The news of MICRO-EPSILON France

The eddyNCDT 3005 from Micro-Epsilon is a new, powerful eddy current measurement system for fast, high precision displacement measurements. Due to its pressure-resistant, thermally stable and compact design, the eddyNCDT 3005 is ideal for machine integration.

Non-contact eddy current sensors from Micro-Epsilon are designed for extremely high precision measurement of displacement, distance, position, oscillation and vibration, etc. to micrometer accuracies. Pressure, dirt, oil or high temperatures have almost no influence on measurement precision. This eddy current measurement system is particularly suitable for harsh industrial environments. As the sensor and compact controller of the eddyNCDT 3005 are temperature-compensated, outstandingly high measurement accuracies can be achieved even in high or fluctuating temperatures, e.g. in automotive production. The sensors are designed for ambient temperatures up to max. +125°C but can also be custom engineered for temperatures from -30°C to +180°C. Controller, cable and sensor are pressure-resistant up to 10 bar. Compact, robust sensor designs and high measurement accuracy, combined with a particularly favourable price/performance ratio, make these sensors suitable for high volume applications and for integration into plant, equipment and machinery.

Micro-Epsilon presents the new, confocal chromatic sensors for the confocalDT measurement system. The IFS2406 series stands out due to its compact design and high precision. As well as for distance measurements at submicrometer accuracies, the sensor is suitable for the one-sided thickness measurement of different materials.

The confocal chromatic sensors from Micro-Epsilon are non-contact, maintenance-free, provide long-term stability and so are ideal for high precision measurement applications. The confocalDT from Micro-Epsilon includes the fastest controller currently available in the world and achieves measurement rates of 10kHz using an LED light source and 70kHz using a Xenon light source. It provides high precision measurement results in displacement and distance measurement tasks, as well as thickness measurement of transparent objects. A wide range of sensors and various interface options such as Ethernet, EtherCAT, RS422 and analogue output open versatile fields of application.

The IFS2406 sensors are specially designed for vacuum applications. These models stand out due to their compact size, submicrometer accuracy and a small measurement spot size. Due to its axial and radial measuring directions, the sensor models are extremely versatile in terms of their use. Due to their passive design they can even be used in Ex areas. The measurement channel is parameterised via a comfortable web interface which makes it unnecessary to install a separate measurement software.

As well as distance measurements on reflecting or transparent surfaces, these sensors can also be applied in one-sided thickness measurement of transparent film, plates or layers. Typical fields of application includes displays and glass production, medical engineering and research and development.

The multi-channel measurement system for capacitive displacement sensors based on the modularity principle, capaNCDT 6200; has now been extended by the new controller DT6230. Compared to its “little brother”, the DT6230 does not only offer an Ethernet but also an EtherCAT interface as well as an integrated synchronisation. Thereby, the whole system offers more flexibility.

In combination with the demodulators DL6220 and DL6230, the new mid-range class is more flexible than any other system: The single components – controller, demodulator, sensor – are freely interchangeable and allow customer-specific systems to be provided from stock. With a unique modular design, sensor systems that have already been purchased can be enlarged easily.

The capaNCDT 6200 series is a unique modular multi-channel measurement system for capacitive displacement sensor and particularly stands out due to its excellent price/performance ratio. The measurement system consists of one controller and the respective demodulator for the sensor. The controller can be extended to 4 channels. All capacitive displacement sensors from Micro-Epsilon can be used with the capaNCDT 6200 controlle , which can measure thickness, tilt angle and vibrations in the sub-micrometre and nanometre range.

In order to minimise positioning errors in machine tools, the eddy current sensor SGS 4701 measures the thermal extension of high-frequency spindles.

The spindle is at the heart of a machine tool and so plays a decisive role in the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of the respective workpiece. High speeds and the heat generated result in the axial extension of the workpiece spindle and to the resultant positioning error during finishing of the workpiece. The new eddyNCDT SGS 4701 miniature eddy current sensor measures the thermal and centrifugal force extension of high-frequency spindles by measuring on the labyrinth-ring. The measured values are fed into the CNC machine tool as correction values and compensate for any positioning errors. The miniature sensor models have dimensions of 4.5 x 10 x 12 mm³ or 4 x 4 x 10 mm³ and can be integrated with the controller into the machine tool spindle. For ease of handling and in order to achieve maximum accuracy, the eddyNCDT SGS 4701 is factory calibrated for ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic materials used by the customer. For temperature compensation of the eddyNCDT SGS 4701, the temperature of the sensor is measured via the resistance of the eddy current coil. This signal is also available to the customer, which can eliminate the need for any additional temperature sensing technology. Due to its interchangeability with the previous model, the new mini-sensor technology can be easily upgraded at any time. This sensor is now available as a standard catalogue product and suited for OEM modifications as well.

The eddyNCDT 3001 is a cost-effective eddy current sensor with housing that has to date only been reserved for inductive sensors and proximity sensors. This compact sensor comes with integrated electronics including temperature compensation, offering an excellent price/performance ratio, as well as easy operation. The high measurement accuracy and linearity as well as the high frequency response rate of 5 kHz are outstanding characteristics compared to other sensors in the same price class. The sensors are factory-calibrated for ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic materials in the measuring range of 4 mm. The sensors are protected to IP67 and are therefore universally applicable in automation, machine building and machine design. As the sensors are easy to use and cost-effective, they are particularly suitable for standard production in OEM applications. The new DT3001series opens up new application fields for the Micro-Epsilon product range based on the eddy current principle.

Equipped with the new circular sensor, the colorCONTROL ACS7000 spectral colour measurement system performs high precision inline colour measurements on structured, highly reflective and shiny metallic surfaces.

