Key Takeaways

• TOF (Time of Flight) lenses are the core optical component for 3D depth sensing, enabling non-contact distance measurement and real-time spatial perception.
• Narrow bandpass filters (940nm as the mainstream) eliminate ambient light interference for TOF lenses, drastically improving ranging accuracy and signal-to-noise ratio.
• Integrated filter design outperforms external filters with miniaturization, high stability, and easy installation—ideal for industrial batch applications.
• TOWIN offers 3 models of M12 mount TOF lenses with integrated 940nm bandpass filters, covering ultra-wide angle, wide angle, and low-distortion precision scenarios.
• Selection of TOF lenses with integrated filters is determined by FOV, sensor size, distortion, aperture, and application scenario matching.

Introduction

TOF (Time of Flight) 3D vision technology has become a cornerstone of industrial automation, security surveillance, robot navigation, and 3D scanning. The accuracy of depth sensing directly depends on the performance of TOF lenses, and ambient light interference is the biggest challenge for reliable TOF operation in complex environments.

Narrow bandpass filter integration is the optimal solution to this problem—it filters out stray light and only allows specific infrared wavelengths to pass through, ensuring stable and precise TOF ranging even in strong light. As a professional optical lens supplier with the core concept of PROFESSIONAL-ALL-EASY-FAST , TOWIN has developed a series of industrial TOF lenses with integrated 940nm narrow bandpass filters, all adopting the standard M12X0.5 mount for seamless compatibility with PCB cameras and industrial vision devices.

This guide will explain the core definition of TOF lenses, the adaptability of filter integration, key performance parameters, and TOWIN’s product solutions. We also provide a detailed selection guide and FAQ to help global customers choose the right integrated filter TOF lens for their applications.

What is a TOF Lens? (Core Definition)

A TOF lens is a specialized optical lens designed for Time of Flight 3D depth-sensing systems. Its core working principle is:

• 1. Transmit a specific wavelength of infrared light (typically 940nm) to the measured object/scene.
• 2. Collect the reflected infrared light and calculate the flight time of the light signal.
• 3. Convert the time data into accurate 3D depth information, realizing spatial perception and distance measurement.

Core Characteristics of TOF Lenses

• Non-contact distance measurement, no damage to the measured object.
• Real-time depth sensing, supporting dynamic scene tracking and positioning.
• Adapt to different sensor sizes (1/4″, 1/2″, etc.) and resolution requirements.
• Customizable optical design for industrial, security, and consumer electronics scenarios.
• The integration of narrow bandpass filters is a key upgrade for industrial-grade TOF lenses.

1.7mm Wide-Angle TOF lens

TOF Lens & Narrow Bandpass Filter: Integration Adaptability Analysis

The integration of narrow bandpass filters is not a simple combination of components, but a precision optical matching between the filter and the TOF lens system. The mainstream design for industrial TOF lenses is the 940nm narrow bandpass filter—this wavelength is the gold standard for TOF technology, with strong infrared penetration, low human eye damage, and minimal ambient light interference.

Core Functions of Narrow Bandpass Filters for TOF Lenses

• Filter out all stray light except the target 940nm infrared light (e.g., sunlight, industrial lighting).
• Improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the TOF system, reducing ranging errors caused by light interference.
• Enhance the anti-interference ability of the lens in complex industrial/ outdoor environments.

Advantages of Integrated Filter Design (vs External Filters)

• Miniaturization: The filter is built into the lens structure, saving space for compact devices (e.g., mini industrial cameras, robot vision modules).
• High optical stability: Eliminates light refraction/ reflection losses caused by external filter installation gaps, ensuring consistent performance.
• Easy installation & maintenance: No need for additional filter calibration and assembly, reducing industrial production and debugging costs.
• Industrial durability: Seamless integration with the lens housing improves dust and water resistance, adapting to harsh industrial environments.
• Precise wavelength matching: TOWIN’s integrated filters are optically calibrated with the lens to avoid light loss and ensure maximum light transmittance.

Key Performance Parameters of TOF Lenses with Integrated Narrow Bandpass Filters

The performance of integrated filter TOF lenses is determined by a set of core optical parameters. Each parameter directly affects the adaptability of the lens to specific scenarios. The following is a detailed interpretation of the key parameters and their impact on performance:

Additional Critical Parameters

• Mount: M12X0.5 (standard for industrial board lenses, direct connection to PCB cameras).
• Focus/Zoom: Manual focus, fixed zoom (stable for industrial long-term use).
• B.F.L. (Back Focal Length): Ensures mechanical compatibility with camera modules.
• M.O.D. (Minimum Object Distance): The closest distance for clear ranging (critical for precision measurement).

