Solution: COBRA HyperSpec

Challenge

Herbs are a high-value segment of the food industry and are frequently targeted for fraud. A coordinated EU survey reported that almost 17% of the samples tested showed signs of adulteration. This included the use of fillers, addition of stem or leaf material, or substitution with a visually similar but cheaper herb.

Detecting adulteration is difficult once herbs are dried and ground. Many adulterants are indistinguishable to the eye, and visual inspection alone cannot confirm authenticity. The impact is not only economic, it also affects consumer trust and, in some cases, product safety when unapproved materials enter the supply chain.

The complexity comes from the chemistry of herbs themselves. They contain structural plant matter as well as secondary metabolites such as terpenes, phenolic acids, and chlorophylls. These compounds give each herb a spectral fingerprint, but the differences are subtle and can be masked. Traditional methods have used halogen illumination with chemometric analysis to study authenticity, but halogen sources are unstable over time. Drift in the light source produces inconsistent results, reducing confidence in measurements. Reliable, non-destructive methods are needed to identify these subtle differences and improve the accuracy of authenticity testing.

The Solution: COBRA HyperSpec

ProPhotonix COBRA HyperSpec

A hyperspectral SWIR imaging system illuminated by the COBRA HyperSpec was employed to analyze dried herb samples. Both authentic herbs and adulterated samples were tested. The adulterants chosen were visually similar to authentic herbs, providing a realistic assessment of detection capability.

Spectral signatures were collected across absorption bands associated with chemical bonds, including C–H, O–H, N–H, and C=O. These functional groups are directly linked to the organic compounds present in herbs, making them key markers for authenticity and chemical composition.

Figure 1: Spectral plot illustrating separation between authentic and adulterated herbs

Chemometric classification models were then developed to evaluate the data. These models leveraged the differences in spectral profiles to accurately distinguish between authentic and adulterated herbs. The analysis was designed not only to separate classes but to test robustness across multiple herb types.

Outcome

The hyperspectral analysis produced strong and reliable results:

• Clear separation: Spectral plots showed distinct differences between authentic and adulterated herbs.
• High accuracy: Chemometric classification achieved accuracies of up to 98%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the approach.
• Transferability: The method was effective across multiple herb types, showing it can be applied broadly rather than to a single product.
• Repeatability: Consistent performance across runs highlighted the reliability of the system.
• Non-destructive: Samples remained intact, making this approach suitable for practical food authentication and quality assurance processes.

Figure 2: Classification results demonstrating accuracies of up to 98%

Why COBRA HyperSpec

• Consistent spectral output: Unlike halogen illumination, which drifts over time, COBRA HyperSpec provides stable, repeatable illumination.
• Reliable performance: Ensures accuracy and repeatability in chemometric models.
• Non-destructive: Enables rapid authentication of dried herbs without damaging samples.

Explore further into our offerings encompassing hyperspectral imaging solutions and multispectral imaging solutions. Contact us and receive free professional advice now.

The post Applying Hyperspectral SWIR Imaging to Herb Adulteration appeared first on Prophotonix.

Solution: COBRA HyperSpec

Challenge

Coffee is one of the world’s most widely consumed beverages and one of the most economically significant commodities, with millions of livelihoods tied to its cultivation, trade, and export. Its popularity and high commercial value have also made it particularly vulnerable to fraud. Single-origin and specialty coffees, especially Arabica beans, command premium prices on the global market. That premium creates strong incentives for adulteration where authentic beans are blended with lower-value materials such as Robusta, chicory, or even instant coffee.

The challenge is that adulteration is rarely obvious. Visually, the differences between pure and blended ground coffee are difficult to detect, and even experienced tasters may not consistently distinguish between them. What makes the problem more complex is coffee’s chemistry. The beverage’s flavor and quality are determined by hundreds of volatile and non-volatile compounds, many of which vary with variety, origin, and processing method. Subtle shifts in these chemical profiles can mask adulteration, making reliable detection extremely difficult.

Traditional methods have relied on halogen illumination combined with chemometric analysis to characterize coffee samples. While halogen light sources can provide broad spectral coverage, they are prone to drift over time. This instability leads to inconsistent datasets, undermining confidence in results and limiting their effectiveness in applications where long-term precision is essential. Given the scale of the industry and the value at risk, there is a clear need for reliable, non-destructive, and consistent methods of authentication that can move beyond the limitations of conventional approaches.

