LED Light Source for Machine Vision

MORITEX and SCHOTT present their latest development: The “LLS 2” LED light source

Tokyo (Japan) / Mainz (Germany), October 20, 2009 – LED technology continues to develop at a rapid pace. As a result, MORITEX and SCHOTT are able to offer advanced solutions for machine vision applications. The new “LLS 2” light source combines LED and fiber optic technologies. The economical lighting system offers a lifetime of 50,000 hours, a color temperature of 5,500 K and a homogenous illumination intensity of 175 kLx (measured after a 1,100 mm light guide with an active diameter of 8 mm at a working distance of 50 mm).

“The quality of a machine vision system strongly depends on the quality of lighting,” says Stephan Küpper-Brennberger, Business Manager of Machine Vision Systems for the SCHOTT Business Unit Lighting and Imaging, and adds: “Together with Moritex Corporation, we have combined cutting-edge fiber optic technologies with highly efficient LED elements and an intelligent system control.” The “LLS 2” LED light source is the first common product development to be sold under the new MORITEX SCHOTT brand which has replaced the former brand Moritex. It is an important extension of the existing portfolio, especially designed to meet the needs of the Japanese market.

The two companies MORITEX and SCHOTT are cooperating in order to further extend their position as the world’s leading manufacturers of specific types of imaging and lighting solutions. SCHOTT, headquartered in Germany, is the largest international manufacturer of fiber optic light and image guides. MORITEX is Japan’s leading manufacturer of lighting systems based on LED and fiber optic technology, as well as optical imaging systems for industrial image processing (“Machine Vision”).

High brightness LEDs are increasingly replacing conventional halogen solutions in applications with fiber optic light guides. The new generation of LEDs offers brighter illumination, a longer lifetime, lower heat generation and reduced power consumption (35 W max.). Most of the applications with
150 Watt halogen light sources can now be realized with the “LLS 2” LED light source. However, unless diffused, even the smallest LEDs can appear as individual points in a reflective application. Fiber optic light guides still offer the highest light homogeneity.

For process control and inspection in machine vision applications, specific lighting techniques, such as bright field and dark field, rear or back lighting, as well as directional or diffuse lighting, are key elements of successful analysis. By combining LED and fiber optic technologies, the “LLS 2” LED light source offers an optimized system even for reflective applications. The new LED light source not only improves the performance of machine vision systems, but also significantly reduces both the time and costs for service and maintenance.

MORITEX and SCHOTT present their latest development: The “LLS 2” LED light source

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About SCHOTT and MORITEX

The international technology group SCHOTT, based in Mainz, Germany, acquired a majority interest of 70.8% in MORITEX Corporation, Tokyo, in November, 2008 as a result of the tender offer bid. Both companies have been cooperating since June 2007 in order to further extend their position as the world’s leading manufacturers for specific types of imaging and lighting solutions.

SCHOTT sees its core purpose as the lasting improvement of living and working conditions. To this end, the company has been developing special materials, components and systems for 125 years. The main areas of focus are the household appliances industry, pharmaceuticals, solar energy, electronics, optics and the automotive industry. The SCHOTT Group is present in close proximity to its customers with production and sales companies in all its major markets. The Group’s approximately 17,300 employees generated worldwide sales of approximately 2.2 billion Euros in the fiscal year 2007/2008. The company’s technological and economic expertise is closely linked with its social and ecological responsibility. The SCHOTT AG is an affiliate of the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung (Foundation).

The SCHOTT Lighting and Imaging division offers a broad range of lighting and image transmission solutions especially for customers in the core industries automotive, aviation, medical, machine vision, security technology and architecture. Innovative lighting solutions and combinations of light and image transmission are being developed on the basis of LED technology and fiber optics.

MORITEX develops, manufactures and distributes lighting and imaging solutions and supplies optical components and systems for machine vision and digital imaging. As an established leader in machine vision systems with an impeccable track record of innovation, MORITEX is the only provider that can service all different levels from system design to integrated system solutions.