Machine Vision Lens RFQ Checklist: 15 Details to Share with a Supplier Before Requesting a Quote

Requesting a machine vision lens quotation looks simple until the supplier asks for more information.

A buyer may initially send a message such as “Please quote 25 mm C mount lens” or “Need machine vision lens for 10 MP camera,” but those details are usually not enough to identify the correct optical product.

A 25 mm lens can be designed for different sensor formats. A 10 MP lens can be available in several focal lengths. Two industrial cameras using C mount can have different sensor sizes and pixel pitches. The same lens can also provide completely different field of view depending on working distance.

For this reason, a good machine vision lens RFQ should describe the camera and the inspection application, not just the lens specification the buyer assumes is required.

The more complete the RFQ, the easier it becomes for a supplier to recommend a technically relevant lens, prepare an accurate quotation and avoid unnecessary back and forth.

This is particularly important for OEMs, machine builders, system integrators and industrial procurement teams working on new automation projects or repeat production requirements.

Kyptec Automation® provides a broad Machine Vision Lens range covering multiple focal lengths, resolution classes and sensor formats. Sharing the correct application data before requesting a quote makes it much easier to narrow that range to products that actually fit the industrial camera and inspection requirement.

Why “Please Quote a 25 mm Lens” Is Usually an Incomplete RFQ

Focal length is only one part of a machine vision lens specification.

For example, Kyptec Automation® offers different 25 mm machine vision lenses for different optical requirements.

Kyptec Automation® KL-1208 25 mm Machine Vision Lens is specified for 5 MP resolution, 2/3 inch image format and C mount.

Kyptec Automation® KL-1228 25 mm Machine Vision Lens is a 10 MP option for the same broad 2/3 inch format.

Kyptec Automation® KL-1216 25 mm Machine Vision Lens is designed for a larger 1 inch image format.

Kyptec Automation® KL-1240 25 mm Machine Vision Lens moves into a 25 MP class and larger format requirement.

All four products share the same nominal focal length.

That is why a supplier needs more than “25 mm lens” before recommending the correct product.

RFQ Detail 1: Exact Industrial Camera Model

The first detail to provide is the exact camera model.

This immediately helps the supplier identify several important parameters, including sensor size, resolution, pixel pitch and lens mount.

If the camera model has already been finalized, include the complete manufacturer model reference exactly as shown on the datasheet.

Do not write only “5 MP camera” or “10 MP camera.”

Two cameras with the same megapixel rating can use different sensors and may require different lenses.

If the camera has not yet been selected, say so clearly. In that case, the lens and camera can be considered together around the inspection requirement.

For OEM design projects, this is often a better approach than selecting the camera first and forcing the optics around it later.

RFQ Detail 2: Camera Sensor Format

Include the camera sensor format if known.

Typical machine vision camera formats may be described using classifications such as 2/3 inch, 1 inch or 1.1 inch.

This information is important because the lens must provide a sufficiently large image circle to cover the sensor.

A machine vision lens designed for a smaller sensor format may physically attach to the camera yet fail to provide adequate corner coverage.

The supplier therefore needs to know whether the RFQ is for a 2/3 inch lens, 1 inch lens, 1.1 inch lens or another format.

If you know the exact sensor width and height in millimetres, include those dimensions as well.

The actual active dimensions are even more useful than the nominal optical format label.

RFQ Detail 3: Camera Resolution

State the camera resolution.

This can be provided as total megapixels and, ideally, horizontal and vertical pixel dimensions.

For example, instead of writing only “10 MP,” provide the actual image resolution if available.

Lens optical resolution should be appropriate for the camera pixel density and the inspection task.

A moderate resolution inspection may work well with a 5 MP machine vision lens. A denser sensor may benefit from 10 MP optics. High resolution cameras used for fine industrial inspection may require 25 MP class lenses.

Kyptec Automation® provides these different optical resolution classes inside its Machine Vision Lens collection, which is why camera resolution is an important RFQ parameter.

RFQ Detail 4: Pixel Size

Pixel size, also called pixel pitch, is especially useful for high resolution industrial camera applications.

Two sensors can have similar total megapixel count while using different physical sensor sizes.

The smaller sensor may pack the pixels more densely, which means the lens needs to preserve finer spatial detail.

