Meaning
Non-contact metrology systems use light sensors or cameras to determine the three dimensional geometry of manufactured components. High speed production lines rely on optical coordinate measurement to verify complex shapes that would be deformed by physical probes. This method provides a fast and comprehensive view of the entire surface of a part.
Surface Capture
Light patterns or laser points projected onto the object allow for the rapid collection of millions of data points. This creates a dense point cloud that can be compared directly to the original design files.
Speed Advantage
Eliminating the need for mechanical contact means that the inspection process can keep up with the fastest conveyor belts. Parts move through the field of view while the system captures the necessary data without stopping the line. This capability is essential for high volume manufacturing where every second of delay reduces the daily yield.
It also allows for the inspection of delicate or flexible materials that might shift under the weight of a probe.
Accuracy Constraint
Reflective surfaces or dark materials can interfere with the sensor and lead to missing data points. Proper lighting and surface preparation are required to achieve the best results with these systems.
