Allied Vision Alvium - User Manual

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APPLICATION NOTE
Preparing Cameras without Sensor Cover Glass
Alvium, Manta, Prosilica GT
V3.0.1
2022-Sep-27
1. Terms used in this document
2. Scope
RCG and TCG cameras must be handled with utmost care to avoid damage to the image sensor. Follow the
instructions in this document to properly prepare RCG or TCG cameras for operation.
3. Safety notes
3.1. Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
Electrostatic charge builds up in the body when walking on carpeted floor. This can discharge when
touching metal objects like a door handle. Such ESD can damage electronic devices, especially when tools
or hands get in contact with connectors. We recommend measures to avoid damage by ESD:
• Unpacking: Remove the camera from its anti-static packaging only when your body is grounded.
• Workplace: Use a static-safe workplace with static-dissipative mat and air ionization.
• Wrist strap: Wear a static-dissipative wrist strap to ground your body.
• Clothing: Wear ESD-protective clothing. Keep components away from your body and clothing. Even if
you are wearing a wrist strap, your body is grounded but your clothes are not.
3.2. Sensor damage
Follow the instructions thoroughly to avoid damage to sensor and camera. Work in a dust-free environment
(class 100 or better) with humidity according to ESD requirements.
Term Description
Circular protection foil Adhesive tape to protect the lens mount against dirt
Cover glass Glass layer on top of the sensor surface, removed for RCG and TCG cameras
lbf-in Inch-Pounds, unit for maximum torque, based on the British imperial units system
(1 lbf-in = 0.113 Nm)
Nm Newton meter, unit for maximum torque; based on the metrical system (1 Nm = 8.85 lbf-in)
PCB Printed circuit board
PCBA Printed circuit board assembly as a set of multiple PCBs
Extended Format housing Extended-sized housing, such as for Prosilica GT1910, GT1660, and GT2300
Large Format housing Large-sized housing, such as for Prosilica GT4905, GT4907, and GT6600
Protection glass Clear “filter” in the camera mount assembly
RCG Removed Cover Glass sensor option
TCG Taped Cover Glass sensor option

Summary

Terms and Definitions

Scope of Document

Safety Notes

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Precautions

Electrostatic discharge can damage electronic devices. Measures to avoid ESD damage are provided.

Sensor Damage Prevention

Instructions to avoid sensor and camera damage by working in a dust-free environment.

Warranty Conditions

Common Handling Instructions

Camera Unpacking Procedures

Instructions for safely unpacking cameras from their packaging and ESD bags.

Camera Functionality Check

Simple test to verify the camera sensor and function without a lens.

Instructions for Housed Alvium Cameras (RCG)

Instructions for Alvium Bare Board Cameras (TCG)

Instructions for Manta Cameras (RCG)

Instructions for Prosilica GT Cameras (TCG)

Disassembling Extended Format Housing Cameras

Step-by-step guide for disassembling Prosilica GT Extended Format housing cameras.

Disassembling Prosilica GT Large Format Housing Cameras

Removing Taped Cover Glass

Reassembling Prosilica GT Extended Format Housing Cameras

Reassembling Prosilica GT Large Format Housing Cameras

Mounting the Lens

Focus Recalibration

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

This document outlines the procedures for preparing Allied Vision cameras that are equipped with either a Removed Cover Glass (RCG) or Taped Cover Glass (TCG) sensor option. These cameras require careful handling to prevent damage to the image sensor, and the instructions provided are crucial for their proper operation.

Function Description

The core function of these cameras is to capture images, with the unique characteristic of having either no cover glass (RCG) or a temporarily taped cover glass (TCG) over the sensor. This design choice is often made for specialized applications where the presence of a cover glass might interfere with optical performance or require specific modifications.

RCG cameras are delivered with the sensor's lens mount protected by a circular foil. The primary function of the preparation process for RCG cameras is the removal of this protective foil and subsequent mounting of the lens. These cameras are pre-calibrated for proper focus before shipping, even without the sensor cover glass, to ensure immediate usability after the foil is removed and optics are mounted.

