Specim Unveils High-Speed NIR-SWIR Hyperspectral Camera for Industrial Machine Vision
Specim, a Konica Minolta company and leader in hyperspectral imaging, has announced the Specim FX19, a high-speed push-broom (line-scan) hyperspectral camera operating in the near/shortwave infrared (NIR-SWIR) range of 1130–1920 nm. Purpose-built for industrial machine vision and advanced research environments, the FX19 expands Specim’s proven FX series, offering a blend of performance, scalability, and ease of integration that meets the accelerating demands of material identification and inspection in high-throughput applications.
The FX19 delivers market-leading performance in a compact, robust package, combining high resolution, sensitivity, and frame rates to serve precise material analysis in demanding production environments. With its modern design and flexible feature set, the FX19 is poised to bridge the gap between laboratory research and full-scale industrial deployment of hyperspectral solutions.
Precision Meets Throughput
At the core of the FX19 is a 640-pixel spatial resolution detector coupled with frame rates up to 527 frames per second, enabling detailed spectral and spatial analysis at high speeds. This performance level is crucial for inline inspection systems where material differentiation must keep pace with fast conveyors and automated sorting.
Equipped with a TE-cooled, low-noise InGaAs sensor, the FX19 achieves enhanced sensitivity and reduced noise levels—key factors for detecting subtle spectral features in complex materials. Complementing the hardware, Specim’s advanced image correction and unified spectral calibration ensure consistent, repeatable performance across units, a major advantage for scalable multi-camera systems and OEM deployments where cross-device uniformity is essential.
Optimized for Integration and Scalability
Ease of integration is a cornerstone of the FX19 design. The camera supports standard GigE Vision, enabling simple connectivity to industrial networks and machine vision architectures. Specim’s comprehensive SDK and APIs streamline software development and system control, allowing integrators and end users to tailor solutions to application-specific workflows.
The compact, durable form factor fits seamlessly into multi-camera configurations, conveyor enclosures, and tight inspection stations. A broad range of compatible optics—including macro lenses for close-range work – gives system designers flexibility in configuring working distances and fields of view for diverse use cases. Multiple regions of interest (ROI) and binning settings let users balance data rate, frame speed, and sensitivity to match throughput needs without sacrificing spectral fidelity.
Expanding Hyperspectral Applications
According to Sami Toljamo, Chief Commercial Officer at Specim, “The FX19 broadens the practical use of hyperspectral imaging from research to scalable industrial solutions. It unlocks new applications in recycling, electronics, thin films, and pharmaceuticals, while perfectly complementing our leading hyperspectral portfolio. FX19 delivers clear customer value by enabling higher throughput, improved material identification, and faster deployment of hyperspectral solutions.”
Indeed, the FX19’s capabilities make it well-suited to a growing range of applications where accurate material identification is essential:
Plastics Sorting: Rapid differentiation of polymer types such as PET, PVC, and ABS can improve sorting accuracy and recycling yields.
Foil & Thin-Film Inspection: High-resolution spectral analysis helps detect coating inconsistencies, defects, and layer composition variations.
Pharmaceutical Quality Control: Support for identifying selected active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients in manufacturing and inline quality inspections.
Textile Recycling: Identification of fiber content and material blends supports more efficient recovery and reuse.
Electronics Recycling (E-Waste): Detection of coatings, fillers, and multilayer structures aids in sorting and material recovery.
The Specim FX19 represents a compelling advancement in hyperspectral imaging hardware, tailored for high-speed, high-accuracy material inspection in industrial settings. With strong performance credentials, integration-ready interfaces, and flexible deployment options, the FX19 extends hyperspectral imaging’s reach toward mainstream machine vision and inline inspection applications.
For more information: www.specim.com
