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DCM Sistemes PLA0513A machine vision lighting
DCM SistemesBar / linear lights
  • Rosepetal compatible
  • Recommended by AIS Vision

DCM Sistemes PLA0513A High Power Linear Light Projector

PLA0513A

The PLA0513A is a 130x40x16 mm directional bar projector from the DCM PLA "high power linear lights projectors" family, with a 130x10 mm active emitting surface and a recommended working distance greater than 50 mm. It runs from 24 VDC +/-8 with a maximum instantaneous consumption of about 230 mA (roughly 5-5.5 W) and connects via a 3-pin aerial connector on a 150 mm cable; this Continuous-type ("C") model needs no external driver and offers an optional PNP control input (/P modifier). It is offered in 365 nm and 400 nm UV, 470 nm blue, 525 nm green, 630 nm red, 850 nm IR and W00 white, each with Narrow 18 degrees, Medium 21 degrees, Wide 40 degrees or Diffuse emission optics. The anodized-aluminium housing is rated IP40 and specified for 0-40 C operation, with these high-intensity directional beams highlighting textures, reliefs and surface defects.

Brand
DCM Sistemes
Lighting type
Bar / linear light projector (direct)
Color / wavelength
Available in UV 365/400 nm, blue 470 nm, green 525 nm, red 630 nm, IR 850 nm, white (W00)
Available wavelengths
365 nm (UV), 400 nm (UV), 470 nm (blue), 525 nm (green), 630 nm (red), 850 nm (IR), W00 (white); also 455/730/940 nm on request
Mode
Continuous (type C); optional PNP control input (/P)
Working distance
Recommended working distance >50 mm
Controller required
No external driver required (powered directly from 24 VDC; VCC-series cable, not included)
Emission angle
Selectable: Narrow 18°, Medium 21°, Wide 40° or Diffuse emission
Illuminated area
Active surface 130 x 10 mm
IP rating
IP40
Power consumption
~5.5 W (max. instantaneous consumption ~230 mA @ 24 VDC; ~5 W for 850 nm IR)
Supply voltage
24 VDC ±8%
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Technical overview

The PLA0513A is a directional bar light from DCM Sistemes' PLA "high power linear lights projectors" family: a compact 130 x 40 x 16 mm anodized-aluminium housing with a 130 x 10 mm active emitting surface. Its defining trait is the selectable beam optics, Narrow 18 degrees, Medium 21 degrees, Wide 40 degrees or Diffuse, which let you tune how concentrated the light is at the part. A narrow 18- or 21-degree beam concentrates flux into a tight stripe for grazing, low-angle illumination that throws long shadows across the surface and pops textures, reliefs, scratches, dents and embossing into high contrast; the 40-degree Wide and the Diffuse variants spread the light to cover a broader band more evenly. The light is offered across a wide wavelength range, UV at 365 and 400 nm, blue 470 nm, green 525 nm, red 630 nm, IR 850 nm and a W00 white (with 455/730/940 nm available on request), so you can match the emission to your task and sensor: monochromatic light for highest contrast and filterability, white for color work, and IR or UV for materials that respond outside the visible band.

Electrically this is one of the simpler bar lights to design in: it is a Continuous (type "C") model that runs directly from 24 VDC plus/minus 8 percent and requires no external driver. Maximum instantaneous consumption is roughly 230 mA at 24 VDC, about 5 to 5.5 W (closer to 5 W for the 850 nm IR version), so it draws modestly from a standard machine 24 V rail. Connection is via a 3-pin aerial connector on a short 150 mm cable, mated to a separately ordered DCM VCC-series cable. An optional PNP control input (the /P modifier) is available if you want to gate the light from a PLC or vision controller output rather than leave it continuously on, which is useful for synchronizing illumination with image acquisition or simply extending LED life by only powering it during inspection.

Because it is a continuous, direct-drive source, this projector pairs naturally with an external camera trigger and exposure rather than a strobe controller, the working distance is specified at greater than 50 mm, and the narrow high-intensity beams are intended to be aimed at a grazing angle to the surface for defect and texture work. The housing is anodized aluminium for thermal stability and rated IP40, with a 0 to 40 C operating range; the IP40 rating means it is suited to clean, dry, enclosed machine environments rather than washdown or splash zones. In practice you would choose a wavelength and angle, mount the bar at a shallow angle a few centimeters off the part, and let the directional beam reveal the surface features the camera needs to see.

Best for

  • Low-angle grazing illumination for surface defect detection, scratches, dents, embossing and texture, using the Narrow 18 degrees or Medium 21 degrees beam to throw long shadows
  • Monochrome surface inspection on metal, electronics and automotive parts where a single wavelength (e.g. red 630 nm or blue 470 nm) maximizes contrast and lets you filter ambient light
  • UV (365/400 nm) fluorescence or IR (850 nm) inspection of materials and coatings that respond outside the visible band, on the same bar form factor
  • Reading or verifying embossed, relief or laser-marked features on packaging and components where directional light is needed to lift the marking off the background
  • Compact, driverless illumination in space-constrained inline stations that can run continuously from a 24 VDC machine rail with no controller cabinet

Selection notes

  • Pick the emission optic to the task: Narrow 18 degrees / Medium 21 degrees concentrate flux for grazing defect and texture work, Wide 40 degrees covers a broader band, and Diffuse softens the light, this is a per-unit option specified at order time, not field-adjustable
  • Choose wavelength to suit the sensor and material, monochromatic (UV/blue/green/red/IR) for highest contrast and optical filtering, or W00 white for color imaging; note 455/730/940 nm are only available on request
  • It is a Continuous type-C source with no strobe driver, so synchronize via the camera's trigger/exposure, or specify the /P PNP control input if you need the light gated by a PLC or controller output
  • Plan for a working distance greater than 50 mm and mount the bar at a grazing angle for surface work; the 130 x 10 mm emitting surface defines a long, thin illuminated stripe that should be aligned to the feature you are inspecting
  • Confirm the environment matches the IP40 rating and 0 to 40 C operating range, this is an enclosed-machine light, not a washdown unit, and budget for a separately ordered VCC-series cable since only a 150 mm pigtail with a 3-pin aerial connector is integral

Specifications: General
BrandDCM Sistemes
Lighting typeBar / linear light projector (direct)

Specifications: Interface
Connection3-pin aerial connector, cable length 150 mm

Specifications: Optical
Color / wavelengthAvailable in UV 365/400 nm, blue 470 nm, green 525 nm, red 630 nm, IR 850 nm, white (W00)
Available wavelengths365 nm (UV), 400 nm (UV), 470 nm (blue), 525 nm (green), 630 nm (red), 850 nm (IR), W00 (white); also 455/730/940 nm on request
Working distanceRecommended working distance >50 mm
Emission angleSelectable: Narrow 18°, Medium 21°, Wide 40° or Diffuse emission

Specifications: Electrical
ModeContinuous (type C); optional PNP control input (/P)
Controller requiredNo external driver required (powered directly from 24 VDC; VCC-series cable, not included)
Power consumption~5.5 W (max. instantaneous consumption ~230 mA @ 24 VDC; ~5 W for 850 nm IR)
Supply voltage24 VDC ±8%

Specifications: Environment
IP ratingIP40
Operating temperatureOperating temperature 0–40 °C

Specifications: Geometry
Illuminated areaActive surface 130 x 10 mm

Specifications: Mechanical
Housing materialAnodized aluminium
DimensionsExternal dimensions 130 x 40 x 16 mm

Frequently asked questions

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