Laser scanning systems are a type of inspection technology used in the manufacturing industry to provide an accurate measurement of the shape and size of products.
Laser technology offers unmatched accuracy when inspecting and measuring complex contoured products, including 3D profiles. Additionally, the speed and reliability with which a laser can perform inspections make it ideal for production lines where speed is of the essence. Laser systems can be used for a variety of applications including dimensional and geometric inspection of continuous products on automated production lines.
A laser beam scanner mainly consists of a laser source, an optical module and a control device. The light source sends a focused beam of high energy onto the surface of the product under investigation. The optical module converts the reflective beam into an electrical impulse which is then processed by a control device. The device allows the laser system to take accurate dimensional and geometric measurements of the product, as well as verify the presence or absence of specific structural properties such as irregular geometries or dimensional variations within defined tolerances.
The main advantage of using laser scanning technology over conventional techniques is accuracy. Since laser scanners can capture detailed information with pinpoint accuracy, there is no need for repeated manual inspections that consume valuable time in automated production lines. The data collected by the sensors can then be viewed as 3D graphs and analyzed to identify any anomalies during the production process before they affect the functionality and performance of the finished product.
The capability of laser scanning technology is not limited only to dimensional inspection but also includes the measurement of the three-dimensional surface of the object under examination and the digital processing of the same data; which will allow industrial operators to easily identify any problems related to the quality of the single piece before it reaches the final stage of the process, thus reducing fatal times due to human error and avoiding too expensive and inefficient and large-scale maintenance solutions.
Laser scanners are measurement and control machines that allow companies to detect the quality of products on the production line. The use of this tool allows to obtain a higher precision in measurement and a higher speed, compared to the use of other methods of inspection. Laser technology also offers the possibility of performing precise dimensional and geometric inspections on products continuously.
These features make laser scanners ideal for inspecting products on a production line faster and more effectively. One particularly important advantage is that many items can be checked at the same time, saving valuable time. For example, companies can use this technology to immediately detect if there is an incorrect assembly, if there has been a defect during the production process or if there has been a dimensional change in the finished product. Furthermore, it is possible to constantly monitor the quality of the product during the production process ensuring that the final quality meets the standards set by the company.
Laser scanners also offer some additional benefits such as the ability to read embossed barcodes or 3D matrix QR codes presented on the parts to be inspected, as well as the ability to read heat marks previously printed on the surface of the material to be inspected. This will allow companies not only to provide real-time feedback on the current status of the product, but also to track essential information relating to the origin and identification of the material used in the production process.
Additionally, thanks to advances in industrial electronics and computer technology, modern laser systems are more accurate and reliable than ever before. The systems incorporate advanced features such as anti-interference algorithms to avoid errors caused by artificially generated light sources or by impulses from other industrial machines. All collected data is transmitted directly to the dedicated software without human intervention to analyze and process them.
Copyright by RODER SRL - All rights reserved - Application note AN0018