• LaserGauge® LGWorks Software

Routines are built in a tree-view hierarchy so that points and groups of points can easily be cut, copied and pasted, or moved using drag-and-drop functionality.

More than one measurement may be needed at each inspection point, such as gap and flush. Routine commands tell the LaserGauge^® what methodology to use to make the measurements and one pull of the trigger completes all of the measurements at that location.

Photos or images of the part being inspected can be copied into LGWorks, and the individual points can be marked by drawing an arrow on the image at the exact location for the measurement. The images are displayed on the graphical controllers or DSP screens with arrows advancing automatically as each measurement is taken.

Specification limits can be entered in the routine and used by the LaserGauge^® to flag out-of-spec conditions. A second set of limits, called reasonable limits, can also be entered to help filter errant measurements and identify measurements taken at the wrong location.

The LaserGauge^® can be used to capture raw scans of surface features, such as a weld or a gap. The scan, once retrieved, can be opened in LGWorks and used to test virtual gauge settings. The selected gauge and settings are then incorporated into the routine.

Data files are formatted by the user and can vary by routine. The user has a choice of delimiters and the file can include information contained in the routine or found on the controller. Operator input fields and LaserGauge^® generated information can also be included in the data file, such as date, time, shift, operator, VIN, feature label, description, etc.

• configure and test measurement algorithms (gauges) for specific parts
• establish inspector, supervisor and administrative rights for the sensor
• set operational preferences.

Constant scanning and running the algorithm in real-time while displaying current measurement results and profiles.

LGCommander automatically sets the gain of the usb sensor so you don't have to worry about dispariate surface colors or reflectivity.

LGCommander supports multiple sensor types. An alignment algorithm is applied to the simultaneous scans producing a calibrated, multi-view profile of a part. The inspection algorithm is then run against the combined profile to generate the desired measurements.

Raw Video

The Raw Video test mode allows you to view the sensor signal and determine the optimum manual setting. The image of the laser will appear in the video box.

This image helps to analyze possible surface reflections, incorrect gain settings, positioning of the sensor and other manual settings. These are all items that can affect the success of accurate measurements.

On-Screen Measurements

For some profiles there might not be a virtual gauge that will work, or one that returns the measurements desired. An operator can manually measure a feature on any captured profile by using the on-screen distance measurement tool. The operator can simply select the first point or edge in the scan by left-clicking and dragging the cursor to the other point or edge and releasing the mouse. The x,y coordinates will be used to calculate the delta x, the delta y, and the absolute distance between the two selected points.

In most cases, LGWorksRT is used on a moving assembly line to make measurements on vehicles as they move through the inspection station. Routines can be run by one or two operators working simultaneously using multiple DSP sensors. The measurement results are displayed on a large screen mounted over the line and out-of-spec conditions are color-coded for easy identification.

A routine can be launched in LGWorksRT by entering a trace that is specifically associated with the routine. The trace can be a VIN, a sequence number, or any identifier of the part or assembly being inspected. In assembly plants, the VIN or sequence number is usually on a barcode label attached to the part. Using the optional barcode reader on the sensor to read the barcode and associating a precise trace to a specific routine, that routine will automatically open in LGWorksRT in preparation for measuring.

Routines can be run by one operator or by two operators working simultaneously using the handheld DSP sensors.

A DSP sensor must be directly connected to the computer via a USB cable or through a wireless ZigBee link to run a routine with LGWorksRT. 

This option works in conjunction with LGWorksRT. The gap and flush, or “fit”, data is recorded and entered into the plant’s database or quality management system. Measurement results from the Fit-Gate station can also be gathered and filtered, with those results displayed on a separate monitor or LCD downstream where operators can adjust the ‘fit’ of any out of spec measurement.

• LGTools is used to retrieve files from and send files to the LaserGauge® controllers
• LGUtility is a specialized application used to send firmware files to the controller and to retrieve firmware and operating files from the controller
• LGImage is a graphic viewer used to view and save images and scans retrieved from the controller

• Use a PC to configure all of the menu-based settings on a DSP sensor
• Retrieve DSP sensor settings and store as a local file on a PC
• Push the retrieved settings, or settings configured with the LGConfig user interface, to another DSP sensor to replicate all settings between sensors

• LGViewer is a feature rich graphic viewer that allows panning and zooming of the scan, as well as onscreen measurement capability