Illumination
(B-Series)¶
Risk Group¶
B-series cameras are classified to belong to Risk Group 2 in the blue light hazard according to IEC 62471:2006. Classification was conducted with smallest view field model at 0.2 m distance.
The human aversion response (e.g. eye lid closure) provides sufficient protection. Do not stare into the beam (> 0.25 s).
Note
This classification applies to -BL and -GN models.
Note
It is recommended to re-measure the exposure limits in the final application.
Exposure Time Limitations¶
The projector contains an LED structured light source operating at 520 nm wave length. The LED chips are driven directly from external power and only marginal internal buffer capacity exists. Please see the power supply topic for further information on the required power supply.
Note
Auto exposure is limited to 10 ms by default to guarantee a stable operation with any power supply. Power supplies which were shipped as accessories before 04/2025 might not be able to handle longer exposure times. You can unlock this limit via the API if your power supply can handle the load.
The thermal conditions for passively cooled operation of the projector require to limit the LED duty cycle to 10 % (e.g. 10 ms at 10 Hz, 20 ms at 5 Hz, etc.). The maximum duration of a single flash pulse is 120 ms. The projector electronics actively monitors the LED stress level and ensures that the LED stays in these limits, cutting off the LED current if necessary.
Note
The Capture and Trigger commands will wait until the current LED is ready again for a flash pulse of the currently specified exposure. Thus, software triggering of images might be delayed in order to have constant LED power over the entire exposure time!
Hardware triggering will immediately start the exposure and the LED flash, regardless of the LED stress level. If the LED leaves its safe operating limits during exposure it will be switched off before the end of the exposure time.