Applications
Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) imaging offers unique advantages based on its inherent physical properties, providing visibility where traditional cameras fall short. SWIR cameras operate within a specific light spectrum that penetrates challenging conditions such as fog, smoke, and low-light environments, offering clear, high-contrast imaging. This technology is exceptionally useful for industries that require precise material inspection, enhanced surveillance, or real-time monitoring of complex processes. Unlike legacy SWIR systems, which have been prohibitively expensive and complex, new integrated and cost-effective solutions make SWIR imaging accessible to a broader range of industries. These affordable options open up applications in areas such as perimeter security, industrial inspection, and precision agriculture, where cost constraints previously limited adoption.
​
For customers previously reluctant to adopt SWIR imaging due to high costs, an economical, integrated SWIR solution brings significant value. By enhancing detection capabilities and enabling more reliable, high-quality data, these solutions can reduce downtime, improve quality control, and support efficient resource management. With the added benefits of SWIR’s unique imaging characteristics, industries now have an affordable path to leveraging cutting-edge technology, improving productivity, safety, and operational efficiency across various demanding applications.
Perimeter Security
Ray Imaging's Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) technology is at the forefront of perimeter security, enhancing situational awareness and proactive threat detection for secure facilities, critical infrastructure, and high-value areas. SWIR imaging delivers unique advantages that make it indispensable in challenging environmental conditions.
​
Unlike traditional visible-light cameras, SWIR imaging operates within a spectrum that can penetrate fog, smoke, and mist, offering clear visuals when visibility is reduced. This capability is essential in perimeter security, where environmental factors often hinder the performance of conventional systems. SWIR cameras can reveal hidden objects, detect intruders, and provide high-contrast images in low-light conditions, adding an invaluable layer of security, especially during nighttime or adverse weather.
Machine Vision
SWIR imaging is advancing industrial machine vision by enabling precise inspection of materials that appear identical under visible light. In industries where material differentiation is essential, SWIR cameras detect differences invisible to the human eye. This is especially beneficial for sorting and inspection in plastics manufacturing, where SWIR imaging can distinguish between various types of plastic for quality control and recycling. In the semiconductor industry, SWIR enables accurate inspection of silicon wafers, detecting cracks and impurities that traditional RGB cameras cannot reveal.
SWIR cameras are also instrumental in monitoring production processes with high heat, such as metal casting and glass manufacturing. Their ability to capture clear images in hot environments helps ensure proper processing without needing to shut down equipment. This thermal resistance makes SWIR technology an excellent fit for laser-based cutting and welding applications, where heat management is critical. Overall, SWIR imaging ensures higher quality standards across various industrial applications, enhancing both productivity and safety.
Search & Rescue
Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) imaging technology is transforming firefighting efforts by providing enhanced visibility in smoke-filled environments, offering a vital tool for situational awareness and safety. When used in handheld devices or mounted on firefighting robots, SWIR imaging allows first responders to see through dense smoke and flames, enabling more effective search-and-rescue operations and rapid assessment of fire hazards.
Unlike conventional visible-light cameras, which are obstructed by thick smoke, SWIR cameras operate within a spectral range that penetrates smoke particles. This gives firefighters a clearer view of their surroundings, allowing them to locate trapped individuals, identify heat sources, and navigate complex environments more safely. By cutting through smoke, SWIR imaging minimizes the risk of disorientation and enhances the accuracy of decisions made in high-stakes situations.