Description
Sony XC-003P3CCD | 3CCD Color Video Camera Module In-Stock
Dynamic Product Introduction
Operating an automated visual inspection cell or semiconductor wafer alignment stage without precise color fidelity creates immediate yield drops and false rejection rates. The Sony XC-003P3CCD is an industrial-grade 3CCD color camera module designed for demanding machine vision applications. By utilizing a precision optical prism block to split incoming light into dedicated Red, Green, and Blue 1/3-inch CCD image sensors, it delivers true RGB color reproduction, high signal-to-noise ratios, and crisp edge definition without spatial color bleeding common to single-chip Bayer pattern cameras.
When an operational vision camera suffers CCD sensor burn, prism alignment drift, or video output signal noise mid-production, securing an exact-fit Sony XC-003P3CCD replacement unit restores vision system accuracy without costly redesigns. Installing a fully bench-tested replacement allows machine vision engineers to swap the camera directly into existing mounting brackets without recalibrating optical axis geometries or re-routing 12-pin Hirose cables. Replacing a degraded camera restores sharp color isolation, stable video sync, and consistent automated defect detection.
XC-003P3CCD
Key Technical Specifications
- Model Designation: XC-003P3CCD
- Manufacturer: Sony Corporation
- Image Sensor Array: Three 1/3-inch Interline Transfer (IT) CCD sensors with optical prism block
- Video Format Standard: PAL color system (625 lines, 50 fields/sec)
- Effective Pixels: 752 (H) x 582 (V) per CCD sensor
- Lens Mount: Standard C-mount (with adjustable back-focus)
- Video Signal Output: RGB component, VBS (Composite), Y/C (S-Video) via 12-pin Hirose connector
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 58 dB (typical, AGC Off)
- Sensitivity: 2000 lx at f/5.6 (0 dB gain setting)
- Minimum Illumination: Approx. 6 lx (f/1.4, +18 dB gain)
- Electronic Shutter: Selectable speed range from 1/50 sec to 1/10,000 sec
- Power Requirements: 12 VDC (±10%, approx. 4.2 W consumption)
Global Sourcing & Live-Test SOP (Transparency Core)
Procuring secondary-market machine vision components like the Sony XC-003P3CCD requires rigorous optical and electronic testing to verify sensor balance, prism integrity, and video signal quality. Every incoming camera module passes through an intensive five-stage quality assurance protocol:
- Inbound Verification: Part numbers (XC-003P3CCD), serial plates, and mechanical housings are verified against original Sony manufacturing standards. Technicians inspect C-mount threads, optical filters, and Hirose connector pins for physical wear or contamination.
- Live Simulation: The camera is mounted onto a precision optical bench powered by a regulated 12 VDC power supply and linked to an industrial video frame grabber via a standard 12-pin Hirose cable.
- Diagnostics: Technicians project calibrated color charts and resolution targets across the field of view to verify channel color balance (R, G, B), white balance adjustment ranges, and electronic shutter timing. The camera undergoes a 24-hour thermal soak in an environmental chamber to rule out sensor noise or signal drift under operating temperatures.
- Final Prep: Lens threads and optical cover glass are cleaned with non-abrasive optical solution, connector pins are inspected, protective dust caps are fitted over the optical entrance, and the module is wrapped in static-shielding ESD packaging before dispatch.
The Field Engineer’s Pitfall Guide
- ❗ Confusing PAL (XC-003P3CCD) and NTSC (XC-003) Video Standards: —though the physical chassis and lens mounts are identical, installing the PAL version (XC-003P) into a machine vision system expecting an NTSC (XC-003) frame sync rate will result in complete frame grab failure, image rolling, or unsynchronized video input.
- ❗ Incorrect C-Mount Back-Focus Adjustment: Installing a C-mount lens without verifying back-focus distance can cause soft focusing at infinity or uneven optical sharpness across the 3CCD prism assembly. Always use the rear focus lock ring to fine-tune sensor distance.
- ❗ Over-Voltage or Unfiltered Power Input: Applying unregulated or noisy 12 VDC power across the 12-pin Hirose connector can introduce horizontal hum bars into the video output signal or permanently damage internal camera processing circuitry.
Intent-Driven FAQ
What is the primary advantage of the Sony XC-003P3CCD over standard single-CCD color cameras?
The 3CCD design uses a trichroic prism to split incoming light into dedicated Red, Green, and Blue spectrums onto three separate CCD sensors. This provides superior color accuracy, higher spatial resolution, and eliminates the color interpolation artifacts typical of single-chip Bayer filter cameras.
Can the Sony XC-003P3CCD be controlled remotely using serial communication?
Yes. The camera supports external control of electronic shutter speeds, gain, and white balance settings via RS-232C serial communication lines integrated into the standard 12-pin multi-connector interface cable.
What lens type is compatible with the XC-003P3CCD?
The camera features a standard C-mount optical interface. However, because it uses a 3CCD prism block, it requires optical lenses designed specifically for 3CCD cameras (which accommodate the glass optical path length of the prism) to avoid color fringing and chromatic aberration.
Why is the video image appearing completely dark despite setting the gain to maximum?
A black video output with correct power supplied typically points to a closed auto-iris lens signal line, an active external trigger mode expecting a missing trigger pulse, or a misconfigured electronic shutter set to ultra-high speed (e.g., 1/10,000 sec) under ambient lighting.
What warranty coverage comes with pre-inspected replacement cameras?
All verified Sony XC-003P3CCD camera modules come backed by a comprehensive 1-year replacement warranty. If the unit experiences CCD sensor defect, video signal loss, or internal circuit faults under standard operating conditions within 12 months, it is swapped directly from available warehouse inventory stock.
