Ten current versions of laser distance sensors make it possible to measure distances up to 3,000 metres. Laser runtime sensors are used in many different industrial applications. Each model has its own particular strengths. For example, the sensors can be used for measuring fill level or for speed measurements.

The new optoNCDT 1302 replaces the previous optoNCDT 1300 with immediate effect. The new model is provided with many new features. For example, the optoNCDT 1302 provides a Teach-In function and enables peak selection. It is suitable for many common measuring tasks at a very attractive price. You can see other new functions of the optoNCDT 1302 here.

The Pforzheim engineering company EHR uses the scanCONTROL 2800 laser scanner for the geometrical inspection of rotating symmetrical objects. In doing so, the scanner achieves a resolution of up to 1µm on lustrous metals. As well as the scanner, other sensors from Micro-Epsilon are used on this machine.

Measuring systems that use shadowing or a received amount of light from the optoCONTROL product range open up a wide variety of applications in quality assurance or process control. A variety of measuring systems is available for diameter inspection, edge tracking or gap measurement. We have now compiled this range of products in an attractive brochure for you.

The new thermoMETER CTratio quotient pyrometer provides completely new benefits: Measurements that are unaffected by the emissivity, which are also reliable in harsh conditions such as strong smoke or steam in front of the sensor, and are immune to electromagnetic fields, with measuring ranges between 700°C and 1800°C. This sensor is one of the high-end models of the thermoMETER range.

For several weeks now, Micro-Epsilon has been providing all common social media tools on its own website. At the end of each web page, there are numerous ways of keeping up-to-date with all Micro-Epsilon news.

The compact scanCONTROL 2700 and 2710 laser scanners are now also available with a 50mm measuring range. This closes the gap between the previous measuring ranges of 25mm and 100mm. The models in the 2700 and 2710 series have a compact housing with integrated controller and boast an impressive price/performance ratio.

In the production of certain types of bearing bushes, a sliding lacquer is applied to a metal strip. Before this, a carrier material must be sintered on so that this lacquer adheres to the smooth metal surface. The thickness of the sinter application is a critical to factor in ensuring good quality finished product. The new micrometer for strip thickness measurement is used for this.

The brand new "wireSENSOR Application Overview" brochure provides an overview of potential applications for draw-wire sensors. Divided into various sections, the brochure shows many previous real world applications and explains in detail how the sensors operate.

Capacitive pre-amplifiers are required when larger distances between the sensor and electronics have to be bridged. The new CPM 6011 pre-amplifier is an innovative, entry-level solution available at an attractive price. Even the total price for one measurement channel is reduced with this system.

In atomic force microscopes, surfaces need to be examined to nanometre resolution. As the test item has to be moved in the nanometre range, a special sensor is required. The new capaNCDT CSH-FL is used for this. The compact 4mm flat sensors are fitted next to the piezo actuators, providing nanometre precision in the vacuum conditions and for electromagnetic fields.

The eddy current measurement principle sets the standards with regard to high precision in harsh environments. Plastics in the measuring gap influence the measurement just as little as magnetic fields, oil or water. The sensors withstand a dynamic pressure load of more than 3,000 bar whilst still offering a resolution of less than one micrometre.

Repair of worn components is often a more cost-effective solution for large systems and machines. The welding on of removed metal is a frequent method for the repair of such systems. In order to automate this process, welding robots are now used in combination with the scanCONTROL 2700 profile scanner.

The measuring systems that use shadowing or received amount of light of the optoCONTROL product range enable the sensor to be used in many different quality assurance and process control applications. Specific requirements can arise in which a standard model is not sufficient. Therefore, various special models have been developed which concern, for example, the geometry or the electronics for the transmitter or receiver.

The many possible applications for laser sensors often also place special requirements on the sensors in the optoNCDT series. Therefore, special models of the optoNCDT 1700 and optoNCDT 2200 sensors are often suitable for specific requirements. Among other things, these include modified measuring ranges or modified designs.

A vacuum is produced in the cell for the production of photovoltaic modules according to the new NICE technology. Thereby, the correct gap dimension between the glass on the front side and the metal on the back is important. Confocal sensors which measure the thickness of the glass and the gap from one side are used for this.

With the extremely high resolution of the capaNCDT 6500 Multiple Channel System, it would be possible to detect the growth of grass in one millisecond. Grass grows by approximately 80 picometres in this time. This is not a challenge for the measurement system with the highest resolution in the world.

