LOCATION: Vancouver, BC, Canada

LMI Technologies, recognized as one of Canada’s 50 Best Workplaces, is a medium-sized technology company built on a culture of openness, respect and professional excellence. At LMI our staff work passionately toward the common goal of designing and delivering innovative 3D machine vision solutions to OEMs and System Integrators working in industrial factory automation around the world. The result of this teamwork is high-performance, easy-to-implement and cost-effective 3D sensor technologies that deliver the best results in even the most challenging 3D inline inspection applications.

JOB SUMMARY

As a Technical Product Manager, you have an overall responsibility for the management and success of the Company’s products.  Success in the role will be defined by clarity of roadmaps for new and existing products and the related requirements, communication of the roadmap to the key internal groups and various external influencers, and collaborative efforts across the Company.

You must be able to communicate with all areas of the company. You will develop technical requirements from market requirements. You will work with marketing to define the go-to-market strategy, helping them understand the product positioning, key benefits, and target customers. You will also serve as the internal and external evangelist for your product offering, working with the sales channel and key customers.  You will monitor the success or challenges of new products into the market based on objectives and make ongoing recommendations to achieve these objectives. You must enjoy spending time in the market to understand their problems, and find innovative solutions for the broader market. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in managing the entire product line life cycle from market analysis to product definition to market entry – handling legacy product transitions to mitigate customer concerns
• Specifying technical requirements and use cases for current and future products by conducting market research supported by input from sales and ongoing visits to customers, industry trade shows, etc.
• Driving a set of features with the development teams to meet identified market requirements and positioning. 
• Conduct effective beta programs that bring timely information on product performance and effectiveness for the applications using this information to best position the product for the target market.
• Perform feasibility study on the use of the products in new applications or industries
• Writing and updating product definitions to drive technical direction.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Computer Science or Engineering degree. 
• Minimum of 3 years of product development experience with a proven track record in communicating to customers.
• Up to date knowledge of hardware and software technology. Knowledge of vision systems a must. 
• Well-developed business acumen and ability to plan and prioritize
• Excellent communication and skills – oral and written – and presentation skills
• Excellent people and management skills to interact with staff, colleagues and cross-functional teams, and third parties.
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects/priorities
• Metrics-driven and willingness to be held accountable
• “Default-to-action” approach 
• Well-defined sense of team approach to product development and a willingness to credit others for positive contribution to efforts
• Willing to travel as required

If you are interested in working for a fast-growing global technology company with an inspiring and engaging workplace environment, we invite you to contact us at careers@lmi3d.com and talk about the possibilities of beginning a rewarding new chapter of your career.

The camera technology used in 3D sensors consists of one of two types––either CCD, or CMOS. Both technologies convert light into electrons. CCDs need an external analog to digital converter whereas CMOS incorporates internal conversion to produce digital directly from the camera chip. CCD has traditionally been used in earlier sensor design, however, more recent sensors leverage CMOS.

Benefits of CMOS Over CCD

Although a CCD can deliver greater sensitivity, it is also more costly to implement, has limited frame rates that slow sensor speed below acceptable production rates, and produces “bloom” when pixels are saturated.

CMOS, on the other hand, offers simpler design, is immune to blooming, offers logarithmic compression to achieve greater dynamic range and produces very high frame rates suitable for factory speeds. CMOS allows users to trade resolution for increased speed by utilizing subsampling, binning or setting smaller regions-of-interest that read out at higher frame rates.

Active Window Sizing

In CMOS, the frame rate is largely determined by the active window––a programmable region of pixels made up of rows and columns that is read out from the camera with each exposure event.

Active Area: Z=Rows, X=Columns

In 3D sensors, the rows are often mapped to height (Z) and the columns represent the lateral field of view (X). When the active window is reduced in rows (commonly referred to as “windowing down”), the result is a corresponding increase in frame rate. In some cases, reducing columns can also increase the sensor’s scan speed.

