# Machine vision systems for welding cells and production lines

Source: https://www.therness.com/machine-vision-systems/
Language: en

Arc glare, spatter and fast events hide what happens at the torch and on the line. A vision system built for that light shows it frame by frame, so problems are seen while the part is still in the cell.

Therness PoolDrop is in stock and also available on monthly rental. When a standard camera does not fit the task, our engineers design and integrate a custom vision system for your cell or line.

[Request a feasibility study](https://www.therness.com/contact/?product=Feasibility%20study&source_page=%2Fmachine-vision-systems%2F) [Request a quote](https://www.therness.com/contact/?product=Vision%20systems)

![Wire tip, droplet and weld pool filmed at 480 fps by the Therness PoolDrop high-speed camera](https://www.therness.com/assets/images/optimized/pooldrop-480fps-wire-droplet-pool-waam-1200.webp)

The problem

## What a standard camera cannot see

- The arc saturates the sensor and the pool disappears in the glare.
- Droplet transfer, short circuits and arc starts happen between the frames of a 30–60 fps camera.
- Defects on the surface are found only after the bead has cooled, when the part is already scrap or rework.

What we do

## Three ways to get vision on your process

### Therness PoolDrop, in stock

A compact high-speed camera with integrated Class 1 illumination that suppresses arc glare. Buy it, or rent it monthly for a trial or a campaign. Full specifications: [Therness PoolDrop](https://www.therness.com/products/therness-pooldrop/).

### Custom vision systems

For an inspection task a standard camera cannot do, we choose the sensor, frame rate, optics and illumination, test them on your parts and integrate the system in your cell or line, with the software to view, record and flag what matters.

### Vision plus thermal

Run the camera next to a Therness thermal camera on one HeatCore server: visual and thermal evidence of the same weld in one record. Not sure which camera your process needs? Read [how to choose a welding camera](https://www.therness.com/welding-camera/).

Already built

## Vision setups running in the development cell

Demonstrated in our WAAM and welding research trials. R&D is in development; your custom system starts with a feasibility review.

- **High-speed imaging:** Therness PoolDrop records the weld pool and wire during welding and WAAM trials.
- **Torch-mounted thermography:** thermal recordings and process observations for reviewing each bead.
- **Whole-plate thermography:** a fixed view of the build plate with a recording for each layer.
- **Linked records:** available camera, electrical and welding-log data indexed by bead and layer. The acquisition package for your system is defined in the quote.

Evidence

## What it sees, recorded in our research trials

Same robot program, 36 welds, each bead filmed at 480 fps. The image below shows the weld pool detected automatically on a high-speed frame.

![36 welds from the same robot program filmed at 480 fps with Therness PoolDrop](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wyM0cNukxlU/mqdefault.jpg)

![High-speed frame of a weld pool with the pool region detected and boxed by software](https://www.therness.com/assets/images/optimized/ai-weld-pool-analysis-1.webp)

Specifications

## Therness PoolDrop specifications

As published on the product page. The quote confirms working distance and accessories.

| Frame rate and resolution | Up to 1440 × 1080 px at 60, 120 or 240 fps; 720 × 540 px at 480 fps |
| --- | --- |
| Field of view | 20° × 16° (69 × 51 mm at 200 mm) |
| Working distance | 100, 200 (default), 300 or 400 mm |
| Illumination | Integrated, laser-safe Class 1 (IEC 60825-1) |
| Spectral band | Visible |
| Interface | USB 3.0 industrial, shielded cable included; RTSP video output |
| Supply | 24 V DC |
| Size and weight | 96 × 30.7 × 36 mm, 230 g |
| Operating temperature | 0 °C to 60 °C; water cooling optional for hot cells |

Timing

## How fast you get it

1. **Therness PoolDrop, purchase or rental:** cameras in stock ship once the order is confirmed; the quote states the date.
2. **Custom system:** a feasibility study on your parts first, then design, build and commissioning on dates fixed in the quote.
3. **Price on request** for all three: purchase, monthly rental and custom systems.

Need engineering support beyond vision? See our [engineering consulting](https://www.therness.com/engineering-consulting/).

FAQ

## Questions about vision systems

### Is Therness PoolDrop available now?

Yes. Therness PoolDrop cameras are in stock and ship once the order is confirmed. The quote states the delivery date and the working distance of the unit you receive.

### Can we rent a camera instead of buying it?

Yes. Therness PoolDrop is available on monthly rental, with the viewing software, a mounting bracket and the cables for the rental period. It suits trials, a campaign on one line or a validation before you buy.

### What is a custom vision system?

A camera, optics, illumination and software chosen and integrated for one inspection task on your cell or line, when a standard camera cannot see what you need. We start with a feasibility study on your parts, then design, build and commission the setup.

### Do I need other Therness products?

No. Therness PoolDrop records and streams on its own and also runs alongside Therness thermal cameras on a HeatCore server, when you want visual and thermal evidence in one record.

### Which processes can it watch?

TIG, MIG/MAG, plasma, laser, hybrid and additive deposition. For other tasks on a line, tell us what you need to see and we test it on your parts.

### How is it priced?

Price on request, for purchase, rental and custom systems. The quote states scope, delivery date and what you need to provide. The feasibility study for a custom system has a fixed price, on request.

### Start with a feasibility study

Tell us what you need to see, the process and the distance. We reply with the camera or custom setup that fits, purchase or rental, and the delivery date. Feasibility study: fixed price, on request.

 [Request a feasibility study](https://www.therness.com/contact/?product=Feasibility%20study&source_page=%2Fmachine-vision-systems%2F) [Request a quote](https://www.therness.com/contact/?product=Vision%20systems)