CHANCCTV

Compared to traditional mechanical LiDAR, solid-state LiDAR lacks mechanical rotating parts, instead employing purely electronic or micro-electromechanical methods for beam scanning, with a focus on high integration, near-infrared transmittance, thermal stability, and resistance to environmental interference.

Solid-state LiDAR is a key technology in the fields of autonomous driving and robotics; its lenses are critical system components, primarily responsible for collimating the emitted laser beam and focusing the reflected signals.

1.What is a solid-state LiDAR lens?

As a core optical component of solid-state LiDAR systems, the performance of the LiDAR lens directly determines the system's detection accuracy, range, resolution, and reliability; the lens must not only meet imaging requirements but also efficiently collect extremely weak laser return signals.

Consequently, solid-state LiDAR systems impose unique requirements on lens design, placing greater emphasis on miniaturization, integration, stability, and cost control.

A solid-state LiDAR lens is not a single lens but rather comprises two independent optical systems—a transmitter and a receiver—with the core task of precisely controlling the emission and reception paths of the laser beam.

(1)Transmitter end

The transmitter is an illumination optical system whose main task is to collimate (turn into parallel light) or focus the original divergent beam emitted by the laser source into a small, precise beam shape through a lens group, so as to ensure that the beam can propagate over long distances and is not scattered by the surrounding environment, so as to efficiently illuminate the target area. The design of this lens assembly determines the radar's detection range.

(2)Receiver end

The receiving end is the receiving optical system, whose main task is to collect the extremely weak laser signal reflected from the target to the maximum extent possible, and at the same time, to accurately converge the collected echo signal onto the photosensitive surface of the photodetector to form a clear signal point, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio and ranging accuracy.

The principle of solid-state LiDAR lenses

2.Key technical parameters of solid-state LiDAR lenses

The design of solid-state LiDAR lenses involves multiple precision parameters that directly affect the radar's detection range, accuracy, and field of view coverage:

Operating wavelength: Currently, mainstream lidar operates in the 905nm (near infrared) and 1550nm (far infrared) bands. The 905 nm band offers relatively lower costs and mature silicon-based components, but it has a low eye-safety threshold, necessitating power limitations; the 1550 nm band allows for higher power and is safer for the human eye, yet the associated optical materials and detectors are more expensive.

Field of View (FOV): The field of view of a lens refers to the angular range that the radar can "see." Typical solid-state radars have a horizontal field of view of 90°–120° and a vertical field of view of approximately 10°–30°.

Relative aperture: The larger the aperture of the lens, the more light enters and the farther the detection distance, but the lens also needs to be larger. In order to collect more weak light signals and improve detection distance and signal-to-noise ratio, lens design often pursues an aperture of F1.4 or even larger.

Distortion: To ensure ranging accuracy, the lens must control optical distortion—typically requiring it to be below 5%–8%—while also ensuring that the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) meets specifications across the entire field of view.

Key technical parameters of solid-state LiDAR lenses

3.Key design points for solid-state LiDAR lenses

Depending on the different solid-state LiDAR technologies, such as OPA and Flash, the design focus of the lens also differs:

(1)OPA solid state LiDAR lens solution

OPA is integrated with an optical phased array chip, and the beam direction is controlled by phase. It mainly focuses on the fine control of the emitted beam and the efficient collection of the receiving optics.

By controlling the phase of each phase shifter in the array, the emission direction of the laser beam is changed by using the principle of interference, thus realizing "electronically controlled scanning". This approach typically employs microlens arrays or diffractive optical elements.

By precisely calculating the optical path, it ensures that the beam emitted by each phased array unit can be accurately pointed at a specific angle. This requires the lens to have extremely high optical processing precision (nanometer level) to match the subwavelength spacing of the phased array elements.

(2)Flash solid-state LiDAR lens solution

The Flash array technology approach is similar to taking a picture with a camera. It emits an array of light at once to cover the entire field of view, and uses a receiving lens to image the reflected light signal onto the array detector. It emphasizes the light collection efficiency of the receiving lens and usually uses a large-aperture, low-F-number collecting lens system.

The lens design resembles that of an ultra-wide-angle fisheye lens, requiring exceptional distortion control and edge image quality to ensure consistent ranging accuracy across the entire image.

Key design considerations for solid state LiDAR lenses

(3)MEMS solid-state LiDAR lens solution

MEMS-based systems utilize silicon-based micromechanical structures to drive a micron-scale mirror into high-speed oscillation—reflecting a laser beam to perform scanning—and are, strictly speaking, classified as semi-solid-state solutions. Its optical system includes a transmitting lens (which focuses the light beam onto a tiny MEMS mirror) and a receiving lens.

It is small in size and relatively mature in technology. It requires small-angle scanning with the micromirrors to achieve a large field of view coverage, and the optical distortion is strictly controlled.

In summary, the design of solid-state lidar lenses closely follows its technical roadmap, with the core objectives being to achieve a large field of view, high collection efficiency, low distortion, and low cost.

Aberration refers to the deviation between the actual image formed by an optical system and the ideal image; it is an unavoidable phenomenon in optical system design.

Lenses with different focal lengths exhibit significant differences in the types and manifestations of aberrations due to variations in their angle of view, lens curvature requirements, and physical structure.

The following are the specific manifestations of several common types of aberrations as they vary with focal length:

1.Distortion

The relationship between distortion and changes in focal length is direct and obvious. At short focal lengths, lenses are prone to barrel distortion, with the degree of distortion increasing as the focal length decreases; at long focal lengths, lenses may exhibit pincushion distortion, though the magnitude is generally minor; and at focal lengths of 85mm or greater, distortion becomes virtually negligible.

2.Spherical aberration

Spherical aberration is inversely proportional to the cube of the focal length; in other words, the shorter the focal length, the more pronounced the aberration. Therefore, short focal length lenses with small focal lengths are more affected by spherical aberration, which mainly manifests as a significant difference between the focal points of the center and the edges, forming obvious blurred circular spots.

This effect is even more severe under large aperture conditions. While spherical aberration decreases relatively as the focal length increases, issues may still persist when using large apertures.

Aberrations vary with focal length

3.Coma aberration

Coma is a function of the field of view, which is inversely proportional to the focal length: the shorter the focal length, the wider the field of view.

Therefore, the large field of view of short focal length lenses results in a large incident angle of off-axis rays, leading to significant coma, which manifests as a comet-like tail in the image of a point light source; while long focal length lenses have a small field of view and relatively small coma.

4.Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a function of the field of view and typically occurs during wide-angle shooting. In wide angle lenses with short focal lengths, light rays passing far from the optical axis traverse asymmetric surfaces; this can result in differing focal lengths for the meridional and sagittal planes, causing the image to appear blurred in one direction while remaining relatively sharp in the other.

In contrast, telephoto lenses are less affected by astigmatism because the light rays within the field of view travel closer to the optical axis.

5.Field curvature

Field curvature refers to the tendency of the image plane to curve naturally, a phenomenon particularly pronounced in short focal length lenses. Wide angle lenses have a large angle of incidence of light at the edge of the field of view, and the optimal focal plane is obviously curved, which can cause the center and the edge of the image to not be in sharp focus at the same time.

Manifestations of various types of aberrations

6.Chromatic aberration

Chromatic aberration primarily manifests as light of different wavelengths focusing at different points, a phenomenon with a complex relationship to focal length. Differences in the refractive index for various wavelengths cause the focal points of different colors to separate (longitudinal chromatic aberration) or result in varying magnification levels (lateral chromatic aberration).

Short focal length lenses have a shorter optical path and exhibit less chromatic aberration, but due to their wide angle of view, they are prone to displaying purple or green fringes at the edges.

