Torrent Photonics (Largo, FL, USA) has released SpectroCam 2, a multispectral imaging platform designed for modular configurations. This approach allows engineers and integrators to mix and match components rather than being constrained by a fixed camera design.

Designed to support a range of machine vision and imaging applications such as automated inspection, agriculture, and life sciences, the platform allows teams to experiment with different wavelengths, bandwidths, and sensor technologies without having to continually replace hardware, giving engineers and integrators flexibility to refine the system as project requirements change.

Vision Systems Design had some questions about SpectroCam 2, so we reached out to Hugh Garvey, director of imaging at Torrent Photonics.

Editor's note: the following Q&A may have been edited for style and/or clarity.

Vision Systems Design (VSD): Multispectral imaging is often described as “application-specific.” What are the most common mistakes engineers make when selecting spectral bands, and how does SpectroCam 2 help reduce that risk during proof-of-concept testing?

Hugh Garvey (HG): The problem with most MS (multispectral) solutions is that they have a fixed number of spectral bands that can be chosen or used. The power of the SpectroCam 2 is that the user can choose from a wide array of spectral channels both in terms of bandwidth and center wavelength. Furthermore, a completely different set of filters can be chosen later and easily interchanged to facilitate either a refinement of the current project or a completely different and new one.

VSD: Machine vision integrators frequently need to balance spectral performance, image resolution, frame rate, and field of view. How should engineers approach those tradeoffs when configuring a multispectral imaging system?

HG: This is often a problem and is of course application-dependent but once again, SpectroCam 2 offers the user flexibility in that the image sensor and lens are configurable offering the user a wide range of choice in terms of resolution, frame rate, and field of view. The lens interface uses a standard Nikon mount as the default so it is easy to swap lenses should the need arise.

VSD: What types of industrial inspection applications are seeing the greatest benefits from multispectral imaging today, and where do you see the technology delivering new value over conventional RGB imaging?

HG: The range of industrial inspection applications is extensive. Multispectral imaging that extends beyond the capabilities of a conventional RGB camera can be used to detect or determine a wide assortment of materials and circumstances. There has been an uptick in the agricultural sector for moisture detection using NIR/SWIR as well as for pigment/chlorophyll/photosynthesis, etc. There also is some interest in its use for minerology/mining. It can also be used to detect errors in bottle fill levels or blister packs. It can detect certain contaminants during food processing. It can be used to sort plastics during recycling. In situations where a typical RGB camera is functional, multispectral imaging can be beneficial by increasing the available spectral “channels.” 
Instead of three spectral channels (red/green/blue), SpectroCam 2 has eight spectral channels. This increase in spectral control can aid in detecting differences that are difficult or impossible with a conventional RGB camera.

There is also great interest in faster, more compact modular systems (so that they can be attached to drones/robots, etc.) so SpectroCam 2 can be a great way to investigate ways to zero in on which areas of the spectrum are necessary to identify specific plants, minerals, and other materials.

VSD: Spectrocam2 allows users to swap filters, sensors, and optics throughout development. Can you share an example of a project where testing led engineers to select a completely different wavelength, filter bandwidth, or sensor than originally planned?

HG: When identifying a parameter optically, changing the image sensor to a UV-VIS or VIS-SWIR may improve the signal-to-noise by adding UV or SWIR sensitivity. It is also quite possible certain features are entirely unidentifiable in the visible part of the spectrum. We have many years of experience in Multispectral imaging. When discussing applications, we can assist our customers with the available options and how they may improve their ability to perform their task(s).

VSD: Many engineers evaluating multispectral systems compare filter-wheel approaches with liquid crystal tunable filters and other technologies. What are the key performance considerations when choosing between these architectures?

HG: Liquid Filter Tunable filters are an interesting technology, but they take some time to change states limiting the frame rate which can be achieved often to the point where live action capture is not possible. The SpectroCam 2 will capture many 10s of images/sec (depending on the exact image sensor choice) offering the possibility to capture full multi-spectral data cubes in real time.

VSD: Once a customer identifies the optimal sensor, filter, and optical configuration, what challenges typically arise when transitioning from a laboratory prototype to a production-ready OEM machine vision system?

HG: There are always situations which may require better resolution, tighter bands, and quite often what might work well in the lab does not work so well when field tested. Speed is also sometimes challenging as well as attaching the camera to a mobile/moving platform. Certain production environments may require custom camera packaging for protection from moisture, vibration, airborne particulates, or decontamination requirements.  Custom software may assist with the integration into a production line. We can help the customer with these custom needs.  

Related: Focus on Vision: Vision 2026 and More