Gocator Setup: Active Area and Spacing (Resolution)

Subsampling and Binning

A sensor’s frame rate can also be sped up either by subsampling (skipping pixels) or binning (summing pixels). Both of these techniques affect the resolution in Z (skipping or summing rows) or X (skipping or summing columns). So, by subsampling or binning by 2 or 4 rows, the user can speed up the sensor’s frame rate by a factor of 2 or 4.

Controlling Active Area and Resolution to Optimize Speed

In Gocator’s smart sensor web interface, the user can set the active window. In many applications, the full measurement range (Z) for a Gocator model isn’t needed, which means the user is able to reduce this range to cover their part height variation and achieve a significant speed increase as a result. For example, a sensor calibrated with a 50mm measurement range can be windowed down to 10mm and achieve a 5x frame rate increase. Similarly, the Z resolution may not be required, and can therefore be reduced by ½ or ¼ to increase speed by x2 or x4.

3D measurement of objects allows users to inspect for correct part dimensions and ensure high-quality finished product. There are two ways that 3D sensors measure a feature: relative and absolute. Gocator 3D smart sensors offer tools that facilitate both types of measurement.

Relative Measurement in Local Coordinate Systems

Relative measurements are taken by a single sensor of an object feature in relation to another object feature, in a local coordinate system that is defined by the sensor’s field of view.

Features reported in a sensor coordinate system are relative​.

When to Use Relative Measurement

Relative measurement is used for simple inspection tasks such as measuring hole size or step height, where all elements of the measured feature (or features) are within the field of view of one sensor.

Since relative measurements are based on the size of a feature or the distance between multiple features within the sensor field of view, knowledge of the sensor’s position is not required.

Example Application of Relative Measurement: Panel Gap & Flush

An example of relative measurement is determining the gap and flush between two panels on an assembled car body using a robot-mounted 3D sensor. As the robot moves the sensor to each measurement location, the sensor determines the differential of gap and flush between the two panel edges in the same field of view.

Gap and Flush tool is a relative measurement.

Gocator Built-In Functionality for Relative Measurement

Gocator 3D smart sensors have a built-in Alignment function to set a zero reference, such as a conveyor belt surface, in order to use the zero reference as a feature for relative measurement––like a height measurement relative to a conveyor.

Alignment can be used to compensate for mounting inaccuracies by aligning sensor data to a common reference surface, or to set a common coordinate system for multi-sensor systems.

Absolute Measurement in Global Coordinate Systems

Absolute measurement is used in dual and multi-sensor networks, where measurements taken in local sensor coordinates need to be transformed into a global coordinate system. 

In a global coordinate system, all sensors report in a common coordinate system.

When to Use Absolute Measurement

Absolute measurement is required when the inspection application demands “stitching” of multiple views into a single 3D point cloud, or when object features measured from multiple sensor views must reference a common coordinate system.

Gold and Silver Master Artefacts

In order to conduct accurate absolute measurements, a known artefact is required to determine sensor positioning relative to a common coordinate system. This artefact can be a precisely manufactured master object, sometimes referred to as a “gold master”.  Alternatively, it can be a production part, which has had its features precisely measured by an external device, such as a CMM (coordinate measuring machine), referred to as a “silver master”. The silver master approach is used when manufacturing a precise master object is not practical––such as in car body measurement.

Gocator Built-In Functionality for Absolute Measurement

In addition to facilitating relative measurement, a built-in Alignment process and Transformation step in Gocator 3D smart sensors assists in reporting to a global coordinate system. The Alignment process scans artefacts (shapes containing features like holes or corners with known dimensions) and automatically computes the transformation required to report measurements from sensor coordinates to world coordinates. The Transformation step is carried out automatically for every 3D point produced by the sensor.

 Transformation settings determine how 3D points are converted to global coordinates.