Telephoto lenses have a long optical path, resulting in more noticeable chromatic aberration. This manifests as purple or green outlines around the edges of objects in focus, and this chromatic aberration is evenly distributed across the entire image. The purple fringing is particularly severe when shooting high-contrast objects.

Furthermore, the effect of aperture changes on aberration control varies at different focal lengths.

In the electric power industry, industrial endoscopes are key tools for non-destructive testing. They enable visual inspection of confined, high-temperature, high-pressure, or radiation-exposed areas inside equipment without disassembling, shutting down, or only briefly stopping the machine, allowing for the intuitive discovery of potential faults.

Ⅰ.Key characteristics of industrial endoscope lenses

To withstand the harsh operating environments of the electric power industry, industrial endoscope lenses typically feature the following characteristics:

1.High-definition imaging

Industrial endoscope lenses are typically equipped with CMOS sensors that offer high resolution (such as 1080p or even 4K) and adapt to bright or low-light environments, enabling the clear capture of minute cracks or weld quality issues.

2.Flexible probe, easy to operate

Industrial endoscope lenses are typically designed as flexible tubular or foldable types to fit small-diameter pipes and narrow gaps. The front end of the lens can be bent in multiple directions (up, down, left, and right) and has 360° all-round guidance, enabling observation without blind spots and allowing observation of blind areas without repeatedly inserting and removing the probe.

3.Intelligent assistance

Most modern endoscopic systems now integrate AI algorithms, which can automatically identify corrosion spots or cracks in images, improving detection efficiency.

4.Strong environmental adaptability

Industrial endoscope lenses typically possess characteristics such as waterproofing, dustproofing, corrosion resistance, vibration resistance, and high temperature resistance, enabling them to adapt to high-temperature environments such as thermal power plants and avoid damage or image distortion caused by heat.

Industrial endoscope lenses exhibit strong environmental adaptability

Ⅱ.Application scenarios of industrial endoscope lenses in the electric power industry

The following are some typical application scenarios for industrial endoscope lenses in the electric power industry:

1.Power generation equipment testing

Industrial endoscope lenses are frequently used in power generation equipment inspections, particularly for large rotating machinery and high-temperature, high-pressure vessels.

For example, inspecting the blades, impellers, combustion chambers, and nozzles of steam turbines and gas turbines typically requires high-definition, wide-angle, or side-view lenses, and even 360° panoramic scanning capabilities, to detect problems such as blade cracks, corrosion, carbon buildup, foreign object damage, and coating peeling.

Inspecting the stator windings, rotor retaining rings, ventilation holes, and end structures of generators can reveal problems such as insulation aging, wear, loosening, foreign object residue, and overheating discoloration.

2.Testing of power transmission and transformation equipment

Industrial endoscope lenses are also frequently used to inspect power transmission and transformation equipment, particularly targeting enclosed or high-risk components within the power grid.

For example, inspecting the coil windings, core, tank interior, and bushing interior of a transformer can reveal problems such as damaged insulation paper, winding deformation, foreign objects, sludge deposits, and discharge traces; inspecting cable ducts and joints can reveal problems such as damaged cable sheaths, overheated and melted joints, collapsed ducts, water accumulation, and blockages by foreign objects.

Industrial endoscope lenses are commonly used for the inspection of power transmission and transformation equipment

3.Piping system maintenance

Industrial endoscopes can inspect steam pipes, cooling water pipes, fuel oil pipes, etc. for internal corrosion, scaling, and blockage, and can be used with professional analysis software to assess the health of the pipes.

In addition, during the installation phase of electrical equipment, it can help check the cleanliness and assembly quality of pipes and manifolds, avoiding malfunctions caused by impurities or misaligned parts.

4.Safety inspection of power equipment

Industrial endoscope lenses can also be used for safety inspections of power equipment and facilities. During on-site operations in the power sector, these lenses allow for the inspection of the internal condition of equipment and facilities, enabling the detection of potential hazards—such as electrical leakage or fire risks—so that timely measures can be taken to prevent accidents.

Line scan lenses feature high resolution, a wide field of view, and dynamic imaging capabilities. When paired with line scan cameras and high-speed image processing, they enable seamless, high-resolution, and continuous dynamic image acquisition, making them widely applicable in scenarios such as vehicle inspection and security screening.

Due to their unique imaging principles and hardware characteristics, line scan lenses play a crucial role in vehicle undercarriage inspection, making them particularly well-suited for security screening scenarios that require high-speed inspection with no blind spots.

1.Advantages of line scan lenses in vehicle chassis inspection

Line scan lenses capture only an extremely narrow linear image within the field of view; as a vehicle passes the inspection station at a constant speed, the system can continuously acquire this line-by-line image data at a very high frequency.

Once acquisition is complete, the system compiles the captured linear image data into a complete, high-resolution, wide-field 2D panoramic image of the undercarriage. The advantages of line scan lenses are evident in vehicle chassis inspection:

(1)Blind-spot-free detection, imaging without dead angles

Unlike standard scanning lenses, line-scan lenses have no blind spots in their field of view, enabling seamless, panoramic imaging with complete coverage.

(2)Ultra-high-speed capture, high detection efficiency

Line scan lenses support extremely fast exposure frequencies, enabling clear capture even when vehicles pass by at high speeds, avoiding image blur.

(3)High precision and high contrast

The line scan lens is optimized for machine vision, featuring extremely low noise and extremely high resolution, enabling it to clearly distinguish minute features such as weld points, bolts, and cracks on the chassis.

(4)Dynamic imaging, seamless stitching

Line scan lenses use a linear speed sensor to match vehicle speed, and can stitch together continuously acquired dynamic line images into a complete, distortion-free panoramic view of the vehicle's underside.

Advantages of line scan lenses in vehicle chassis inspection

2.Application of line scan lenses in vehicle chassis inspection

Line scan lenses are a core component of vehicle chassis inspection systems, primarily used to prevent explosives, weapons, hazardous materials, or personnel from being concealed under the vehicle chassis.

The common application scenarios of line scan lenses in chassis inspection are as follows:

(1)Security checks at high-security locations

Line scan lenses are frequently used in security and inspection applications, playing a vital role—particularly at entry checkpoints—for government facilities, military installations, prisons, customs offices, nuclear power plants, airports, major events, and venues hosting high-profile meetings.

As a key component of under-vehicle scanning systems, these lenses enable the rapid and clear detection of bombs, weapons, narcotics, or stowaways concealed in vehicle undercarriages, effectively eliminating security blind spots.

(2)Automobile manufacturing and quality inspection

On automotive production lines, line scan lenses are often used for online quality inspection of chassis fasteners. By utilizing high-resolution images and algorithms, line scan lenses can be used to measure geometric parameters such as gaps and coaxiality between vehicle chassis components, ensuring compliance with tolerances.

Through a "robot plus line-scan camera" configuration, the system automatically verifies the presence, correct installation, and tightness of components like bolts and clips; this prevents downstream automated assembly failures caused by fastener issues and guarantees product quality.

Line scan lenses are commonly used in automotive quality inspection

(3)Vehicle maintenance and fault detection

Line scan lenses are also utilized in vehicle maintenance and chassis defect detection—identifying issues such as rust, cracks, fluid leaks, loose components, and exhaust system damage.

In used-car markets or repair shops, line scan lenses help detect signs of repair or residual accident damage within the chassis structure, assess the vehicle's age, and automatically verify the presence or absence of critical components like mounting bolts and sensors; this facilitates the early detection of defects and helps prevent major mechanical failures.

(4)Special vehicle inspection and management

Line scan lenses are also used for the inspection and management of some special vehicles.

