Smart vision sensor solino®

3Dfor defect detectioncompact

Product overview
The solino RTI sensor is a BRDF-based computational imaging inspection system engineered to reveal surface structures and micro-defects on metallic weld seams that conventional imaging often misses. The system captures a rapid sequence of images under controlled multi-directional illumination and reconstructs reflectance information to enhance defect contrast and enable repeatable automated inspection of 90° and angled weld joints.

Customer task
Manufacturers need reliable, repeatable inspection methods to detect welding defects early in production and ensure consistent quality of assemblies used in precision mechanical structures, automotive components, industrial housings and welded frames.

• Corner weld seams and fillet welds in 90° joints
• Welded brackets and frames
• Welded sheet metal assemblies
• Structural and functional weld connections

Inspection challenges
Inspection of 90° weld seams is difficult for traditional machine vision due to geometry, changing reflectance and shadowing. Typical difficulties include:

• Complex 3D geometry of corner joints
• Variable reflectance of metal surfaces
• Strong shadows from steep angles
• Irregular weld bead surface structures
• Small defects obscured in weld transitions

Technology principle
The solino RTI sensor uses BRDF-based computational imaging and photometric stereo. Within milliseconds it captures a series of 64 images under multiple illumination directions and reconstructs surface reflectance computationally. Key elements include:

• 64 multi-directional LED illumination in an integrated dome
• Photometric stereo image capture and BRDF analysis
• Reflectance-based surface reconstruction
• Computational defect enhancement and contrast mapping

Application
The solino 10×10 RTI sensor is suitable for inline inspection directly after welding or in final quality control. By capturing the surface under 64 illumination directions, subtle defects become visible with enhanced contrast. Typical inspection targets include:

• Corner weld seams in sheet metal parts
• Welded brackets, housings and frames
• Structural 90° joints and fillet welds
• Weld bead transitions between surfaces
• Surface finish and integrity of welded components

Solution architecture
Item number referenced on page: 100-SO-10-MAN-001 (solino 10×10). The inspection system consists of:

• solino RTI sensor
• Integrated dome illumination with 64 LEDs
• High-resolution 20 MP industrial camera (integrated)
• solinoStudio inspection software for acquisition, processing and batch handling
• Compact sensor design for easy integration into production machines

Inspection workflow
The typical workflow is:

• Position component under the solino sensor
• Capture series of 64 images under multiple illumination directions
• Reconstruct surface reflectance using computational algorithms
• Use solinoStudio for image capture, processing and batch evaluation

Technology benefits
Controlled multi-directional illumination combined with computational imaging enhances visibility of surface anomalies on metallic weld seams, such as:

• Cracks, pores and inclusions
• Undercut and incomplete fusion
• Spatter, burrs and surface roughness variations
• Geometry deviations in the weld bead

Conclusion
The solino RTI sensor combines controlled illumination and computational imaging to reveal surface structures that are hard to detect with conventional cameras, enabling reliable automated inspection of 90° weld seams and helping manufacturers reduce inspection variability and improve weld quality.

Technical specifications

• Imaging principle: BRDF-based computational imaging / photometric stereo
• Number of illumination directions: 64 multi-directional LEDs
• Image capture: series of 64 images within milliseconds
• Camera: high-resolution 20 MP industrial camera (integrated)
• Illumination: integrated dome illumination with 64 LEDs
• Software: solinoStudio inspection software for acquisition, processing and batch handling
• Typical inspection targets: corner weld seams, fillet welds, brackets, housings, 90° joints, weld bead transitions
• Defect types enhanced: cracks, pores, inclusions, undercut, incomplete fusion, spatter, burrs, roughness variations, geometry deviations
• Design: compact sensor for integration into production machines
• Example item number referenced: 100-SO-10-MAN-001 (solino 10×10)