Providing pixel pitch allows the supplier to judge the optical resolution requirement more accurately than megapixel rating alone.

If pixel size is listed on the camera datasheet, include it.

This detail becomes particularly valuable for fine defect detection, dimensional measurement, OCR and other applications where small image features matter.

RFQ Detail 5: Lens Mount

State the lens mount required by the camera.

C mount is widely used in industrial machine vision, but suppliers should not assume every camera uses it.

If the camera is C mount, write “C mount required.”

This simple detail prevents a mechanically incompatible lens from being quoted.

However, remember that mount compatibility does not prove optical compatibility.

The supplier still needs the sensor format, focal length, resolution and working distance information.

Many Kyptec Automation® machine vision lenses use C mount, including Kyptec Automation® KL-1214, which is a 16 mm, 10 MP, 1 inch format lens, and Kyptec Automation® KL-1232, which is a 50 mm, 10 MP, 2/3 inch format lens.

Same mount, different optical application.

RFQ Detail 6: Required Field of View

One of the most useful details in any machine vision lens RFQ is the required field of view.

State the actual physical area that must appear inside the image.

For example:

Horizontal field of view: 150 mm.

Vertical field of view: 100 mm.

Do not provide only the object size if the camera needs to see additional surrounding space.

If a 100 mm component moves slightly on the conveyor, the required field of view may need to be larger than 100 mm to provide positioning margin.

This information helps the supplier determine whether the assumed focal length is correct.

It is common for buyers to request a specific focal length and then discover that another focal length is more suitable once field of view is calculated.

RFQ Detail 7: Working Distance

Working distance is the approximate distance between the lens or camera and the object being inspected.

This value is essential for focal length selection.

A lens that provides the correct field of view at 200 mm working distance may be completely wrong at 800 mm.

If the distance is fixed by machine design, say so.

For example:

Available working distance: 450 mm fixed.

If the camera position can move, provide an acceptable range.

For example:

Working distance can be adjusted between 350 mm and 500 mm.

That gives the supplier more flexibility to select a standard focal length.

RFQ Detail 8: Smallest Feature or Defect to Detect

This detail helps determine how much optical resolution is genuinely required.

Provide the smallest relevant feature.

For a defect inspection application, this may be:

Minimum scratch width: 0.2 mm.

For OCR:

Minimum character height: 2 mm.

For a barcode:

Minimum module width: 0.4 mm.

For dimensional measurement:

Required tolerance: ±0.05 mm.

The supplier can then judge whether the camera and lens combination is likely to provide sufficient sampling and optical detail.

This is much more useful than simply requesting “high resolution machine vision lens.”

High resolution means different things for different inspection tasks.

RFQ Detail 9: Application Type

Clearly state what the camera will do.

Examples include barcode reading, OCR, component presence inspection, dimensional measurement, surface defect inspection, assembly verification, print inspection, electronics inspection or robotic guidance.

Application type helps the supplier understand which optical characteristics are likely to matter most.

For measurement, distortion may be important.

For defect inspection, fine detail and contrast may dominate.

For barcode reading, sufficient sampling and motion control can be more important than extremely high optical resolution.

For wide area presence detection, moderate optical performance may be entirely sufficient.

Avoid sending only “factory automation application.”

Describe the actual image processing task.

RFQ Detail 10: Object Size

Field of view and object size are related but not identical.

Include the physical dimensions of the product being inspected.

For example:

Object size: 120 mm × 80 mm × 30 mm.

Height is useful because it tells the supplier whether the object has significant three dimensional variation that could affect focus or depth of field.

If several product variants use the same camera station, provide the minimum and maximum sizes.

This helps determine whether one fixed lens configuration can cover the whole product family.

RFQ Detail 11: Object Height Variation or Required Depth of Field

If the product surface does not remain at a single fixed distance from the camera, describe the variation.

For example:

Object height changes by ±10 mm.

Or:

Top and bottom inspection surfaces differ by 25 mm.

This information is important because a lens can provide the correct field of view yet fail to keep all important features acceptably focused.

The supplier can then consider whether the aperture, focal length and working distance provide suitable depth of field.

This parameter is especially important for packages, cast parts, trays, uneven surfaces and components presented by robots.

