A machine vision interface connects a camera to a computer, transferring image data for processing and analysis. What you choose will impact your application, your system component options, and your results for a long time to come.

The manufacturing industry is a very competitive environment. Customers demand the highest quality at the lowest cost and are able to easily search a global economy for that perfect component. 

The new standard in single-link interface speed, 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GigE), enables users to take full advantage of the latest generation of high-performance sensors with their higher resolution, frame rates, bit depth and dynamic range.

In 2000, the Camera Link standard was adopted as one of the first machine vision standards. Now more than 17 years old, it has seen some changes and several other standards have emerged and been adopted by the industry.

When you are setting up a machine vision system, your choice of camera will depend on the objects that you want to inspect, the necessary speed, lighting and temperature, and available space. And not to forget—the system costs.

Since the inception of industrial machine vision cameras, various camera interfaces have been developed to meet the needs of the camera manufacturers. 

Video interfaces and cabling have played a significant role in bringing new capabilities to machine vision and supporting automation’s migration into a broadening range of markets.

“Easier-to-use, scalable, and retain as much existing equipment as possible.”

When designing an imaging system, one of the most important factors to consider is the camera interface. Besides important parameters like resolution, frame rate, sensitivity and read-out technology, the video and control interface is one of the most critical components

There have been many exciting developments over the past several years with the introduction of new vision technologies and standards.