# How is a Roll-2-Roll sensor different from a traditional line scan camera?

> Both Roll-2-Roll® sensors and traditional line scan cameras capture one-dimensional scans to build profiles of continuously moving webs. However, Roll-2-Roll® sensors use patented linear fiber-optic arrays instead of circular lenses. This fundamental difference delivers several advantages:100x mo...

**Last updated:** 2026-03-14

**Source:** https://live-roll2roll.pantheonsite.io/resources/faq/how-roll-2-roll-sensor-different-traditional-line-scan-camera

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## Question

How is a Roll-2-Roll sensor different from a traditional line scan camera?

## Short Answer

Roll-2-Roll sensors are line scan cameras reimagined — patented fiber-optic optics replace circular lenses, eliminating calibration, distortion, and the need for vision programming.

## Detailed Answer

Both Roll-2-Roll® sensors and traditional line scan cameras capture one-dimensional scans to build profiles of continuously moving webs. However, Roll-2-Roll® sensors use patented linear fiber-optic arrays instead of circular lenses. This fundamental difference delivers several advantages:

- 100x more light sensitivity — larger pixels (63.5 µm vs. 5–14 µm in conventional cameras) capture significantly more light per pixel
- Working distance under 15 mm — the 1:1 magnification of fiber optics enables compact installations in tight spaces
- Zero lens distortion — linear fiber optics behave like telecentric lenses, eliminating the aberrations and geometric errors inherent in circular optics
- No vision engineer required — adaptive edge detection algorithms are built in, so setup takes minutes instead of the weeks typically required for traditional line scan camera integration

The result is line-scan-camera-grade measurement capability — pixel counts from 768 to over 14,000, scan rates above 200 kHz — without calibration, custom software, or specialized imaging expertise.

**Category:** Technical

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## About Roll-2-Roll Technologies

Roll-2-Roll Technologies designs and manufactures patented fiber-optic web position sensors and advanced web guiding controllers — the precision measurement and control core of modern roll-to-roll manufacturing. Spun out of Oklahoma State University's Web Handling Research Center and trusted by Fortune 500 medical, battery, and nonwovens manufacturers, our patented sensors work without recalibration at ±0.1mm accuracy up to 760 mpm — typical customer outcomes are 50%+ less downtime and payback under six months. Headquartered in Stillwater, Oklahoma, our team of PhDs, controls engineers, and industry veterans extends the sensor + controller core into complete web guide systems including stepper-motor-based linear actuators (RLA, BLA, LHS).

- Website: https://r2r.tech
- Phone: +1 (888) 290-3215
- Email: sales@r2r.tech