The new measurement system in the scanCONTROL series is called scanCONTROL 2710. The profile sensor operates with an integrated controller and is already prepared for many measurement tasks. Acquired profile data are processed internally and output as control signals. The fast commissioning and the diverse possible applications are impressive.

The new optoNCDT 1402 replaces the previous, widely used optoNCDT 1401 with immediate effect. The new model in the same installation size provides much improved performance data. With a 1.5 kHz adjustable measuring rate, even faster movements can now be measured reliably. The signals are now also output digitally using the RS422 interface.

Pipelines in power stations are designed to withstand extreme loads. However, elongation of the pipe of up to one metre can occur at certain points along its length. These elongations are monitored and compensated for by using constant supports. Where a person previously had to estimate the load manually, this can now be done automatically by using draw-wire sensors from Micro-Epsilon.

Micro-Epsilon is able to develop and manufacture custom eddy current sensors according to individual customer requirements. Eddy current sensors are modified or completely redesigned using the company’s expertise acquired over many years. In doing so, the use of embedded coil technology is completely new. Extremely flexible sensor designs and electronics are possible here.

Up to 6 sensors can be connected to the new Universal Controller. Using the external connection modules, it does not matter which sensor is connected to the controller. The new CSP 2008 Universal Controller automatically detects which sensor it is connected to. The signals are converted in real-time in the controller. This means that thickness and planarity measurements can be obtained quickly and easily.

Draw-wire sensors are being increasingly used in medical equipment for position determination. The compact design, the large selection of measuring ranges and the high precision make the sensors ideal for this application area. There are applications in very many medical areas such as, e.g. operating tables, computer tomographs or rehabilitation equipment.

New materials are constantly being researched for the optimization of contact lenses. This means testing all conceivable characteristics. optoCONTROL ThruBeam sensors which measure the lens diameter with micrometre precision even in the salt solution are used for the geometry inspection.

thermoIMAGER TIM is currently possibly the smallest thermal imaging camera in the world. The camera which can be used in a stationary position has a robust case and is ideally suited for industrial measurements. A USB 2.0 connection is sufficient to put the camera into operation. The absolute measuring method of the thermoIMAGER TIM and the attractive price are also astonishing.

Following the completely new confocal miniature sensors, the technologies of the miniature lenses are now combined with conventional lenses. The benefits of the conventional lenses and the new gradient index lenses are integrated in the new optoNCDT 2403 sensors. With an external diameter of only 8 mm, they are very slim and provide increased base distance and tilt angle.

In steel production, it is important that the slag is removed and transported as quickly as possible. The slag must not be allowed to cool down in the crucible. Draw-wire sensors from Micro-Epsilon are used to ensure the fastest possible transport time. The harsh environment for the sensor is overcome by using a smart installation solution.

A new measuring table from Micro-Epsilon is being used to inspect the dimensional accuracy of flat glass. This fully automatic, turnkey system inspects the edges, flatness and thickness of the glass panes. These are decisive factors for ensuring the quality of the glass, particularly for the production of photovoltaic modules.

One or more dies are produced from a master using galvanization for the reproduction of CDs or DVDs. The thickness of the dies is only allowed to deviate by a few micrometers from the specified dimension. A special inspection system with capacitive sensors from ISEDD GmbH in Bielefeld checks that this is the case.

The new thermoMETER series of infrared temperature sensors from Micro-Epsilon is also available in OEM versions for use in high volume production. These temperature sensors can be found in the standard range as either miniature or – completely new – in an extremely robust version. For the smallest model, the complete electronics is positioned in the cable.

The most important trade show for tire process manufacturing, “Tire Technology Expo”, takes place in Hamburg on 17 – 19 February, 2009. All our new measurement and inspection systems for quality assurance during tire production will be on show at our stand. You will also get to know our new subsidiary, ME-Inspection, as specialists in tire inspection. Directly after this show is the “intec” exhibition, which takes place in Leipzig on February 24 – 27, 2009. This is an important exhibition for production technology, with the focus being on toolmaking and construction of special equipment and machinery. We will focus on optical sensors and measuring equipment at the exhibition.

Micro-Epsilon now offers an extremely compact measurement system for the in-line inspection of tire surfaces. The non-contact system inspects tires immediately after the production process for bulges and other surface defects. In doing so, it scans the complete surface of the tire, carrying out the inspection within 1 second. Due to the small installation size, the system can easily replace existing inspection systems. The system will be demonstrated for the first time at the Tire Technology Expo in Hamburg.