For example, at customs ports, they can be used to inspect the chassis of container trucks to prevent the smuggling of contraband; they can quickly scan special vehicles such as armored vehicles and police cars to check whether the chassis has been fitted with foreign objects (such as explosives) or has suffered battle damage; as part of the under-vehicle inspection robot, mobile line scanning systems can be quickly deployed in temporary security checkpoints.

In intelligent transportation systems, industrial lenses play a crucial role in license plate recognition systems. As a core component of optical imaging, their performance directly determines the quality of image acquisition, which in turn affects the accuracy of the recognition algorithm.

Overall, in intelligent transportation systems, industrial lenses primarily assist with license plate recognition in the following ways:

1.High-resolution image acquisition

Industrial lenses are a core hardware component of license plate recognition systems, used to capture images of vehicles in motion, and determine the size and clarity of the images captured by the camera.

These industrial lenses are capable of delivering high-resolution images—ranging from millions to tens of millions of pixels—while exhibiting low distortion characteristics. This enables them to clearly render the characters, colors, and subtle details of license plates, thereby laying a solid foundation for the accurate recognition of license plate information.

2.High frame rate motion capture

At highway toll stations or ramps, vehicles typically travel at high speeds. High-end industrial lenses, paired with high-frame-rate cameras, can clearly capture the details of fast-moving vehicles, preventing motion blur and ensuring that every single frame is suitable for recognition.

Industrial lenses are often used for high-resolution image acquisition

3.Precise focus and depth of field control

Industrial lenses can accurately calculate and select a specific focal length based on the installation height and lane width, ensuring that the image precisely covers the target area for easy positioning.

At the same time, by adjusting the aperture and focal length, industrial lenses can provide a large depth of field, ensuring that vehicle license plates within a range of several meters to tens of meters remain in sharp focus without the need for frequent autofocusing.

4.Adapting to complex lighting environments

Lighting conditions in traffic environments are subject to extreme variations, including direct sunlight, low-light conditions at night, headlight glare, and sudden shifts in illumination at tunnel entrances and exits.

Many industrial lenses specifically designed for transportation typically employ a large aperture design, which can improve throughput at night or in low light conditions. For example, in low-light environments such as at night, in tunnels, or on rainy days, they can achieve clear imaging and reduce noise when used with supplemental lighting.

Industrial lenses can adapt to complex lighting environments

5.Environmental adaptability and stability

Outdoor equipment needs to withstand harsh environments such as wind, sun, drastic temperature changes, and vibration. Industrial lenses generally use special materials and structural designs to provide high-strength physical protection.

For example, industrial lenses meet industrial-grade protection standards, have a robust structure, can withstand road vibrations, and prevent internal lens loosening that could lead to a decrease in image quality; they have an IP66 or higher rating, which can withstand rain, dust, and fog, ensuring long-term stable operation; they have extremely low thermal drift characteristics, so the focus will not shift significantly when the temperature changes, ensuring clear imaging in all weather conditions without the need for frequent recalibration.

Fisheye stitching technology uses multiple photos with overlapping perspectives taken with a fisheye lens, combined with software algorithms for distortion correction and image stitching, to greatly expand the field of view. It can achieve panoramic coverage or special visual effects in a limited space and has wide and important applications in indoor photography.

Below, let's take a look at the specific application scenarios of fisheye stitching technology in indoor photography:

1.Real estate and interior space showcase

The fisheye lens's ultra-wide field of view can capture the entire view of the interior ceiling, floor, walls, and other surfaces from all angles at once. Using fisheye stitching software to generate panoramic images, real estate viewers can freely rotate the view on their mobile phones to view every corner of the room, creating an immersive experience and a great viewing experience.

Ordinary lenses struggle to capture the full view of a small indoor space, but fisheye lenses combined with stitching technology can achieve this. Fisheye lenses can capture the entire interior space at extremely close range. After splicing and correction, they can make a small space look more spacious and transparent, fully showcasing the interior layout.

Fisheye splicing technology is often used in interior space displays

2.Commercial space and hotel showcase

In the commercial sector, fisheye stitching is frequently employed to showcase commercial spaces—such as hotels, museums, and exhibition halls—where the objective is to highlight large-scale interior structures and intricate details.

Large conference rooms, hotel banquet halls, or exhibition halls often have huge spaces. Using fisheye stitching technology, a panoramic view can be achieved with fewer images, showcasing the venue's capacity and overall atmosphere, and helping customers intuitively understand the scale of the hotel's facilities and the level of its decoration.

3.Architectural and engineering surveying records

Fisheye stitching enables the rapid acquisition of comprehensive indoor spatial data, facilitating floor plan measurements, area calculations, structural inspections, and renovation assessments—a process significantly more efficient than traditional surveying methods.

Within construction sites or renovation zones, engineers can utilize fisheye cameras to quickly capture panoramic images, documenting the state of construction at specific points in time to facilitate archiving and progress tracking.

Furthermore, prior to the installation of suspended ceilings or flooring, fisheye panoramas can be used to document concealed infrastructure—such as plumbing routes and electrical wiring layouts—thereby simplifying future maintenance and troubleshooting.

Concurrently, capturing panoramic images of office buildings, shopping malls, and industrial facilities allows for the permanent preservation of the spatial status quo, thereby supporting property maintenance, equipment management, and the collection of evidence for dispute resolution.

Fisheye stitching technology is frequently used in architectural and engineering surveying and documentation

4.Creative photography and artistic expression

In certain artistic endeavors, the distortion inherent in fisheye lenses is no longer viewed as a drawback, but rather as a powerful tool for creative expression. By harnessing the intense perspective and distortion effects of a fisheye lens—often in conjunction with stitching techniques—photographers can create interior artworks of immense visual tension, accentuating both the spatial depth and geometric aesthetics of a setting.

For example, the distortion of a fisheye lens can bend straight lines in an interior building into curves, creating a surreal and exaggerated visual tension that makes ordinary interior scenes artistic and impactful.

5.Indoor monitoring and security

Fisheye lenses, with their ultra-wide field of view, have become a key component of indoor panoramic surveillance. Particularly in large indoor venues, the stitching together of images from multiple fisheye lenses enables comprehensive, blind-spot-free surveillance coverage of vast interior spaces, thereby enhancing security efficiency.

For example, fisheye splicing technology can be used to build indoor monitoring systems with no blind spots in museums, libraries, or high-end office areas. Furthermore, fisheye stitching can provide high-precision panoramic visual data for robotic navigation or indoor positioning systems, facilitating the construction of 3D indoor models.

Fisheye splicing technology is also used in indoor monitoring and security

6.Business and event records

Fisheye stitching technology also plays an important role in commercial event photography.

For example, in commercial photography, photographers can use fisheye distortion to highlight the volume of a product or create dramatic advertising visuals; in indoor events such as weddings, press conferences, and concerts, using a fisheye lens can encompass a wider scene and more people in a single photograph, while also capturing the atmosphere of the environment.

In addition, fisheye stitching technology also has key applications in VR shooting. Using fisheye stitching technology to shoot panoramic videos in indoor environments for VR device viewing provides users with an immersive experience, and is often used in education, training and entertainment fields.

ToF sensors are becoming an indispensable core technology for autonomous vehicles. ToF lenses enable vehicles to perceive their environment and monitor intelligently through ToF sensors, and have a wide range of specific applications in the field of autonomous driving. Their unique advantage lies in their ability to quickly generate high-resolution depth maps under complex lighting conditions.

The specific applications of ToF lenses in autonomous driving are primarily manifested in the following ways:

1.Close-range obstacle detection

ToF lenses offer distinct advantages in close-range sensing scenarios, enabling the real-time detection of obstacles located ahead, to the sides, and on the ground.