RFQ Detail 12: Object Movement and Production Speed

Tell the supplier whether the object is stationary or moving.

If it moves, provide the approximate speed.

For example:

Conveyor speed: 0.8 metres per second.

Or:

Part stops for 200 milliseconds during inspection.

This information matters because motion blur affects how much useful detail reaches the camera.

A fast moving application may need short exposure and therefore more light.

A wider aperture lens can sometimes become valuable.

A stationary measurement system has different optical priorities.

The RFQ should therefore include production speed whenever the camera captures objects in motion.

RFQ Detail 13: Lighting or Wavelength

State the illumination type if it has already been selected.

For ordinary visible machine vision, mention that visible light will be used.

If the application uses another wavelength, this becomes even more important.

A conventional visible light machine vision lens should not automatically be assumed suitable for specialized infrared imaging.

If the project uses SWIR, the supplier needs to know from the beginning.

Kyptec Automation® maintains a separate SWIR Camera Lens range, which illustrates why wavelength should be included in the RFQ instead of treating all industrial camera lenses as interchangeable.

RFQ Detail 14: Quantity and Project Type

State how many lenses are required.

The commercial response for one evaluation unit can differ from an OEM requirement for 50, 100 or several hundred units.

Useful RFQ wording could be:

Initial sample quantity: 2 units.

Expected annual quantity: 100 units.

Or:

Prototype quantity: 5 units.

Expected production requirement: 500 units per year.

This information allows the supplier to understand whether the project is an evaluation, a production machine, a replacement requirement or an OEM platform.

Kyptec Automation® provides a dedicated OEM Orders page for bulk industrial requirements. The current page specifically supports bulk enquiries and orders of 10 units or more, which makes quantity information especially relevant when requesting commercial terms.

RFQ Detail 15: Delivery Location and Required Timeline

Finally, provide the destination and required schedule.

A supplier preparing a machine vision lens quotation needs to understand whether the material is required locally, nationally or for export.

Useful information includes delivery city and country, desired delivery date, project commissioning schedule and whether the requirement is urgent.

For example:

Delivery location: Pune, India.

Required for machine trial within four weeks.

Or:

Export project for Germany.

Initial samples required before production approval.

This helps the supplier respond with more relevant availability and shipping information instead of providing only a component price.

Why Quantity Should Be Included Even When You Need Only One Sample Today

Many machine vision projects begin with one or two lenses for evaluation.

That does not mean the RFQ is a one unit commercial requirement.

If the lens is intended for an OEM machine that may later be manufactured in volume, say so.

This allows the supplier to understand the long term requirement from the start.

A practical RFQ might say:

“Please quote two pieces for prototype testing. Expected production demand is approximately 200 pieces annually after approval.”

This is much more useful than requesting two pieces without context.

It also helps the supplier determine whether bulk pricing or OEM support may become relevant later.

Kyptec Automation® supports bulk orders and provides GST billing and bulk-order assistance through its verified OEM Orders page.

A Good Machine Vision Lens RFQ Should Describe the Problem, Not Only the Assumed Solution

Buyers often try to solve the optical design before contacting the supplier.

For example:

“Need 16 mm 10 MP C mount lens.”

That may be correct.

But if the buyer instead provides:

“Camera sensor is 1 inch, 10 MP, C mount. Required field of view is 200 mm × 150 mm at approximately 350 mm working distance. Smallest feature is 0.5 mm.”

the supplier can verify whether 16 mm is actually suitable.

This reduces the chance of quoting the wrong focal length simply because the buyer's initial estimate was inaccurate.

A strong RFQ gives both the assumed lens requirement and the application data needed to verify it.

Worked RFQ Example 1: General Component Inspection

Suppose an OEM needs a lens for component presence inspection.

A weak RFQ would say:

“Quote 25 mm C mount machine vision lens.”

A much stronger RFQ would provide the following information naturally in the enquiry:

“The application uses a 5 MP industrial camera with a 2/3 inch sensor and C mount. Required field of view is approximately 100 mm × 75 mm at 300 mm working distance. The inspected component is approximately 80 mm wide, and the smallest feature of interest is about 2 mm. The object is stationary during image capture. Visible LED illumination will be used. Initial requirement is two lenses for validation, followed by approximately 50 units annually.”

