Performance testing system integrated with Mikrotron high-speed cameras opens up a new concept of automotive safety standards (Part 2)

Once installed, the Mikrotron EoSens® GE camera captures the image of the wheel while simultaneously aligning with the surrounding fender, so there’s no need to keep it steady. Vibration and impact do not have any influence on measurement data.

The system recalculates its position continuously to gain measurement data, thus achieving approximate maximum position accuracy approx ± 0.1 mm and angle accuracy approx ± 0.015 °. Therefore, the driving characteristics of the vehicle are not affected by the measuring device, nor is the driving motion restricted.

Setting up the system required a Mikrotron EoSens® GE camera to be mounted on each wheel to allow it to fully capture the wheel and fenders. Specially coded measurement targets are placed on the fenders to determine the vehicle coordinate system. An adapter is also mounted on the wheel, featuring a unique dot pattern.

The Mikrotron EoSens® GE activation function allows multiple cameras to be fully synchronized to simultaneously monitor several wheels or axles. Special optical targets are applied to the fenders of the prototype identifying the vehicle coordinate system, while a lightweight carbon fiber wheel adapter is attached to the wheels. The manual activation driver starts and ends the measurement session. No other interaction with WheelWatch is required.

Up to four cameras can be synchronized with each other, as well as with other measuring sensors. For example, movements in the engine block can also be detected by additional cameras. It is possible to access tight spots in the engine block with a Mikrotron camera case measuring only 63 x 63 x 47 mm.

Rate pictures in camera

WheelWatch measurements are assessed in the Mikrotron camera sensor using an image analysis processor before they are sent to the laptop’s interior of the vehicle via the GigE interface. Wheel target location and target trajectory are available immediately after image collection. In addition, WheelWatch calculates all 6 degrees of freedom of the wheel in the vehicle coordinate system.

Robert Godding, Managing Director of AICON 3D Systems GmbH sees FPGA integration technology as a key performance feature of the camera, saying: “Integrated graphics technology can be used for image processing. photo is one of the reasons we chose Mikrotron cameras. “

Overall, Mikrotron EoSens® is a reliable companion, greatly improving the user experience as well as opening up a new concept of safety standards for the automotive industry.

Productivity and Quality Office