The Solution: COBRA HyperSpec

ProPhotonix COBRA HyperSpec

To address these challenges, a hyperspectral SWIR imaging system illuminated by the COBRA HyperSpec was deployed. This setup was selected specifically for its stability and repeatability, which are essential for chemometric analysis.

Figure 1: Spectral plot showing separation between authentic and adulterated coffee samples

Coffee beans from multiple origins including Guatemala, Brazil, and India were tested in both roasted and unroasted forms. Each sample set was adulterated with instant decaf coffee at varying concentrations. Spectral data was collected across absorption bands corresponding to functional groups such as C–H, O–H, N–H, and C=O, which are strongly linked to coffee’s chemical profile.

Chemometric models were then developed to predict the concentration of adulteration and classify authentic versus counterfeit beans.

Outcome

Analysis demonstrated that adulteration could be detected with high accuracy and reliability.

• High accuracy: Regression analysis showed ~95% correlation between predicted and actual adulteration levels.
• Precision: Predictions were within ±7% of the true adulterant concentration.
• Robust detection: Both roasted and unroasted beans were reliably classified.
• Repeatability: Results were consistent across multiple test runs.
• Non-destructive: Valuable samples were preserved, making the technique suitable for real-world quality control.

Why COBRA HyperSpec

The choice of COBRA HyperSpec was critical to the success of this study. Unlike halogen-based systems, which are prone to spectral drift and reduced performance over time, COBRA HyperSpec offers:

• Spectral stability: Consistent illumination ensures reliable chemometric analysis.
• High brightness and uniformity: Delivers clear, reproducible data capture across the sample surface.
• Modularity and customization: Available in lengths up to 6m, with up to 12 configurable wavelengths from 365–1950nm.
• Integration features: Ethernet control, strobe lines, and input power monitoring support easy integration into imaging systems.
• Proven longevity: Long operational lifetime reduces downtime and ensures consistent results over time.

By combining hyperspectral SWIR imaging with the stable illumination of COBRA HyperSpec, adulteration in coffee can be detected rapidly, accurately, and non-destructively. This provides a practical solution for maintaining quality and authenticity in one of the world’s most valuable commodities.

Explore our  hyperspectral imaging and multispectral imaging solutions. Contact us and receive free applications advice now.

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Tunable Multispectral Output in a compact, configurable form factor

As Multispectral Imaging becomes increasingly critical across industries such as food sorting, pharmaceutical inspection, and print verification, the need for accessible, high‑performance multispectral lighting with lower system cost has never been more pressing. In many applications, while multispectral technology can deliver significant benefits, cost, size, and integration complexity presents barriers to implementation.

COBRA NX MultiSpec

The COBRA NX MultiSpec from ProPhotonix bridges this gap with a compact, modular LED Line Light engineered to deliver high-performance multispectral illumination with an optimized performance-cost ratio. Designed for applications where performance and budget must align, it provides tunable multispectral lighting in a form factor that is easy to integrate into new and existing systems.

Why COBRA NX MultiSpec?

The COBRA NX MultiSpec is designed to provide discrete control of multiple wavelengths, enabling users to tailor spectral profiles and enhance signal-to-noise ratios for their specific imaging tasks. With standard configurations including RGB, RGB-IR (855nm), RGB-White (3500K), and RGB-SWIR (1150nm, 1450nm), the platform offers a flexible solution for a wide range of multispectral applications including food sorting and web inspection.

Leveraging Chip-on-Board LED technology and superior optical design, COBRA NX MultiSpec delivers intense, uniform multispectral illumination. Modular lengths from 300mm up to 1.2m allow for flexible integration across inspection widths in systems where performance-to-cost ratio is critical.

Key Features

• High performance‑to‑cost ratio with up to 30% lower lighting costs
• RGB, RBG-NIR, RGB-White, and RGB-SWIR as well as Custom Options Available
• Compact, Modular Design: 300mm to 1.2m lengths
• Integrated Ethernet Control

When paired with multispectral cameras from leading manufacturers such as CMICRO, JAI, and Teledyne Dalsa, the COBRA NX MultiSpec enables significant system cost reductions while maintaining high imaging performance, making it ideal for applications where spectral control, uniformity, and cost‑efficiency must align.