The colour impression of painted or woven surfaces often depends on the viewing angle. This not only applies to the human eye but also to sensors. The new ACS2 circular sensor illuminates the measurement surface in a 360° circular manner and provides exact measurement results independently of the working direction, even on difficult surfaces such as metallic paint. The sensor has a measurement geometry of 45° circular/0°. The sensor resolution (measurable colour distance) is ?E

Micro-Epsilon presents a further technological development of the colorCONTROL ACS7000 online colour measurement system that is ideally suited to quality assurance in the production of film strips, eyeglass lenses, glass sheets, LEDs and Plexiglas.

The two-part transmission sensor ACS3 includes a lighting unit transmitter and a receiver sensor which are positioned opposite one another in an axis. Transparent objects are placed between them and their colour is spectrally measured by the non-contact transmitted light principle. The colour of self-luminous objects can be detected as well for which only the receiver unit is required. The ACS3-TR5 receiver sensor measures at a distance of 100 mm with a measurement spot of 5 mm, whereas the ACS3-TR9 operates non-contact spectral colour measurement at a distance of 200 mm with a measurement spot of 9 mm. The maximum measurement distance is up to 300 mm.

The colour measurement system colorCONTROL ACS7000 achieves a colour value resolution of ?E=0.08. Due to the high measurement frequency of up to 2 kHz, the measurement system is even suited to applications in production lines. The colorCONTROL ACS7000 can be used in car manufacturing, lighting systems¸ machine building, film industry, glass industry and plastics engineering. Operation, set up and configuration take place via a user-friendly web interface. Further features are: teach-button for fast colour storage, simple white/black adjustment, selectable standard observer and illuminant. Low ambient light influence ensures precise measurement values.

The new optoCONTROL 2520 laser micrometer with integrated controller has an extremely compact design. Operators can choose a maximum distance of 2 metres between transmitter and receiver. The measurement object can be placed anywhere within the light curtain that is projected between transmitter and receiver. The convenient Ethernet-based web interface simplifies operation, integration and remote access during the manufacturing process.

The optoCONTROL 2520 compact laser micrometer offers high accuracy and variable mounting distances between 100mm and 2m. The distance between measurement object and receiver can be freely selected and the measurement object can be placed at any position within the light curtain. The measuring range is 46mm. An intuitive web interface is used to perform set up and configuration. A real time measurement chart provides a convenient method of display. A variety of measurement values, such as single edges, diameter and centre axis, can be displayed or hidden in the chart at the user’s discretion. In addition, the system provides various averaging and filter methods, as well as statistics features. Available interfaces are Ethernet / EtherCAT and RS422. A video signal diagram is used for easy alignment and set up of measurements.

optoCONTROL 2520 is suitable for numerous applications in quality control and production. For example, the optical micrometer can measure diameters, edges and gaps on the target object, and up to eight segments can be measured and output simultaneously. The smallest detectable object diameter is 0.5mm, which means that IC pins, gaps, pin strips, etc in electronics production can be measured accurately. This new precision micrometer is also ideal for detecting large objects and for performing large distance measurements. The large measuring distance of up to 2m ensures flexible installation options for transmitter and receiver in production lines where space is limited. Any machine parts that may protrude into the measurement curtain can be masked.

A new capacitive controller provides a combination of technical advantages and low cost. A compact sensor and user-friendly handling make the capaNCDT 6110 sensor suitable for measuring displacement, distance and position in a diverse range of applications, from test cells to highly automated environments.

The new capaNCDT 6110 is successor to the capaNCDT 6100. The compact controller stands out due its high performance and low cost, which makes it particularly suitable for OEM and high volume applications. System resolution is 0.015 % FSO at a bandwidth of 1 kHz. The standard system components are available from stock. The capaNCDT 6110 is compatible with all sensors of the capaNCDT series.

Capacitive displacement measurement is one of the most precise methods of non-contact displacement measurement. The sensor and target act as electrodes of an ideal plate-type capacitor. The change of distance between the plates influences the total system capacity. The distance to the measurement object may be determined proportionally via the amplitude of the alternating voltage on the sensor. Typical capaNCDT 6110 applications can be found in automation systems, semiconductor production, mechanical engineering, medicine and test cells.

The scanCONTROL series of laser profile scanners has been extended with two additional models that use a blue laser diode: scanCONTROL 26xx/BL and 29xx/BL.

The sensors are based on the laser line triangulation. The innovative aspect of the sensors is their use of a short wavelength of 405 nm. The special characteristics of this wavelength range enable the sensors to be used in conditions where measurements have not been practicable to date. The sensors even operate on reflective or transparent surfaces, where it is not possible to use optical measurement methods. 

The scanCONTROL 26xx/BL and 29xx/BL models offer the same excellent features as the recently launched scanCONTROL 26xx and 29xx series that use a red laser diode. The entire control technology is integrated in an extremely compact design, enabling their application in complex machines where there may be little space for mounting of sensors. Profile frequencies of up to 4,000 Hz enable the sensors to be used in high speed applications, for example, in the measurement of rail tracks on moving trains. Different measuring ranges are available from 25 mm to 265 mm in the z-axis (distance) as well as to 143.5 mm in the x-axis (laser line length). Output of measurement data is via Ethernet (UDP, Modbus) or serial interface (RS422, Modbus). In addition, analogue signals or digital switch signals can be output via an output unit.

The scanCONTROL 26xx/BL and 29xx/BL blue laser profile scanners are ideally suited to the following applications and materials:

• Red-hot glowing metals: The red glow normally “dazzles” red profile scanners, but blue scanners are unaffected.
• (Semi-) transparent materials: Due to the short wavelength, the blue laser line penetrates significantly less into the surface than the red laser.
• Organic materials: Slight penetration behaviour of blue laser results in higher measurement accuracy.