In the Industry 4.0 era, sensors in the manufacturing environment must perform high-speed measurements and deliver highly accurate results to ensure reliable quality assurance. Controlling processes in modern production lines requires constant feedback of the machines and robots producing parts, as well as the status of the parts themselves. Distance sensors play a critical role in these applications, sensing positions and displacements to ensure everything stays on track.
A relatively new technique is the confocal chromatic technology, which is suitable for submicron displacement measurement and even one-sided thickness measurement of transparent materials. This noncontact, wear-free method offers a high measurement rate and high accuracies required in today’s industrial equipment. Confocal chromatic systems are ideal feedback devices for both automated processes and quality control inspection systems in a variety of industries. In particular, they are used in cases where laser triangulation sensors provide poor results, such as in confined spaces, or when highly reflective surfaces or transparent objects need to be measured.