For example, in low-speed driving or automatic parking scenarios, ToF lenses can accurately perceive nearby obstacles (such as pedestrians, low objects, walls, vehicles, etc. within 10 meters) around the vehicle (such as blind spots), helping the vehicle determine when to stop or turn, supplementing the near-range blind spots of LiDAR and cameras.

2.Lane line and unevenness perception

By capturing minute variations in ground elevation, ToF lenses assist in identifying road surface irregularities—such as speed bumps—as well as lane edges, thereby providing the underlying control system with refined references for path planning.

Application of ToF lenses in close-range perception scenarios

3.Driver and passenger status monitoring

By integrating a ToF lens within the vehicle cabin, the system utilizes 3D data acquired via ToF sensors to capture—in real time—the driver's facial features, head posture, and blink rate. This enables the system to identify and assess whether the driver is experiencing fatigue or distraction, and to promptly issue alerts through audio cues, vibrations, or other notifications.

Meanwhile, the ToF lens can detect children or pets left behind in the back seat, as well as the position and posture of occupants, providing a basis for the precise deployment of intelligent airbags and improving driving safety.

4.Gesture control and human-computer interaction

By utilizing ToF lenses, the vehicle can recognize gesture commands from the driver or passengers—enabling contactless human-vehicle interaction for tasks such as adjusting volume, switching navigation views, and answering calls—thereby minimizing driver distraction and enhancing both operational convenience and safety.

Meanwhile, some personalized settings allow the vehicle to automatically adjust the positions of the seat, rearview mirror, steering wheel, and even personal entertainment preferences after facial recognition confirms the driver's identity, creating a personalized driving space.

ToF lenses help improve driving safety

5.Pedestrian intent and behavior prediction

Near intersections or pedestrian crossings, ToF lenses can help quickly capture pedestrian posture, direction of movement, and speed, and combine this with algorithms to predict their intentions, providing crucial data for vehicle decision-making systems.

6.High-precision positioning and map building

In specific scenarios—such as underground parking lots—ToF sensors can assist in generating high-precision local depth maps, enabling precise vehicle localization and navigation when combined with SLAM technology.

ToF lenses assist vehicles in achieving high-precision positioning

7.Fusion with other sensors

Within the overall architecture of autonomous driving systems, ToF lenses are typically employed in conjunction with other sensors to enhance system reliability. Since ToF sensors provide highly accurate absolute depth measurements, they typically serve a complementary role alongside cameras, millimeter-wave radar, and mechanical LiDAR.

Specifically, they compensate for the limitations of traditional cameras regarding depth perception, provide backup environmental awareness capabilities in the event of LiDAR failure, and—in close-range scenarios—can substitute for expensive mechanical LiDAR, thereby reducing the overall system cost.

In summary, ToF lenses are widely deployed in autonomous driving systems by virtue of their numerous advantages. They play an indispensable role—particularly in areas such as near-field perception, in-cabin monitoring, and human-machine interaction—and constitute an integral component of multi-sensor fusion architectures, thereby effectively enhancing the safety of autonomous driving systems.

Final Thoughts:

Industrial macro lenses possess close-range imaging capabilities characterized by high magnification, low distortion, and high resolution.

In the context of industrial 3D printing, they enable the real-time capture of micron-scale details—precisely capturing interlayer bonding, micro-defects, dimensional accuracy, and surface morphology—thereby supporting real-time closed-loop control and batch-level quality assessment.

Utilizing industrial macro lenses for quality monitoring in 3D printing is one of the key technologies for achieving zero-defect production. Let's take a look at the core monitoring application scenarios for industrial macro lenses within the realm of 3D printing:

1.Real-time image acquisition and analysis

Industrial macro lenses are typically mounted on the print head of a 3D printer to capture real-time images of the printing process. By leveraging high magnification and sharp imagery, these lenses enable the real-time measurement of critical feature dimensions—such as hole diameters and groove widths—thereby ensuring compliance with design specifications. Simultaneously, they allow for the detailed observation of individual print layers, facilitating the timely detection of defects such as interlayer inconsistencies, material accumulation, or material voids.

In addition, the combination of industrial macro lenses and AI algorithms can also utilize machine learning or deep learning algorithms to extract features from captured images and automatically identify defects such as incomplete fusion, bubbles, and cracks.

2.Surface finish and precision monitoring

Industrial macro lenses can monitor the surface finish, roughness, and precision of microstructures of printed parts in real time, observe the surface quality of each layer, detect surface morphology and texture defects, and ensure that printed parts meet design requirements.

Industrial macro lenses can monitor the surface finish of printed parts in real time

3.Interlayer bonding quality inspection

Industrial macro lenses can clearly capture the bonding between printed layers and identify areas or bubbles where adjacent wires or layers are not fully fused.

For example, by comparing the actual printed layer height with the set layer height, layer misalignment or stacking errors can be identified; in metal 3D printing, industrial macro lenses can scan printed layers with a thickness of 50-100μm and detect bubble defects with a diameter greater than 20μm.

4.Real-time process monitoring

In applications such as ceramic 3D printing, an industrial macro lens is positioned directly at the output end of the printer head to monitor material delivery and print quality in real time.

For example, in fused deposition modeling monitoring, the lens can monitor whether the diameter of the filament extruded from the nozzle is uniform and detect problems such as clogging, filament pulling, or under-extrusion.

Industrial macro lenses can monitor the 3D printing process in real time

5.Real-time feedback and closed-loop control

Once the industrial macro lens monitor detects a defect (such as abnormal melt pool temperature or lack of fusion), the system can automatically adjust the laser power, scanning speed, or powder spreading speed. In case of severe abnormalities (such as excessive splatter caused by over-melting of the melt pool), the system can trigger a command to pause printing or re-lay out layers to ensure print quality.

Thus, it is evident that the use of industrial macro lenses for monitoring in 3D printing enables non-contact, high-precision, and real-time quality inspection, thereby significantly enhancing both the yield and consistency of printed products.

In practical printing applications, it is essential to select the appropriate macro lens—along with its accompanying image processing system—based on the specific printing materials, processes, and precision requirements involved.

Final Thoughts:

Aberrations are unavoidable phenomena in the imaging process of optical lenses. Common aberrations include chromatic aberration, spherical aberration, astigmatism, field curvature, and distortion.

The types of aberrations that are prominent vary greatly depending on the lighting conditions, the subject, and the composition requirements of different shooting scenarios. Understanding and learning how to avoid aberrations in different scenarios can significantly improve image quality.

Below, we will examine targeted aberration avoidance solutions based on different shooting scenarios and their specific requirements:

1.Portrait photography

Portrait photography is characterized by a clear subject, a blurred background, and natural body proportions. The lighting used may be natural or artificial. Common aberrations include spherical aberration, coma, distortion, and chromatic aberration.

Portrait photography typically requires a large aperture to create bokeh, but this is also a major cause of spherical aberration. When using a wide-angle lens, stopping down 1-2 stops, such as changing from F2.8 to F4, can significantly improve spherical aberration and field curvature.

Avoid using ultra-wide-angle lenses for close-ups or half-body portraits. When using a wide-angle lens for full-body portraits, try to center the subject (especially the eyes) in the frame, away from the edges.

In addition, it is important to avoid having the subject's hair or eyelashes directly facing a strong light source. Strong backlighting will amplify vertical chromatic aberration and astigmatism.

You can use side backlighting with fill light to reduce the contrast between the subject and the background. If there is a point light source in the background, avoid placing it at the very edge of the image to reduce the effect of coma.

