Method And Apparatus For Calibrating A Camera Lens Flange To Sensor Distance

A camera assembly for use in a machine vision system, the assembly comprising:

• a support structure forming a mounting flange that is configured for coupling with any of a plurality of exchangeable electrically controllable adjustable focal length lens assemblies;
• a two dimensional image sensor supported by the support structure and forming a two dimensional sensor plane spaced from the mounting flange by a flange focal distance;
• a memory supported by the support structure and storing a flange focal distance error prior to normal operation of the assembly and for use thereafter with multiple adjustable focal length lens assemblies wherein the flange focal distance error is the difference between an ideal flange focal distance and the flange focal distance;
• and
• a processor programmed to obtain the flange focal distance error from the memory and use the flange focal distance error to generate lens control signals to compensate for the flange focal distance error when a lens is mounted to the mounting flange.