SpecimONE High-Speed Hyperspectral Imaging Online Sorting System
| Brand | SPECIM |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Finland |
| Model | SPECIMONE |
| Camera Options | FX10 (400–1000 nm), FX17 (900–1700 nm), FX50 (2.7–5.3 µm) |
| Processing Unit | Specim CUBE (NVIDIA Jetson AGX Xavier, 256 GB storage, 190 × 300 × 90 mm, 4.6 kg) |
| Software | Specim INSIGHT (PLS-DA, PCA, SAM algorithms |
| Compliance | CE, FCC, RoHS3 |
| Operating Temperature | −10 °C to +60 °C |
| Humidity | 95% @ 40 °C (non-condensing) |
| Interfaces | GigE Vision (RGB8, Mono12, Mono12packed), CameraLink SDR, USB3.0, RS-232/485, CAN |
| Power Input | 9–36 V DC |
Overview
The SpecimONE High-Speed Hyperspectral Imaging Online Sorting System is an industrial-grade, real-time spectral classification platform engineered for integration into continuous manufacturing and sorting lines. Built upon push-broom hyperspectral imaging—where spatial and spectral dimensions are acquired simultaneously via line-scan optics—the system captures full reflectance or emissivity spectra for every pixel across a moving sample stream. Unlike conventional RGB or multispectral vision systems, SpecimONE resolves hundreds of contiguous narrowband spectral channels (e.g., 224 bands at ~5 nm FWHM for FX10), enabling material identification based on intrinsic molecular absorption features rather than surface color or texture alone. This physical basis ensures robust discrimination of visually similar materials—such as polymer types in plastic recycling, moisture gradients in food products, or chemical adulterants in pharmaceutical tablets—under variable lighting and conveyor conditions. The system operates without user-defined thresholds or manual feature engineering; instead, it relies on mathematically derived spectral signatures trained offline and deployed for deterministic inference at line speed.
Key Features
- Industrial push-broom hyperspectral cameras (FX10/FX17/FX50) with factory-calibrated radiometric response, high SNR (>600:1 typical), and frame rates up to 320 Hz (FX10) — optimized for belt speeds exceeding 2 m/s.
- Specim CUBE embedded processing unit: NVIDIA Jetson AGX Xavier SoC with GPU-accelerated inference pipeline, supporting real-time model execution (<50 ms latency per frame) and onboard ENVI-compatible data buffering.
- Specim INSIGHT software suite: A validated offline environment for spectral data curation, supervised model training (PLS-DA, PCA, SAM), cross-validation, and export of deployable classification maps—fully traceable for GLP/GMP-aligned workflows.
- Ruggedized hardware architecture: IP54-rated enclosure (optional IP65), wide-input DC power (9–36 V), extended thermal operating range (−10 °C to +60 °C), and industrial I/O interfaces (GigE Vision, CameraLink SDR, CAN, RS-232/485) for PLC synchronization and reject actuation.
- Compliance-ready design: CE-marked per EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and EMC Directive 2014/30/EU; FCC Part 15 Class A; RoHS3-conformant; compatible with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 audit trail requirements when deployed with validated INSIGHT workflows.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
SpecimONE accommodates heterogeneous sample geometries and flow dynamics typical of bulk material handling—including granules, flakes, pellets, sheets, and irregular organic matter—without requiring sample preparation or contact. Its optical configuration supports working distances from 150 mm to 1500 mm, with field-of-view adjustable via interchangeable lenses (f/1.4–f/2.0). Spectral calibration is performed using NIST-traceable reference panels (e.g., Spectralon®) prior to deployment, ensuring repeatability across shifts and sites. All camera models comply with ISO 13655:2017 (graphic technology — spectral measurement and colorimetric computation) for reflectance fidelity. For regulated industries, the system supports IQ/OQ documentation packages and can be integrated into computerized system validation (CSV) frameworks per ASTM E2500 and ICH Q9 principles.
Software & Data Management
Specim INSIGHT serves as the central analytical engine for method development. It imports native Specim data cubes (.bil/.hdr) and supports ENVI, HDF5, and TIFF interchange formats. Users perform spectral preprocessing (dark current subtraction, flat-field correction, atmospheric compensation), define region-of-interest (ROI) masks, extract mean spectra per class, and train multivariate classifiers with built-in PLS-DA, PCA, and SAM modules. Classification models are exported as binary executables compatible with Specim CUBE’s runtime environment. All processing steps—including parameter settings, spectral library versions, and validation metrics (e.g., confusion matrices, kappa statistics)—are logged automatically. CameraOS webUI provides remote monitoring of acquisition status, live preview, exposure control, and firmware updates—accessible via standard web browsers over secure HTTPS.
Applications
- Plastic sorting in MRFs: Discrimination of PET, HDPE, PP, PS, and PVC by C–H and C=O vibrational bands in NIR/SWIR ranges.
- Food quality assurance: Detection of foreign material (FM), bruising, mold, and sugar content in fruits, nuts, and baked goods using visible-NIR reflectance.
- Pharmaceutical tablet verification: Identification of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) distribution homogeneity and coating thickness uniformity via SWIR spectral mapping.
- Mineral ore grading: Lithological classification and grade estimation (e.g., iron oxide vs. silicate content) in conveyor-based mining operations.
- Recycled battery material sorting: Separation of cathode chemistries (NMC, LFP, LCO) based on transition-metal oxide absorption edges in MWIR.
FAQ
What spectral ranges are supported by the FX camera series?
The FX10 covers 400–1000 nm (VIS-NIR), FX17 covers 900–1700 nm (NIR-SWIR), and FX50 covers 2.7–5.3 µm (MWIR), each with calibrated spectral sampling and radiometric accuracy traceable to NIST standards.
Can SpecimONE integrate with existing PLC-controlled sorting mechanisms?
Yes—via GigE Vision trigger signals, RS-232/485 serial commands, or CAN bus protocols, enabling precise synchronization with pneumatic, mechanical, or robotic reject actuators.
Is raw hyperspectral data export supported for third-party analysis?
Yes—Specim CUBE stores fully calibrated .bil/.hdr files compliant with ENVI format specifications, readable in MATLAB, Python (scikit-learn, hylite), and commercial chemometrics platforms.
How is model retraining handled during production?
INSIGHT allows incremental model updates using newly acquired field data; validated models are redeployed to CUBE via encrypted OTA update through CameraOS webUI, preserving audit trail integrity.
What environmental certifications does the system hold?
CE (EMC & Low Voltage Directives), FCC Class A, RoHS3, and conformity with IEC 60529 IP54 ingress protection—optional IP65 enclosures available for washdown environments.
