Camera Manufacturing: Optical System Quality Control

Optical module (a PCB with image sensor, lens holder and lens) is one of the key sub-assemblies in the camera product. Regardless of you are using optical modules supplied to a camera assembly factory by a vendor, or these modules where manufactured by the same fab, when you have them you should check them.

It is not the perfect world after all and, honestly speaking, you and your supplier have opposite interests here. So, the better your Incoming Quality Control (IQC) is - the better product quality you have, all things considered.

We are doing IQC using Computer Vision tools.

Checking for image sensor dust contamination using picture captured on the LightBox:

Performing Sensor alignment validation:

Running Resolution check algorithm:

When it comes to Quality, it is always the better choice to use automated tools and quantitative pass/fail criteria rather then rely on expert opinion. After all - if you cannot measure it you cannot manage it.