Midwest Optical Systems

Midwest Optical Systems A leading manufacturer of custom precision optical filters, components, and imaging solutions since Unmounted filters are offered in custom shapes and sizes.

A manufacturer of custom precision optical components and imaging solutions since 1988, Midwest Optical Systems - MidOpt - is recognized as the world’s leading resource for off-the-shelf and custom machine vision filters, lenses and accessories used in industrial imaging applications. MidOpt has an extensive history in optical component design, fabrication and inspection, and continues to develop

innovative new products for industrial imaging that are simply not found elsewhere. Industries served: machine vision, security, surveillance, LPR, scientific, bio-medical and NDVI. MidOpt’s complete line of filters cover the visible, near-infrared and UV spectrums. They represent the easiest, most cost effective method for insuring the reliability, stability and repeatability of industrial imaging systems. MidOpt filters are rugged; environmentally stable; heat and solvent resistant; non-hygroscopic and oleophobic, and are easy to maintain. Various designs are available for use in:

· Refining color recognition and improving separation of subject matter
· Ease viewing of desired features through contrast enhancement
· Elimination of glare or hot spots from highly reflective surfaces
· Saving cost, space and system maintenance and start-up time by eliminating the need for shrouding
· Protecting camera lenses and lighting from dust, scratching and inhospitable environments
· Enhancing lens resolving capability by greatly reducing chromatic aberrations.
· Boosting system speed and efficiency while substantially decreasing false accepts/false rejects.
· Reducing required luminous intensity, thereby saving on lighting cost and maximizing the lifespan of LED or other light sources. MidOpt offers the largest variety of threaded filter mount sizes and types in stock ranging from M13.25 to M105. MidOpt filters can be fastened to any camera lens with the appropriate mounting solution.

MidOpt® SiLWIR™ has been nominated for an INSPECT AWARD in the Midsize Company Innovation category! 🏆Vote here: https://...
06/02/2026

MidOpt® SiLWIR™ has been nominated for an INSPECT AWARD in the Midsize Company Innovation category! 🏆Vote here: https://wileyindustrynews.com/en/award/inspect-award/

Designed for demanding imaging applications, SiLWIR™ Protective Windows deliver exceptional durability, high transmission, and reliable performance in harsh environments.

Voting is officially open through September 15, 2026, and we’d appreciate your support. The top three finalists in each category will be showcased during the Vision trade fair in Stuttgart.

The jury for the inspect award 2026 has made an initial selection and nominated ten products in each of the categories Vision, Automation + Control, Artificial Intelligence, and Midsize Company Innovation. But which new development is truly innovative, offers the greatest benefit to the user, or has...

05/27/2026

Common Machine Vision Applications for Polarizers

Reflections from shiny or transparent surfaces can hide critical inspection details. Polarizing filters help eliminate glare and improve contrast, making features easier to detect and analyze.

Typical applications include:

• PCB inspection and flux detection
• Reading codes on reflective metal parts
• Glass and plastic inspection
• Liquid or coating detection
• Surface defect inspection

By reducing reflections and enhancing image clarity, polarizers help create more reliable machine vision inspection results.

MidOpt® honors and remembers the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country this Memo...
05/25/2026

MidOpt® honors and remembers the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country this Memorial Day.

Please note our office will be closed Monday, May 25 in observance of the holiday. Shipping operations will resume Tuesday, May 26.

We wish you and your family a safe and meaningful Memorial Day weekend.

Eliminate Glare with Cross Polarization Reflections from shiny or reflective surfaces can make machine vision inspection...
05/21/2026

Eliminate Glare with Cross Polarization

Reflections from shiny or reflective surfaces can make machine vision inspection difficult. By combining polarizer film on the light source with a polarizing filter on the camera lens, reflected glare can be significantly reduced or eliminated.

This technique, known as cross polarization, allows the camera to capture the true surface details of the object being inspected instead of the bright reflections created by direct illumination. The result is improved contrast and more reliable detection of features, codes and defects.

Filters as a System Optimization Tool In many machine vision systems, the simplest improvement comes from better light c...
05/19/2026

Filters as a System Optimization Tool

In many machine vision systems, the simplest improvement comes from better light control. Optical filters help engineers fine-tune the imaging system by controlling which wavelengths reach the camera sensor.

By pairing the right illumination wavelength with the correct filter, engineers can improve contrast, suppress ambient light and enhance feature detection.

At MidOpt®, we design optical filters specifically for machine vision applications to help engineers achieve more reliable inspection results.

Seeing Through Glare with Polarization Reflections from metal, glass or liquid surfaces can hide important inspection de...
05/13/2026

Seeing Through Glare with Polarization

Reflections from metal, glass or liquid surfaces can hide important inspection details. Polarizing filters help eliminate this glare by blocking specular reflections before they reach the camera sensor.

When combined with polarized illumination, cross polarization allows machine vision systems to reveal features that would otherwise be difficult to detect.

The result: clearer images and more reliable inspection performance.

Enhance Contrast with Optical Filters Optical filters refine the light entering the camera sensor by allowing only speci...
05/11/2026

Enhance Contrast with Optical Filters

Optical filters refine the light entering the camera sensor by allowing only specific wavelengths to pass through. This improves image clarity and makes important features easier to detect.

Common machine vision solutions include:

• Bandpass Filters – isolate LED illumination wavelengths
• Polarizers – eliminate reflections from shiny surfaces
• IR Filters – enable near-infrared inspection applications

The right filter can transform a challenging inspection into a clear, reliable image.

MidOpt® SiLWIR™ has been nominated for an INSPECT AWARD in the Midsize Company Innovation category! 🏆Vote here:https://w...
05/07/2026

MidOpt® SiLWIR™ has been nominated for an INSPECT AWARD in the Midsize Company Innovation category!

🏆Vote here:
https://wileyindustrynews.com/en/award/inspect-award/

Designed for demanding imaging applications, SiLWIR™ Protective Windows deliver exceptional durability, high transmission, and reliable performance in harsh environments.

Voting is officially open through September 15, 2026, and we’d appreciate your support.

The top three finalists in each category will be showcased during the Vision trade fair in Stuttgart.

The jury for the inspect award 2026 has made an initial selection and nominated ten products in each of the categories Vision, Automation + Control, Artificial Intelligence, and Midsize Company Innovation. But which new development is truly innovative, offers the greatest benefit to the user, or has...

As inspection requirements become more demanding, optimizing how light reaches the camera sensor becomes critical. While...
04/20/2026

As inspection requirements become more demanding, optimizing how light reaches the camera sensor becomes critical.

While cameras often receive the most attention, optical filters play a key role in controlling light within a machine vision system. By isolating specific wavelengths and blocking unwanted ambient light, filters help create clearer, more consistent images for inspection.

When properly integrated with lighting and lenses, filters can significantly improve contrast, reduce glare and reveal details that might otherwise remain hidden.

Address

322 N Woodwork Lane
Palatine, IL
60067

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 5pm
Tuesday 7am - 5pm
Wednesday 7am - 5pm
Thursday 7am - 5pm
Friday 7am - 5pm

Telephone

+18473593550

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