High-Speed White-Light Interferometry Sensor Accelerates 3D Surface Measurement
GBS Metrology has introduced the smartWLI firebolt2, a high-speed, high-resolution optical 3D sensor for non-contact surface measurement. Based on white-light interferometry, also known as coherence scanning interferometry, the sensor operates at up to 2.57 kfps with a resolution of 2.4 megapixels.
The smartWLI firebolt2 uses a PCIe high-speed camera to acquire the large number of images required for fast 3D surface measurement. As the resulting data volumes can challenge even modern graphics processing hardware, GBS Metrology has redeveloped the sensorโs internal data-processing architecture.
The new processing system handles a data rate approximately five times higher than that of the fastest 10 GigE cameras previously used, while retaining the central functions of the smartWLI product family:
- Real-time calculation of complete 3D datasets without storing raw image data
- ICCE image correction and contrast enhancement during data processing
- FFT-based AQC quality control for every individual measurement point
3D Surface Measurement of Roughness and Steep Microgeometries
The smartWLI firebolt2 supports a wide range of optical surface metrology applications. It can characterize extremely low surface roughness extending into the sub-angstrom range while also measuring steep microgeometries, including cutting edges on precision tools.
The compact optical 3D sensor is suitable for integration into manufacturing, automation and inspection equipment. An SDK with documented programming examples supports the development of customized measurement sequences and automated quality-control solutions.
The smartWLI firebolt2 is also available as the core measurement component of high-performance optical 3D profilometers. Users can therefore select either an integrable sensor or a complete surface-measurement system, depending on the application.
Higher Resolution and Faster 3D Measurement
Compared with the smartWLI compact, the smartWLI firebolt2 provides slightly higher resolution while operating at up to 15 times the measurement speed.
Compared with the previous smartWLI firebolt, the new optical 3D sensor offers almost twice the number of measurement points while simultaneously achieving approximately 2.5 times the measurement speed.
The smartWLI firebolt2 can therefore replace both predecessor models in applications that previously required users to choose between high spatial resolution and short measurement times.
High-Speed White-Light Interferometry for Production Metrology
The combination of a PCIe high-speed camera and GPU-based data processing enables substantially faster white-light interferometry and 3D surface measurement.
Shorter acquisition times reduce the influence of vibrations and changing environmental conditions. This makes the smartWLI firebolt2 particularly suitable for production metrology, automated surface inspection, precision manufacturing and industrial quality assurance.
By combining high measurement speed with a 2.4-megapixel sensor resolution, the smartWLI firebolt2 reduces the traditional trade-off between high-resolution optical surface metrology and short measurement times.
For more information: www.gbs-metrology.com
