Dome lights

Dome lights are used in machine vision systems to create highly uniform, diffuse illumination on reflective or curved surfaces. The dome geometry distributes light from multiple angles, reducing specular reflections and eliminating shadows that would otherwise obscure features. In practice, this results in a homogeneous image where surface variations are visible without being dominated by glare or hotspots.

The effectiveness depends on dome size, working distance, and surface properties; larger domes improve uniformity but reduce light intensity on the object. A common mistake is using dome lighting when directional contrast is required, as the diffuse illumination suppresses shadows and reduces sensitivity to fine surface defects. The interaction with lens aperture and exposure settings becomes critical to maintain sufficient signal levels.

Dome lights are widely used for inspection of shiny materials such as metal, plastic, and glass, as well as in electronics inspection and precision manufacturing. In combination with an appropriate camera and lens, they provide stable and repeatable imaging conditions, where selection depends on field of view, object geometry, and required contrast. Our dome lighting solutions are available in various sizes, wavelengths, and configurations for industrial integration.