The LLM can drive multiple lights of virtually any type or up to four individual zones or channels within an integrated photometric or multispectral ring light solution. Each program can contain up to six sequences with up to four lights set to continuous on, off, any intensity level in between, and even OverDrive strobe mode.

To program the four zones of a single LED illumination system such as a ring light or four separate LED light sources, simply connect the LLM to a computer via Ethernet cable and use the browser-based interface to program the light through a series of drop-down menus. The intuitive user interface makes it possible for technicians of any level to set image sequences and program intensities for each light.

The LLM system and light kit bundles initially will target 3D photometric stereo and 2D multi-light applications. When used in conjunction with specialized photometric stereo software from Matrox Imaging, Cognex, TeleDyne DALSA, SICK or MVTec, the lighting system can solve previously intractable tasks, such as finding a defect in the surface of a part. By capturing successive images of a stationary object as it is illuminated by a sequence of lights, photometric image processing software can determine the 3D surface orientation of every pixel across the object’s surface. The same technique can generate 2D images of multiple regions of interest using separate lights and/or cameras.

LLM is also appropriate for multispectral imaging solutions where the LED wavelengths – and not broad-spectrum white lights with optical filters in front of the sensor – are the spectral band selection mechanisms. Using the color of illuminating light as the spectral band selection mechanism can greatly reduce the cost of multispectral imaging solutions while increasing budgets for imaging applications.