Aberration avoidance solutions in portrait photography

2.Landscape photography

Landscape photography is characterized by its wide field of view, the need for full image clarity, numerous high-contrast scenes, and predominantly natural light (strong light during the day and weak light at night). Common aberrations include distortion, field curvature, chromatic aberration, spherical aberration, and coma.

For regular daytime landscape photography, stopping down the aperture to F8-F11 will minimize spherical aberration, chromatic aberration, and field curvature, ensuring overall image sharpness. Avoid using the maximum aperture or excessively small apertures, such as F16 and below, as these will cause diffraction, reduce sharpness, and result in blurry images and aberrations.

When shooting architecture with an ultra-wide-angle lens, prioritize ultra-wide-angle prime lenses to ensure straight building lines and sharp image edges. When composing, place high-contrast boundaries (such as the horizon or mountain outlines) in the upper or lower center of the frame, away from the extreme edges, to reduce edge chromatic aberration. Using a lens hood can prevent strong light from directly hitting the lens, reducing flare and aberration amplification.

When shooting the night sky, prioritize using a large-aperture ultra-wide-angle prime lens for better control of star aberrations; avoid using the maximum aperture of a zoom lens to shoot the night sky, as this will make coma more noticeable.

Focusing to infinity and placing the stars in the center of the frame can reduce star trailing caused by coma. If colored fringes appear on the stars, enable in-camera chromatic aberration correction to suppress chromatic aberration beforehand.

Using a tripod and cable release during shooting can prevent blurring caused by camera shake and aberrations. Turn off long exposure noise reduction on your camera, as some models' noise reduction can compress details and amplify aberrations; software noise reduction can be used in post-processing.

Aberration avoidance solutions in landscape photography

3.Macro photography

Macro photography is characterized by a fixed subject, controllable lighting, and the pursuit of ultimate image clarity. However, aberrations that are prone to occur, such as spherical aberration, field curvature, astigmatism, and chromatic aberration, are magnified under macro conditions.

For macro photography, it is recommended to use a dedicated macro lens, which is optimized for close-up photography and corrects field curvature and astigmatism. Compared to using backlighting or zoom lenses for magnification, macro lenses significantly reduce distortion and chromatic aberration.

Meanwhile, macro photography involves extremely shallow depth of field, which usually requires a smaller aperture to obtain sufficient sharpness and also helps to reduce aberrations. However, attention should be paid to the effects of diffraction, which may require depth-of-field synthesis. It is recommended to prioritize macro lenses with apochromatic properties to suppress chromatic aberration from an optical perspective.

In addition, using soft lighting can reduce the color difference contrast of the high-contrast edges of the subject; when focusing, select the center area of the image, and place the core subject of still life photography in the center of the image as much as possible to reduce the impact of edge aberration; for large-format still life, you can use zone focusing to compensate for edge blur caused by field curvature.

Aberration avoidance solutions in macro photography

4.Architectural and interior photography

Architectural photography is characterized by its pursuit of straight architectural lines, accurate proportions, and clear details throughout the image. The lighting may be natural or artificial, and it is prone to aberrations such as distortion, field curvature, chromatic aberration, and astigmatism.

Tilt-shift lenses are the preferred choice for architectural photography. They can completely correct perspective distortion and barrel/pincushion distortion by shifting or tilting the optical axis, while eliminating field curvature, ensuring that the center and edges of the image are equally sharp, thus avoiding core aberrations from an optical perspective.

Using an ultra-wide-angle lens can capture space, but it is prone to barrel distortion. When shooting with a wide-angle lens, it is recommended to stop down the aperture to F8-F11 to suppress field curvature and chromatic aberration.

When shooting buildings from below or above, try to keep the camera level with the building lines to reduce perspective distortion. If it is not possible to keep the camera level, perspective correction tools can be used in post-processing.

When composing architectural shots, ensure that the main lines of the building (such as walls and window frames) are parallel to the frame border to avoid lines appearing at the very edge of the image.

Use soft lighting for indoor architectural photography to reduce astigmatism caused by low light, while also reducing the high contrast of glass/metal and suppressing chromatic aberration. For outdoor architectural photography, install a lens hood to avoid glare and aberration magnification caused by strong light shining directly into the lens.

Aberration avoidance solutions in architectural and interior photography

5.Wildlife and sports photography

Wildlife and sports photography primarily uses telephoto lenses. The scenes are characterized by high-speed movement of the subject, requiring rapid focus tracking, and the lighting may be strong or weak. Common aberration problems include coma, astigmatism, chromatic aberration, and spherical aberration.

When shooting wildlife/sports, prioritize telephoto lenses with low-dispersion elements to effectively suppress chromatic aberration. In strong outdoor light, stopping down the aperture by 1-2 stops, for example, from F2.8 to F4, can greatly improve the sharpness of the center and edges, suppress coma and astigmatism, and improve the accuracy of autofocus.

When shooting sports events in low light and requiring a large aperture, choose the lens's second-largest aperture (such as F2.8). If coma occurs, stop down to F3.5 to balance light intake and aberration control. Activating the camera's high-speed focus tracking mode ensures the focus remains on the moving subject, reducing aberration blur caused by out-of-focus issues.

In addition, using a telephoto lens holder + tripod/monopod can reduce lens shake and avoid astigmatism caused by shake; installing a lens hood can prevent direct sunlight from hitting the lens when shooting outdoors, reducing glare and aberrations; when shooting birds in flight/fast-moving subjects, try to fill the center area of the frame with the subject to reduce the impact of edge aberrations.

In conclusion, to avoid lens aberration issues, you first need to understand the lens you are using. Each lens has an optimal performance range. Test your lens in advance to determine the focal length or aperture where aberrations are most pronounced, and actively avoid them during shooting.

CCTV lenses are now widely used, but to match a specific scenario, multiple technical parameters and actual application needs need to be considered, such as clearly defining the monitoring target, monitoring distance, and monitoring environment.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at how to select the appropriate CCTV lenses for various specific scenarios.

Selecting a CCTV lens suitable for a specific scenario requires comprehensive consideration of the following factors:

1.Define the requirements of the monitoring scenario

Before selecting a CCTV lens, it is essential—as a foundational step—to first identify the specific surveillance requirements of the intended application scenario. First, it is necessary to clarify the characteristics of the monitoring target and the scene.

For example, confirm whether the target is to observe a large area or small details, whether the monitoring distance is short or long, and whether the monitoring environment is indoors or outdoors, and what the lighting conditions are. Ultimately, the appropriate lens must be selected based on these distinct surveillance requirements.

2.Matching key lens parameters

Focal length, aperture, field of view, and resolution are all key lens parameters that need to be considered:

(1)Focal length. Focal length is a critical factor in determining both the field of view and the monitoring distance. Different focal lengths correspond to distinct monitoring scenarios: the shorter the focal length, the wider the field of view; conversely, the longer the focal length, the greater the viewing distance.

For example, a 2.8mm focal length is suitable for monitoring distances within 10 meters and a field of view of about 100 degrees, making it suitable for monitoring indoor cash registers, elevators, and other areas within a certain range; a focal length of 8mm or more is suitable for monitoring distances of more than 15 meters, making it suitable for long-distance detailed monitoring in large scenes such as warehouses and parking lots.

Focal length is an important parameter to consider

(2)Aperture. Aperture determines the amount of light entering the camera, directly affecting the imaging effect at night. A larger aperture allows more light to enter, resulting in clearer images in low-light environments and making it suitable for nighttime surveillance scenarios without supplemental lighting. A smaller aperture is better suited for well-lit environments where overall scene clarity is required—such as on production lines or in warehouses.

In outdoor settings or other environments where ambient lighting fluctuates significantly, it is recommended to select a lens equipped with an auto-iris feature, which can automatically adjust in response to changing light conditions.

