows us to build a final image, where either the features are extracted from the background based on a structural change, or the variable aspects (such as hot spots) are removed.


FE: How long was this in development?

Gardner: At KEYENCE, we pride ourselves on the continual development of our products and bringing new, innovative technologies to the market; it’s a big part of what we do. LumiTrax technology is one of many new developments we have brought to machine vision in the last couple of years. These include quick and easy, vision-guided robotics, auto-teach inspection, combined 2D and 3D inspection, auto/manual generation, 21-megapixel color and grayscale cameras, and wavelength convertor backlight.


FE: How do you build in extra speed to do all the computations required to get on-time inspection results for packaging lines?

Gardner: The key to meeting industry speed requirements is our hardware design. LumiTrax technology was developed as a hardware solution, rather than a software solution, to minimize processing overheads. Because of the multi-imaging method used, the LumiTrax hardware maximizes high-speed image acquisition.

In addition, the CVX and XG vision controllers are specifically designed for industrial machine vision with our 3+1 processor architecture. The four processors allocate specific tasks, which are run in parallel. Couple these pieces of hardware with ample image memory, and meeting inspection requirements is not a problem.


FE: What is the range of line speeds this technology can handle?

Gardner: LumiTrax technology is ideal for high-speed production, and its performance typically surpasses conventional machine vision systems. The LumiTrax light is approximately three times brighter than a standard ring light, and the camera features a high-speed CMOS sensor. Both of these are important aspects of the LumiTrax technology. How well a vision system works on a production line is a factor of the time it takes to acquire an image and how the processing of that image is handled.

LumiTrax technology allows for a faster exposure time [default ranges from 0.2 ms to 2 ms (depending on the camera)] than a conventional system. Both the CVX and XG controllers buffer images, so once an image has been transferred, the camera is free to take the next one. The transfer times range from 1.7 ms [VGA] to 29 ms [5 MP].

With a VGA camera, the total time to “build” the image is 13.4 ms. As the image processing is being handled by the DSPs in the controller, the camera is free to start the acquisition of the next part. The 13.4 ms equates to 4,477 parts per minute.

Conventional vision systems are designed on a single processor and must wait until the current image has been processed before being able to acquire the next. This means their tool processing time must be added to the image acquisition time to determine their parts per minute processing capability.

For comparison purposes, a conventional system might achieve something like 1,000 parts per minute [5 ms exposure time, 4.7 ms transfer speed, 50 ms tool processing time = 59.7 ms total time].


FE: In what other vision applications could this technology be applied?

Gardner: It is a far-reaching technology, in that it not only helps stabilize against issues such as hot spots and ambient light, it also extracts features from backgrounds based on structure. The technology opens up new ways to solve application problems and provide for those which have been previously impossible or near impossible to solve, such as defect detection on graphical surfaces; embossed and stamped serial number reading; the stable processing of targets with high variance in surface color, finish and appearance; and low-to-no contrast feature recognition and detection. Combining this technology with the CVX and XG systems provides a full range of machine vision tools for a variety of automated, identification, process control and monitoring applications.


FE: Is LumiTrax technology standard with KEYENCE machine vision systems?

Gardner: At the heart of our machine vision design is flexibility, so we offer a modular system. Different cameras and lighting options [CVX or XG] can be combined on the same hardware platform. The LumiTrax technology is optional, but it is pretty much becoming the standard, go-to lighting technology for front-lit machine vision applications, due to the image stability and feature extraction functionality it offers.


For more information:

www.keyence.com/usa.