Now the supplier can evaluate whether a product such as Kyptec Automation® KL-1208 is appropriate or whether another focal length should be considered.

The quotation becomes application based rather than guess based.

Worked RFQ Example 2: High Resolution Defect Inspection

Consider a surface inspection project.

The camera uses a larger high resolution sensor. The buyer needs to find small scratches across a wide object.

A useful RFQ could state:

“Camera is C mount with approximately 25 MP resolution and larger sensor format. Horizontal field of view is 180 mm at 400 mm working distance. The minimum defect width is approximately 0.15 mm. Parts move at 0.5 metres per second. Short exposure will be required. Visible controlled lighting will be used. Initial requirement is four lenses for testing, with expected annual volume of 120 units.”

This immediately communicates why a high resolution optical class may be needed.

If the focal length calculation points toward approximately 25 mm, Kyptec Automation® KL-1240 can become one candidate for technical review.

Without the defect size and high resolution camera details, a lower optical class 25 mm lens could easily be quoted instead.

Worked RFQ Example 3: OCR and Barcode Inspection

Suppose the same camera must inspect both printed text and a data code.

The RFQ should identify both requirements.

For example:

“Industrial camera is 10 MP, 1 inch sensor, C mount. Required field of view is 140 mm × 100 mm at approximately 450 mm working distance. Smallest OCR character is 2.5 mm high. Minimum code module width is 0.45 mm. Product moves on conveyor at 0.3 metres per second. Application requires OCR and code reading from the same image. Initial requirement is one sample followed by approximately 30 production units.”

The supplier can now identify which visual feature sets the stronger resolution requirement and whether the proposed focal length provides enough field coverage.

A lens such as Kyptec Automation® KL-1214 or Kyptec Automation® KL-1216 may be considered depending on the final field of view calculation.

The important point is that the RFQ provides enough data to make that decision.

Should You Send a Camera Datasheet with the RFQ?

Yes, when available.

A camera datasheet can remove ambiguity around sensor dimensions, pixel size, mount and resolution.

This is particularly useful when the camera model is uncommon or when several sensor variants exist.

Attach the datasheet or provide a clear link to the exact camera specification if possible.

The same principle applies to machine drawings when space around the camera is restricted.

Mechanical dimensions can help the supplier identify whether a physically larger machine vision lens is practical for the installation.

Should You Send a Sample Image?

A sample image can be useful, especially for defect inspection, OCR and difficult surfaces.

However, an image should supplement the dimensional information rather than replace it.

A photograph without scale does not tell the supplier how large the defect is.

A good RFQ can include both:

“Scratch width approximately 0.2 mm. See attached sample image.”

That gives the supplier quantitative information and visual context.

For reflective surfaces, a sample image can also show whether the main challenge is resolution, contrast or lighting.

Should You Mention the Current Lens If You Are Replacing One?

Yes.

If the RFQ concerns an existing machine, provide the current lens specifications.

Include focal length, sensor format, mount and model number if available.

Also explain why it is being replaced.

For example:

“Current lens provides correct field of view but does not resolve the required defect.”

Or:

“Existing lens is no longer available and a compatible replacement is needed.”

This helps the supplier determine whether the new lens should reproduce the existing optical geometry or intentionally change it.

Should You Mention Mechanical Space Restrictions?

Yes, if the camera installation is compact.

A larger sensor format or higher resolution lens can have a different barrel size from the existing optic.

Provide the available maximum lens diameter and length if space is limited.

This is especially important when the camera is inside an enclosure, mounted near a ring light or positioned within robotic equipment.

Optical compatibility is not useful if the lens cannot physically fit the machine.

Should You Ask for a Datasheet in the RFQ?

Yes.

A quotation tells you the commercial terms.

The datasheet tells you what you are buying.

Request the product datasheet when comparing machine vision lens quotations so the focal length, image format, resolution, aperture and mount can be checked against the project specification.

Kyptec Automation® product pages provide core specifications and downloadable product information for its machine vision lens models, which is helpful when engineering and procurement teams need to review the same component.

Why OEM Buyers Should Include Annual Forecast

For OEM procurement, annual forecast is useful even when the order schedule is uncertain.

