Next Generation Confocal Chromatic Sensor With Integrated Controller and Industrial Ethernet
The confocal measurement principle is designed for high accuracy, non contact displacement distance and position measurement against any surface: solid, transparent, polished mirrored surfaces, low reflective matt surfaces and even liquids. If a surface is transparent, a one sided thickness measurement can be achieved with inbuilt correction for the material refractive index.
Quite often confocal sensors are selected when laser triangulation or other optical sensors are not accurate or stable enough on the surface being measured. In addition, confocal sensors have an extremely small spot diameter, typically a few microns and measure in the vertical plane, so do not suffer from shadowing of the reflected light. This also enables measurement into small bores and holes.
Almost all industries benefit from this measurement principle as it can be used in both R&D and in-process measurements. In particular, the semiconductor, micro lens, automotive part, medical, glass, and MEMS industries use this sensor technology in many ways.
The confocalDT IFD2415 and IFD2410 from Micro Epsilon are powerful confocal sensors with integrated controller. The space-saving IP65-housing enables fast integration into plant equipment and machines as no optical fibre is required. Furthermore, the IFD2410 and 2415 are ideally suited to high precision distance and thickness measurements in industrial series applications. In addition, the IFD2415 can be used with transparent materials for multi-layer thickness measurements of up to 5 layers. The active exposure time regulation of the CCD line enables fast and stable measurements of varying surfaces even in dynamic processes up to 25 kHz. The measuring system is also characterised by high luminous intensity which enables fast and reliable measurements even on dark surfaces.
Adjustable Mounting Adapter For Sensor Alignment
To achieve maximum accuracy, the confocal sensors must be aligned as perpendicular as possible to the measuring object. The adjustable mounting adapter is used to optimally align all confocalDT sensors to the target. Users can also align the sensor after the installation in the machine. The industrial adapter allows the displacement in the x- and y-axes as well as tilting the sensor to the measuring object.
Ultra-Small Light Spot Detects Finest Details and Structures
Confocal sensors from Micro-Epsilon generate the smallest of light spots <3 µm due to their high Numerical aperture (NA). Therefore, the finest details and structures can be detected reliably.
The confocalDT IFS sensors tolerate a large tilt angle up to 48° therefore curved and structured surfaces can be detected reliably to generate stable signals.
In order to adapt the illumination to the respective surface, the controller dynamically regulates the exposure of the CCD line. This exposure control compensates for reflectivity changes of the measurement object much more faster than the conventional light source control. This is how the confocalDT controllers provide outstanding measurement accuracy with high measuring rates and changing surface colours.
For more information: www.micro-epsilon.com