KEYWORDS: controls inspection robotics software vision systems

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Wayne labs 200px
Wayne Labs has more than 30 years of editorial experience in industrial automation. He served as senior technical editor for I&CS/Control Solutions magazine for 18 years where he covered software, control system hardware and sensors/transmitters. Labs ran his own consulting business and contributed feature articles to Electronic Design, Control, Control Design, Industrial Networking and Food Engineering magazines. Before joining Food Engineering, he served as a senior technical editor for Omega Engineering Inc. Labs also worked in wireless systems and served as a field engineer for GE’s Mobile Communications Division and as a systems engineer for Bucks County Emergency Services. In addition to writing technical feature articles, Wayne covers FE’s Engineering R&D section.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Global Organic Food & Beverage Market to Grow

    Global Organic Food & Beverage Market to Grow

    With a CAGR of 12.07%, Bonafide Research estimates this...
    Latest headlines
  • skilled MEP worker

    Predicting Food and Beverage Manufacturing Trends for 2024

    The two words that should be kept in mind are labor and...
    Automation
    By: Derrick Teal
  • cleaning and sanitation

    The basics of cleaning and sanitation in food plants

    Sanitation maintains or restores a state of cleanliness...
    Cleaning | Sanitation
    By: Richard F. Stier
close

1 COMPLIMENTARY ARTICLE(S) LEFT

Loader

Already a Registered User? Sign in now.

Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Customer Service

OT Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in Food Manufacturing Facilities

OT Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in Food Manufacturing Facilities

Understanding Impacts of OT Cybersecurity Events in Food Manufacturing

Understanding Impacts of OT Cybersecurity Events in Food Manufacturing

Food Plant Openings and Expansions April 2025

Food Plant Openings and Expansions April 2025

FA&M 2025 in Rewind

FA&M 2025 in Rewind

More Videos

Popular Stories

Conagra Logo

Conagra Brands to Sell Chef Boyardee Brand to Hometown Food Company

Salt

FDA to Amend Standards of Identity to Include Salt Substitutes

Vilter IHP in plant

Industrial Heat Pumps: Sustainable Energy Solutions for Now and the Future

CHECK OUT OUR NEW ESSENTIAL TOPICS

Alternative ProteinAutomationCleaning/SanitationFabulous Food Plants

Food SafetyMaintenance StrategiesOEE

PackagingSustainability

Events

June 5, 2025

Mass Customization Driving Innovation in the Food and Beverage Industry

The food and beverage industry is at the nexus of transformative global manufacturing trends, driving a shift toward personalized, customer-centric solutions. 

June 5, 2025

How Cafe Spice Uses Automation to Propel Private Label

Learn about Cafe Spice’s new, state-of-the-art, highly automated manufacturing facility in Beacon, New York. 

View All Submit An Event

Products

Recent Advances in Ready-to-Eat Food Technology

Recent Advances in Ready-to-Eat Food Technology

See More Products

Plant of the Year

Related Articles

  • Edipeel comparison

    How Apeel Sciences is helping fruit keep its appeal much longer

    See More
  • Diet Quality and Food Systems chart

    Modern technology, supply chains not helping worldwide nutrition

    See More
  • SmartChek X-ray systems at Commonwealth Dairy

    X-Ray systems see through yogurt containers…and cases

    See More
×
James Gardner, KEYENCE senior manager, application development group, machine vision technology.
Factors that diminish the effectiveness of machine vision (with before [left] and after processing [right] images) include color-obfuscated cut lines (top), reflections and glare (middle), and an almost invisible lot number (bottom). Source: KEYENCE.

Elevate your expertise in food engineering with unparalleled insights and connections.

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Food Master
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

Food Engineering logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Engineering logo
  • NEWS
    • Latest Headlines
    • Manufacturing News
    • People & Industry News
    • Plant Openings
    • Recalls
    • Regulatory Watch
    • Supplier News
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Plant Products
    • New Retail Products
  • TOPICS
    • Alternative Protein
    • Automation
    • Cannabis
    • Cleaning | Sanitation
    • Fabulous Food Plants
    • Food Safety
    • Maintenance Strategies
    • OEE
    • Packaging
    • Sustainability
    • More
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Plant Construction Survey
    • Plant of the Year
    • Sustainable Plant of the Year
    • State of Food Manufacturing
    • Top 100 Food & Beverage Companies
  • MEDIA
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • FOOD MASTER
  • EVENTS
    • Food Automation & Manufacturing Symposium and Expo
    • Industry Events
  • RESOURCES
    • eNewsletter
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • FE Store
    • Government Links
    • Industry Associations
    • Market Research
    • Classified Ads
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issue
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!