A supplier can better understand the commercial importance of the project when the expected scale is known.

For example:

Prototype: 3 pieces.

Pilot production: 20 pieces.

Estimated annual requirement: 300 pieces.

This also helps the OEM think ahead about supply continuity.

The machine vision lens may be only one component in the complete machine, but replacing it later can affect focus, calibration and mechanical design.

A supplier should therefore understand whether the requirement is a one time purchase or part of an ongoing production platform.

Why RFQ Accuracy Helps Reduce Procurement Time

Incomplete RFQs create repeated email exchanges.

The supplier asks for camera model.

Then sensor size.

Then field of view.

Then working distance.

Then quantity.

Each round adds procurement time.

A complete RFQ allows technical and commercial evaluation to happen much faster.

This matters when the machine commissioning schedule is tight.

It also reduces the possibility that the wrong part reaches the purchase order stage before somebody identifies a compatibility issue.

For procurement teams, a good lens RFQ is therefore not only a technical document. It is also a way to reduce project delay.

Frequently Asked Questions About Machine Vision Lens RFQs

1. Can I request a machine vision lens quote before the camera model is finalized?

Yes, but state that the camera is still under selection and provide the required field of view, working distance, smallest inspection feature and expected resolution. The supplier can then suggest a suitable lens class and identify what camera sensor format would work with it. This is often useful in new machine designs where camera and lens are being selected together.

2. Do I need to provide both object size and field of view in an RFQ?

Ideally, yes. Object size tells the supplier how large the product is, while field of view tells them how much area the camera must actually capture. The required field may include positioning margin beyond the product itself, so the two dimensions are not always identical.

3. Should I mention the camera pixel pitch when asking for a lens quotation?

Yes, especially for high resolution cameras. Pixel pitch helps the supplier understand how demanding the optical resolution requirement is. Two cameras with similar megapixel counts can need different optical performance when their pixel sizes differ significantly.

4. What should I write if I do not know the required focal length?

Do not guess. Provide the sensor size, required field of view and working distance and ask the supplier to recommend the focal length. This is better than specifying an incorrect lens and receiving a technically accurate quotation for the wrong optical geometry.

5. Do machine vision lens suppliers need to know the conveyor speed?

Yes when the object moves during image capture. Production speed affects exposure requirements and can influence whether aperture capability and lighting become important. A stationary inspection and a fast conveyor application may need different optical priorities even when the field of view is similar.

6. Should I mention whether the inspection is measurement or simple presence detection?

Yes. Measurement applications can be more sensitive to geometric distortion and edge quality. Presence detection may tolerate much less demanding optics. Application type helps the supplier avoid over specifying or under specifying the lens.

7. Can I ask for several focal length options in one RFQ?

Yes, particularly when the mechanical working distance is adjustable. Provide the acceptable distance range and ask the supplier to recommend suitable options. Kyptec Automation® carries multiple focal lengths within its Machine Vision Lens category, so a supplier can compare alternatives around the same camera format and resolution class.

8. Should an RFQ mention if the camera is monochrome or colour?

It can be helpful, especially when the inspection depends on colour information or a particular wavelength. While many standard machine vision lenses can be used with either type of visible camera, including camera type gives the supplier a more complete picture of the imaging system.

9. What should I include if the lens is for a replacement machine rather than a new design?

Provide the current lens model, focal length, sensor format, mount, approximate working distance and existing field of view. Explain whether the goal is an exact replacement or an optical upgrade. This helps the supplier distinguish between maintaining the existing geometry and redesigning it.

10. Is purchase quantity necessary for a technical lens recommendation?

Quantity does not determine focal length or sensor compatibility, but it matters for the quotation and supply discussion. Include both sample quantity and expected production volume when known. Kyptec Automation® supports bulk industrial enquiries through its OEM Orders page.

11. Should I request one sample before placing a large machine vision lens order?

For a new optical configuration, validation is generally sensible before committing to large production quantities. Test the lens with the actual camera, object, lighting, working distance and production conditions. After approval, the same model can be standardized for the machine design.

12. Can I send only a photo of the camera label instead of the model number?

A clear photo can help, but the exact camera model and datasheet are more useful. The supplier needs sensor and mount information that may not all appear on the label. Use the photograph as supporting information rather than the only technical input.