The COBRA NX MultiSpec delivers the essential illumination performance required for a wide range of applications maintaining the high standards of the COBRA platform while offering a more accessible solution for cost-sensitive projects.

Key Applications

• Multispectral Imaging
• Food Sorting
• Web Inspection

Multispectral Imaging Made Accessible with COBRA NX MultiSpec

By combining configurable spectral output, compact design, and integration-ready features, this COBRA NX MultiSpec empowers engineers to unlock the benefits of multispectral imaging without compromising on cost or performance.

To learn more about the COBRA NX MultiSpec and explore configuration options, get in touch with our team today.

The post COBRA NX MultiSpec: High Performance Multispectral Line Light Delivering Up to 30% Lower Lighting Costs appeared first on Prophotonix.

Designed with 265nm, this compact, stackable LED solution delivers consistent, uniform illumination for inspection, fluorescence-based analysis, and advanced imaging applications.

265nm LED Illumination Engineered for Imaging Applications

As machine vision and industrial imaging systems advance, the demand for narrowband, stable ultraviolet light sources has increased. Traditional mercury-based UV lamps are now being phased out due to safety, regulatory, and integration limitations. For critical workflows where output uniformity, wavelength stability, and intensity control directly impact system performance, a more purpose-built solution is required.

The UVC-Pro Area Light delivers precision-tuned 265nm illumination in a compact, configurable form factor. Designed for fluorescence-based defect detection, pharmaceutical analysis, and UV-based surface inspection, it provides a powerful, integration-ready lighting solution that enables and extends modern industrial workflows well into the future.

Why 265nm?

265nm illumination provides wavelength-specific excitation for fluorescence detection and analytical imaging. Systems requiring dependable UV performance for material analysis, contaminant detection, or surface verification benefit from stable, narrowband UVC output.

Unlike mercury lamps, which emit broad spectra requiring external filters, the UVC-Pro Area Light delivers direct, application-specific illumination with no excess noise in the spectrum.

Key Performance Features

• Stable Output: Up to 35mW/cm² of irradiance at 265nm for reliable imaging
• Uniform Illumination: Even distribution enables consistent inspection results
• Compact, Stackable Design: Modular form factor enables system designers to scale illumination across wider fields of view.

This balance between mechanical design and optical output enables engineers to develop high-performance systems without introducing thermal or integration complexity.

Built for System Integration

The UVC-Pro Area Light is engineered with OEM system requirements in mind. Its compact form-factor, flexible mounting, and modular scalability make it easy to deploy in both standalone and inline machine vision stations.

Target Applications:

• Fluorescence-based pharmaceutical and chemical inspection
• Adhesive and coating verification
• UV-reactive marker detection
• Sorting and surface inspection in sterile production environments

Why Choose LED Over Mercury?

Solid-state UVC lighting provides significant advantages:

• Instant start-up, minimal warm-up time
• Longer lifespan and reduced recalibration cycles
• No hazardous materials or special disposal required
• Compact form factor for easier system integration

LED technology offers the stability and control required for repeatable results in regulated industries without the drawbacks of legacy systems.

Conclusion: A Smarter Approach to UV Illumination

With its narrowband 265nm output, thermal stability, and system-ready design, the UVC-Pro Area Light is an advanced solution for industrial engineers. Whether used for fluorescence inspection, material verification, or UV-based quality control, it brings efficiency and performance together in one stackable platform.

To explore how the UVC PRO Area Light can enhance your systems, download the datasheet or get in touch with our team today.

The post UVC-Pro Area Light: 265nm UVC LED Illumination for Machine Vision & Imaging appeared first on Prophotonix.

Key Differences Between Bright Field and Dark Field Lighting 

Bright Field (BF) emphasizes simplicity, illuminating the entire sample uniformly such that the sample appears as a dark image against a bright background. In contrast, Dark Field (DF) eliminates scattered light to produce a dark background with bright, high-contrast specimens, making it ideal for unstained or transparent samples. These methods form the foundation of effective lighting choices in machine vision.  

