The scanCONTROL sensors record a profile from individual calibrated points for each measurement. These profiles can be used individually or combined in a container set, and transferred to your own applications as an array or matrix. In addition to the data transfer of individual measuring points and their additional information (e.g. intensity, counter reading) the entire configuration of the sensor can also be controlled from its own application software.
In order to access the functions for configuration and data transfer, Micro-Epsilon offers different tools:
The scanCONTROL Developer Tool is designed to help developers integrate the scanCONTROL sensors into their own application based on the scanCONTROL SDK (LLT.DLL):
Complete integration example with source code
MouseOver feature for the scanner parameters displays the associated DLL function
Read and write access to the sensor registers
Visualization of all available transmission modes for scanner data
The C/C++ library for scanCONTROL supports both static and dynamic loading. Both stdcall and cdecl are supported as calling conventions. The individual functions of the library are clearly documented in the interface description and explained using examples.
The scanCONTROL SDK integration package includes:
LLT.DLL library file
Documentation for interfaces and scanCONTROL
Interface for C#, Python and VB .NET
Numerous programming examples for C++ and C# (e.g. trigger and container mode)
The scanCONTROL instrument driver LabVIEW supports fast integration of scanCONTROL sensors into National Instruments LabVIEW. For accessing a scanCONTROL sensor and its basic settings, users can drag-and-drop modules directly from the function palette into their VIs. Example VIs illustrating the scanCONTROL integration are also part of this package.
The integration of scanCONTROL sensors into the LabVIEW environment is based on the C/C++ library (LLT.DLL) of Micro-Epsilon. Detailed documentation also shows how to set up additional special sensor parameters.
The scanCONTROL instrument driver for LabVIEW:
Developed according to the LabVIEW instrument driver guidelines by National Instruments
LabVIEW 2012 and higher supported
Comprises instrument drivers for 32Bit and 64Bit
Fast and easy access to all settings via function palette
Gap measurement and evaluation means to be a complex task. In detail, there are different definitions of how the optical gap is defined for different industries and measuring targets. The gapCONTROL Setup Software has been precisely adjusted to the requirements of the different gap measurements and it makes configuration of gapCONTROL sensors quick and easy. The gapCONTROL Setup Software, together with the gapCONTROL sensors, represents a complete solution for automated gap measurement. After parameterization, the sensor operates in standalone mode. However, the software can be used for the visualization of the measured values.
Setup gapCONTROL sensors
The gapCONTROL sensors offer different options and settings. All these settings can be accessed with theConfiguration Tools software. One possibility is accessing directly the image of the sensor matrix to set up the sensor optimum to the target. This view displays a live image of the matrix and helps to eliminate reflections on the target surface.
Display, save, load and exports profiles
ThegapCONTROL Setup Software allows both profiles and measuring results (e.g. gap width) to be saved. Stored profiles, even without a gapCONTROL sensor connected, can be re-loaded, and all parameters of the evaluation can be tested on this offline data. Several example profiles are already included with the standard installation of the gapCONTROL Setup Software, and they can largely be used to test the how the software works.
Gap modes
The user-friendly, intuitive software guides the user through the program. In the first step, a gap mode is chosen from a wide selection of gap types.
"Basic Gaps", "Projected Gaps" and „Groove Gaps“ require little or no settings."Advanced Gaps" provides the user with configurable advanced parameters, executing complex gap measurement tasks.
Setup and configuration of gap measurements
The next step is to specify the search algorithms for the right and left-hand edges. The simple "Basic Gaps", "Groove Gaps" and "Projected Gaps" already contain the correct algorithms.
In addition, the software allows the user to determine the algorithms for measuring the offset (flush) and the projection between both sides.Global sensor settings can also be made quickly. For dynamic processes, gapCONTROL also offers a tracking functionality, e.g. following the center position.
Measurement output
For output of measured values, these can be configured with freely assigned values. As well as measurement value output via Ethernet (Modbus TCP protocol, UDP) and RS422 (Modbus RTU protocol or ASCII format), additional digital switch signals and analog measuring values can be output by using an output unit.
The last step comprises the transmission of the entire parameter set to the gapCONTROL scanner, which allows up to 15 parameter sets to be stored and to activate these by applying a control command.
The profile analysis now operates entirely autonomously and directly in the scanner without connection to a PC.
Analysis program for measurement value sequence
Using the "Result Monitor" analysis program, selected measurement value sequences of recorded profiles and live profiles can be displayed and analyzed, enabling the evaluation of measurements. Additionally, an integrated cgm analysis (capability gage measurement), and further statistical parameters (e.g. limit value exceeded, average values) are available.
The software allows these values to be exported for archive purposes or for further analysis in calculation tables.
scanCONTROL Configuration Tools is a software to configure scanCONTROL sensors on a Windows PC. It helps you to set up the sensor, view profiles, save/load and export profiles.