One of the advantages of using Gocator 3D smart sensors is the ability to produce 2D intensity images that measure the amount of light reflected by an object. Intensity (or greyscale) images are generated as a byproduct of the laser triangulation process and prove highly useful for applications where visual defects need to be identified, such as barcodes or surface markings.

Laser Triangulation, Gaussian Curves and Centroids

The most common method of 3D point generation used in laser triangulation is to project a laser line onto the surface of an object. The reflection of the laser light is used to form a 2D image where the laser line –– now distorted by the object shape –– crosses the columns of a receiving camera. Each column presents a Gaussian-like shape representing the laser line width, from which a centroid is extracted and transformed into a depth (Z) measurement.

The Gaussian Curve and Intensity Information

In addition to extracting the depth (Z) position, the intensity of the Gaussian curve can also be extracted to build a pre-calibrated 2D greyscale intensity profile. As laser line profiles are collected to form a 3D surface of an object, a complete 2D greyscale (intensity) image is also created simultaneously.

Enabling “Acquire Intensity” in Gocator’s Scan Mode

In Gocator, an 8-bit intensity value is output for each range value along the laser line. Gocator applies the same coordinate system and resampling logic to the intensity values as with ranges.

Intensity image output is enabled by checking the Acquire Intensity checkbox in the Scan Mode panel. When this option is enabled, an intensity value will be produced for each laser profile point.

Select "Acquire Intensity" in Gocator's Scan Mode to Generate a 2D Intensity Image.

2 for 1! Height Map and Intensity Map

When intensity output is selected, two datasets from one analysis are generated –– both a height map and an intensity map. The height map is an image wherein the pixel values represent depth (Z), and the intensity map is an image wherein the corresponding pixel values represent the intensity of reflected laser light. This is similar to how 2D images are formed by a line scan camera and external LED light source.  

  A 3D Height Map with Matching 2D Intensity Map.

Having both images allows for more robust 3D measurement and inspection. For example, features in a 2D image (such as an edge or surface pattern location) can be used as references to measure a height related feature. Or similarly, finding a height related feature can give the location for finding and decoding a 2D barcode. 

The benefit of a 2D intensity image is that it is calibrated in real world units. Pixels map directly to real-world dimensions so all lens distortions are already removed.

INTRODUCING:

Gocator Firmware 4.5

Industry-first customization,
acceleration and emulation!

WATCH VIDEOS    TRY ONLINE EMULATOR

Latest Upgrade Introduces New Tools for Industry-First Firmware Customization, Data Processing Acceleration, and Sensor Emulation

September 07, 2016, Vancouver, BC – LMI Technologies a leading developer of 3D scanning and inspection solutions, is pleased to announce the official launch of Gocator Firmware 4.5. The release has several features that greatly expand Gocator’s inspection capabilities including Gocator Development Kit (GDK), Gocator Accelerator, and Gocator Emulator.

TheGDK extends Gocator’s flexibility with a set of development tools and APIs that allow customers to develop and execute their own measurement tools on the Gocator hardware with the same capability and performance as native built-in tools. This provides full IP-protection and allows the user to quickly respond to on-site issues by modifying and deploying custom tools on-site.

TheGocator Accelerator introduces the power of the PC to increase processing speed and offer greater memory by seamlessly distributing a portion of a Gocator sensor’s data processing to a PC.

The Gocator Emulator presents a virtual sensor running on a PC and loads pre-recorded Gocator sessions for offline review.

“With every Firmware release our goal is to continue to build on Gocator’s industry-leading smart sensor design. Gocator Firmware 4.5 continues this commitment by delivering a range of significant speed, customization and measurement enhancements to give users more control and ease of use in their automated quality control processes”, said Chi Ho Ng, Director of Product Management.

Other features in Gocator 4.5 include new measurement and filtering tools, enhanced stereo processing for occlusion removal, point cloud rendering mode, and various usability enhancements like a simplified login, faster toggling to different languages, and the ability to display frame information during recording and replay.

