High Speed Laser Sensor for Sidewall Inspection

Selcom Sensors That See™ has introduced a high speed laser line sensor for tyre sidewall inspection, radial runout measurement and other applications in the rubber and tyre industry. The market leader in triangulation sensor technology, Selcom® is a leading brand of LMI Technologies, Inc.

The new Selcom® EyeCON-2 Laser Line Sensor is unique in that it has dual vision cameras in one sensor housing that detect small defects, wherever they occur, at a full 2kHz sample rate and at a high resolution. Located on each side of the laser line, the dual vision cameras “see” the complete line capturing every defect at 2,000 profiles/second or twice as fast as any currently available line sensor.

The new laser line sensor increases the data density or amount of profile information to detect small bulges or depressions that might be missed by single point sensors. Accurate geometric surface data even at steep edges of raised lettering uncovering bulges or depressions under embossed features perfectly, while eliminating invalid data drop outs at a full 2 kHz sample rate. Even at surface steps, one of the two cameras will “see” the laser line and eliminate data dropouts caused by raised lettering, greasy lube oil streaks, barcodes or other geometric features. The much higher density capability of the laser line sensor also reduces false rejects and increases productivity for improved safety and quality.
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The new EyeCON-2™ line laser incorporates Selcom’s “Smart Sensor” technology to internally process image data and output the measured 3D “raw profile” of the tyre surface. An alternative “Software Inside” data analyses software with special algorithms generated by the system integrator or end user can also be programmed within the sensor. This results in even higher efficiency and reduced system costs since the need for an external controller is eliminated (PC, PLC or other device).

“The EyeCON-2 laser line sensor is unique to the tyre and rubber industry and will improve total quality control and total inspection of passenger and truck tyres while ensuring safety,” noted Martin Sanden, Rubber and Tyre Division Manager for LMI Technologies AB. “No other manufacturer has a full 2kHz sample rate, dual cameras that “see” and a platform that allows our users to customise and upload their own software inside the laser head to further reduce installation cost. It allows the system integrator and end user to offer unique vision based products to their customers while at the same time protecting their Intelligent Property.”
Sanden added that most laser line versions operate at lower rates and lower accuracy and are only suitable for applications in the preparation side of the plant such as tyre tread extrusion, width and profile measurement of calendared rubber.