OMRON FQ2 Smart Camera Selection Guide

OMRON FQ2 Series Smart Camera: A Complete Technical Manual from Selection to System Integration

In modern industrial automation production lines, visual inspection has become an indispensable part of quality control, positioning guidance, and traceability management. The OMRON FQ2 series Smart Camera features an "All in One" integrated design that integrates image acquisition, processing, communication, and I/O control into a compact body, greatly reducing the difficulty of system integration. This article is based on the FQ2 series data manual and provides an in-depth technical guide for automation engineers, equipment maintenance personnel, and system integrators, covering model interpretation, field of view calculation, accessory selection, and communication configuration.

Chapter 1: Overview of the FQ2 Series - Identifying Your Application Positioning

The FQ2 series is divided into two major camps: Inspection Model and Inspection/ID Model, which are further subdivided into multiple sub series based on functional complexity and pixel count.

1.1 Testing type model system

Typical applications of series type pixels

FQ2-S1 single function type 350000 single testing item (if available, area)

FQ2-S2 standard model with over 350000 items tested simultaneously (up to 13 items)

FQ2-S3 high-resolution type 760000 or 1.3 million (C-mount) high-precision edge and shape matching

1.2 Testing/ID Type - FQ2-S4 Series

The FQ2-S4 series has added OCR (Optical Character Recognition), barcode, and QR code (including DMP code) reading capabilities on the basis of detection functions, and supports retry mechanisms (normal retry, exposure retry, scene retry, trigger retry), which is very suitable for applications that require simultaneous quality inspection and product traceability.

1.3 NPN and PNP Output Selection

Each model offers two polarity versions: NPN (including "10" or "40" in the model) and PNP (including "15" or "45" in the model). For example:

FQ2-S10010F (NPN, narrow field of view, 350000 pixel color)

FQ2-TS15010F (PNP corresponding model)

When selecting, it is necessary to match the polarity of the PLC input.

Chapter 2: Field of View and Installation Distance - The First Step of On site Debugging

The FQ2 integrated sensor offers four types of fields of view: Narrow View, Standard View, Wide View Long distance, and Wide View Short distance. Each field of view corresponds to a fixed installation distance and field of view range.

2.1 Field of view/installation distance comparison (350000 pixel type)

Field of view type, installation distance, field of view range (reference)

Narrow field of view approximately 38 mm, approximately 8.2 × 6.2 mm

The standard field of view is approximately 57 mm and 13 × 10 mm

Long distance wide-angle approximately 56 mm, approximately 47 × 35 mm

Short distance wide-angle approximately 53 mm, approximately 32 × 24 mm

Note: The actual visual field tolerance is ± 10%. For the C-mount model, the field of view and installation distance depend on the selected lens, and the optical chart needs to be consulted. The X-axis of an optical chart represents the length of the field of view (mm), while the Y-axis represents the camera installation distance (mm). Typically, the length of the field of view in the Y-axis direction is given.

2.2 On site selection suggestions

Narrow field of view: suitable for detecting small components such as electronic component pins and wafer markings, with high resolution.

Standard field of view: Universal type, suitable for most parts inspection (such as injection molded parts appearance).

Long distance wide-angle: requires a large field of view and the camera needs to be far away from the object being measured (such as wide detection on a conveyor belt).

Short distance wide-angle: Installation space is limited but requires a large field of view (such as narrow areas inside the device).

Chapter 3: C-mount Models and Lens Selection - Flexible Response to Special Optical Requirements

The -13 suffix models in the FQ2-S3 and FQ2-S4 series (such as FQ2-S30-13) use a C-mount interface and can replace lenses. OMRON recommends using the 32AS-LE SV series high-resolution and low distortion lenses, with focal lengths ranging from 6mm to 100mm.

3.1 Common lens parameters

Typical applications of focal length, aperture, filter size

6mm F1.4 M40.5 wide-angle, large field of view at close range

Overall monitoring of 8mm F1.4 M35.5 production line

12 mm F1.4 M27 universal medium distance

16mm F1.4 M27 standard testing

25 mm F1.4 M34 long-range small field of view

35-100 mm F1.4-F2.8 with different high magnification and precise positioning

3.2 Key points for using Extension Tube

When a closer installation distance or larger magnification is required, an extension tube can be installed between the lens and the camera. The kit includes 7 rings (40, 20, 10, 5, 2, 1, 0.5 mm).

Do not stack extension pipes of 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, and 2.0 mm on top of each other, as short threaded sections can cause looseness.

When the total length of the extension tube exceeds 30 mm, additional reinforcement must be provided to resist vibration.