Micro-Epsilon has launched a new version of its software tool, 3DInspect, which enables 3D data capture and evaluation from its 3D sensor portfolio
3DInspect v3.1 supports the new scanCONTROL 8×00 Green Laser Profile sensors and features several key innovations and new elements, including additional 3D measurement programs such as flatness, sphericality, and hole extraction, and new 2D functions such as straightness 2D.
3DInspect supports all 3D sensors in the Micro-Epsilon portfolio, including surfaceCONTROL for geometry, shape, and surface inspection of matt objects; reflectCONTROL for measurement of shiny, reflective surfaces; and scanCONTROL 30xx and 8×00 laser scanners for precise, inline 3D measurements.
The 3D Profile Unit from Micro-Epsilon enables users to combine several individual profiles from scanCONTROL 30xx sensors in a common coordinate system and evaluate them using 3DInspect. Users can also benefit from extensions for measurement, data pre-processing, visualisation, and automated evaluation.
New 2D and 3D measurement programs
3DInspect v3.1 expands the range of functions with new measurement and pre-processing programs. Additionally, new programs are available for generating and merging point clouds, for sub-sampling, and various mask and filter functions for 2D images. This enables measurement data to be prepared and analysed more precisely and used for demanding inspection tasks.
More flexibility in sensor integration and evaluation
A focus of 3DInspect v3.1 is extended support for modern sensor solutions. The software supports the scanCONTROL 8×00 SMART series of laser scanners in 2D and 3D mode, including a setup wizard.
With “2D images”, a new data format is available for reflectCONTROL and surfaceCONTROL, enabling the evaluation of amplitude, curvature and basic intensity images with image processing programs. This unlocks additional possibilities for evaluating complex surfaces and geometries.
Optimised workflow for efficient measurement tasks
Multiple measurement programs can be executed even faster in 3DInspect v3.1, supporting more efficient implementation of industrial 3D measurement tasks.
Other improvements include an expanded observation mode, automatic saving of several data formats per measurement, and the ability to terminate 3D measurements early with supported sensors. Improved data-preprocessing structure, optimised 2D and 3D displays, and other operational improvements also provide greater clarity throughout the workflow.
Other key innovations in 3DInspect
The functional extension surface inspection can detect deviations from a homogeneous surface, enabling the software to be used for digital quality control. Inspections are performed according to predefined criteria, eliminating subjective influence and allowing defects to be detected early.
Shape elimination
3DInspect includes shape elimination tools such as Trend Removal, Digital Stone, and Digital Master. The Trend Removal function makes small defects such as dents, bumps, unevenness, and structures visible quickly and reliably. The basic geometry is described by a polynomial function. The actual surface data is subtracted from the polynomial, leaving only the surface features to be analysed.
The Digital Stone function allows high-precision inspection of series parts. The digital stone simulates a whetstone used in car body construction to inspect homogeneous surfaces on body shells for bumps or dents. Subjective errors are minimised as the angle and contact pressure remain constant during inspections. Additionally, the recorded data can be saved for quality assurance purposes.
Teaching a Digital Master enables a target-vs-actual comparison. One or more good parts are merged into a master file. Of particular note is the variance of the taught-in-good components. This comparison process removes the need to set up specific inspection criteria and highlights where production deviations occur anywhere on the surface.
Sorting and counting
Another feature in 3DInspect is the sorting and counting of elevations and depressions. This is advantageous for automatically detecting IC pins, as pin lengths within a defined range can be evaluated as OK/NOK.
3DInspect also includes other new 3D pre-processing modules such as Point Cloud Alignment, Cylinder and Sphere Unwinding, and Texture Creation. Additionally, 3D evaluation modules include Defect Extraction and Line Fit.
Other 2D pre-processing modules include Contour Alignment, as well as High Pass and Low Pass Filters. Additional 2D evaluation modules include Edge 2D, Perpendicular Point 2D, and Line Creation 2D.
