Sony IMX291 Rugged USB2.0 Mining Camera with 9 IR LEDs | IP65 Waterproof Night Vision Camera for Industrial & Tunnel Monitoring

 

Product Overview

The rugged USB mining camera UC-528 is engineered for extreme industrial conditions such as underground tunnels, mining shafts, and harsh factory environments. Built on the IMX291 starlight USB camera sensor, it delivers superior low-light performance, distortion-free wide-angle imaging, and reliable operation where safety and visibility are critical.

With a sealed industrial USB camera IP65 housing and integrated 9 IR LEDs (850 nm or 940 nm optional), the UC-528 enables continuous monitoring in total darkness, dust, and moisture. It is fully UVC compliant (MJPG, YUY2, H.264) for quick integration with Windows, Linux, Jetson platforms, and even ROS machine vision USB camera applications.

This camera is an ideal choice for a wide array of industrial scenarios where ruggedness, excellent low-light performance, and clear, undistorted wide-angle views are crucial for safety, security, and operational efficiency.

Problems Solved:

1. 24/7 Surveillance & Monitoring in Harsh Environments:
   • Problem: Monitoring large industrial sites, outdoor equipment yards, hazardous material storage, or production areas that are prone to dust, water splashes, physical impacts, and operate 24/7, including during nighttime or in dimly lit zones.
   • Solution: The IP65 metal case ensures survival in demanding conditions. The IMX291 STARVIS sensor with IR LEDs provides clear, reliable night vision. The 92-degree no-distortion lens offers a comprehensive, accurate view of the area without visual ambiguities, enhancing security and operational oversight.
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2. Machinery & Process Monitoring in Dirty/Wet Conditions:
   • Problem: Visually inspecting critical machinery, conveyor belts, or production processes that involve dust, cutting fluids, wash-downs, or vibrations (e.g., in manufacturing, waste management, construction material processing).
   • Solution: Its rugged, waterproof design allows for direct installation near machinery, providing crucial visual feedback on equipment status or product flow without fear of damage from the operational environment. The low-light capability means monitoring can continue even with minimal ambient light.
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3. Quality Control & Anomaly Detection (Accurate Wide View):
   • Problem: Overseeing a broad section of a production line or large work area to detect inconsistencies, spills, or unusual activity, where accurate geometric representation is important for automated analysis or human inspection.
   • Solution: The no-distortion wide-angle lens ensures that images are geometrically accurate, making it easier for human operators or machine vision algorithms to identify and measure objects or patterns without correction. The low-light performance is a bonus in varied industrial lighting.
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4. Outdoor Construction & Infrastructure Monitoring:
   • Problem: Monitoring remote construction sites, pipelines, bridges, or energy infrastructure in all weather conditions, day and night, where cameras are exposed to the elements and potential vandalism.
   • Solution: The IP65 rating and metal case provide the necessary durability for outdoor deployment. The IMX291 with IR ensures continuous visibility, capturing activity and deterring theft around the clock.
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5. Vehicle & Heavy Equipment Integration:
   • Problem: Mounting cameras on heavy equipment (bulldozers, excavators) or industrial vehicles for operator visibility, blind spot monitoring, or recording operations in tough environments.

Solution: Its compact size, ruggedness, and night vision make it suitable for vehicle integration, providing reliable visual aids for operators or recording evidence of operations, even in challenging terrain or low light

 

Special Demands Met:

• Extreme Environmental Resilience: Functions reliably where consumer-grade or even many industrial cameras would fail.
• Uncompromised Night Vision: Provides clear video in total darkness due to STARVIS and integrated IR.
• Accurate Wide-Angle View: Essential for precise monitoring and avoiding geometric distortions in analysis.
• Low Maintenance: Built for longevity in harsh conditions, reducing replacement and service needs.

 

Key Advantages of the Rugged Version Camera

• Ready for deployment in mining, tunnels, oil fields, construction sites
• No additional housing, lighting, or mounting required
• Reliable performance in dusty, wet, or low-light environments
• All-in-one plug-and-play field camera
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screenshot compressed picture when this imx291 usb camera  work in daytime, October, 2024

( the following image had been compressed much because of website design request)

 

 

Comparison: Rugged IMX291 Mining Camera vs Standard IMX291 USB Camera Module

Feature / Spec	Rugged IMX291 USB Mining Camera	Standard IMX291 USB Camera Module
Sensor	Sony IMX291 (1/2.8” Starlight CMOS, color or B&W)	Sony IMX291 (same)
USB Interface	USB 2.0 (UVC compliant)	USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 (varies)
IR LEDs	✅ 9pcs 850nm IR LEDs for night vision	❌ Usually no built-in LEDs or requires external IR
Housing	✅ IP65 waterproof, metal shell, sealed connectors	❌ Open PCB or basic plastic housing
Ingress Protection	✅ IP65 — dust-tight and protected from water jets	❌ Typically none or IP20 at best
Mounting Style	✅ Screw-mount ready, heavy-duty build	❌ Requires additional casing or bracket for field use
Night Vision Performance	✅ True 0.01Lux starlight + LED illumination	❌ Good low light, but not usable in complete darkness
Heat and Dust Resistance	✅ Designed for harsh industrial/mining conditions	❌ Sensitive to dust, heat, moisture
Power Supply	Powered via USB (with LED power management)	Powered via USB
Applications	Mining tunnels, underground inspection, outdoor monitoring	Lab testing, indoor surveillance, general low-light use
Durability & Field Use	✅ Industrial-grade, 24/7 outdoor-ready	❌ Requires extra integration steps
Customization	Lens, LED, cable, and housing customizable for projects	Mostly fixed or limited customization
working distance	Focus video in short distance

 

Industrial Applications

Mining & Tunnel Safety

As an underground tunnel inspection USB camera, the UC-528 provides reliable video even in zero-light conditions filled with dust and moisture. Operators gain real-time awareness of worker safety, vehicle blind spots, and shaft operations.

Conveyor Belt Monitoring

In steel mills, cement plants, or quarries, the UC-528 serves as a conveyor belt monitoring USB camera. Its rugged IP67 housing withstands splashes, vibration, and airborne particles, reducing downtime caused by undetected material blockages or equipment wear.

Factory Machine Vision

The rugged USB mining camera is also suited for washdown production lines and heavy-duty machine vision environments. With no-distortion optics and UVC streaming, engineers can implement automated inspection, defect detection, and predictive maintenance with minimal setup effort.

 

FAQ

Q1: What environments is this camera designed for?
It is optimized as a rugged USB mining camera for tunnels, shafts, conveyor belts, and heavy-duty outdoor equipment monitoring.

Q2: What is the difference between 850 nm and 940 nm IR LEDs?
850 nm offers higher sensitivity and longer range, while 940 nm is invisible to the human eye, ideal for covert monitoring in industrial security.

Q3: Can it integrate with ROS or Linux systems?
Yes. The UC-528 is a fully ROS machine vision USB camera, compatible with Linux V4L2 and Jetson platforms.

Q4: What protection level is available?
The UC-528 features a sealed industrial USB camera IP67 housing, tested against dust, moisture, and water spray.