Industries & Applications
  • Glass
  • Packaging
  • Plastics
  • Plastics (Curved)
  • Plastics (PET)
  • Sheeted Film

Rhopoint ID In-line Transparent Appearance Analysis

  • Camera-based system
  • Quantify product transparency with parameters that are highly correlated to human perception
  • Short or long focal distance versions available to suit customer production line
Try before you buy

Find out more

Extended warranty

Find out more

Try before you buy

Find out more

Extended warranty

Find out more

Why measure the appearance of transparent materials with an inline solution?

The functionality of a manufactured product or its perceived quality is often linked to its transparency. Matt shipping labels require good contact clarity which allows QR codes to be read on high-speed conveyor lines, while recycled salad trays are preferred with low haze so the consumer can appreciate the vibrant colours of packed vegetables.

To optimise and improve transparency, a constant inline measurement of key parameters is more efficient than occasional offline measurements. Instant feedback from an sensors allows fine tuning of a process, ultimately achieving a better-quality product, with measured consistency throughout every production run.

Materials with high optical quality have low visual impact on objects viewed through them. The material itself is visually unobtrusive and almost invisible to the observer.

A hazy material causes colour seen through the material to appear washed out or faded. The severity of this loss of contrast is often related to the size of the gap between the object and the material.

A material which blurs the view of objects has low sharpness- this effect can be directional causing a visible pattern to be seen in the material.

Materials with poor optical qualities are visually intrusive and can be described as milky or opalescent. Patterns and texture which may be visible in the material drastically blur viewed objects.

The Rhopoint ID measurement technology (patent pending) was jointly developed with Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich.

What is the Rhopoint ID-Inline?

The Rhopoint ID-Inline is a camera-based system which fully quantifies product transparency with parameters that are highly correlated to human perception.

Versions of the Rhopoint ID-Inline

There are two versions of the Rhopoint ID-Inline. A short focal length version which has a separation distance of 45mm between the camera and graticule, or the long focal distance version which has a separation distance of 170mm.

Rhopoint ID Inline short focal

Short focal distance

The Rhopoint ID-Inline can be used for non-contact measurement of any sheeted or planar material - including plastic films, or glass. The Rhopoint ID-Inline can also be used for non-contact inline measurement of glass or plastic tubes.

Rhopoint ID Inline long focal

Long focal distance

This version is most suitable for production processes where the large focal distance is more suited to the customer production line.

Rhopoint ID Inline product measurement station

Measurement Station

Either version can be incorporated into an inspection station for 3D parts or large sheets of plastic or glass.


Standard or extended clearance models are available to encompass a wide variety of parts and installation configurations.

What software integrations are available for the Rhopoint ID-Inline?

Flexible software allows single or multiple ID sensors to be combined with compatible measurement devices and tabulated in the Rhopoint ID laboratory software.

Using Rhopoint ID Software

Up to 5 ID units or compatible sensors can be connected to and controlled by the ID-L software. The instrument calculates batch statistics, detailed measurement images and displays trend graphs of all measurement parameters.

Using Rhopoint TCP/IP Client

Up to 10 Rhopoint ID-Inline units can be connected simultaneously to a SAP/process control package using the Rhopoint ID TCP/IP connection client. This solution allows independent remote control of each instrument, measurement data is exchanged using Rhopoint TCP/IP protocol.

The TCP/IP client is designed to facilitate fast efficient operation of multiple devices by the SAP/process control package. Up to 10 measurements per second are possible from each sensor. The client can be hosted on a local PC or server.

Measurement Parameters of the Rhopoint ID-Inline