13. Should I ask the supplier to confirm sensor coverage in writing?

Yes, particularly when the camera uses a larger sensor or when several lens image formats are being considered. Ask the supplier to confirm that the proposed machine vision lens is suitable for the stated sensor format. This creates a clearer technical basis for the quotation.

14. What is the best way to request pricing for both prototype and production quantities?

State both quantities in the same RFQ. For example: “Please quote 2 pieces for prototype testing and also provide pricing for 50 and 100 piece production quantities.” This allows procurement to evaluate future cost without sending a separate commercial enquiry later.

15. Where should I send a machine vision lens requirement if I need technical and commercial guidance?

Prepare the RFQ with camera, sensor, field of view, working distance, feature size, application and quantity details, then use the Kyptec Automation® Contact Us page or the OEM Orders page for larger requirements. Providing complete application details helps narrow the Kyptec Automation® Machine Vision Lens range to technically relevant models before commercial selection.

A Practical Machine Vision Lens RFQ Format

A strong enquiry can be written in one concise technical paragraph.

For example:

“We require a machine vision lens for an industrial inspection system. Camera model is [model], sensor format is [format], camera resolution is [resolution] and lens mount is [mount]. Required field of view is [width × height] at approximately [working distance]. Object size is [dimensions], and the smallest feature or defect to inspect is approximately [size]. Application is [barcode/OCR/measurement/defect inspection]. Object is [stationary/moving] at approximately [speed]. Illumination will use [visible/SWIR/other] light. Initial requirement is [quantity] for testing, with expected annual requirement of approximately [quantity]. Delivery location is [city/country]. Please recommend a suitable machine vision lens and provide quotation, availability and datasheet.”

This format gives both engineering and procurement teams the information needed to begin the discussion efficiently.

How Kyptec Automation® Can Be Used in an RFQ Based Buying Process

Kyptec Automation® offers 31 products in its current Machine Vision Lens category, including 5 MP, 10 MP and 25 MP options plus specialized line scan and SWIR optics.

That range means the supplier can narrow the selection according to camera format, required focal length and resolution instead of giving one generic lens recommendation.

For example, a 2/3 inch 5 MP application around 25 mm focal length can evaluate Kyptec Automation® KL-1208.

A 2/3 inch 10 MP application at the same focal length can instead consider Kyptec Automation® KL-1228.

A 1 inch 10 MP camera can move toward Kyptec Automation® KL-1216.

A demanding 25 MP larger format system can evaluate Kyptec Automation® KL-1240.

The important point is that these choices become obvious only after the RFQ includes the technical information needed to distinguish them.

For OEM projects, Kyptec Automation® also maintains a dedicated OEM Orders page for bulk requirements of 10 units or more and states that bulk support includes commercial assistance and GST billing.

Final Answer: What Should You Share Before Requesting a Machine Vision Lens Quote?

Before sending a machine vision lens RFQ, make sure the supplier knows the exact camera model, sensor format, camera resolution, pixel size, lens mount, required field of view, working distance, smallest inspection feature, application type, object dimensions, depth variation, production speed, illumination wavelength, quantity and delivery requirement.

These 15 details turn a generic enquiry into a technically useful RFQ.

They also help prevent the most common purchasing problems: wrong focal length, wrong sensor coverage, insufficient optical resolution, unnecessary overspecification, unsuitable working distance and incorrect commercial assumptions.

A buyer should not have to know every final lens specification before contacting the supplier.

The purpose of a good RFQ is to provide enough application information for the supplier to verify or recommend that specification correctly.

For engineers and OEMs, this creates a better technical result.

For procurement teams, it reduces quotation cycles and purchasing risk.

For suppliers, it makes the recommendation more accurate.

Kyptec Automation® is particularly useful in this workflow because its Machine Vision Lens category includes several resolution classes, sensor formats and focal lengths that can be matched against the RFQ instead of forcing every industrial camera into one generic lens specification.

When preparing the next machine vision lens enquiry, do not begin with only:

“Please quote lens.”

Begin with the camera, the field of view, the working distance and what the system needs to see.

That information is what turns a quotation into a useful optical recommendation.