Product category:
Form/co-ordinate, optical and vision instrumentation
News Release from: Micro-Epsilon UK | Subject: ScanControl
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 08 June 2005
Line optical system boasts high accuracy
In contrast to familiar point laser sensors, ScanControl is a novel line optical system that projects a laser line on to the surface of the object to be measured.
In contrast to familiar point laser sensors, a line optical system projects a laser line on to the surface of the object to be measured The back scattered light from the laser line is registered on a CMOS matrix by a high quality optical system
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 9 May 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
2D triangulation is novel measurement alternative
If point laser sensors aren't sophisticated for a profile measurement application, and vision systems not fast enough, a new 2D triangulation system may be the answer.
Laser triangulation outperforms vision systems
The latest laser triangulation sensors have inbuilt real time surface compensation algorithms that enable very high accuracy measurements at very high speeds of 10kHz or more.
Along with distance information (z-axis), the controller also computes the true position along the laser line (x-axis) from the camera image and outputs both values in the sensor two-dimensional co-ordinate system.
A moving object or a traversing sensor will generate three-dimensional representation of the object.
Measuring ranges on the z-axis is up to 245mm and on the x-axis up to 160mm.
Further reading
Laser-based sensors keep rails on the level
The latest noncontact, laser-based profile measurement sensors from Micro-Epsilon are being used by several leading rail inspection companies around the world.
Software eases transfer of 3D data
Micro-Epsilon's 3D-View and 3D-Data software is used with the company's scanControl range of noncontact laser profile sensors.
Resolutions are 10um and up to 1024 points per profile, respectively.
Profile frequency is up to 4000 profiles per second and measuring rate up to 256,000 points per second.
The advantages of the system are its high accuracy, very high frame frequency, flexible field of view, high-performance signal processing unit and innovative CMOS-technology.
Also, unlike vision cameras, lighting of the target is not an issue as the sensor self regulates the laser intensity, and therefore the illumination of the target, every time a measurement is taken.
ScanControl consists of a compact sensor and an intelligent controller connected together via cable of variable length.
All components are solid state which means the sensor is robust and measurement performance does not deteriorate with time.
The sensor is easy to mount - providing the target is within the field of view, the object will be measured.
The controller outputs measurement data via a FireWire interface in x-z pairs computed from both axes (standard) as well as related values of geometrical features (optional).
Thanks to its exceptional speed of measuring and real time data output, ScanControl is not limited in its applications and is ideally suited for industrial inline inspection.
Multiple units can be synchronised to offer real time synchronous measurement.
The integrated FireWire interface enables ScanControl to be fully controlled from a PC, while ensuring high data output rates and simultaneously preserving the bandwidth.
Alternatively, for simple geometric features, the controller can be preprogrammed and then output data via two analogue and three digital outputs without the need for a PC.
Applications include contour measurement, door gap alignment, position measurement, coplanarity measurement, profile acquisition, flatness measurement, groove measurement, rail profile and robot guidance. Request a free brochure from Micro-Epsilon UK ...
• Micro-Epsilon UK: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
