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Cerulean uses Optocontrol to measure cigarettes

A Micro-Epsilon UK product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Dec 1, 2008

Cerulean uses the Optocontrol ODC 2500-35 sensor to measure the circumference, diameter and ovality of cylindrical objects, including cigarettes, filters and cigars.

Cerulean designs and manufactures quality assurance systems and instrumentation for applications in analytical laboratories and manufacturing processes of cigarette and filter-rod producers.

With the CD Express, the sample under test is simply dropped into the machine and held in the path of the laser beam using a custom made rotary chuck.

With the CD Express, the sample under test is simply dropped into the machine and held in the path of the laser beam using a custom made rotary chuck.

Cerulean's CD Express, supplied by Micro-Epsilon UK, is a bench-top instrument that measures and displays the circumference, diameter and roundness of cylindrically shaped objects.

The CD Express contains the Optocontrol ODC 2500-35, a non-contact, laser-based measurement system with an integral high-resolution CCD camera for measuring dimensions.

The sensor offers high sampling rates, outstanding accuracy and excellent resolution.

With the CD Express, the sample under test is dropped into the machine and held in the path of the laser beam with a custom-made rotary chuck.

One-hundred individual measurements are taken during one complete 360-degree rotation.

From the results, the minimum, maximum and average diameter or circumference is calculated and can be displayed together with the ovality.

Batch statistics are also available and the individual results can be exported through an RS232 interface.

The sample is then ejected automatically.

Cerulean's CD Express system uses a version of Micro-Epsilon's ODC 2500-35 laser micrometer that contains modified software inside the controller module to suit the customer's application.

The CD Express was originally designed to measure and display the circumference, diameter and ovality of cigarettes, filters and small cigars.

It provides the tobacco industry with a manually fed, non-contact measurement instrument compliant with ISO standards.

With minor modifications, Cerulean also used the CD Express to measure the ovality of shoulders for extruded laminate tubes.

Cerulean is now working closely with Micro-Epsilon to identify and exploit new applications for the instrument.

Micro-Epsilon's Optocontrol range of sensors measures the dimensions of a target or the position of an edge by using the shadow principle.

Optocontrol consists of a sensor unit and a controller.

A parallel light curtain is generated by using a laser light source.

The CCD camera in the receiver section measures the target contour formed by the shadow at high accuracy.

The sensor unit is controlled and evaluated by an intelligent controller with a graphical display.

Find out more about this article. Request a brochure, download technical specifications and request samples here.

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