(3)Field of View. The field of view is closely related to the focal length, and directly determines the range that the lens can cover. Generally, wide-angle lenses have a field of view greater than 90°, making them suitable for large-scale surveillance in settings such as parking lots and public squares; telephoto lenses have a field of view of less than 30° and are ideal for detailed, long-distance monitoring—for instance, in applications involving license plate recognition and facial recognition.

(4)Resolution. The higher the resolution of the lens, the clearer the image will be. However, the resolution must match the detail requirements of the monitored target. It is not always better to have a higher resolution.

At the same time, the resolution of the lens itself must also match the resolution of the camera. High-definition cameras need to be paired with lenses of corresponding resolution, otherwise image edges will be blurred; high-resolution lenses paired with low-resolution cameras also result in a waste of resolution.

For example, a 2-megapixel lens can meet basic detailed monitoring needs, such as seeing people's outlines and general behavior, and is suitable for overall monitoring of ordinary corridors and warehouses.

(5)Mount and sensors. Common lens mount include M12, C, and CS mounts. Before installation, it is imperative to ensure that the lens mount matches the camera's interface; failure to do so may result in an inability to produce a clear image or even lead to equipment damage.

The same principle applies to sensor size: the lens's image circle must correspond to the camera's sensor dimensions; otherwise, the image is highly susceptible to vignetting, making it impossible to capture a clear picture.

Parameter matching for CCTV lenses is crucial

3.Installation height and angle

The installation height and angle of the lens and camera also affect the monitoring results. Generally, the higher the camera is mounted, the greater its horizontal coverage area. When capturing a downward-looking view from a high vantage point, it is necessary to appropriately increase the focal length to avoid wasting space at the top of the frame.

4.Nighttime surveillance capabilities

If the application scenario requires night-time surveillance, it is also necessary to consider a lens that supports infrared (IR) night vision and features an automatic IR cut filter function, in order to ensure clear imagery for both day and night monitoring.

5.Environmental adaptability and durability

When selecting CCTV lenses, it is also essential to consider environmental adaptability and durability—particularly for lenses intended for outdoor use. Special attention should be paid to whether they possess protective features, such as dust and water resistance, to prevent rainwater intrusion that could lead to lens damage or image failure.

The selection of CCTV lenses must also take into account environmental adaptability and durability

6.Selection schemes for different application scenarios

(1)Home indoor surveillance: Primarily designed to cover entire rooms—such as the living room—the preferred choice is a wide-angle lens with a focal length of approximately 4mm and a field of view of around 70 degrees, eliminating the need for frequent angle adjustments.

(2)Entrances and corridor surveillance: Primarily focused on monitoring narrow passageways, this setup aims to clearly capture the movement of people and objects at medium range. Lenses with focal lengths of 2.8mm or 4mm are recommended to ensure extended longitudinal coverage. An installation height of 2.5 to 3 meters is advised to prevent an excessive downward angle, which could result in facial obstruction.

(3)Parking lot/warehouse perimeter surveillance: The main goal is to clearly see license plates or personnel features. You can choose an 8mm or longer focal length lens to identify license plates and vehicle models at a distance of 15-30 meters and to clearly see faces. When installing outdoors, be sure to pay attention to the lens's waterproof and dustproof rating.

(4)Store checkout/office surveillance: The space is relatively enclosed, and it is necessary to balance the perspective and details. The main focus is on the overall environment and details. 4mm or 6mm lenses can be selected. If it is necessary to clearly record transaction processes or facial features, a 6mm lens is recommended.

There are different options for different application scenarios

(5)Large open area surveillance: In large areas such as squares, a single lens is not enough to cover all the information. It is usually necessary to deploy a combination of lenses. For example, a 2.8mm lens can be used to view the panorama, while an 8mm lens can be used to view the details of a fixed point. A varifocal lens can be selected to flexibly adjust the focal length.

(6)Traffic intersection surveillance: Intersections such as highways require ultra-long-distance monitoring to clearly see license plates or objects hundreds of meters away. Systems can be equipped with optional lenses featuring focal lengths ranging from 30mm to 120mm; when paired with infrared thermal imaging cameras, they ensure effective surveillance even during nighttime hours or under adverse weather conditions.

In industrial imaging applications, distortion is the greatest adversary to image recognition and dimensional measurement. Through precision optical design, low distortion lenses minimize geometric image distortion—thereby ensuring measurement accuracy and inspection reliability—and have consequently become a core component in the field of industrial scanning.

Low distortion lenses can accurately reproduce the geometry of the object being measured, making them indispensable in industrial scenarios that require high-precision dimensional measurement and barcode scanning. The following are its main industrial scanning application scenarios:

1.Precision dimensional measurement

Precision dimensional measurement of industrial parts such as electronic components and mechanical parts is the core industrial application of low distortion lenses. These precision manufacturing scenarios usually require high-precision inspection at the sub-millimeter or even micrometer level. Distortion can easily cause dimensional measurement errors, while the high fidelity of low distortion lenses can ensure that the measurement results are true and reliable.

2.Barcode scanning and recognition

The accuracy of a machine vision system depends directly on the distortion control of its lens. As barcodes and QR codes serve as critical identifiers for product traceability, the use of low distortion lenses during rapid scanning on automated assembly lines prevents the stretching and deformation of barcode characters, thereby ensuring fast and accurate recognition by scanning equipment.

This is particularly beneficial in scenarios involving the batch scanning of high-density micro-barcodes or full-carton barcodes across a wide field of view; in such cases, low distortion lenses effectively reduce recognition error rates, ensuring the reliability of logistics sorting and product traceability systems.

Low distortion lenses are often used for precision dimensional measurement

3.Surface defect detection

The high-precision imaging capability of low distortion lenses facilitates the detection of minute flaws; they are frequently employed to inspect product surfaces for defects such as scratches, cracks, voids, bubbles, and character anomalies. Their low-distortion characteristics prevent the distortion of defect morphology, thereby avoiding missed detections or misjudgments.

For example, in the production and inspection of LCD panels, photovoltaic glass, and automotive glass, low distortion lenses can clearly capture defects such as scratches, bubbles, and foreign objects on the glass surface, while ensuring the geometric accuracy of the glass edge contour.

4.High-precision positioning and identification

Image distortion causes the positional coordinates of feature points within an image to shift, thereby directly impacting the precision of a robot's grasping, placement, or assembly operations.

As a visual guidance component within automated production lines, low distortion lenses provide accurate image data, enabling robots to precisely identify and locate workpieces. This guidance facilitates the execution of tasks—such as assembly and grasping—thereby realizing automated control and enhancing production efficiency.

Low distortion lenses are used in high-precision positioning and identification

5.Digitization of printed materials and documents via scanning

Low distortion lenses are also frequently employed in scenarios involving the digital scanning of printed materials, documents, and technical drawings.

For example, in the positioning of patterns in textile fabrics and the quality inspection of barcodes in printed materials, low distortion lenses can accurately restore the proportion and position of patterns, ensuring that the size of printed barcodes meets the standards; in scenarios such as industrial file management and digitization of engineering drawings, low distortion lenses can accurately restore the line proportions and text details of drawings, avoiding problems such as stretching and deformation, ensuring that the scanned electronic documents are consistent with the original drawings, and meeting the needs of subsequent CAD secondary editing, archiving and retrieval.

6.Logistics sorting and parcel measurement

The scanning applications of low distortion lenses in the logistics industry should not be underestimated. In intelligent logistics sorting centers, low distortion lenses, in conjunction with 3D vision sensors or 2D cameras, can quickly scan the contours and measure the volume of packages on conveyor belts, accurately obtaining data such as the length, width, and height of the packages for automated sorting path planning, freight calculation, and warehouse space optimization.

