What is a Line Shutter Camera, its Features, Benefits & Applications?

Published Aug 12, 2024

What is a Line Shutter Camera?

A line shutter camera captures images one line at a time using a single row of pixels, scanning across the subject or scene to build a complete image, ideal for precise and detailed scanning.

How Line Shutter Cameras Work

1. Line Sensor:
   • The camera contains a linear array of photosensitive elements (pixels), typically arranged in a single row.
2. Scanning Motion:
   • Either the camera or the object moves in a controlled manner, allowing the line sensor to capture successive lines of the image.
3. Image Reconstruction:
   • As each line is captured, the camera's processing unit stitches these lines together to form a complete image.

Key Features and Advantages

1. High Resolution:
   • Line shutter cameras can achieve extremely high resolutions because the length of the image is not limited by the sensor size. The resolution along the scanning axis can be very high, depending on the speed and precision of the movement.
2. Uniform Illumination:
   • These cameras ensure uniform illumination across the entire field of view, as each line is exposed to light under the same conditions, reducing lighting inconsistencies.
3. Consistent Image Quality:
   • Line shutter cameras provide consistent image quality without the distortion seen in some area scan cameras, especially in high-speed applications.
4. High Speed:
   • They are well-suited for high-speed applications since they can capture images quickly without the need for large sensor arrays.

Line shutter cameras are a powerful tool for applications requiring high resolution, uniform illumination, and precise image capture over large or moving objects. Their ability to scan line by line makes them particularly useful in industrial inspection, print and web inspection, medical imaging, document scanning, surface inspection, and scientific research. When choosing a line shutter camera, consider the specific requirements of your application, including resolution, speed, and the nature of the objects being imaged.