Video: Imaging Technology Comparison of Camera, X-Ray, mmWave
What are the differences between millimeter wave (mmWave) , x-ray and camera technologies for package inspection applications?
This video content and blog post is based on material presented during an education session at ProMatDX titled, Millimeter Wave Imaging - Making Invisible Waste Visible.
ThruWave makes the invisible visible using human-safe millimeter wave technology to see through materials such as cardboard boxes, plastic totes and packaging materials to analyze what is inside.
Our 3D mmWave imaging solution can help manufacturers, ecommerce retailers and the supply chain with automated applications such as package verification, anomaly detection, item count, and fill fraction cube utilization. Millimeter wave imaging technology can be an alternative to to X-ray or machine vision cameras for some inspection applications.
Camera Imaging Technology
Using light reflection to see what’s on the surface. Camera images show the outside surface of closed packages.
The illustration shows how a camera views the world. The camera is looking at light that comes from some light source, like the sun or a light bulb, that is reflected off the surface of the packaging and comes back into the camera. Traditional cameras capture the images of the outside of packaged items in well-lit environments but do not penetrate into surfaces.
There are ordinary cameras, which see in 2D. Then there are also 3D cameras, which are sometimes called depth cameras, that either use stereo vision or a technique called structured light to get a 3D view. But again, it's a 2D or a 3D view of the outside of packaged items.
X-Ray Imaging Technology
Sending ionizing radiation through packages. X-ray images show the inside of closed packages.
If you've been to the doctor's office you are likely familiar with x-rays. X-rays are a technique that can be used to see through things, for example, see through packaged items to produce 2D images. An X-ray system has a source which creates x-rays, and passes them through packaged items to be collected by an x-ray detector on the other side.
X-ray has the ability to penetrate through items so see what is inside which can be positive for inspection applications. However on the potentially negative side it is also a form of ionizing radiation. X-rays are known to be hazardous to human health and use of x-ray equipment is highly regulated. Some companies may have concerns about potential health hazards for workers who are exposed to too high a level of x-rays in an industrial setting.
3D Millimeter Wave Technology
Sending human-safe millimeter waves through packages. 3D mmWave images show the inside of closed packages.
Millimeter waves are radio waves that are human-safe and can be used to see through things. Millimeter waves are generated by radio transmitters in the sensor. The radio signal is emitted by the sensor, bounces off the packaging and comes back to the sensor. Using depth information, we get 3D information natively from the sensor which can be used to produce both 3D and 2D images.
Millimeter waves can penetrate non-metallic packaging materials such as corrugated cardboard, plastics, air packs, or wood going into the items that are inside and get reflected from the items inside. Those reflections are also collected by the sensor, giving the combined image of both the packaging and its contents.
ThruWave 3D millimeter wave imaging was named
Best New Product Innovation 2021 from MHI.org
(Material Handling Institute). Our 3D mmWave imaging solution is modular and and easy retrofit for existing conveyor or robotic material handling systems to operate safely alongside human workers.
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