HIKROBOT Line Speed, Exposure Time and Frame Rate Calculator
Enter the line speed and field of view to instantly see the maximum exposure time without motion blur, the required frame rate and the HIKROBOT cameras suitable for this speed.
How is it calculated?
To image a moving part sharply, the exposure must be short enough that the distance the part travels during it does not exceed a few pixels.
Area per pixel in the direction of motion
Per pixel = field of view in the direction of motion ÷ pixel count in that direction. For example, 100 mm ÷ 2448 pixels = 40.8 µm.
Maximum exposure time
Exposure time ≤ allowed blur (pixels) × area per pixel ÷ line speed. At 30 m/min (500 mm/s) and 1 pixel of blur: 0.0408 mm ÷ 500 mm/s ≈ 82 µs.
Required frame rate
To image continuously moving material without gaps, frame rate ≥ line speed ÷ (field of view in the direction of motion × (1 − overlap)). For discrete parts, the required trigger rate = line speed ÷ part pitch.
Lighting and camera selection
The shorter the exposure, the less light reaches the sensor; short exposures require high-intensity or strobe lighting. At very high speeds and on continuous webs, line scan cameras can be used; for lens and field of view calculations, use the lens selection and field of view calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set the exposure time to avoid motion blur on moving parts?
The part must not travel more than the allowed blur during the exposure. Maximum exposure = allowed blur (pixels) × area per pixel ÷ line speed. For example, a 100 mm field of view on 2448 pixels gives 40.8 µm per pixel; at 30 m/min (500 mm/s) and 1 pixel of blur, the exposure should be about 82 µs.
How do I calculate the frame rate needed for a conveyor line?
For continuous material without gaps, frame rate ≥ line speed ÷ (field of view in the direction of motion × (1 − overlap)); the tool uses 10% overlap by default. If one frame per part is enough, the required trigger rate = line speed ÷ part pitch. Frame rates are the manufacturer’s full-resolution values and can increase with ROI.
How do I use the line speed, exposure time and frame rate calculator?
Select one of the HIKROBOT cameras on our site or enter the resolution, pixel size, frame rate and shortest exposure manually. Then enter the line speed, field of view, direction of motion, allowed blur and overlap. The tool calculates the maximum exposure and required frame rate, compares them with the selected camera and lists cameras that meet the condition at full resolution.
What lighting and camera do I need when the exposure is very short?
Shorter exposure means less light reaches the sensor. Below 1 ms, high-intensity or strobe (flash) lighting and a light controller are required. If the camera frame rate is not enough, consider a faster camera, a wider field of view or a line scan camera. FST can help you define the camera, lens and lighting for your line speed.