1. Illumination Technique

Bright Field: Utilizes reflected light to create bright images, with the light source positioned at an angle of 45-90 degrees relative to the sample. The technique captures light reflected directly into the camera. 

Dark Field: Captures scattered light instead of reflected light. A low-angle light source (10-15 degrees) highlights edges, defects, and ridges by emphasizing scattered illumination.

2. Image Characteristics

Bright Field: Produces bright images but may struggle to define surface defects such as engravings, scratches, or indentations. Reflective surfaces often create bright spots due to excessive light reflection. 

Dark Field: Enhances visibility of edges and surface imperfections by capturing only scattered light. It is particularly effective for inspecting reflective or mirrored surfaces. 

3. Surface Analysis

Bright Field: Less effective for detecting small defects or imaging reflective surfaces, as direct reflections can obscure details. 

Dark Field: Excels at detecting subtle features like ridges, scratches, and edges, making it a preferred choice for detailed surface analysis. 

4. Setup Considerations

Bright Field: Light sources are positioned at small angles for broader coverage and reduced glare.

Dark Field: Requires lighting to be set up at 45 degrees or sometimes lower to optimize the scattering effect and minimize reflections from smooth surfaces.

Choosing the right lighting technique is essential to meet specific imaging requirements, and the next section will guide you through the factors to consider when selecting between Bright Field and Dark Field lighting for your application. 

Choosing the Right Lighting Technique 

Below are the main considerations to guide your decision: 

1. Application Purpose

Clearly define the inspection goal. For surface inspections, such as detecting defects or analyzing printed text, front illumination (light from the camera side) is ideal. Selecting the proper angle and optical properties (diffuse or direct light) depends on the surface features to be highlighted. 

For measuring dimensions (e.g., diameter, length) or detecting through-holes, back illumination is preferred as it maximizes contrast at object edges. Complex scenarios, such as imaging transparent materials, may require a combination of techniques to achieve the desired result.

2. Illumination Angle

Bright Field: In front light setups, light reflected from flat surfaces is collected by the optics, creating dark areas for features like scratches that scatter light outside the lens’s acceptance angle. In backlight setups, bright field collects light blocked or transmitted by the sample, emphasizing opaque or transparent areas. 

Dark Field: In front light setups, scattered light from non-flat features is captured, highlighting these areas as bright on a dark background. In backlight setups, light scattered by non-flat features is similarly enhanced against a dark field. 

3. Wavelength and Optical Performance

Choosing the right wavelength is crucial for optimizing the optical system. Monochromatic lighting simplifies the system by reducing chromatic aberrations, improving stability and efficiency.

Factors to consider include the sample’s surface properties (opaque or reflective), the desired resolution (shorter wavelengths offer higher resolution), system complexity, and the availability of illuminators at specific wavelengths.

4. Working Distance

For dark field illumination, a small working distance (typically within an inch) is often required. The dark field LEDs should be mounted at an angle of at least 45 degrees or more to achieve the desired scattering effect.

By carefully analyzing these factors, machine vision engineers can select the lighting technique that best suits their specific application needs.

Conclusion 

Whether you need Bright Field or Dark Field illumination, understanding factors like application purpose, illumination angle, wavelength, and working distance ensures you capture the best image quality for your needs. 

With over two decades of experience in designing and developing LED lights and structured light lasers, ProPhotonix is a trusted partner for machine vision lighting solutions. Our experts can help you design the ideal setup to enhance image quality, improve throughput rates, and achieve your vision system goals. Contact us today for personalized advice and support. 

The post Bright Field vs. Dark Field Lighting appeared first on Prophotonix.

Extreme Brightness and Extreme Uniformity 

Available in UV-C wavelengths of 265nm and 275nm, as well as UV-B at 310nm, the COBRA Slim UVC delivers up to 61mW/cm² of highly uniform light, setting a new standard for intensity and efficiency in linescan imaging. Its slim, compact design allows for seamless installation in tight spaces without compromising on power. The COBRA Slim UVC is ideal for a broad range of applications, including surface inspection, pharmaceutical packaging, fabric inspection, food and beverage inspection, currency verification, and even sterilization and disinfection tasks. 