Low distortion lenses are also frequently used in the logistics industry

In addition, scanning and inspecting the packaging labels, seal integrity, and packaging appearance quality of special industries such as food and pharmaceuticals to ensure accurate and compliant information is also one of the industrial scanning applications of low-distortion lenses.

Pinhole lenses are small in size and simple in structure, making them highly concealed. Their applications are mainly concentrated in fields that require covert monitoring and miniaturized imaging. In this article, we will explore the main application scenarios of pinhole lenses.

The primary application scenarios for pinhole lenses can be categorized into the following types:

1.Concealed security monitoring

Security monitoring is the core application scenario for pinhole lenses. Because pinhole lenses can be made very small, they can be easily embedded in walls, ceilings, furniture, electronic product casings, and other carriers to achieve unobtrusive surveillance and are commonly used for monitoring in homes, commercial spaces, and other special locations.

For example, in home security monitoring, pinhole lenses are often hidden inside clocks, sockets, and picture frames to monitor abnormal situations indoors; in commercial monitoring, pinhole lenses are often installed near shop shelves, cash registers, etc., to prevent theft and record transaction disputes.

2.Artistic photography and creative applications

Pinhole lenses are capable of capturing images that are soft and imbued with a surreal quality. Frequently employed in artistic photography and creative shoots, they produce unique visual effects characterized by softness, haziness, and natural vignetting—evoking a profound sense of timelessness and surrealism.

Pinhole lenses are often used in creative photography

3.Industrial inspection and equipment monitoring

Pinhole lenses are small in size and have functions such as resistance to high and low temperatures and vibration. They can be embedded inside the housing of production equipment without affecting the operation of the equipment. They are often used in industrial occasions with complex environments, limited space or special requirements.

For example, when installed inside large machinery (such as engines or pipes), it can be used for internal fault monitoring; when installed on industrial production lines, it can be used for monitoring the production process of precision equipment.

4.Medical and scientific research applications

In the fields of medicine and scientific research, pinhole lenses are frequently employed in photomicrography, endoscopy, and biological microscopy—thanks to their exceptionally high optical transmittance and non-contact imaging capabilities—making them well-suited for applications such as documenting intricate details within operating rooms and observing animal behavior in laboratory settings.

Pinhole lenses are commonly used in medical and scientific research applications

5.Special reconnaissance applications

Due to their high degree of concealment, pinhole lenses are also used in special industries, such as covert evidence collection by the police in combating crimes such as theft, fraud, and drug trafficking; covert evidence collection in anti-corruption investigations by discipline inspection and supervision departments; preservation of evidence in civil disputes recognized by the court; and evidence collection of violations in the service industry. In this case, pinhole lenses are usually disguised as easily portable and usable items such as buttons, phone cases, glasses, watches, and backpack charms.

It is important to note that the use of pinhole lenses must be conducted within a legal and compliant framework. Whether for public surveillance or covert investigation and evidence collection, such activities must be carried out strictly within the bounds permitted by law. They must not be employed for illegal activities—such as extortion or the dissemination of private information—as doing so would render any resulting evidence inadmissible and subject the perpetrator to legal liability.

Final Thoughts:

With its ultra-low distortion, high resolution, large depth of field, compact size, robust durability, and strong environmental adaptability, the M12 low-distortion lens has a wide range of applications in barcode scanning, ensuring fast and accurate barcode recognition in various complex environments.

The application of the M12 low distortion lens in barcode scanning is mainly reflected in the following scenarios:

1.Logistics sorting and warehouse management

In logistics sorting, M12 low distortion lenses are mounted above high-speed conveyor belts to rapidly and accurately read barcodes on packages at varying distances, thereby enabling automated sorting. In warehouse management, barcode readers equipped with low distortion lenses can perform long-range scanning of barcodes on incoming and outgoing cargo boxes, facilitating inventory management and logistics tracking.

2.Industrial automated production line tracking

In high-speed production lines such as electronics manufacturing and automotive parts manufacturing, the M12 low distortion lens can be used to read QR codes or scan barcodes on products, enabling assembly line operation management, ensuring information recording and traceability during the production process, and significantly improving work efficiency and traceability accuracy.

M12 low distortion lenses are commonly used in logistics warehousing and industrial automated production lines

3.Medical and pharmaceutical traceability

M12 low distortion lenses are also frequently employed for barcode recognition on pharmaceutical packaging and medical devices, ensuring highly reliable traceability. Drug packaging barcodes are typically small in size and high in density. The M12 low-distortion lens can accurately reproduce barcode details, assisting in drug traceability, reagent management, and other scenarios in the medical industry, ensuring compliance with the industry's stringent requirements for recognition accuracy.

4.Electronic payments and retail automation

The M12 low distortion lens is compact and can be integrated into mobile devices such as barcode scanners and payment terminals. It is used to quickly read payment codes on product packaging, screens, or paper. It is commonly used in self-checkout machines, smart vending machines, and other devices to quickly identify product barcodes and improve shopping checkout efficiency.

M12 low distortion lenses are commonly used in electronic payment and automated retail applications

When selecting an M12 low distortion lens for barcode scanning applications, particular attention should be paid to the following parameters:

1.Distortion rate

To ensure accurate image geometry and smooth scanning, M12 lenses used for barcode scanning generally require a distortion rate of ≤1%, and for particularly high-precision scenarios, a distortion rate of ≤0.5% is recommended.

2.Focal length selection

The focal length needs to be selected according to the scanning distance. For example, for close-range scanning of 10–100mm, a focal length of 2.8mm or 4mm can be selected; for medium-range scanning of 50–500mm, a focal length of 6mm or 8mm can be selected; and longer focal lengths such as 12mm or 25mm are suitable for scenarios with a longer working distance or where a narrower field of view is needed to improve local resolution.

3.Aperture selection

Aperture range is generally chosen between F2.0 and F2.8. A larger aperture can increase the amount of light entering the camera, ensuring image brightness in low-light environments.

The selection of the aperture for M12 low distortion lenses is also crucial

4.Target size and resolution

The selected lens image circle must match—or be slightly larger than—the size of the camera sensor (chip) being used; common image circle sizes include 1/1.8-inch, 1/2-inch, and 1/3-inch. Additionally, the lens resolution must be compatible with the camera sensor's pixel count.

5.Mount and compatibility

M12 lenses feature a standardized M12×0.5 threaded mount; therefore, when selecting a lens, it is necessary to verify mount compatibility between the lens and the industrial camera.

In summary, M12 low distortion lenses deliver high-precision, high-clarity images in barcode scanning applications, enabling scanning systems to read barcode information quickly and accurately, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and data accuracy.

Final Thoughts:

Leveraging advantages such as non-contact operation, high precision, and high efficiency, industrial scanning technology plays a pivotal role in modern industrial manufacturing. Its applications are extensive, spanning virtually the entire product lifecycle—from research and development through to decommissioning—and have profoundly transformed workflows across numerous industries.

In general, industrial scanning applications can be summarized in the following aspects:

1.Quality inspection and control

Quality inspection and control is the core application area of industrial scanning. It is often used to scan and inspect the dimensional deviations and shape errors of product parts, detect whether there are scratches, dents, deformations and other defects on the product surface, and check the assembly consistency of the product.

For example, by performing non-contact measurements on aerospace parts, automotive engine parts, and other components, key indicators such as complex curved surfaces and coaxiality can be detected; by comparing the scanned data with CAD digital design drawings, millimeter-level or even micrometer-level precision inspection can be achieved, enabling zero-defect production.

2.Logistics and warehousing management

In logistics cargo sorting, it is often necessary to scan package barcodes to automatically identify the destination in order to achieve automated sorting, while recording the transportation status in real time and providing logistics tracking information.

