New products from LMI Technologies, Olympus, Starrett and Third Dimension.
LMI Technologies Structured Light 3D Sensors
LMI Technologies (LMI), a developer of 3D scanning and inspection solutions, recently announced the official launch of the Gocator 3210 and 3506, the latest additions to the company’s Gocator line of smart, all-in-one structured light 3D snapshot sensors.
The Gocator 3210 achieves 3D snapshot scans at 35 μm. With a 100 x 154 mm FOV for picking up multiple features at once and onboard hardware acceleration to achieve 4 Hz scan speeds, the 3210 is suitable for high-speed, high-resolution inline inspection of large parts such as automotive components and body assemblies.
The Gocator 3506 achieves a 12 μm resolution 3D snapshot scan at a 3 Hz acquisition rate. This medium FOV (30 x 45 mm) sensor is designed for highly accurate small parts inspection such as step-height, gap, roughness and coplanarity measurements common in electronics enclosure, PCB and battery/IC connector applications.
Both of these inline-ready sensors include a new embedded dual-core controller with onboard hardware acceleration and a new long-life industrial LED projector designed for up to 10 years of continuous operation.
Snapshot sensors are pick-and-place friendly for robotic inspection applications, while providing the added benefit of scanning the target when it is stationary, which can effectively eliminate errors due to vibration.
LMI’s Gocator Firmware 4.6 is available with the launch of the Gocator 3210/3506. Firmware 4.6 features hardware acceleration with on-board compression and Gocator Accelerator (GoX) for 3D inline inspection.
The 4.6 release also includes expanded multi-sensor support and faster acceleration speeds for laser line profile sensors, as well as new geometric measurement tools. Gocator Firmware is available for free to anyone who owns a Gocator 3D smart sensor.
For more information, visit the LMI Technologies website.
Olympus Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer
Olympus’ new Vanta handheld XRF analyzer is designed for durability in harsh industrial environments. The instruments in the Vanta family are designed to provide fast and accurate elemental analysis and quantification for a wide variety of materials in as little as 1–2 seconds. Combined with new Axon technology, results are faster, more accurate and more reliable than previous generations.
According to Olympus, Vanta analyzers are the only handheld XRF devices that are IP65 rated for protection against dust and water and drop tested to military standards. Their rugged design enables the analyzers to work in harsh environments for applications such as positive material identification (PMI), scrap recycling, and mining with fewer repairs.
Rugged features include:
- IP65 rated for protection against dust and water
- 4-foot drop tested (MIL-STD 810G)
- Built to withstand a temperature range of -10 °C to 50 °C (14 °F to 122 °F)1
- Protective detector shutter on silicon drift detector models
Every Vanta handheld XRF analyzer incorporates Olympus’ Axon technology, which utilizes ultra-low-noise electronics to deliver higher X-ray count rates per second and fast results. The hardware and user interface are designed to be easy to use so new operators can begin using the device with minimal training.
Vanta analyzers feature:
- Quad-core processor and Axon technology
- UI with customizable home screen
- Vivid touch screen readable in any light
- Optional Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionality for seamless data transfer
- Embedded GPS for XRF data spatial tracking
- Library of over 700 alloys for metals analysis
Vanta analyzers are suitable for applications including scrap recycling, mining, fabrication QA/QC, positive material identification (PMI), environmental assessment, RoHS compliance, consumer product safety, scientific research and education.
For more information, visit the Olympus website.
Starrett Horizontal Digital Video System
Starrett recently introduced a new digital video projector, the HDV500.
The HDV500 Digital Video Comparator is intended to combine the best features of a large horizontal optical comparator and a vision metrology system.
Configured like a traditional horizontal comparator, the HDV500 work stage is the same as the HF600 and HF750 comparators, with a 330lb load capacity.
Much like the HDV300 and 400, the heart of the system centers on an interchangeable lens mounting system coupled to a high-resolution color digital video camera (patent pending). Unlike previous models, the HDV500 includes CNC controls as standard.
The system is available with a choice of three telecentric lenses. The HDV systems house a 64-bit PC, which runs MetLogix M3 Metrology software. With this software, DXF CAD files can be imported and 2D Go-No-Go “profile gages” can be developed directly from the CAD files.
Video-Edge-Detection (VED), allows real-time interaction of the imported file with the video image of the part being inspected.
For more information, visit the Starrett website.
Third Dimension Automated Metrology Solutions
Third Dimension, a supplier of metrology solutions, will be launching two new products at this year’s Control–the international trade fair for quality assurance.
The first is Vectro, an automated laser measurement system. The second is Inspect, a quality inspection software tool.
Vectro automates the capabilities of Third Dimension’s feature measurement system, GapGun Pro, which is designed for quality control in the automotive, aerospace and energy industries. Vectro enables manufacturers to identify defects, correct persistent gap and flush issues or monitor geometric conditions.
Integration of Vectro for automated quality checking of manufactured goods can reduce headcount and rework costs. Its design makes it physically compatible for automated use, enabling integration either robotically or as a fixtured installation.
With its tool changer compatibility and using the same VChange sensors as GapGun Pro, Vectro can perform a diverse range of measurements as well as fast throughput of production checks, according to Third Dimension.
Using to Third Dimension’s Link software, Vectro is also capable of third party integration with existing production facilities, whether benched or with the user’s own robot.
Visitors to Third Dimension’s stand will be able to observe two demos using the Vectro system, one integrated robotically to measure a part and the other fixed, measuring a moving part.
In a collaboration with Rotary Precision Instruments—a developer and manufacturer of precision positioning devices for high accuracy rotary and angular inspection systems—the fixed Vectro installation demonstration will be measuring an engine part on RPI’s new QuadSlimLine 400–a rotary table specially designed for coordinate measuring machines.
Third Dimension’s second new product on show at Control is Inspect.
Inspect is designed to enable flexible analysis of a component’s profile when used alongside Third Dimension’s GapGun Pro.
To use Inspect, GapGun measures a section of a component and records an image of its profile. This image is then imported into Inspect where the operator can look at specific sections or features of interest. This is done by using simple multi-section drag and drop tools, such as the circle fit or distance tool. The operator can dictate exactly what features they want to measure by clicking, dragging, dropping and fitting these tools on to the profile. Live results appear on screen and the user can do this as many times, and in as many different ways, as required.
Inspect is designed to eliminate the need to carry out tool configuration in SPC3d prior to taking a measurement, thereby reducing operator training time. Tool tips and captions also provide an interface to guide and prompt the operator to maximise the potential benefit of the software. Additionally, Inspect has a CAD comparison feature whereby the operator can check the component is built to specification by importing CAD images, to compare the quality and accuracy of the build from the original design.
For more information, visit the Third Dimension website.
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