3D Profile Unit: Signal processing unit for complex geometries

Measuring complex geometries with laser scanners used to be a major challenge. With the 3D Profile Unit, Micro-Epsilon has now developed a solution which can organize several scanners into a common coordinate system. This makes it possible to reliably measure and inspect entire outer contours, undercuts and thickness volumes.

In Micro-Epsilon scanCONTROL sensors are used for precise inline 3D measurement in numerous applications and industries. These versatile scanners are suitable for robotics applications and inline production monitoring, for example. Due to its design, a single laser scanner reaches its limits when detecting an entire circumference or entire geometries. However, if several sensors are strung together, a complete image of more complex geometries can be created.

With the 3D Profile Unit, two laser scanners and their measured values can be combined to create an overall 2D profile or an overall 3D point cloud. The laser scanners are connected to the 3D Profile Unit via the Ethernet interfaces provided. Users can evaluate the profile data or 3D point clouds or forward them directly to a GigE Vision client. In the Industrial Ethernet option, measured values can also be output to the existing peripherals.

The hardware of the 3D Profile Unit with passive cooling offers flexibility for simple and space-saving installation. This simplifies integration in a control cabinet or mounting directly in the machine. The 3D Profile Unit connects up to two sensors. The unit is designed according to IP40 and is insensitive to temperatures from 0 to +50 °C. It can be mounted on a table or wall.

The 3D sensors are parameterized and the measurement data are acquired directly using the Micro-Epsilon 3D Inspect software. The strengths of the 3D Profile Unit can be harnessed in many different applications, such as in the measurement of power cables during stripping. Another application is the measurement of metal profiles, e.g. after extrusion. This involves a 3D measurement of the surface, which allows rejects to be identified and reduced.