Blue Laser Sensors suit applications where red lasers struggle

Blue Laser Sensors operate on the laser triangulation measuring principle and use blue (violet) laser technology. The sensors are suitable for measurements on hot, glowing metals, particularly in hot steel processing, as well as for measuring organic materials such as skin, foodstuffs, plastics, veneers and wood.

The wavelength of the blue laser offers significant benefits. Unlike a red laser, the blue laser light does not penetrate the measuring object due to its reduced wavelength of 405nm. The blue laser generates a lower-intensity laser spot on the surface and therefore offers more stable, precise measurements on targets where conventional red laser sensors have difficulty.

Furthermore, the optoNCDT 1700BL Blue Laser Sensors are equipped with new high-end optical lenses, a new intelligent laser control and evaluation algorithms. The sensors are suitable for red glowing metals up to 1600degC, silicon to 1150degC, as well as other materials - such as such as organic materials, paper, some plastics and wood veneers - at ambient and elevated temperatures.

World first

Chris Jones, the Managing Director of Micro-Epsilon UK, comments: "As well as being the world's first laser triangulation sensor to use blue laser technology, the optoNCDT 1700BL also has an integral controller, which automatically compensates in real time for difficult-to-measure surfaces. The sensor's unique real-time surface compensation [RTSC] feature and patented high-speed evaluation algorithms dramatically reduce signal noise. When customers need to measure against hot glowing metals, they can adjust the laser on time of the sensor to give them the optimum exposure time on the CCD for that particular surface. This, in turn, provides a higher accuracy measurement due to lower noise level on the output signal."

Most suppliers only offer sensors with a fixed measurement rate, which is selected by the manufacturer as a 'best case fits all'; for most surfaces, therefore, the user has to rely on averaging the output data to reduce the noise level on the output, resulting in lower accuracy. However, using Micro-Epsilon's control algorithms, the measurement rate on the sensor can be slowed down for difficult surfaces. This means it can compensate in real time, and the exposure time of the laser light on the CCD can be optimised for the surface of the object to be measured, so teh measurement accuracy is improved.

The optoNCDT 1700BL series includes six models with measuring ranges from 20mm to 1000mm. The measuring rate of the sensor can be adjusted up to 2.5kHz and can be used as a freely programmable limit switch. Maximum linearity is 16um and maximum resolution is 1.5um at 2.5kHz (without any averaging). High-flexibility cables can be provided for use with robots. A calibration certificate is included as standard.

Follow the link for more information about the optoNCDT 1700BL Blue Laser Sensors.

Low-cost thermal imaging

Also on show will be the Powered and operated via a USB 2.0 interface, the thermoIMAGER TIM160 compact, inline thermal imager, which costs just 2950.

Another sensor on Micro-Epsilon's stand will be the new scanCONTROL 2710 2D/3D laser profile sensor with an integrated Ethernet connection. These sensors are described as extremely compact and, with their integrated controller, easy to control for measuring angles, steps, position and profiles.

For more information or to arrange a product demonstration at the exhibition, call the sales department on +44 (0)151 355 6070 or email [email protected].