Counting Folds at Flex-Pipe

Sensor Instruments GmbH: In the production of aluminium flex-pipes the decisive factor is not really the measured length of the flex-pipes but rather the number of existing folds, because due to the material's "accordion effect" the actual length cannot be accurately measured.

In this application an edge detector of the RED series (e.g. RED-50-L or RED-110-L) is used to count the folds. During edge counting the aluminium flex-pipe is moved along the laser sensor. The sensor provides a digital output signal for every edge. Multiple-pulse suppression is integrated in the sensor firmware (dynamic dead time, pulse lengthening, and edge hysteresis) and allows exact and error-free counting. The sensor is able to detect folds starting from a depth and width of approx. 0.1 mm. The RED sensors feature a maximum scan frequency of approx. 85 kHz, and at the optimal operating distance (50 mm or 110 mm) the laser spot has a size of typ. 3 mm x 0.08 mm.

Signal evaluation of edge detector RED-110-L with the RED-Scope Windows® software