Laser-based inspection of product shapes

Laser-based inspection of product shapes on the basis of laser triangulation is a technique which is predestinated for on-line quality assurance purposes. The concept of a high precision triangulation sensor and a inspection machine is described which are designed to measure product shapes in a measurement volume of 400 mm diameter with an uncertainly of measurement of 50 mym. The influence of the speckles effect on the uncertainly and a first calibration scheme will be discussed. Finally some applications of the laser-based inspection for line-form products, i.e., ones having a constant cross-section such as rods, tubes or beams are presented.