Improved 3D image processing

Using newly developed and recently patented technology, Cognex has eliminated the speckle effect of laser lines, optimising triangulation-based 3D imaging. The In-Sight 3D-L4000 embedded vision system is the first product to bring the benefits of speckle-free laser lines to users.

The laser triangulation method has established itself as the definitive technology for 3D image processing in order to generate high-resolution and precise 3D image data. However, a weakness of the laser triangulation method has always been that the projected laser lines exhibit so-called speckles. Developers have been trying for years to reduce speckles using various methods, such as varying the wavelength and camera aperture, or taking multiple images and then calculating an average image. However, previous efforts did not lead to noticeably better results.

With its new, patented process, Cognex has found a solution to eliminate the occurrence and effects of speckles and produce extremely straight, clean and bright laser lines.

“The basis of the new technology is a blue laser with a wavelength of 450 nm,” explains Thomas Ruhnau, director of engineering at Cognex. “This laser beam is then deflected by a microelectromechanical mirror with ultrasonic vibrations in a plane to create a fanned beam. The beam is then directed on to a diffuser optic featuring a unique property: this optical element creates a perfect laser fan with a precisely defined width and an intensity distribution that is absolutely uniform along the line, eliminating the formation of speckle in the approach.”

Cognex has already integrated the new speckle-free blue laser optics into one of its products: In-Sight 3D-L4000 3D vision system, which enables users to achieve inspection speeds at least twice as fast as comparable competitive products, reports the company.

For further information
www.cognex.com

Made in the UK, sold to the world

The Government has launched an ambitious new ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ plan to help businesses across the UK double exports and sell their products around the globe. This 12-point export strategy, published by the Department for International Trade, aims to give businesses the tools they need to become a nation of exporters and reap the benefits of free trade deals. The strategy includes an Export Support Service that offers a one-stop shop for exporting advice, and the launch of a new UK Tradeshow Programme better-tailored to help businesses attend and promote their products around the world.

For further information
https://is.gd/qirire

RONDCOM NEX is ‘true to form’

Renowned globally for its RONDCOM profile measuring instruments, Accretech has launched the advanced RONDCOM NEX series. The latest evolution of the instrument now features the provision of an axis speed potentiometer, as well as an auto force detector, making all measuring routines more efficient.

According to Accretech, RONDCOM NEX provides the best concentricity and straightness precision figures in its class: (0.02+3.2H/10000) µm and 0.15 µm (Z300) respectively. These advantages are made possible by the high rotational accuracy of the air-bearing based rotary tables. RONDCOM NEX R instruments also enable accurate surface roughness measurements, as per DIN EN ISO, in linear R and X directions, as well as in rotational directions on workpiece circumferences.

The flexible RONDCOM NEX series benefits from a modular design that enables the precision measurement of form, diameter and surface simultaneously. This modularity means that the instruments are available in a range of variants, ensuring that customers can specify a system that meets their own individual requirements. Also, Accretech’s ‘building-block’ approach means that RONDCOM NEX series instruments remain futureproof. For example, in addition to undertaking today’s precision measuring tasks, if the user’s requirements change, it is possible to retrofit new modules that suit developing needs. Similarly, new Accretech instruments can be purchased as manual systems, then later converted to CNC versions if a higher degree of automation is required. CNC add-ons include positioning tables with several asymmetrical measuring positions to accommodate complex workpieces.

“In contrast to stand-alone instruments, customers no longer have to compromise on accuracy when measuring form, diameter and surface parameters,” says Marcus Czabon, COO at Accretech. “We’ve fundamentally redesigned the entire series of form measuring instruments to ensure that our customers receive even greater support in terms of efficiency, time savings and automation.”

For further information
www.accretech.eu

Hat-trick of contact wins for Decom

Decom Engineering has consolidated a strong 2021 performance with a hat-trick of international contract wins valued at more than £400,000. The decommissioning solutions specialist last week deployed two of its pipeline cutting saws to the Asia Pacific region to start a six-month campaign on behalf of a global oil and gas operator, following on from two successful projects in the North Sea and Celtic Sea. In addition to the triple contract success, Decom has invested £200,000 to establish a new operational base near Aberdeen, and will mark its opening in the coming weeks with a series of technology showcase demonstrations.

For further information
www.decomengineering.co.uk

QC investment aids green initiative

The Dudley factory of The Timken Company supplies the engineered bearings it manufactures into a multitude of industries, including mining, food and beverage, pulp and paper, cement, marine, and wastewater. However, recently there has been a significant increase in demand for larger bearings up to 1200 mm diameter for use in the construction of wind turbines, which promises exponential growth in the coming years as countries across the globe work towards meeting their green energy targets.

In May 2021, to enable the inspection of these larger bearings, Timken purchased an LK AlteraM 15.12.10 ceramic bridge CMM with axis travels of 1500 x 1200 x 1000 mm. Assisting further in the company’s quality control department is a Mitutoyo CMM capable of measuring ball and roller bearings with bores up to 800 mm in diameter. At the same time, LK upgraded this machine with a new controller and identical CAMIO 2021 software for measurement, programming, analysis and reporting so that inspectors are able to swap programs conveniently between both machines.

It is necessary to check dozens of high-precision geometrical features on each bearing to ensure that flatness, circularity, radial run-out and track width meet specified tolerances, some of which are within ±6 µm. Timken achieves this quickly, repeatably and automatically on the CMMs in computer-controlled cycle times of around 10 minutes.

William Hayes, quality improvement engineer at the Dudley factory, says: “We selected LK Metrology to provide the new inspection facility as it was the only potential supplier to offer us a new, well-priced, high-accuracy machine of the right capacity. The company was also proactive in offering to retrofit our Mitutoyo BN710 CMM with new control software, as we need two measuring machines to cope with our increasing production throughput.

For further information
www.lkmetrology.com