TOWIN Industrial TOF Lens Solutions (Integrated 940nm Bandpass Filter)

TOWIN focuses on the R&D and manufacturing of M12/S-mount industrial lenses , and has launched three models of TOF lenses with integrated 940nm narrow bandpass filters. All products adopt the standard M12X0.5 mount, with fixed aperture and manual focus, perfectly adapting to industrial 3D scanning, security surveillance, robot tracking, and spatial positioning.

1: S01714012013IRB9 (Ultra-Wide Angle Lens)

• Core Positioning: Ultra-wide angle 3D spatial perception for large-scale scene coverage
• Core Features
  • 1.7mm ultra-short focal length, 147° diagonal ultra-wide FOV (the largest among TOWIN’s TOF lenses)
  • Integrated 940nm narrow bandpass filter , F1.3 large aperture for excellent low-light performance
  • 1/4″ sensor size, 640*480 resolution (5.6μm pixel size)
  • Standard M12X0.5 mount, compact design (T.T.L. 14.84mm)
• Key Optical Parameters
  • FOV: 147°(D) / 120°(H) / 91°(V)
  • Distortion: < -59% (ultra-wide angle characteristic)
  • CRA: <13.5° | B.F.L.: 3.4mm
  • Iris/Zoom: Fixed / Fixed | Focus: Manual
• Ideal Applications
  • 3D scanning of large spaces, robot autonomous navigation, industrial object tracking, spatial positioning, and wide-angle 3D vision perception.

2: S04112009316IR (M12 Lens)

• Core Positioning: Balanced wide angle and optical performance for medium-range industrial 3D vision
• Core Features
  • 4.1mm focal length, 120° diagonal wide FOV , 6G+1ASPG advanced optical structure
  • 1/2″ large sensor size, F1.6 aperture for balanced light intake and optical stability
  • Dual distortion indicators (optical/TV) for flexible scene adaptation
  • Standard M12X0.5 mount, industrial-grade durability (T.T.L. 23.50mm)
• Key Optical Parameters
  • FOV: 120°(D) / 93°(H) / 69°(V)
  • Distortion: Optical < -41% / TV < -13%
  • CRA: <8.5° | Resolution: 320×480/320*240
  • Iris/Zoom: Fixed / Fixed | Focus: Manual
• Ideal Applications
  • Industrial 3D vision inspection, medium-range spatial perception, intelligent equipment positioning, wide-angle security monitoring, and factory automation scene sensing.

3: S08012004812IR (Low-Distortion Lens)

• Core Positioning: Low-distortion precision ranging for security surveillance and industrial measurement
• Core Features
  • 8.0mm focal length, 60° diagonal narrow FOV , < -10% ultra-low distortion (the best among TOWIN’s TOF lenses)
  • Integrated 940nm narrow bandpass filter , F1.2 super large aperture for extreme low-light performance
  • 1/2″ sensor size, 640*480 high resolution, M.O.D. 0.2m for close-range precision measurement
  • Standard M12X0.5 mount, dedicated for security/CCTV (T.T.L. 23.7mm)
• Key Optical Parameters
  • FOV: 60°(D) / 48°(H) / 36°(V)
  • CRA: <29° | B.F.L.: 1.89mm
  • Iris/Zoom: Fixed / Fixed | Focus: Manual
• Ideal Applications
  • Security surveillance depth detection, industrial precision 3D measurement, close-range object recognition, high-precision spatial sensing, and smart city monitoring.

TOWIN Integrated Filter TOF Lenses: Comparative Table

Typical Application Scenarios of TOF Lenses with Integrated Narrow Bandpass Filters

TOWIN’s integrated filter TOF lenses cover all core application scenarios of industrial 3D vision, with each model optimized for specific scene requirements. The following is a detailed matching of scenarios + TOWIN product models :

• Industrial 3D Scanning & Spatial Positioning
  • S01714012013IRB9 (ultra-wide FOV) + S04112009316IR (wide FOV) | Ideal for large-space 3D modeling, factory automation positioning, and mechanical arm navigation.
• Security Surveillance & Depth Detection
  • S08012004812IR (low distortion + 940nm filter) | Realizes precise depth sensing for intruder detection and object recognition in smart security.
• Robot Autonomous Navigation & Dynamic Tracking
  • S01714012013IRB9 (ultra-wide FOV + F1.3 aperture) | Enables 360° spatial perception for mobile robots in industrial/ commercial scenarios.
• Industrial Precision Measurement & 3D Inspection
  • S08012004812IR (low distortion + M.O.D. 0.2m) | Achieves close-range high-precision distance measurement and defect detection for industrial parts.
• Medium-Range Industrial Vision & Smart Equipment
  • S04112009316IR (balanced FOV + 6G+1ASPG structure) | Matches the 3D vision needs of AGV robots, intelligent sorting equipment, and factory production lines.