For more information on Firmware 4.5’s main features, we invite you to watch the  GDK tutorial video, GoX tutorial video, and Emulator tutorial video.

If you already own a Gocator, you can download Firmware 4.5 for free here: www.lmi3d.com/support/downloads/.

About LMI Technologies

At LMI Technologies we work to advance 3D measurement with smart sensor technology. Our award-winning, FactorySmart™ sensors improve the quality and efficiency of factory production by providing fast, accurate, reliable inspection solutions that leverage smart 3D technologies. Unlike contact based measurement or 2D vision, our products remove complexity and dramatically reduce implementation cost.

To learn more about how LMI’s inspection solutions can benefit your business, we invite you to contact us at contact@lmi3d.com or visit us at www.lmi3d.com to explore the possibilities of smart 3D technology.

Gocator Firmware 4.5 is now available for free download. The new firmware introduces several features that greatly expand Gocator’s measurement capabilities and offline support.

Major Developments in Firmware 4.5

Gocator Development Kit (GDK)

GDK is a major advancement in Gocator’s flexibility and an industry first in sensor firmware customization. With the GDK, users can develop and execute their own measurement tools in the Gocator Firmware itself, with the same speed and output as native built-in tools. The GDK provides full IP-protection and allows users to quickly respond to on-site issues by modifying and deploying custom tools on-site.

• Extend your existing set of measurement tools and make specialized measurements for applications with unique requirements while protecting your IP

• Produce optimized custom firmware builds that run within the realtime OS of the Gocator

• Use custom solutions on a variety of different sensors, all on a single platform

• Run your customized measurement tools in the Gocator Emulator for offline development, testing, and support

LMI is also offering a number of GDK-based sample tools (binary only) that you can try out now, with more to come in the future. Refer to <Gocator Manual GDK section> for more details.

Gocator Accelerator (GoX)

Accelerator increases Gocator’s speed and memory capacity by seamlessly offloading data processing to a PC. GoX’s user interface and output protocols are the same as those in standalone Gocator sensors, and no additional development is required to take advantage of this enhanced data processing capability.

• Increase processing speed and reduce cycle times

• Remove memory limitations

• Handle large 3D point clouds

• Configure and operate multiple networked Gocators

• When speed is critical... use the power of your PC to share the data processing tasks

Gocator Accelerator can run as an independent application, or can be fully integrated into an SDK-based application with minimal additional lines of code.
 

Gocator Emulator

The Gocator Emulator allows you to run a "virtual" sensor using pre-recorded data without the need for a physical sensor.

Emulator supports SDK developers to create their applications using a virtual Gocator before real hardware is needed. A physical Gocator is used to record live data without disrupting inline inspection performance. The recorded data can then be loaded into the Emulator for offline development and review.

• Use all the Gocator functionality, including measurement tools and part matching on recorded data –– in a virtual environment.

• Analyze and create measurement solutions on data recorded from a real sensor in true production conditions.

• Determine issues with current sensor configurations, then design and test improvements in a safe environment prior to deploying the solution on an actual sensor.

• Develop fully integrated solutions in a stable offline environment.

• Includes online version from LMI’s web site

Improved Filtering

The firmware 4.5 release includes two new filtering options. The Slope Filter (for G1 family sensors) detects sharp or steep edges within a profile in the presence of slow vibration. Slope Filter is useful for applications like inspecting defects on a rotating drum or shaft.

In addition, X-filtering (median, smoothing, and decimation), which was previously only available on G2 family sensors, is now available on G1 sensors. The X-filtering option allows G1 users to generate more accurate data out-of-the-box.

Measurement Tools Improvements

The new Profile Round Corner Tool accurately locates rounded corners using radius values from a CAD model. The Profile Rounded Corner Tool is ideal for measuring structures like the rain channels on a car roof. The improved Countersunk Hole Tool can measure slight tilts in countersinks, and achieves more accurate hole diameter measurements––even when not perpendicular to the surface.

