Archive News Story
(Products mentioned in this Archive News Story may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
Digital Laser Line Sensor utilizes triangulation principle.
June 23, 2005 - Class II EyeCON™ provides 3D cross sectional profile scanning of up to 150 points across horizontal measuring line. Eye-safe visible laser generates profiles instantaneously at frame rates up to 200 Hz. Standard frame rate is 30 fps at camera exposure time of 15 ms. With DOV of 11.3 in., Ethernet-ready, UDP protocol sensor provides FOV measurement of 4.09 in. at close end to 7.04 in. at far end. Accuracy is ± 0.1% of measuring distance and resolution is 0.0004 in.
Archive Press Release
(Products mentioned in this Archive Press Release may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
Release date: May 17, 2005
Class II Laser Line Sensor Profile From LMI Technologies Introduced for Faster Measurement and Control (US-IS)
Contact: Mike Snow
(770) 888-6586
DETROIT, Michigan - LMI Technologies (USA), Inc. has introduced a digital imaging laser line sensor for extremely high resolution three-dimensional cross sectional profile scanning of up to 150 points across a horizontal measuring line, similar to having 150 single point sensors in one package.
By combining the advances of digital technology, image processing and laser line projection, the Ethernet-Ready UDP protocol Class II EyeCON™ laser line sensor from LMI Technologies (USA), Inc. processes more data and out performs conventional single point sensors as well as other scanning systems.
Key features include on-the-spot measurement of material and equipment variations across multiple dimensions, increased operator control for greater throughput and reduced waste and tighter production control for optimum uniformity and product quality.
Application Details
Measurement applications include width, thickness, density or porosity, height profile, edge detection, robotic guidance, lead position, profile monitoring and numerous others. Specific applications include profiling a multitude of parts and materials for total quality assurance, profiling machined metal parts such as the top of pistons to measure bowl shape and adjust for compression values, measuring the width of metal strip or webs online before coil windup for edge control, measuring the thickness of foam, measuring the volume of material on a conveyor belt, measuring of position of an object suspended in space to control robotic positioning, and measuring the thickness of web or calendared material over a roller where the edge of the laser line measures the roller surface and the rest of the laser line measures the top of the material for thickness. Use of two sensors for width measurement allows profiling over the edge of the material for optimum quality control. The main advantage is the sensors do not require a light bar or reflective strip underneath the web which reduces accuracy over time due to dirt buildup. The EyeCON™ lasers are positioned above the material and are not affected by debris falling from the line underneath.
EyeCON™ Class II Laser Line Sensor Described
The Class II EyeCON™ laser line sensor's eye-safe visible laser generates detailed cross sectional profiles instantaneously at frame rates up to 200 Hz. Standard frame rates are up to 30 frames per second at a camera exposure time of 15 milliseconds.
Total Depth of View/Measurement (DOV) of the sensor is 287 mm (11.3 in.). Field of View (FOV) measurement is 104 mm (4.09 in.) at the close end to 179 mm (7.04 in.) at the far end. Accuracy is +/- 0.1% of the measuring distance and resolution is 0.01 mm (0.0004 in.)
The laser line, optics and 2D camera detector are calibrated together using Cartesian Coordinate Algorithms for advanced imaging and enhanced quality control. 3D data is achieved when an encoder is applied to moving material and used in the calculation.
The sensor comes in a rugged IP65/NEMA4 industrial housing for maximum precision and suits a multitude of applications. The sensor does not use internal moving mirrors for maximum reliability and stability.
The EyeCON™ sensor's Ethernet connectivity allows use within any standard PC environment and runs on Windows 95 or higher.
An "EyeCON™ Diagnostic Software" package allows taking measurement and image snapshots for monitoring the system during installation, normal production and trouble shooting for optimum quality control and greater uniformity. Installation is easy at any line location for total quality verification.
"By eliminating transverse scanning frames for smaller parts, laser line sensors not only reduce cost compared to single point sensors but also enhance data collection during a sweep for higher automation intelligence and control," noted Mike Snow, Regional Sales Manager for LMI Technologies (USA), Inc. "Line sensors are also useful to customers to replace expensive "smart cameras," with complicated lighting packages and high engineering cost."
Snow added that in the past, Class IIIb laser sensors were required to adequately gather enough data for many applications.
"With the inception of LMI's data mining software and innovations in digital line laser technology, we developed a Class II sensor that require no special operator safety precautions," Snow said. "The result is a high level of quality, productivity and safety, with instantaneous measurement data to meet exact customer requirements and to control quality and productivity."
Snow added that either a single EyeCON™ sensor or multiple sensors can be installed in an area to monitor, measure and provide a defined wire diagram of the part to be measured. He added that using our structured light approach and software inside capabilities that allow user defined software to run inside the sensor head can minimize engineering cost and installation.
EyeCON™ Line Sensor Laser Triangulation Principle
The EyeCON™ laser line sensor uses the principle of laser triangulation. A semi-conductor laser projects a visible sheet of light down onto the surface of the target. An image of the light pattern is projected onto the camera's image detector. The position of the image on the detector carries the basic information such as the distance and contour of the target. Profiles are stored in flash memory and then downloaded to the main PC to extract the X-Y plot. The camera exposure time can be programmed to adjust laser pulse width duration and tune to target surface qualities quickly and easily.
Four types of measurements can be made: X/Y distance measurement, the most common, consisting of 150 X/Y points; a Center of Gravity (CG) measurement for each CCD line on the center of gravity; a distance measurement for every CCD line of the calibrated distance; and Sumpixel values of the laser line image.
A power in-connector to power the sensor and an Ethernet connector for communicating with the sensor are located on the sensor housing. The Ethernet connector is an 8 pole M12 female part and the power connector a 5 pole M12 male part.
The sensor can operate in temperatures of from 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F). Dimensions of the sensor are 359 mm by 70 mm x 70 mm (14.13 in. x 2.75 in. x 2.75 in.). Power required is +8 to 32VDC @10 W maximum.
LMI Technologies is a specialist in laser triangulation based sensors. The company is part of LMI Technologies, a world leader of laser vision sensors for process optimization and quality control in various industries.
LMI Technologies has over 40 vision and laser sensor models and over 100 issued and pending patents. Sensors available vary from micrometer beam sensors to single-point, multi-point and laser line configurations with ranges from nanometers to over 13. ft (4 meters). OEM inquiries for customized applications are welcome.
For more information on new EyeCON™ laser line sensor technology or other non-contact sensors available in North or South America, contact LMI Technologies (USA), Inc. 21455 Melrose Avenue, Suite 22, Southfield, Michigan 48075 USA, Telephone: (770) 888-6586, FAX (770) 888-0734 or e-mail sales@lmint.com.
In Europe, contact LMI Technologies BV, Valkenburgerweg 223 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands Phone: +31 45 571-9300 Fax: +31 45 574 2500 AB or e-mail sales@lmint.com.
LMI can also be found on the web at www.lmint.com.
Contacts:
Sales:
Mike Snow Regional Sales Manager
USA
Phone: 770-888-6586 Company Information: Name: LMI Technologies USA, Inc. Address: 21666 Melrose Ave. City: Southfield State: MI ZIP: 48075 Country: USA Phone: 888-712-8663 FAX: 248-355-3283 http://www.lmint.com
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