Beyond Visible Light: Application-Driven Use Cases of Contrastech OEM SWIR Lights

Discover how customizable SWIR illumination enables advanced inspection, material identification, and non-destructive testing across industries.

What Is SWIR Light and Why It Matters in Machine Vision

In machine vision and industrial inspection, conventional visible light imaging often reaches its limits when dealing with complex materials, multilayer structures, or hidden defects. Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) technology provides a powerful alternative.

SWIR light typically covers wavelengths from 900 nm to 1700 nm. Unlike visible light, SWIR interacts differently with materials such as silicon, plastics, water, and organic compounds—revealing features invisible to standard cameras.

Key Advantages of SWIR Illumination

Material Transparency and Contrast Enhancement

Many materials that appear opaque under visible light become partially transparent in the SWIR range, enabling detection of subsurface defects and internal structures.

Moisture and Composition Sensitivity

Water absorbs strongly at specific SWIR wavelengths (typically 1400–1550 nm), making SWIR ideal for moisture detection, contamination inspection, and fill-level verification.

High-Contrast Imaging with SWIR Cameras

When combined with InGaAs or SWIR-sensitive sensors, SWIR illumination delivers high-contrast, stable images suitable for high-speed automation.

Contrastech OEM SWIR Light Customization Capabilities

All Contrastech light series support custom SWIR configurations, designed to meet specific inspection requirements and mechanical constraints.

• Custom SWIR wavelengths – optimized for material properties and contrast
• Multiple illumination types: Bar Light, Ring Light, Backlight, Line Light, Coaxial Light, Dome Light
• Custom dimensions and form factors – suitable for OEM integration
• Optimized illumination uniformity and beam angles

Application Use Cases of OEM SWIR Lighting

Semiconductor & Electronics Inspection

SWIR light penetrates silicon, enabling wafer inspection, chip packaging analysis, and detection of micro-cracks or misalignments beneath the surface.

Value: Improved defect detection and higher production yield.

Plastic & Packaging Inspection

SWIR illumination reveals material differences in plastic packaging, enabling detection of foreign objects, seal defects, and liquid content.

Value: Non-destructive inspection for food, beverage, and pharmaceutical lines.

Agriculture & Food Quality Analysis

SWIR imaging allows inspection of internal quality such as moisture distribution, bruising, and ripeness that cannot be detected with visible light.

Value: Automated grading and reduced food waste.

Automated Sorting & Recycling

Custom SWIR illumination supports accurate identification of plastics, composites, and recyclable materials beyond visible color differences.

Value: Higher sorting accuracy and smarter recycling processes.

Ready to Customize Your SWIR Lighting Solution?

Whether you need a specific SWIR wavelength, custom light geometry, or OEM-ready integration, Contrastech provides tailored SWIR lighting solutions.