In combination with scanCONTROL SMART sensors, the Configuration Tools software unfolds its true power. It parameterizes complex measuring tasks including all outputs via the corresponding interfaces. When used with COMPACT or HIGHSPEED sensors, the software simulates the algorithms even with loaded profiles.
scanCONTROL sensors offer numerous parameterization and setting options, which can be carried out using the scanCONTROL Configuration Tools software. It provides e.g. direct access to the image of the sensor matrix in order to achieve an optimum basis setup. The live image of the matrix is used to optimize the alignment of the sensor in relation to the target.
One profile consists of up to 1280 calibrated measuring points depending on the sensor type. These profiles are transmitted via FireWire or Ethernet to the PC. scanCONTROL
Configuration Tools provides the possibility to display or save these profiles in real-time. Especially for very fast processes it is an absolutely necessary feature, because it is also possible to load the profiles again and analyze the profiles step by step afterwards. For further analysis it is also possible to export the profiles into a format compatible with MS Excel.
The SMART series sensors are equipped with intelligent controllers for basic profile evaluations without additional hardware. The Configuration Tools software is designed for easy parameterization of SMART sensors. The idea is to divide a measuring task into separate measurements such as e.g. edge, angle, gap, groove or seam.
These separate measurements are combined to complex measuring tasks on the graphical user interface and evaluated. Therefore, the user benefits from a Plug&Play solution for individual tasks without requiring any programming skills. From version 6.0 and higher, these measurement tasks can also be stored on gapCONTROL scanners.
Configuration tools offers about 30 basic programs to choose from and which can be easily and quickly configured with only a few mouse clicks in the profile. The set parameters and results are immediately displayed on the screen. To measure an angle for example you simply choose two reference lines where the angle is calculated in between.
Each measuring program also provides the possibility to cut out interesting sections in the profile. For dynamic measurement tasks also an individual dynamic tracking for each program is available and can easily be configured using an anchor point.
Once the individual measurement task parameters have been set up, the respective results are calculated together additionally. This provides a simple method of calculating, for example, several angles or distances between points or lines against each other, or to project points onto lines. Without tedious external computations, measurement tasks can be solved that cannot be covered by one single measurement program.
The sensor directly outputs the measured values in real time. Thus, there are nearly no limits to the flexibility of calculating measurement values.
Using the »Result Monitor« analysis tool, measurement value sequences of recorded profiles and live profiles can be displayed and analyzed, enabling the evaluation of measurements. Additionally, an integrated cgm analysis (capability gauge measurement), and further statistical parameters (e.g. limit value exceeded, average values) are available.
The software allows for these values to be exported for archive purposes or for further analysis in calculation tables.
After all required programs have been configured, the software provides an overview of all measured results. By defining limit values, a good/bad evaluation is also possible, but in complex cases it is also possible to carry out logical operations (links with AND, OR, XOR) to check several conditions.
The user decides how to transfer the results from the sensor, e.g. via Ethernet UDP, Profinet or as digital OK/NOK signal, stores these settings in a complete parameter set in the head of the SMART (or gapCONTROL) sensor and can then disconnect the sensor from the PC. The profiles are then analyzed directly on the sensor without PC.
For these laser profile scanners, special sensor configuration, data display and output applications are available. The software is available free of charge for each product series.
scanCONTROL Configuration Tools can solve a variety of applications. Variables such as step, gap, height, angle and flushness are thus easily measured, calculated and output.
scanCONTROL 30xx laser scanners are among the highest performing profile sensors in terms of their size, accuracy and measuring rate. They provide calibrated 2D profile data with up to 5.5 million points per second. Their profile frequency of max. 10 kHz enables precise profile measurements in dynamic processes. The high-resolution sensor matrix offers a resolution of 2,048 points with an ultimate point distance of just 12 µm. This is how even the finest of details can be detected reliably.
Characteristics
Measuring range z-axis up to 40 mm
Measuring range x-axis up to 57 mm
Measurement speed up to 10 kHz
Measuring rate up to 5,500,000 points/sec
Reference resolution z-axis from 1.5 μm
Resolution x-axis up to 2,048 points
Selectable operating modes
Also available with blue laser
Compact
Highspeed
Smart
Highspeed-Smart
Models LLT 3000
3000-25
3050-25
3010-25
3060-25
3000-50
3050-50
3010-50
3060-50
3000-200
3050-200
3010-200
3060-200
Models LLT 3000 with Blue Laser
3000-25/BL
3050-25/BL
3010-25/BL
3060-25/BL
3000-50/BL
3050-50/BL
3010-50/BL
3060-50/BL
HDR Mode
Thanks to the Dynamic Range mode, the sensor generates accurate measurement results even on inhomogeneous surfaces.The exposure is performed simultaneously without time offset which enables reliable detection of rapidly moving objects.
Fast measurement results with operation modes
Choose from three predefined operating modes for your specific measurement task: »High-Resolution« for maximum precision, »High Dynamic Range« for optimal profile detection on difficult surfaces and »High Speed« for ultra-fast measurements.