In inbound and outbound warehouse management, barcode scanning can quickly collect data in the inbound, outbound, and inventory stages, improving efficiency and accuracy and reducing human error.

In warehousing, barcode scanning management can help update inventory information in real time, avoid backlog or stockouts, guide picking routes, and improve warehouse operation efficiency and security.

Logistics and warehouse management are common application scenarios for industrial scanning

3.Automated production line management

In smart manufacturing and automated production lines, scanning technology mainly exists in the form of barcode recognition and visual guidance.

For example, in barcode recognition, real-time scanning of workpiece barcodes can record production progress, pass rate, and responsible person, enabling full-process traceability of production; in robot vision guidance, scanning the position, angle, and posture of objects can guide the robotic arm to accurately grasp disordered workpieces; in the assembly process, it can guide the robot to automatically calibrate the position of parts, solving the error problem of manual alignment.

4.New product development and reverse engineering

Scanning also has important applications in the product development process. When original design drawings are lacking, or when improvements are needed to existing mature products, scanning is the best way to obtain geometric data. For example, scanning old molds and analyzing their wear can guide the design and manufacturing of new molds.

For example, for new products such as small internal flow channel castings, scanning their structure after molding and detecting problems such as mouth shrinkage and deformation can significantly shorten the new product development cycle by reverse iteratively correcting the design.

Scanning technology is commonly used in automated production line management

5.Equipment maintenance and repair

Scanning technology is also frequently employed in equipment maintenance and repair. By periodically scanning critical equipment—comparing the results against historical data to assess conditions such as wear, deformation, or damage—predictive maintenance can be achieved. For example, inspecting the wear of railway tracks and assessing the wear of water turbine blades.

6.Factory digitization and digital twins

For large-scale infrastructure or hard-to-access areas, industrial scanning offers a non-contact digital solution. For example, 3D data acquisition of factory equipment, pipelines, and steel structures can be used to build digital twin models, which can be used for factory planning and renovation, production line optimization, equipment maintenance management, and virtual simulation training.

Scanning technology is also commonly used in equipment maintenance and repair

7.Customized applications for specific industries

Industrial scanning is also used to solve core challenges in specific industries that make it difficult to measure objects that are large, complex, or of special value. For example, applications include the digital protection and restoration of cultural relics and historical sites, customized prostheses and surgical planning in the medical field, and the creation of 3D assets for film and television special effects and video games.

In summary, industrial scanning applications have evolved beyond simple barcode recognition; they now integrate a diverse range of technologies and span virtually every industry and product lifecycle stage. As different application scenarios impose varying requirements regarding scanning precision, speed, and environmental adaptability, it is essential to select and configure the appropriate scanning equipment and lenses based on specific operational needs.

Final Thoughts:

Pinhole lenses are extremely compact—typically featuring apertures of only a few millimeters—and possess exceptional covertness. They are frequently concealed within the minute crevices of everyday objects—such as nail holes in walls, electrical outlets, or decorative items—allowing them to be deployed in key surveillance zones without detection, thereby ensuring the continuity and integrity of the monitoring process.

It is evident, therefore, that while pinhole lenses achieve covert deployment through their extremely compact size, they inherently face optical limitations—such as limited light intake, a narrow field of view, and a high risk of distortion. When applied in security surveillance, ensuring adequate monitoring quality typically requires addressing these limitations through several key approaches:

1.Optical design optimization

The covert nature of pinhole lenses relies primarily on their small aperture and short focal length; however, their inherent optical limitations must be compensated for through precise design.

For instance, when designing the lens, it is essential to strike a balance between aperture and focal length: employing a wide aperture design increases light intake, thereby mitigating noise issues in low-light environments. Regarding focal length, while it should be short, it should not be excessively so—a range of 2.8 to 4 mm is optimal, as this ensures adequate coverage at close range while avoiding the distortion problems associated with extremely short focal lengths.

Furthermore, when selecting lens materials, one should eschew ordinary plastic lenses in favor of high-quality aspherical lenses; this choice minimizes light refraction losses and chromatic dispersion, effectively reducing issues such as image blurring and distortion at the edges.

Hidden surveillance using pinhole lenses

2.Core hardware optimization

The sensor size of a lens is a key factor affecting image quality. Within the maximum available space, one should utilize the largest possible image sensor—such as 1/2.8-inch or 1/1.8-inch models—as this significantly enhances low-light performance, reduces noise, and captures richer detail.

It is important to note that pinhole lenses have limited resolution, so there is no need to blindly pursue ultra-high pixel counts. A 2-4 megapixel sensor is sufficient. Excessive pixel counts can actually amplify the optical defects of the lens.

3.Installation location selection

The mounting position of a lens is critically important; it not only affects concealment but also directly determines the surveillance angle and image quality. The ideal location should balance concealment and unobstructed view. Its front end should be as close as possible to the surface of the obstruction to ensure that the field of view covers the key monitoring area and avoid black borders and target distortion in the image.

One should select a mounting location with uniform and stable lighting, avoiding direct alignment with strong light sources (such as windows or light fixtures), while also refraining from installation in overly dark corners.

Furthermore, when installing a pinhole lens, the "high-position principle" should be observed—specifically, the lens should be mounted at a height situated above the average human eye level.

The choice of lens mounting location is extremely crucial

4.Adjust parameters based on usage scenarios

The type of pinhole lens utilized may vary depending on the specific monitoring scenario. For example, in fixed indoor scenes such as bedrooms and offices, a fixed-focus pinhole lens can be selected; in moving target scenes such as corridors and doorways, a wide-angle pinhole lens can be selected; in low-light scenes, infrared fill light is required, while reducing the shutter speed to increase the amount of light entering the lens.

5.Ensure network and power supply stability

The stable operation of pinhole cameras and video cameras depends on a stable network and power supply. An unstable power source can lead to device restarts and interruptions in video recording; for wireless cameras, it is essential to ensure that the battery charge remains sufficient.

For pinhole cameras that transmit via WiFi, a stable signal is a prerequisite for ensuring smooth, uninterrupted, and frame-free video. Being too far from the router or having too many walls in between will seriously affect the image quality experience.

Common Surveillance and Application Scenarios for Pinhole Lenses

1.Home security monitoring: Used for remote home care of children/elderly, home dynamic observation of pets, and security monitoring of doors and windows.

2.Covert surveillance in public areas: Used for theft prevention around bank ATMs, anti-terrorism and anti-riot measures in subway/station public passages, theft prevention in campus corridors/libraries, and corner monitoring in parking lots, etc.

Pinhole lenses are also frequently used for covert surveillance in public areas

3.Traffic monitoring: Used to capture traffic violations, record traffic accident scenes, etc.

4.Artistic applications: Used to create photographic works with unique visual effects such as dreamlike or retro feel.

5.Legal and law enforcement evidence collection: Covert evidence collection for police in combating crimes such as theft, fraud, and drug trafficking (requires law enforcement authorization), covert evidence collection in anti-corruption investigations by discipline inspection and supervision departments, and preservation of evidence in civil disputes recognized by the court.

6.Industrial and equipment monitoring: Used for internal fault monitoring of large machinery, production process monitoring of precision equipment, and covert monitoring of power equipment/communication base stations, etc.

7.Vehicle-mounted concealed surveillance: Used for security monitoring inside ride-hailing/taxi vehicles, cargo monitoring in trucks/logistics vehicles, and evidence collection to prevent scratches/accidents on private cars.

8.Medical and scientific research monitoring: Used for detailed recording of the operating room interior, observation of laboratory animal behavior, and monitoring of the daily behavior of patients with chronic diseases.