Tube Light Illumination: Diffused LED Systems Emit Uniform, High-Intensity Lighting for Challenging Vision Applications

360° light pattern prevents glare when inspecting curved or reflective surfaces

KONSTANZ, GERMANY, DECEMBER 23, 2025 -- In machine vision, tube light illumination is a crucial enabling technology for line-scan camera systems that require consistent, shadow-free lighting across a broad field of view. Tube lights are particularly effective for inspecting highly specular or curved materials, such as glass tubing, bottles, tubes, optical lenses, or extruded plastics. In contrast to direct lighting which causes excessive glare, hot spots, or undesired reflections that mask flaws, tube lights scatter light uniformly across 360 degrees, suppressing glare while maintaining uniform brightness from multiple angles. 

LED tube lighting has largely replaced traditional fluorescent tubes in machine vision systems. LEDs support precise pulsing or strobing synchronized with cameras, allowing overdrive up to 10x intensity for short bursts. This freezes motion on high-speed lines, reduces blur, rejects ambient light, and extends LED life via low duty cycles. LEDs also consume less power and generate minimal heat, reducing cooling needs and preventing thermal distortion of inspected parts.

Tube lights occupy a distinct niche in machine vision, inspecting objects on production lines or in automated setups that other illumination technologies are unable to. Key application segments include:

• Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Manufacturing — Ultra-high-speed vial, syringe, and ampoule inspection at pharmaceutical production rates (600+ units/minute), with sufficient intensity for high-magnification defect detection
• Electronics & Semiconductor — PCB trace inspection, solder joint analysis, and component verification requiring extreme contrast and minimal exposure times
• Automotive Precision Parts — High-resolution surface inspection of machined components, bearing races, and safety-critical fasteners under production-floor conditions
• High-Speed Web Inspection — Line-scan imaging of films, foils, and coated materials at web speeds exceeding 500 meters/minute

Chromasens Corona II Tube Light

Innovation in this field is exemplified by the Chromasens Corona II Tube Light, a breakthrough cylindrical LED illuminator delivering up to 1,200,000 lux — the industry's highest — with some configurations reaching 2,500,000 lux in focused line illumination. This intensity enables extremely fast line-scan camera operation in full dynamic range, resulting in clear imaging even on challenging reflective surfaces 

Combining exceptional output intensity with a space-efficient form factor and modular scalability, the Corona II Tube Light addresses critical challenges in inspection applications where conventional lights lack sufficient power density. It is compatible with the XLC4 controller for precise current adjustment, temperature monitoring, modular section control, and multiple interfaces. 

Chromasens also offers a Combined Tube Light model that integrates tube, dark field, and bright field illumination in one module for multi-scenario inspections in a single pass. 

The Bottom Line

For system integrators confronting challenging surface geometries or variable reflectivity, tube light illumination represents a proven, field-hardened solution.

Learn more at www.chromasens.com.

About Chromasens GmbH

Chromasens stands for "color“ and "sensor technology“ – the central objective is developing customized systems for high-quality image capturing in 2D and 3D and the development of line scan camera systems, 3D- and multispectral cameras, and high-intensity LED light sources. Chromasens GmbH was founded in 2004 and produces industrial image processing systems for a wide range of applications. Color line scan cameras, lighting technology for industrial image processing, as well as software for optimized use of our products, just to name a few. 

Chromasens is based in Constance, Germany, and is ISO 9001 certified. Chromasens offers professional advice and support throughout each phase of the project cycle to its direct and project customers who require customized, individual image-capturing solutions. The company's standardized image-processing components are distributed worldwide via certified value-added distributors. 

Since 2017 Chromasens has been a member of Lakesight Technologies, a machine vision holding company acquired by TKH Group NV at the end of 2018.