Laser triangulation is a measuring method with which the distance to an object is calculated based on angular geometry. The angular geometry results from the known distance between the light source and the camera (also known as the base length) and the triangulation angle.
In the current weCat3D series, the MLSL2x6 has a maximum X measuring range of 1,350 mm.
The selection of whether the laser light should be red or blue depends partly on the material and partly also on the project. Blue laser light is often used for plastics or organic materials, as the penetration behavior of the laser is minimized. Even with highly reflective objects, the blue laser is more advantageous than a red laser. For dark surfaces such as rubber in the tire industry or Black Forest ham, the red laser is more suitable.
The closer the color is to the wavelength of the laser, the more light can be captured by the camera. This means that a red object with a red laser requires a significantly shorter exposure time than with a blue laser.
No, profile recording is carried out via reflections of the laser line on the object and requires no additional illumination.
Our 2D/3D profile sensors are tested according to the testing and measurement procedures of the corresponding basic standard for shock and vibration tests (EN 60068-2-6:2008 and EN 60068–2 27:2009). We use the limit values of the corresponding product standard (EN 60947-5-2:2007 + A1:2012). Our weCat3D series passes the loads occurring within this standard test for optical sensors with limit values of:
Shock: Peak acceleration 300 m/s² with pulse duration 11 ms
Vibration: Acceleration 5 G at frequency 50…2,000 Hz
Yes, it is possible to use the weCat3D series as smart 2D/3D profile sensors via a license upgrade and to evaluate 2D profiles on the sensor with the uniVision software.
Yes, under: Display -> Mode -> Live Image.
2D/3D profile sensors are aligned perpendicular to the object and perpendicular to the direction of movement.
The following points must be observed during installation:
- Low vibrations
- Shock-free
- Thermal management
- Cable strain relief
- Unobstructed visual field
- No risk of dust deposits on the optical windows
It is possible to offer the customer a protective screen retainer for the relevant 2D/3D profile sensor as an accessory.
We recommending a cooling unit from an ambient temperature of approx. 40 degrees Celsius.
The protection class of the standard weCat3D sensors is specified with IP67 and it cannot be guaranteed that no water vapor will enter the sensor. IP67 certification does not define gas resistance.
To ensure sufficient protection, the customer needs their own protective housing, which is water-vapor-tight.
Yes, on red-hot material (<1,000 °C), e.g. in the steel industry, we can achieve stable measurements with a 2D/3D profile sensor with laser class 3B and a wavelength of 450 nm.
The use of laser class 3R or 3B depends on the application.
If the distance from the sensor to the object is large, the intensity of the laser on the CMOS chip decreases and the profile cannot be reliably generated. This must be taken into account for dark objects in particular. Laser class 3 is also used for very fast applications, as exposure must be kept very short due to a high measuring frequency (measuring rate). The measuring frequency depends on the duration of the exposure time.
Another factor is the light (e.g. in outdoor applications), where less ambient light enters the camera due to shorter exposure.
No, we currently only have a safe laser shutdown for the MLSL2 series. An additional voltage supply cable is also required for this. For all other weCat3D sensors with laser class 3, additional safety precautions must be taken by the customer.
No, the resolution indicates the smallest perceptible value that can be distinguished by the sensor. In addition to resolution, external factors must also be taken into account for accuracy, such as material properties, ambient temperatures, vibrations, sensor holder, software algorithms, etc. These have an impact on the measuring accuracy of the entire system.
The value specification corresponds to the calculation of the measuring range in X, divided by the number of pixels from the CMOS chip on an X line.
As an example:
MLSL1x1 -> 27 mm : 1280 = 0.022 mm (22 µm)
No, the number of pixels remains the same and does not move. With the MLSL, however, the measuring frequency (measuring rate) can be raised by limiting the X measuring range, as fewer line pixels on the chip have to be read out. With MLWL, only the data volume is reduced. The measurement frequency does not increase here.
The CMOS chip, the high quality of the laser line, optics and a mathematical method (subpixel interpolation) play an important role with Z resolution.
This means that we achieve a better resolution (approx. factor 10) than via the calculation alone:
Measuring range divided by number of pixels CMOS chip.
The specification refers to standard-specific 5,000 lux in accordance with EN 60947-5-2.
Due to the large CMOS chip and the smallest measuring range, the MLWL1x1 is the sensor with the best resolution in the product portfolio.
This specification indicates the average service life. This is the average service life of individual products that are operated under standardized conditions.
The service life depends on the laser. If the laser is not in continuous operation, the service life is extended accordingly.
During linearization/calibration of the sensors, they are clamped onto a very precise linearization table and aligned to a very accurate calibration part. Linearization takes place over the entire Z measuring range of the sensor and determines the ACTUAL profile position on the CMOS chip to the TARGET profile position of the calibration part. The ACTUAL and TARGET position data are saved in a linearization table as a calibration matrix.
No, the profile data is only transmitted via a TCP/IP Ethernet interface, as it does not offer any added performance from a technical perspective.
The warm-up phase takes approximately 15 minutes after the voltage is applied. It must be taken into account that the customer’s sensor holder influences the warm-up phase.
The temperature in the sensor itself is displayed. The temperature sensor is located close to the processor.
You can find this in the OLED display under:
Interface -> Ethernet -> IP address.
It is possible to connect a HTL or TTL encoder via the 12-pin voltage supply cable.
Either test measurements are carried out manually via the setting options in the sensor or the software, or tests are carried out via the automatic exposure time control from FW 1.2.0 on the respective objects.
Tilting should be avoided as far as possible in order to obtain uniform signal distribution for best possible profile quality. But if tilting cannot be avoided, our sensors from the weCat3D series still provide very reliable measured values thanks to their wide dynamic range.
No, specific requirements must be met for the OPT3013 due to the laser class 2 classification (see operating instructions).
Due to a smaller triangulation angle in the MLWL2 (based on the smaller distance from the laser module to the camera), the housings are more compact with larger measuring ranges.
The MLWL1 series is therefore optimized for higher resolution and the MLWL2 series is optimized for a large measuring range in a compact format.
The MLWL has a higher resolution due to the larger CMOS chip in the sensor.
The optics and filters in the MLWL are of higher quality (important, e.g. for highly reflective objects).
The laser module of the MLWL also improves the quality of the laser line and the profile display of the object to be detected. The MLSL series has a very low weight, as the outer shell is made of an aluminum extruded profile and not a fully milled aluminum cast body like the MLWL.
No, this is only technically possible with the MLSL. With MLWL, only the data volume is reduced.
No, the MLWL sensor has a maximum sampling frequency of 175 Hz when all CMOS lines are fully used in the full Z measuring range. The increase in the measuring frequency can only be achieved by limiting the Z measuring range or with a reduced number of CMOS lines. This means that fewer lines are read from the CMOS chip and processing is faster. A measuring frequency of 6 kHz therefore allows only a few lines for reading out or a very limited Z measuring range.
