to the United States 
Machine vision systems need consistent, repeatable illumination. The LED module’s wavelength, color temperature, and output stability all affect how well the camera can detect features, measure dimensions, or identify defects. We offer modules in visible white, specific colors, UV, and IR wavelengths suited to inspection applications.
Choosing a Wavelength
The right wavelength depends on what the camera needs to see.
| Wavelength / CCT | Use Case | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Neutral White (4100K) | General-purpose inspection, color cameras | Even color rendering, no strong color bias. Most popular for visible-light inspection. |
| Cool White (6500K) | Color-critical inspection, print verification | Matches D65 daylight standard used in colorimetry. |
| Red (627nm) | Enhancing contrast on dark surfaces | Red light on dark backgrounds maximizes contrast for mono cameras. |
| Blue (470nm) | Surface defect detection on metals | Short wavelength scatters more on surface imperfections, making scratches and dents visible. |
| Royal-Blue (448nm) | Fluorescence excitation | Triggers fluorescence in dyes, adhesives, and markers without entering the visible blue range. |
| UV (385–405nm) | Fluorescence inspection, conformal coating verification | Causes UV-reactive materials to fluoresce. 385nm for minimal visible contamination. |
| IR (850nm) | See-through inspection, presence detection | Penetrates thin plastics and liquids. Invisible to operators. 850nm for most Si-sensor cameras. |
| IR (940nm) | Covert inspection, eye-safe applications | Less visible to human eye than 850nm. Used where visible illumination would distract operators. |
Recommended Form Factors
Machine vision lighting favors compact, arrayable modules.
- 10mm Square — The most popular for vision. Compact, tileable into linear or ring arrays with minimal spacing. 121 Rebel modules plus Z-series options.
- Rectangular (10mm × 15mm) — For linear bar lights. Tiles end-to-end.
- Star (20mm) — When you need optic compatibility for focused illumination (spot or ring light with beam control).
- Z 5mm Square — For ultra-compact ring lights or dense arrays where every millimeter matters.
- Z 20mm Quad — 4 LEDs on a compact board for high-intensity illumination.
For IR applications, modules are available on Z-series bases only: Z 5mm (850/940nm), Z 10mm (850/940nm), and Z 20mm Quad (850/940nm).
Key Considerations
Consistency matters more than peak output. Vision systems calibrate to a known illumination level. Choose LUXEON Rebel PLUS (ANSI-binned) for white light to minimize module-to-module color variation.
Drive current stability. Use a non-dimmable driver for maximum current stability. If you need intensity adjustment, use externally dimmable with a stable reference signal — not a noisy potentiometer.
Thermal management. Thermal derating changes LED output over time as the heatsink warms up. Oversize your heatsink to keep the LED at a stable operating temperature. A thermally stable LED is a photometrically stable LED.
Strobing. Many vision systems strobe the illumination in sync with the camera shutter. All our LED modules can be strobed via PWM with switching times under 20ns. See Can your LED modules be strobed?
