The world’s first laser triangulation sensor to use blue laser technology

Micro-Epsilon's new optoNCDT 1700BL series of Blue Laser Sensors operate on the laser triangulation measuring principle and use blue (violet) laser technology. The sensors are ideal for measurements on hot, glowing metals, particularly in hot steel processing applications, as well as for measuring organic materials such as skin, foodstuffs, plastics, veneers and wood. The wavelength of the blue laser offers significant technical advantages. With red, glowing objects, a conventional red laser has a high signal interference from the object surface, because it emits the same or very near wavelengths of light as the red laser. However, the blue laser works at a wavelength of 405nm, which is far from the red part of the visible spectrum. This means it is easier to filter this type of emitted light from the object, which ensures very stable signals. The blue laser therefore measures extremely well on both glowing metals and ceramics. This is a unique advantage, for example, when it comes to measuring the wear or deformation of automotive brake discs under load. In addition, there are significant benefits to be seen when measuring against translucent objects such as organic materials, paper, some plastics and wood veneers. Unlike a red laser, the blue laser light does not penetrate into the measuring object because it has a lower intensity laser spot and therefore offers more stable, precise measurements on targets that conventional red laser sensors have difficulty measuring. Micro-Epsilon's Blue Laser Sensors are equipped with new high-end optical lenses, a new intelligent laser control and evaluation algorithms. The sensors are suitable for red glowing metals up to 1,600 deg C, and for silicon up to 1,150 deg C. Micro-Epsilon will be launching the Blue Laser Sensors on stand P47 at the Sensors+Systems for Control and Instrumentation exhibition (14-15 September 2011).