High-speed image acquisition system solino® 10x10

Overview
The solino® RTI sensor by Opto reveals surface structures and anomalies on precision watch movement components using BRDF-based computational imaging and photometric-stereo reconstruction. The system captures images under multiple illumination angles and reconstructs reflectance information to highlight micron-scale defects with high contrast.

Customer task

• Inspect assembled watch movement components with polished or decorated metal surfaces
• Detect surface defects early in production to ensure functionality, reliability and perceived value
• Typical inspected parts: gear wheels, pinions, bridges and plates, screws and screw heads, jewel bearings, decorative finishes

Inspection challenges

• Highly reflective and specular metal surfaces
• Very small components with complex geometries
• Decorative finishes that change appearance with lighting
• Micron-scale scratches, dents or burrs
• Particles, contamination or coating defects inside the movement

Technology principle
The solino® RTI sensor combines multi-directional LED dome illumination and BRDF-based computational imaging. The system captures a sequence of images under 64 controlled illumination directions and reconstructs surface reflectance information to reveal subtle topography and texture variations within milliseconds.

Key elements

• 64 multi-directional LEDs integrated in a dome
• Photometric-stereo image acquisition
• Reflectance-based surface reconstruction (BRDF)
• Computational defect enhancement and visualization

Application
solino® 10x10 is designed for automated inspection of assembled watch movements. Typical targets include gear wheels and pinions, bridge and plate surfaces, screw heads, decorative finishes and contact surfaces between moving parts. Capturing the surface under 64 illumination directions makes small defects visible with high contrast for automated analysis.

Solution architecture — software & hardware
The inspection solution integrates hardware and software in a compact package:

• solino® RTI sensor with integrated dome illumination
• 64 LEDs for controlled multi-directional lighting
• High-resolution 20MP industrial camera
• solinoStudio inspection software with batch acquisition and processing
• Compact sensor form factor for integration into production lines and machines

Inspection workflow

• Position component under the solino® sensor
• Capture a series of images under multiple illumination directions
• Reconstruct reflectance information using BRDF/photometric-stereo algorithms
• Use solinoStudio for batch processing, defect enhancement and analysis

Technology benefits

• Improved visibility of scratches, dents, burrs and texture deviations
• Detection of roughness changes and waviness
• Identification of coating defects, contamination and residue
• Reliable input data for automated defect classification

Conclusion
The solino® RTI sensor leverages controlled multi-directional illumination and computational imaging to reveal surface structures that are hard to detect with conventional cameras, enabling reliable automated inspection of precision watch components and supporting quality control on production lines.

Technical specifications

• Model: solino® 10x10
• Multi-directional illumination: 64 LEDs (integrated dome)
• Imaging principle: BRDF-based computational imaging / photometric stereo
• Camera: high-resolution 20MP industrial camera
• Software: solinoStudio for acquisition and batch processing
• Processing: reflectance-based surface reconstruction and computational defect enhancement
• Typical use case: inspection of assembled watch movements (gears, bridges, screws, decorative finishes, contact surfaces)
• Form factor: compact sensor design suitable for integration into production lines