Key Features: 

• Wavelengths: 265nm, 275nm and 310nm
• Intensity: Up to 61mW/cm2
• Design: Slim and Compact
• Field Adjustable: Focusing Distance 
• Modular: Available in lengths up to 6m 
• Current Monitoring & Error Detection 

Key Applications: 

• Surface Inspection
• Pharmaceutical & Medical Package Inspection
• Textile & Fabric Inspection 
• Food & Beverage Inspection 
• Currency & Document Verification 
• Sterilization and Disinfection 

Highly Versatile and Modular Design 

Designed for precision and reliability, the COBRA Slim UV-C is a game-changer, offering extreme brightness, unmatched uniformity, and a range of configurations to meet your advanced machine vision needs. The modular nature of the COBRA Slim UVC enables customization up to 6 meters in length, while its field-adjustable focusing distance ensures optimal performance across various applications. Additionally, for enhanced functionality, the COBRA Slim UV-C offers Ethernet control and an optional strobing function to further boost intensity. 

The post Introducing the COBRA Slim UVC: High-Performance LED Line Light with Advanced UV Technology appeared first on Prophotonix.

Brightness Amplified: Now with up to 30% more intensity 

Offering up to 30% more light intensity, the new brighter COBRA Max LED line light can deliver superior brightness up to 3120kLux for your line scan application. Combined with COBRA’s exceptional strobe capability, the new COBRA Max achieves an impressive output of up to 16 million Lux. 

This upgraded brightness equips system designers with the means to elevate image quality, enhance accuracy, and boost throughput across a diverse array of applications, including solar cell inspection, foil, paper, and plastic film inspection, as well as PCB inspection, and beyond. 

Key Features:  

• Intensities up to 3120kLux 
• Extreme Brightness: up to x2 Intensity of COBRA Slim 
• Slim and Compact Design 
• Field Adjustable Focusing Distance & Diffusers 
• Wavelengths from UV to Visible & IR 

Key Applications:  

• Solar Cell Inspection 
• Foil, Paper, and Plastic Film Inspection  
• PCB Inspection 
• Glass Inspection 
• Semiconductor Inspection 
• Flat Panel Display Inspection 

Built on the COBRA Slim Platform

Incorporating advancements on the trusted COBRA Slim platform, the new COBRA Max prioritizes compact design and maximized light output. By leveraging Chip-on-Board LED technology and integrating micro lens technology, the new brighter COBRA Max LED line light offers system designers a powerful solution for achieving higher quality images and accelerated throughput in their line scan applications. 

The post Introducing the New Brighter COBRA Max LED Line Light appeared first on Prophotonix.

Understanding Multispectral Imaging 

Illumination plays a pivotal role in the success of any multispectral imaging system. The use of specific wavelengths can trigger a known response from the target material, allowing for the identification and differentiation of its various properties. Thus, specifying lighting correctly becomes increasingly important for optimized system performance, which in turn leads to enhanced detection accuracy and throughput. 

Selecting the Correct Wavelength 

Multispectral lighting needs to be tailored to the material being imaged. For example, if you are trying to determine the moisture content in grain, then the multispectral imaging system would require a light source with a wavelength that interacts with water. 

Explore Different Multispectral Imaging Applications 

Depending on your application, using a hyperspectral LED line light can be helpful in identifying the optimum wavelength and then specifying a multispectral line light can enhance system efficiency and simplicity. But in some cases, hyperspectral imaging is not always necessary.  

From multispectral imaging with a single monochromatic camera to IR imaging with a single light source and two cameras, the wavelengths and price can vary significantly. We recommend working closely with a lighting manufacturer like ProPhotonix where expert applications engineers can correctly configure multispectral lighting based on your application requirements. 

Learn more with our Whitepaper  – “A Guide to Lighting for your Multispectral Imaging System”  

Written by ProPhotonix’ expert Applications Engineers, our new whitepaper ‘A Guide to Lighting for your Multispectral Imaging System’ discusses the importance of specifying the correct multispectral lighting with specific cameras to reduce system costs and simplify setup. Through four real-world applications, this whitepaper provides a guide to navigating multispectral imaging system setup, allowing you to optimize your unique multispectral lighting requirements.  

The post Mastering Multispectral Imaging: A Guide to Optimized Lighting appeared first on Prophotonix.