Blue Laser Sensors measure red-hot brake discs

Micro-Epsilon says that its new optoNCDT 1700BL Blue Laser Sensors can measure the deformation or wear on vehicle brake discs during testing, even though the disc glows red hot.

The wavelength of the blue laser offers significant technical advantages. With red, glowing objects, a conventional red laser has a high signal interference from the brake disc surface because it emits the same or very similar wavelengths of light as the red laser. However, the blue laser works at a wavelength of 405nm, which is far from the red part of the visible spectrum. This means it is easier to filter this type of emitted light from the brake disc, which ensures very stable signals. The blue laser therefore provides a major advantage when it comes to measuring vehicle brake disc deformation or wear. Furthermore, an appropriate sensor design prevents damage to the sensor during the brake disc measurement process.

Micro-Epsilon's Blue Laser Sensors are equipped with new precision optical lenses, a new intelligent laser control, and suitable evaluation algorithms. The sensors are suitable for red glowing metals up to 1600degC and for silicon up to 1150degC.

The optoNCDT 1700BL operates using the laser triangulation principle. A laser diode projects a visible point of light onto the surface of the target object. The light reflected from this point is then projected onto a CCD array. If the target changes position with respect to the sensor, the movement of the reflected light is projected on the CCD array and analysed to output the exact position of the target. The measurements are processed digitally in the integral controller. The data is output via analogue (current or voltage) and digital (RS422 or USB) interfaces.

Follow the link for more information about Micro-Epsilon's optoNCDT 1700BL series Blue Laser Sensors.