Cleaning Instructions
This topic provides instructions on how to clean your
Basler camera.
Before attempting to clean the camera, consider carefully whether cleaning
will actually improve your camera's performance. Cleaning always carries
the risk of introducing more dirt or even damaging the camera.
Cleaning the Housing or the Camera Front
To clean a camera with a housing or a camera front:
- Disconnect the camera from camera power (and I/O power, if applicable).
- Make sure that the lens mount is covered by a lens or a protective
cap.
- Get a soft, lint-free cloth that does not cause electrostatic charging
during cleaning.
- Dampen the cloth using a mild detergent.
- Using the dampened cloth, wipe, as applicable, the camera's sides
and front.
- Let any residual moisture evaporate.
Never apply compressed air to speed up evaporation.
- After the moisture has evaporated completely, you may reconnect
the camera to power.
Cleaning the IR Cut Filter
ace and ace 2 Cameras
Notice
Applying compressed air may damage the
camera.
- Before applying compressed air to the IR cut filter or
the filter holder, remove the IR cut filter or the filter
holder from the camera.
- Never apply compressed air to the camera.
To clean the IR cut filter:
- Disconnect the camera from power (and I/O power, if applicable).
- Check whether the IR cut filter can be removed from your camera
model.
- ace 2 cameras: The IR cut filter can be removed.
- ace cameras: The IR cut filter can be removed
from some camera models. The ace
IR Cut Filter Holder Removal Procedure application note tells
you from which camera models the IR cut filter can be removed
safely and how to do this. Observe the safety instructions in
the application note.
- If the IR cut filter can be removed:
- Remove the IR cut filter as described in the ace
IR Cut Filter Holder Removal Procedure application note.
- Blow canned, oil-free, compressed air at the removed IR cut
filter.
Be careful not to apply too much air pressure.
- If any dust remains, clean the filter using isopropyl alcohol
as described in step 4.
- Reinstall the IR cut filter.
- If the IR cut filter can't be removed:
- Get isopropyl alcohol of at least analytical grade (pro analysi,
p.a.) purity.
- Get a soft, lint-free cloth that does not cause electrostatic
charging during cleaning.
- Moisten the cloth with the alcohol. Make sure to only use a
small quantity so that there is no alcohol dripping from the cloth.
Ideally, wrap the cloth around a plastic tool (e.g., a spatula)
that has the same width as the IR cut filter. This makes cleaning
easier and safer.
- Wipe once or twice in a straight line across the entire IR
cut filter.
- Let any residual moisture evaporate.
- Reconnect the camera to power.
dart and pulse Cameras
To clean the IR cut filter:
- Disconnect the camera from power (and I/O power, if applicable).
- Blow canned, oil-free, air at the IR cut filter.
Be careful not to apply too much air pressure. Try not to touch the
IR cut filter and do not clean the IR cut filter mechanically. The
glass of the IR cut filter can break if you apply too much pressure.
- Reconnect the camera to power.
Cleaning the Sensor
- If possible, avoid cleaning the camera’s sensor.
- Before you start, check whether the sensor is accessible. The
sensor is accessible on the following camera models:
- Basler ace, dart, and pulse mono cameras
- Basler ace color cameras with removable IR cut filter
Check the ace
IR Cut Filter Holder Removal Procedure application note
to find out whether the IR cut filter can be removed from
your camera model.
- Basler boost mono and color cameras
- Basler dart and pulse bare board and S-mount color cameras
To clean the sensor if it is accessible:
- Disconnect the camera from power (and I/O power, if applicable).
- If necessary, remove the IR cut filter as described in the ace
IR Cut Filter Holder Removal Procedure application note. Observe
the safety instructions in the application note.
- Get isopropyl alcohol of at least analytical grade (pro analysi,
p.a.) purity.
- Get a soft, lint-free cloth that does not cause electrostatic charging
during cleaning.
- Moisten the cloth with the alcohol. Make sure to only use a small
quantity so that there is no alcohol dripping from the cloth.
Ideally, wrap the cloth around a plastic tool (e.g., a spatula) that
has the same width as the sensor. This makes cleaning easier and safer.
- Wipe once or twice in a straight line across the entire sensor.
- Let any residual moisture evaporate.
- If necessary, reinstall the IR cut filter.
- Reconnect the camera to power.