TCG cameras, on the other hand, are delivered with the sensor protected by a cover glass that is secured by adhesive tapes. The preparation for TCG cameras involves a more intricate process of disassembling parts of the camera housing to access the sensor, removing these adhesive tapes, and then carefully detaching the cover glass. After the TCG is removed, it is critical to immediately mount the bare board camera into its housing to protect the sensor from dirt. The document provides separate instructions for disassembling Extended Format and Large Format housing cameras, indicating variations in their internal structure and access points to the sensor.

Usage Features

Both RCG and TCG cameras are designed for use in environments where precise optical performance is paramount. The absence or removal of the cover glass can offer advantages in certain imaging scenarios, such as reducing reflections, improving light transmission, or allowing for custom optical setups directly on the sensor.

A key usage feature is the ability to check camera function without a lens. Users can connect the camera to a PC, use Vimba Viewer or another application to acquire an image, and then wave a hand in front of the sensor. The appearance of a moving shadow in the viewer confirms proper camera function, allowing users to verify the sensor's integrity before proceeding with more complex setup.

The document emphasizes the importance of using lenses that adhere to the camera's specifications regarding maximum protrusion. Exceeding these limits can lead to damage to both the sensor and the back lens, highlighting a critical usage constraint that users must observe.

For TCG cameras, the process of removing the cover glass is detailed, including the use of specific tools like a magnifying glass, wooden spatula, precision screwdriver, and pinch nose pliers. This indicates that users are expected to perform a degree of manual intervention and assembly to prepare the camera for its intended use. The instructions for reassembling the camera after TCG removal, including tightening screws to specific torque values and aligning markers, underscore the precision required for proper functionality.

Maintenance Features

The primary maintenance features revolve around ensuring the longevity and performance of the sensitive image sensor.

ESD Protection: A crucial maintenance aspect for both RCG and TCG cameras is protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD). The document provides comprehensive guidelines:

• Unpacking: Cameras should only be removed from anti-static packaging when the user's body is grounded.
• Workplace: A static-safe workplace with a static-dissipative mat and air ionization is recommended.
• Wrist Strap: Wearing a static-dissipative wrist strap is essential for grounding the body.
• Clothing: ESD-protective clothing is advised, and components should be kept away from clothing, even when wearing a wrist strap, as clothes can still generate static.

Dust-Free Environment: Maintaining a dust-free environment (class 100 or better) with appropriate humidity is repeatedly stressed as vital for preventing damage to the camera electronics and sensor. This highlights the extreme sensitivity of the sensor to environmental contaminants.

Careful Handling: The document consistently emphasizes handling RCG and TCG cameras with "utmost care" to avoid damage. This includes slow, deliberate movements when removing protective foils or tapes, and using tools precisely as instructed.

Sensor Protection: For TCG cameras, after the cover glass is removed, the sensor becomes highly vulnerable to dirt. The instruction to immediately mount the camera into a housing or, if storing, to fix a circular protection foil to the lens mount, is a critical maintenance step to protect the exposed sensor.

Tool Usage: The detailed list of required tools and their specific purposes for TCG removal (e.g., spatula to keep cover glass in position, screwdriver to lift tapes, pliers to pull tapes) indicates that users are expected to have these tools and follow precise procedures for maintenance tasks.

Reassembly Guidelines: For TCG cameras, reassembly instructions include aligning markers, tightening screws to specified torque values (e.g., 4 lbf-in or 0.45 Nm for M2 x 16 screws, 4.5 lbf-in or 0.51 Nm for M2 x 8 screws), and applying threadlocker where specified. These steps are essential for ensuring the camera's structural integrity and proper function after the cover glass removal process.

Focus Recalibration: If lens mounts need recalibration for Prosilica GT cameras, the user guide provides instructions, indicating that this is a potential maintenance task to ensure optimal focus after assembly or optical changes.

Warranty Considerations: The document explicitly states that Allied Vision's warranty does not cover sensor damage once the cover glass or circular protection foil is removed. This serves as a critical maintenance note, reminding users of the risks involved in these procedures and the importance of following instructions to avoid voiding the warranty. The electronics, however, retain their standard warranty (3 years for housed Alvium, Manta, and Prosilica; 2 years for Alvium bare board).

Allied Vision Alvium Specifications