Products are also sold for weld seam tracking, seam location, industrial metrology applications, automated windscreen insertion and for inspecting precision parts requiring accurate, non-contact measurements.
Customers use our sensors and systems for process control, to increase yields, enhance quality and improve productivity. ISO 9000-mandated recordkeeping requirements and the need to increase manufacturing quality in many industries has driven the need for non-contact, intelligent measurement and data collection.
QuickTrack Welding Sensor - Photo
The Circular Scanning Sensor (CSS) can be used for a number of applications including robotics, arc welding, inspection, seam mapping and metrology.
The main component of this system is a Circular Scanning Sensor head which is a versatile position - feature recognition device enabling full 3D information retrieval from a single measurement.
The QuickTrack high quality welding seam tracker from is a compact, rugged sensor resulting from over 15 years of specialised research and development into advanced solutions for the welding industry.
QuickTrack can be used advantageously in either dynamic robot applications or mounted directly onto welding machinery.
The QuickTrack welding seam tracker is unique. It features an advanced rotational laser scanning technology patented world-wide. This technology provides essential software data to allow a full three dimensional model of the field of view. This is in direct contrast to the simple cross-section data allowed by conventional laser striper techniques which can be difficult for software to interpret reliably.
With concise data provided by its three-dimensional scan, QuickTrack can detect and measure features such as "start and end of weld seams" and allow automatic mapping of optimum torch trajectories on very complex 3D components.
An automatic teach facility simplifies weld path programming and makes use of robot welding on small batch production a cost effective option. QuickTrack weld seam tracking sensors are used in numerous welding applications to privide full interactive control of TIG, Plasma, MIG/MAG and laser welding processes. Its advanced capabilities make QuickTrack ideal for applications across a diverse range of welding techniques from simple welding machinery to robots.
Ready programmed system software is provided containing the most commonly used seam types allowing unique seam configurations to be created by the user.
Circular Scanning Benefits
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Non-contact sensing
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3D profile measurement and software modelling
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Real-time metrology analysis
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Direct SPC data transmission
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Compact, fully integrated design with reliability and repeatability
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Suitable for both normal and hostile environments
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Advanced user-friendly, menu driven sofware operated by standard PC based computers.
Technical Data
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Dimensions: 90mm length x 45mm Diameter
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Weight: 0.30kg (approx.)
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Operating Temperature: +5°C to +50°C
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Sampling Rate: 8kHz
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Protective Window: Macrolon (disposable)
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Laser Diodes: Visible 5mW Class 3A Laser
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Safety: Hardware & Software interlocks
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Resolution: Lateral=85µm-350µm* Depth=25µm-125µm*
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Field of View: 10mm-75mm*
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Stand-Off Distance: 40mm-200mm*
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Depth of Field: 20mm-100mm*
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* Values are typical and can be configured by changes in the optical system.
Specular Reflection Sensor (SRS) - Photo
The SRS range of sensors was developed to specifically overcome the problem of imaging highly reflective and specular surfaces by exploiting their otherwise difficult characteristics to the overall benefit of the sensing system.
This sensor system makes full use of its ability to detect rounded features such as edges, corners, folds and extrusions found on components throughout the manufacturing industry.
Principle of Operation
Most other optical measuring devices rely on the ability to detect light, diffusely scattered from the surface of interest, for their principle of operation.
While this approach is adequate across a range of surfaces there remains a major class of highly reflective or specular materials where detecting a reliable signal can prove very difficult. Particularly difficult surfaces to measure include transparent materials, polished metals and glossy black paintwork. The Specular Reflection Sensor was developed specifically to overcome the problem of imaging highly reflective surfaces by exploiting rather than fighting the phenomenon.
The sensor detects rounded features such as edges, corners, folds, extrusions, etc. Such features occur on a broad range of objects found right across the manufacturing spectrum. For example, in the car industry the nature of the metal pressing process demands that every panel will contain many such rounded edges and corners.
All rounded features on any specular surface exhibit highlights or glints and it is this phenomenon that is exploited by the sensor. Optically, rounded features act as cylindrical mirrors with an effective focal length equal to half the radius of curvature. These cylindrical mirrors will image any suitable, available light source to give the characteristic highlights. Either a positive (e.g. external corner) or a negative (internal corner) radius of curvature will produce the appropriate effect corresponding to convex and concave cylindrical mirrors.
The most important principle is the reflection from these 'cylindrical mirrors'. The measurement depends solely on these reflections rendering the sensor system colour independent.
Control Computer
The sensors are controlled by a standard PC equipped with a CAN Bus. Extensive application software exists to control, calibrate and teach all aspects of the sensor's capabilities.
Communications
The sensors and the PC are configured together using a CAN Bus architecture running a proprietary protocol. An arbitrary number of individually addressable sensors may be connected to the CAN Bus. For applications such as automatic windscreen insertion, for example, a minimum of 4 sensors would normally be used. Additional sensors may be added to (or removed from) the CAN Bus as requirements change. Where a lower speed is acceptable an individual sensor can be controlled directly from a PC using only the standard RS232 serial port.
Intelligent Sensor
Each sensor uses DSPs and microprocessors to pre-process the image information, to control exposure and LED brightness and to monitor the sensor's vital functions and supervise communication with the PC. Sensor calibration parameters can be stored within the sensor and downloaded to the control PC on demand simplifying the problems of sensor replacement in the field. Additional image analysis algorithms can be developed on the PC and then downloaded to the sensor for execution directly within the head.
Specular Reflection Sensor Benefits - Photo The SRS sensor can detect a very broad range of radius curvatures and materials covering:
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Gloss painted, coated or printed surfaces including pressed motor panels, folded metal goods (aerosol cans, batteries, etc) and knitting needles
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Bright metal including stainless steel, chrome and aluminium (pins, wire, tin cans, metal bar or tube and turned goods)
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Extrusions including plastics, metal sealants and adhesives
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Transparent materials including glass (windscreens and other glazing panels, jars, bottles, test tubes) plastics, and optical fibre
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Smooth moulded components.
Specifications
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Dimensions: 145 x 65 x 65 mm
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Power Supply: 24 V DC nominal (10-33V)
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High precision, full 3D vision system
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Colour and Finish Independent
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Robust and Reliable with no moving parts
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Cost effective solution Detection of edges, corners, folds, extrusions & much more
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Powerful user-friendly software
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Quick teach facilities for rapid set-up and installation
Magnetic Sensor Technology
P scan System 4 - Photo
The P-scan System 4 is a High-end, Remotely Operated, Ultrasonic Inspection System
All-in-one unit with UT system and integrated scanner control Interfaces with it's digital scanners without additional hardware
AUS 3 Automatic Scanner - Photo
The AUS-3 is a Compact magnetic wheel XY scanner for inspection of ferritic pipes :
- Compact scanner body with two integrated motors, control electronics for PSP-4 and control panel.
- Motor axis has standard modular output flanges. Battery powered with PSP-4L system.
- Scanner body can be used as motor unit for other types of scanners.
AMS 9 Magnetic Wheel Pipe Scanner - Photo
The AMS-9 Magnetic Wheel Pipe Scanner is a general purpose magnetic wheel scanner for weld inspection and corrosion mapping, primarily of ferritic pipes and nozzles.
AHS 1 Automatic Heat exchanger Scanner - Photo
The AHS-1 Automatic Heat exchanger Scanner is a specialised scanner for inspecting the tube-to tube sheet weld in heat exchangers.
These new Sensor Technology products are internationally recognized as innovative in the design and manufacture of intelligent, non-contact vision sensors and measurement systems. 