I. Observing the Shape of Objects

• Choosing a area-scan camera: If the object being inspected is stationary or a small, individual item (such as electronic components, pharmaceuticals, or small hardware parts), a single exposure is sufficient to capture a complete two-dimensional image.

• Selecting a line-scan camera: If the object being inspected is a continuous roll or long strip (such as fabric, paper, steel plates, or lithium battery electrodes), a area-scan camera cannot capture the entire image in a single shot. A line-scan camera, functioning like a “scanner,” captures images line by line and stitches them together to form a continuous image, making it the only viable solution.

II. Consider the Accuracy of the Detection

• Limitations of area-scan sensors: Resolution is constrained by the sensor’s fixed specifications. Detecting minute defects across a 1-meter-wide swath requires a camera with an extremely high pixel count, which would cause costs to skyrocket.

• Advantages of line-scan sensors: Lateral resolution depends on the number of pixels (e.g., 8K), while vertical resolution depends on the sampling frequency. They enable micron-level detection across a wide field of view and can easily generate ultra-high-resolution images with hundreds of millions of pixels, making them ideal for inspecting large glass panels and vehicle body surfaces.

III. Considering Activity and Cost

• Motion Mode: Area-scan systems are suitable for low-speed or “stop-and-go” applications; line-scan systems are specifically designed for high-speed continuous motion and, when paired with an encoder, can achieve precise synchronization without motion blur.

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  System Cost: Area-scan solutions are simple, offer a wide range of light source and lens options, and enable rapid development; line-scan systems require high-precision encoders, acquisition cards, and linear light sources, resulting in higher overall costs.