3D Shape sensor

Area of application

The 3D shape sensor detects shape errors in rigid parts without contact. The reference model is calculated directly from the design data. The sensor can be used, for example, in injection moulding production to detect manufacturing errors.

Inspection result: Left - reference model in determined 3D pose with configured partial volumes. Right - Photo with protruding (red) or missing (blue) material and regions of the partial volumes (green)

Mode of operation

The test specimens fall freely through up to four measuring segments, each with two cameras. In each segment, the exact 3D pose of the test specimen is determined at a suitable point in time. The deviations between the silhouettes captured from the various perspectives and the reference model are consolidated so that incorrect volumes are not counted multiple times.

Technical parameters

Non-contact measuring method
Test duration typically less than one second
Switchover time for production changeover typically less than 30 seconds (a suitable feed and a pre-calculated reference model are assumed)
Use of the design data as a reference, no learning phase
Maximum size of the test specimens approx. 60 x 100 x 60 mm³ (WxHxD)
Volume resolution less than 0.03 mm³
Individual test criteria for test specimen and freely configurable partial volumes
Output of sorting information
Imaging in incident light or transmitted light mode

Hardware: Feeder (A), inlet (B) and measuring segment (C)

Resolution and measuring speed can be customised by varying the camera, optics and computing technology without changing the software.