Plus, users can now control script measurement behavior in real-time from a PLC or SDK application. This will allow users to change control decision behavior without any resulting downtime.

Continuous Improvement

We love listening to your feedback and are always working to improve our firmware according to your needs. Gocator 4.5 Firmware offers  a wide range of additional improvements in response to customer feedback, including:

• Simplified login and faster toggling to different languages

• Display frame information during recording and replay

• Receive event notification via digital output or SDK when the sensor finishes acquisition

• Support for both point and mesh 3D rendering

• High quality Reduce Occlusion Mode to improve quality of merge

• Control and retrieve recording using SDK

• Much improved SDK .NET wrapper

• Additional template for ASCII protocol

Firmware 4.5 Now Available for Free Download

For more information on Firmware 4.5’s main features, we invite you to watch the  GDK tutorial video, GoX tutorial video , and Emulator tutorial video.

If you already own a Gocator, you can download Firmware 4.5 for free here: www.lmi3d.com/support/downloads/

Gocator firmware 4.5 is officially available for free download for all Gocator users. The Firmware 4.5 files, release notes, SDK files, and user manual will also be made available at that time and can be downloaded from www.lmi3d.com/support/downloads/.

Alternatively, you can download the new firmware from the Gocator interface. To learn more about the latest Gocator Firmware, please visit www.lmi3d.com/products/gocator/firmware/.
To experience the power of GDK before doing any programming, check out an experimental firmware build using the sample GDK tools from the same location where new firmware is found at www.lmi3d.com/support/downloads/.

With the need to fulfill astronomical supply needs for consumer electronic devices, manufacturers are always looking for quality inspection systems that can handle the volume and deliver the required precision and repeatability. Furthermore, the drive toward more compact devices means manufacturers need to measure ever finer details. The Gocator 2400 series of blue laser line profile sensors provides the fine measurements and high speed that electronics manufacturers need.

Read Application

Cutting into assemblies such as plane fuselages is risky business. If the cutting tool is damaged or not properly installed, the assembly may need costly repairs or could even be ruined. The fast scan time of Gocator snapshot sensors, which are ideal for robotic mounting, lets you quickly scan test material before making crucial cuts on expensive components.

Read Application

Gocator 2410 and 2420 Models Provide Industry-First 2-Megapixel Camera Technology, Highest X Resolution Ever Achieved (6 Microns), High Repeatability Down to 0.2 Microns and Wide Field of View

September 13, 2016, Vancouver, BC – LMI Technologies (LMI), a leading developer of 3D scanning and inspection solutions, is pleased to announce the official launch of the Gocator 2400 Series, the latest addition to the Gocator series of smart, all-in-one 3D line profilers.

The Gocator 2400 Series is a new line of 3D smart sensors optimized for specific industries. The first two models in the series, the Gocator 2410 and 2420, are blue-laser profiling sensors designed for electronics and small parts inspection. These high-performance line profile sensors provide the highest X resolution (6 µm) among 3D sensors on the market today, along with highly repeatable results (down to 0.2 µm in height).

“Leveraging industry-first 2-megapixel cameras and a powerful, next-generation embedded processor, Gocator 2410 and 2420 offer higher data density while achieving 50% wider fields of view over our competitors”, said Chi Ho Ng, Director of Product Management.

Twice the speed as the Gocator 2300 series (400-5000 Hz with windowing), the 2410 and 2420 sensors double the possible resolution of scan data in the direction of travel. In addition, because the sensors use a blue laser to create profiles, data around the edge of specular targets is cleaner, which is crucial for electronics and small part feature recognition.

The Gocator 2410 and 2420 come in a revised IP67 industrial housing offering all-in-one functionality including web-based user setup, built-in 3D visualization, drag and drop measurement tools, and communication protocols that are unmatched in the 3D sensor market.

