Stripe Lasers

A laser line (stripe) of several hundred points is project on the surface of the work surface.  These points are reflected from the surface to a solid state camera chip.  Each line is processed as a profile of the surface at that machine position.  The data (hundreds of surface points for each machine point) is now collected at tens of thousands of point per second.  This allows some features (such as holes and small slots) to be measured in a single pass where with tactile probes and spot lasers multiple measurements are required.

For sheet metal and other inspections applications where throughput and speed of measurement take priority, stripe laser technology may be a worth while investment on your next CMM.

Because of the high rate of data, solid models can be created from the surface profiles making these probes ideal in 'Reverse Engineering' applications.

Brown & Sharpe offers the ScanShark V4ix Contour Probe on our Global Performance and Advantage of size 7.10.10 and larger.

Key features:

• Maximum 23,040 points per seconds
• Best in class hardware and software filters for various ambient lightings and surface finishes – from chrome to glossy black, no spray on coating needed
• Solid state Optical Laser beam splitter

Spot Lasers (Wolf & Beck OTM3M, Wegu Probe)

A Laser beam is focused into a single spot that is projected onto the work surface at a fixed angle.  The light is reflected back to the probe that contains a solid state photo sensitive chip.  The output of the "Chip" is processed along with the machine data to give a measurement to the surface at that point.  The speed at which these points are processed is dependent on the machine controller and the characteristics of the "Chip".  Generally, a hundred points per second or so.  These probes can be used for surface measurements and, through processing, edge detection.