Sensor technology developed for quality control (Part 1)

Advances in laser measurement technology and the adoption of IO-Link communication are making complex testing easier, more reliable, and more cost-effective.

Fast, reliable error proofing is essential to ensure consistent throughput without loss of quality. Manual quality checks can often be boring, distracting to performers and at the same time prone to errors, complex observation systems can be expensive and time consuming to implement. Meanwhile, sensor solutions often require more sensors to test in more complex situations. However, this is no longer always the case.

Thanks to advances in laser metering technology, sensors can now measure tougher targets (including clear, reflective and low-contrast targets) and can handle a wide variety of testing tasks. Look up with only one sensor. In addition, with IO-Link communication, monitoring the performance of the sensor becomes easier, identifying trends in test results and even predicting when maintenance is needed to fix problems. try as simple as a dirty lens before the sensor breaks.

This article explains the advances in laser measurement technology and the adoption of IO-Link communication that are making complicated testing easier, more reliable, and more cost-effective.

Dual mode sensor: Remote light intensity

In the conventional way, laser measuring sensors only measure distances, the most common being using laser triangle technology or Tof*. Now, some laser measuring sensors can measure both distance and light intensity (which we will call dual mode).

*Tof is one of many features / hardware that supports photography and is also known by the full name of Time-of-Flight camera. 3D diagrams, best represent the object image.

This means the sensor can detect not only when the target is within a certain distance but also when it returns a certain amount of light to the receiver. While the CMOS imaging device (the underlying technology behind dual mode) is not new, sensor manufacturers are now using this technology to unlock the sensor, the ability to provide a wealth of information and Functions as both a proximity sensor and a contrast sensor, all in one device.

(To be continued)

Productivity and Quality Office