Feature Sensors & Sensing Systems A new age for precision measurements
Although once classed as a ‘technology with no purpose’ Solartron Metrology are now using light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (LASER) to improve customers’ manufacturing and measurement processes
uring the 1940s and 1950s, engineers and scientists began work to explore the operative applications of lasers and the development of key technologies used today. Originally, MASER (microwave amplification by the stimulated emis- sion of radiation) was investigated, leading to the widely used and recog- nised microwave technology. Pioneering work by Townes and Prokhorov (who incidentally share a Nobel Prize for their work on masers and lasers), led to further research into the field by Theodore Maiman, the inventor of the first of its kind - the ruby laser.
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This ruby laser was originally oper- ated in 1960, some 43 years after the initial theory was formulated. Since then, advances in laser technology have led to a variety of deviations of the orig- inal idea, creating products from chem- ical lasers right through to x-rays. Solid state lasers have since become industrialised, forming a group of technologies for use within manufac- turing processes such as process and control, quality assurance and in- process and post-process measure- ments. Of these lasers, three main groupings have occurred - conductive, ultrasonic and optical.
Conductive
Conductive lasers take two different forms - capacitive and inductive. Capacitive lasers produce high preci- sion readings but have a small measure- ment range and are affected by the surrounding environment. Inductive lasers are used for metallic surfaces and have a diminished precision. Both have specific applications within the manu- facturing industry, fulfilling niche needs in measurement applications.
Ultrasonic
Ultrasonic sensors use high frequency sound waves to determine distance through analysing the time taken from when the sound was sent, to when the sound is echoed back. Although a recognised method for taking measure- ments, the results are of a low accu- racy and can produce inaccurate readings dependant on the material, making this inadequate for use where
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precision measurements are needed. This technology is used in many other applications aside from linear mea- surements including sonar, medical ultrasonography and burglar alarms.
Optical
Optical lasers are those which are widely acknowledged to be the best technology for linear measurements. Although the concept of ‘time of flight measurement’ (how long it takes for a transmitted laser to bounce back) can be used for distance measurement, the low accuracy results make such tech- nology unsuitable for gauging applica- tions. Laser triangulation units, like those recently launched by Solartron Metrology, use the reflected angle of the projected laser to determine measure- ments, giving a higher degree of accu- racy along a wide measurement range. Laser triangulation units consist of the laser and a detector with a lens proceeding it to enable the focusing of the light. The laser is essentially a con- trolled light emitted from the unit, which reflects from the desired mater- ial to be measured, onto the detector through the lens. The height is then measured using the degree of the angle, which, in basic terms, equates to the smaller the angle, the further away the material is.
Industry benefits
This method of taking linear measure- ments has many benefits within the industry, including high accuracy, res- olution and speed, good repeatability and linearity and long measurement
APRIL 2013 Automation
Below: Solartron Metrology’s laser triangulation unit - labelled the Orbit LT
ranges. Due to the small diameter of the laser beam, small targets can be measured in-keeping with the high accuracy achieved with larger target areas. As the cultural change within the manufacturing, electronics, auto- motive and many other industries lean towards non-contact measurement systems, Solartron Metrology devel- oped its laser triangulation unit, labelled the Orbit LT.
Below: Solartron Metrology are using LASER technology to improve customers’
manufacturing and measurement processes
Although contact probes (such as Solartron’s Ultra Feather Touch) can be used in many applications where non- contact is perceived to be the only option, the ability to take measurements with absolutely no contact can speed up the manufacturing process, creating time and cost efficiencies, along with providing the absolute assurance of no damage to the target material. The idea of ‘one size fits all’ is read- ily abolished with the laser, with each application needing to take into con- sideration all variables, ensuring each unit is calibrated to produce the opti- mum precision and speed. Alongside this, the option of a low and high end laser ensures that all applications are catered for, at relative costs. With the Orbit LT linking into the Orbit 3 Network, probes and laser units alike can interact with one another to provide a complete solution for linear measurement applications. And with the highest amount of outputs on the market (Modbus, RS232 or RS485 Serial, USB, Ethernet TCP, Discrete NPN, PNP and Logic), installation becomes easier and simpler for users. With a 15mm range with a 45mm offset, the ability to be calibrated to 0.1% full scale accuracy, 2µm repeatability and 1µm resolution, the Orbit LT provides users with a cost effective solution for linear measure- ment applications.
Solartron
www.solartronmetrology.com T: 01243 833 333
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