“Resolution and speed are key requirements in small parts inspection. With the Gocator 2410 and 2420, we’ve addressed this need and more. These 2Mp smart sensors are the next generation solution for automated small parts 3D inspection, allowing users to scan, recognize and inspect complete micro-features that the competition can’t even see, all at production speed”, said Terry Arden, CEO at LMI Technologies.

See how Gocator 2400 Series stacks up against the toughest competition with this complimentary comparison chart.

About LMI Technologies

At LMI Technologies we work to advance 3D measurement with smart sensor technology. Our award-winning, FactorySmart™ sensors improve the quality and efficiency of factory production by providing fast, accurate, reliable inspection solutions that leverage smart 3D technologies. Unlike contact based measurement or 2D vision, our products remove complexity and dramatically reduce implementation cost.

To learn more about how LMI’s inspection solutions can benefit your business, we invite you to contact us at contact@lmi3d.com or visit us at www.lmi3d.com to explore the possibilities of smart 3D technology.

Gocator 2410 and 2420 Models Provide Industry-First 2-Megapixel Camera Technology, Highest X Resolution Ever Achieved (6 Microns), High Repeatability Down to 0.2 Microns and Wide Field of View

LMI Technologies is pleased to announce the official launch of the Gocator 2400 Series, the latest addition to the Gocator series of smart, all-in-one 3D line profilers.

The Gocator 2400 Series is a new line of 3D smart sensors optimized for specific industries. The first two models in the series, the Gocator 2410 and 2420, are blue-laser profiling sensors designed for electronics and small parts inspection. These high-performance line profile sensors provide the highest X resolution (6 µm) among 3D sensors on the market today, along with highly repeatable results (down to 0.2 µm in height).

“Leveraging industry-first 2-megapixel cameras and a powerful, next-generation embedded processor, Gocator 2410 and 2420 offer higher data density while achieving 50% wider fields of view over our competitors”, said Chi Ho Ng, Director of Product Management.

Twice the speed as the Gocator 2300 series (400-5000 Hz with windowing), the 2410 and 2420 sensors double the possible resolution of scan data in the direction of travel. In addition, because the sensors use a blue laser to create profiles, data around the edge of specular targets is cleaner, which is crucial for electronics and small part feature recognition.

The Gocator 2410 and 2420 come in a revised IP67 industrial housing offering all-in-one functionality including web-based user setup, built-in 3D visualization, drag and drop measurement tools, and communication protocols that are unmatched in the 3D sensor market.

“Resolution and speed are key requirements in small parts inspection. With the Gocator 2410 and 2420, we’ve addressed this need and more. These 2Mp smart sensors are the next generation solution for automated small parts 3D inspection, allowing users to scan, recognize and inspect complete micro-features that the competition can’t even see, all at production speed”, said Terry Arden, CEO at LMI Technologies.

See how Gocator 2400 Series stacks up against the toughest competition with this complimentary comparison chart.

Gocator 1320-3B is designed to inspect shiny and dark objects at a close range, at very high speeds (up to 32 kHz).

Gocator 1370-2M is ideal for measuring objects far away from the sensor. 

Furthermore, class 2M lasers are safe for applications where the operators might view the laser directly.

Since Gocator 1370 sensors use a top-mount housing, they can be easily fit into low-profile, height-restricted machinery. 

As with any Gocator 1000 sensor, users can generate profiles of scanned parts using Profile Mode to greatly reduce processing latency and network bandwidth, and even to eliminate the need for an external PC. This is a unique capability of the Gocator single point.

Profile Mode builds 3D part profiles by intelligently combining high speed range data into a profile of the scanned part, with flexible part detection logic that supports a variety of acquisition methods, such as fixed length of movement, digital input control status, and height thresholding.

For more details, please refer to the Gocator 1300 series datasheet and updated pricesheet on the FTP under the following file paths: 

We would also like to remind all Gocator users that when the sensor’s connectors are not being used, they must be covered with an IP67 connector plug to remain IP67 compliant. Connector plugs are included with sensors shipped in 2015 and later.

