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3D laser sensor handles reflective and diffuse surfaces
Published:  01 April, 2019

The Canadian 3D scanning specialist LMI Technologies has developed a laser line profile sensor which, it claims, is unique in its ability to scan both reflective (specular) and diffuse surfaces simultaneously. For example, the Gocator 2512 sensor can generate a precise 3D scan of a mobile phone’s cover glass in a surrounding metal or plastic frame, inspecting critical parameters such as flushness, gap and offset.

The sensor uses a special laser projection technology that can handle a wide range of surface angles, material types and surface colours. It copes with challenging surfaces including transparent, anti-glare, coated, low/high contrast, UV and glossy finishes. LMI says that rival laser profilers use a collimated laser beam that cannot deliver the same performance.

“The sensor’s unique optical design delivers exceptional performance in challenging specular scanning applications, in a more cost-effective package than competing technologies such as confocal scanners,” says LMI’s senior director of applications, Chi Ho Ng.

LMI’s 3D laser scanner can handle objects with both reflective and diffuse surfaces simultaneously

The sensor has onboard data processing and built-in measurement tools.