Micro-Epsilon has launched a compact confocal chromatic displacement sensor for measurements of distance, surface roughness and thickness. The high numerical aperture (NA 0.8) enables thickness measurement of transparent objects with a minimum thickness of 5µm. Another light-intensive sensor model (NA 0.7) is available for high speed processes.
The sensor offers a measuring range of 100µm. This, combined with a high resolution of 3nm, enables measurements of transparent layers such as glass or plastic film/substrates with thicknesses from just 5µm.
It offers a large tilt angle, made possible by the numerical aperture, i.e. the degree of the light rays bundled in the optical system (NA 0.8 or NA 0.7 depending on the sensor model chosen). Combined with a light spot diameter of just 3µm, the sensor detects the finest of structures and so can be used for surface roughness measurements.
The standard version with NA 0.8 is useful for high precision measurements of rough surfaces and thin layers. The other light-intensive version (NA 0.7) is suitable for high speed measurements with short exposure time and is suitable for dark surfaces.
Particularly in the automotive industry, extremely high demands are placed on product quality. The IFS2407-0,1 sensors are used, for example, for measuring the roughness of brake discs. The disc is smooth, polished and often shiny, with surface structures almost imperceptible to the human eye. These ultra-fine structures become clearly visible only under a microscope. These surface structures are required to create friction and to ensure a high braking force even after numerous braking manoeuvres.