Cooled SWIR camera

Actively cooled 5GigE camera combines high image quality with a minimal installation footprint

Neuhausen auf den Fildern, Germany – Balluff has received recognition at a machine vision industry award for its newly developed, actively cooled SWIR camera. The solution was unveiled at VISION 2026 in Stuttgart, the world’s leading trade fair for machine vision. The camera combines SWIR imaging with active thermal management and a compact design. 

SWIR imaging with stable sensor temperature

SWIR cameras enable applications that extend beyond the capabilities of visible-light imaging, including material differentiation, moisture analysis and the inspection of internal structures. The camera is available with Sony IMX992 and IMX993 SWIR sensors. Covering a spectral range from 400 to 1,700 nm, the sensors are offered with resolutions of 5.32 MP (2,592 × 2,056 pixels) and 3.21 MP (2,080 × 1,544 pixels), respectively.

At the same time, temperature stability and system integration present particular challenges, as rising sensor temperatures can increase image noise and impair image quality. Balluff addresses this issue with a newly developed cooling concept. A Peltier element actively regulates the SWIR sensor at a defined temperature, while the resulting heat is transferred directly to the camera housing. A specially developed cooling plate is also available to support heat dissipation and can be mounted above or below the camera, depending on the application. 

Compact integration for industrial applications

Despite its active cooling, the housing measures just 40 × 40 × 77.4 mm and operates entirely without a fan. This eliminates air turbulence, additional maintenance requirements and potential failure risks associated with moving components. The camera, cooling plate and mounting system are designed for space-saving integration. The solution is therefore particularly suitable for machinery and systems with limited installation space, where conventional cooled SWIR systems can reach their limits.

‘Our new SWIR camera combines actively regulated sensor cooling with an exceptionally compact, fanless design. This enables users to deploy SWIR technology in applications where conventional cooling solutions have previously reached their limits because of space constraints or airflow’, says Ralf Sinnerbrink, Product Manager at Balluff.

The combination of actively regulated sensor temperature, fanless design and minimal space requirements opens up additional possibilities for SWIR technology in industrial inspection and analysis applications. In particular, it makes the technology easier to integrate into machinery and systems where installation space is limited. 

Further information is available at: SWIR and UV cameras | Balluff