Selection Guide for TOF Lenses with Integrated Narrow Bandpass Filters

Selecting the right integrated filter TOF lens requires matching core parameters with actual application requirements—there is no “one-size-fits-all” model, only the most suitable one. Based on TOWIN’s product characteristics and industrial application experience, we summarize the 6 core selection steps (with TOWIN product recommendations for each step):

1: Confirm the required Field of View (FOV)

• Ultra-wide FOV (≥140°) for large-space coverage → S01714012013IRB9
• Wide FOV (100°-120°) for medium-range scene perception → S04112009316IR
• Narrow FOV (≤60°) for precision ranging/measurement → S08012004812IR

2: Match the sensor size of your vision system

• 1/4″ small sensor → S01714012013IRB9 (exclusive matching)
• 1/2″ large sensor (for high resolution/imaging quality) → S04112009316IR / S08012004812IR

3: Evaluate distortion tolerance based on application precision

• High precision required (measurement/security) → S08012004812IR (< -10% low distortion)
• FOV coverage prioritized (scanning/tracking) → S01714012013IRB9 (ultra-wide angle, acceptable high distortion)
• Balanced FOV and precision → S04112009316IR (dual distortion indicators)

4: Consider low-light environment adaptability

• Extreme low-light (night security/indoor industrial dark areas) → S08012004812IR (F1.2) / S01714012013IRB9 (F1.3)
• Normal light (outdoor/well-lit factories) → S04112009316IR (F1.6) (balanced performance)

5: Verify mechanical compatibility

• All TOWIN TOF lenses adopt M12X0.5 standard mount , compatible with PCB cameras, industrial board lenses, and miniature vision modules—no additional adapter required.
• Check the T.T.L. (Total Track Length) for compact device installation (S01714012013IRB9 with 14.84mm is the most compact).

6: Confirm the need for a 940nm narrow bandpass filter

• Outdoor/strong light scenarios (3D scanning, outdoor security) → S01714012013IRB9 / S08012004812IR (integrated 940nm BPF)
• Indoor low-interference scenarios (factory indoor vision) → S04112009316IR (no built-in filter, flexible external matching)

Pro Selection Tips

• Short focal length = close-range, wide coverage; Long focal length = medium/far-range, precision ranging.
• Prioritize integrated filter design for outdoor/industrial batch applications (stability + cost saving).
• For custom scenarios, TOWIN provides OEM/ODM optical design services to customize focal length, FOV, and filter parameters.

Low-distortion M12 TOF lens

FAQs

Q1: What is the main advantage of TOWIN’s integrated 940nm bandpass filter TOF lenses over external filter solutions?

A1: The integrated design eliminates light loss and installation gaps of external filters, and has the advantages of miniaturization, high stability, and easy assembly. It also improves dust/water resistance, which is more suitable for industrial harsh environments and batch production.

Q2: Are all TOWIN’s TOF lenses with M12X0.5 mount? Can they be connected to standard PCB cameras?

A2: Yes. All TOWIN’s industrial TOF lenses adopt the M12X0.5 standard S-mount , which can be directly threaded into the M12 mount of PCB/board cameras—no additional adapters required, and fully compatible with mainstream industrial vision modules.

Q3: What is the resolution of TOWIN’s TOF lenses? Can they be customized for higher resolution?

A3: TOWIN’s current TOF lens models support 320×240 to 640×480 (the mainstream resolution for industrial TOF systems). For higher resolution requirements (e.g., 1080P), TOWIN provides custom optical design services to match high-resolution sensors.

Q4: Can TOWIN customize TOF lenses with other bandpass filter wavelengths (e.g., 850nm)?

A4: Yes. TOWIN has a professional R&D team for optical filter matching, and can customize 850nm, 940nm, or other wavelengths of narrow bandpass filters according to customer application requirements, and optimize the optical system for the target wavelength.

Conclusion

The integration of narrow bandpass filters is a core technological upgrade for industrial TOF lenses, which directly solves the problem of ambient light interference and ensures the stability and precision of 3D depth sensing in complex scenarios. As a professional optical lens supplier, TOWIN has launched three models of M12 mount TOF lenses with integrated 940nm narrow bandpass filters, covering ultra-wide angle, wide angle, and low-distortion precision scenarios, and perfectly adapting to industrial 3D scanning, security surveillance, robot navigation, and industrial measurement.

All TOWIN’s TOF lenses adopt standard industrial design, with the advantages of easy installation, high stability, and strong compatibility. We adhere to the core service concept of PROFESSIONAL-ALL-EASY-FAST , and provide global customers with one-stop optical lens solutions including product selection, customization, and fast delivery.

If you need to select or customize TOF lenses with integrated narrow bandpass filters, please contact TOWIN’s professional optical team at any time:

Email: info@towin-elec.com

TOWIN Optics—Your Reliable Partner for Industrial Optical Lenses.