When clean is not enough in camera quality assurance

We explore typical defect types, the role of illumination, and why parallel or diffuse lighting can make contamination appear or disappear. You’ll also see how IDS uses advanced inspection tools - such as the PaCo defect detection system - to identify and eliminate imperfections in sensors and filters. The video closes with practical guidance on selecting the right cleanliness level for your application, balancing technical feasibility with economic considerations.

Topics covered

• Critical applications where no defects are allowed
• Influence of illumination and optics on defect visibility
• Typical dirt, scratch, and coating defects in cameras
• How IDS detects sensor and filter defects with PaCo
• Cleanliness options: standard, no‑filter, microscopy‑clean, and custom
• Guidance for specifying cleanliness requirements

Video timeline

• 00:00 - Introduction and agenda
• 00:56 - Example
• 01:52 - Critical applications
• 03:46 - Critical parameter: parallel light
• 05:29 - Critical parameter: diffuse light
• 06:42 - What is the sensor able to see?
• 08:05 - Typical defects and dirt of the sensor
• 10:29 - Filter glas
• 13:30 - DIN ISO standard 10110
• 14:23 - IDS specific filter
• 15:19 - Explanation of IDS Passive Sensor Control (PaCo) tool
• 18:51 - Example of a defect
• 23:51 - Summary
• 25:28 - Overview about the IDS filter portfolio

Who should watch

This video is ideal for machine vision engineers, quality managers, system integrators, optical designers, and anyone working with high‑precision imaging applications that require reliable and defect‑free camera performance.

Watch now to understand how to ensure optimal camera cleanliness.