LMI created the single point profiler as a unique sensor category with smart features and capabilities that no other displacement sensor on the market offers today.

What Makes Our Single Point Profilers Unique

Unlike other displacement sensors, Gocator® single point profilers deliver very high speeds (32 kHz) with onboard logic for profile generation. In addition, smart single points have all the same built-in profile measurement tools as our 3D laser line profilers. This is what makes our single point profilers FactorySmart®. Traditional displacement sensors do not have built-in decision-making logic and are very difficult to work with at these speeds, where raw data is transferred for processing elsewhere.

To Use Point Profilers or Line Profilers? That is The Question!

Laser line profilers are better suited to the many applications that require transverse 3D profiling (i.e., profile is 90° to part movement) and/or surface generation, but there are also a number of inspection applications where longitudinal profiling (i.e., profile is in direction of part movement) is the preferred method, and these applications are best solved with smart single point profilers.

Longitudinal profiling with a single point profile sensor vs. transverse profiling with a line profile sensor

Application Example – Tin Can Lid Inspection

In this application, the lids on canned goods are scanned in order to detect bulges that indicate correct/incorrect pressurization. The cans travel in a singulated sequence as they move downstream on a conveyor belt at a rate of 1m/sec.

Longitudinal profiling with single points can provide a faster and more cost-effective inspection solution.

Profile generated by single point profiler

Now, let’s compare the advantages/disadvantages of using line profilers vs. single point profilers to see which sensor type is best suited to this application.

After careful consideration, the single point profile approach is the best choice for this application based on several key advantages over line profilers.

Here’s an overview of the benefits of single points:

• Faster (32 kHz sample rate), ideal for high-speed profiling applications
• Shorter exposure times (results in less image noise)
• Dynamic exposure ensures proper exposure at all points
• Profile capture works with automatic part detection
• Lower cost

Conclusion

Gocator® single point profilers are more than just your standard displacement sensors. They offer faster scan speeds with the same profile generation capability and built-in measurement tools as Gocator® line profile sensors. If you want a cost-effective solution for a simple high-speed inspection application, single points can be an excellent choice.

Other inspection applications suited to single points include:

• Material thickness
• High-speed radial and lateral runout (rubber & tire)
• Lumber wane direction on a transverse belt (wood)
• High-speed events (impact, deformation, displacement, gun recoil)
• Vibration/oscillation
• Engine valve dynamics
• Macro-texture (e.g. on pavement)
• Aligned or symmetrical part profiling

Visit the G1 product page for datasheets, videos, and downloadable content on Gocator® single point profilers.