Please contact LMI Sales if you didn’t receive the connector plugs. You can also purchase these plugs directly from the supplier:

• Power/Sync/Ethernet Connector: Binder 08 2670 000 000
• I/O Connector: Binder 08 2671 000 000

This is a reminder to all Gocator users that when the sensor’s connectors are not being used, they must be covered with an IP67 connector plug to remain IP67 compliant. Connector plugs are included with sensors shipped in 2015 and later.

Please contact LMI Sales if you didn’t receive the connector plugs. You can also purchase these plugs directly from the supplier:

• Power/Sync/Ethernet Connector: Binder 08 2670 000 000
• I/O Connector: Binder 08 2671 000 000

Up until now, single point displacement sensors could only measure the distance of a single laser point to the target object’s surface. However, with Profile Mode added to the Gocator 1300 Series, users can now generate and inspect profiles of scanned parts using a Gocator “smart” displacement sensor.

The result? A single point you can use like a line profile sensor––and an entirely new class of product called a single point profiler only offered by LMI.

How it Works

In Gocator 1300 sensors, Profile Mode builds 3D part profiles by intelligently combining high speed range data into a profile of the scanned part, using built-in part detection logic that supports a variety of acquisition methods, such as fixed length of movement, digital input control status, and height thresholding.

Types of Profile Generation

Gocator uses different methods to generate a profile, depending on the needs of the application.

Continuous:

The sensor continuously generates profiles of parts that are detected under the sensor. Parts are separated by height and gap thresholding. Continuous Profile Generation is used when the transport system continuously feeds material or parts under the sensor. These materials have a distinguishable start and stop edge. Example applications include inspection of web materials such as rubber; and wane detection, the process of identifying defects in boards characterized by bark or insufficient wood at a corner or along an edge.

Fixed Length: The sensor generates profiles of a fixed length (in mm) using the value in the Length setting. Like Continuous Profile Generation mode, Fixed Length mode is used when material or parts continuously pass under the sensor. Unlike Continuous mode, these parts/materials do not have a distinguishable start and stop edge. Examples include measuring height characteristics of rubber extrusions or road roughness calculations.

Variable Length: The sensor generates profiles of variable length up to a maximum defined length. Variable Length Profile Generation is typically used in robot controlled scanning applications, for example, measuring the lengths of different parts on an engine block.

Rotational: The sensor reorders ranges within a profile to be aligned with an encoder’s index pulse, so that the system knows when a full rotation has completed. Rotational Profile Generation is used in applications where profile measurements of a circular object in motion need to be taken, such as tire tread and sidewall inspection, and label positioning on bottles.

Note: Optimal Sensor Orientation

With Single Point Profile Sensors it is considered a rule of thumb to orient the sensor with the triangulation base perpendicular to the direction of travel (i.e., simply rotate the sensor 90 degrees in each of the above illustrations).  This type of arrangement is preferable with single point profilers because the perpendicular arrangement avoids occlusion in the measurement plane on moving targets.

Built-In Profile Measurement Tools

Once the profile is generated users can then apply any of Gocator's built-in profile tools for dimensioning and inspecting complex shapes. Gocator’s profile tools detect and compare feature points or fit lines or circles found within laser profile data.

Measurement values are compared against minimum and maximum thresholds to yield accurate control decisions. Gocator’s profile measurement tools include Panel (Gap & Flush), Strip, Circle, Groove, and more.

User Benefits

The result is greatly increased control over the inspection process and a significant reduction in system complexity and setup cost––achieved by allowing users to identify issues through visual inspection of profiles in real-time.

Furthermore, users no longer have to deal with processing high speed data. Since typical displacement sensors require heavy network bandwidth and a PC or external controller to operate, generating profiles on a single point reduces processing latency and network bandwidth, and can even eliminate the need for an external PC. This is a unique capability of the Gocator single point displacement sensor.

Learn learn more about Gocator Single Point Profile Sensors here.