The LaserGauge® acquires a 2-D contour of the surface to be measured, much like a linear “point cloud”, such that all of the points line up in the same measurement plane. In a typical LaserGauge®, up to 1280 points in a contour can be acquired. Since these contours are taken at a fixed scan width, the point spacing in the contour is dependent upon the scan width and the number of sample points. For example, for a 1-inch scan width with 500 points per scan, the sample spacing of the contour is 0.002”. Typical depth resolution is 0.001” for a 1” scan but can be as small as 0.0002” for smaller scan widths.
The leading edge imaging method yields scans on both sides of a part simultaneously. The structured light reflects off one surface, around the edge, then onto the other surface, giving true leading edge scans that can then be processed. The traditional laser triangulation method is unable to do this.
Selection of Red vs Blue laser technology comes down to a question of the surface material being measured. Red Laser technology is used on solid surfaces, such as painted or unpainted, non-shiny surfaces. Blue laser technology works accurately on all kinds of surfaces including painted, unpainted, translucent, transparent, some plastic, composite, and shiny.
The photos below show the difference between the blue laser (left) and the red laser capability on a red translucent lens:
