Conoscopic Holography is a patented measurement technology which is based on the behavior of polarized light returned from the measured object surface in direct correlation to the surface distance and shape. The returned polarized light enters into optical crystals and progresses at different velocities as a function of the distance from the measured object. A high amount of information of each measured point captured by the sensor enables very accurate distance and 3D measurements even when only a small fraction of light (4%) is returned from the measured surface, for example, as in cases where the surface under measurement is 85° incidence to the sensor.

The main advantage is the capability to measure at high accuracy a wide range of materials and surfaces in industrial environments. These include shiny surfaces, complex geometries with steep angles (up to 85°), holes and grooves, all in high speed and during motion. These fundamental advantages are based the on the co-linearity and the large amount of information on each measured point enabled by conoscopic holography technology together with the complementary technologies embedded in the product.

• Higher precision and reproducibility.
• Higher speed without the need to average measurements.
• Capability to measure a wide range of materials (including on two materials in one profile).
• Interchangeable objective lenses for optimizing the use in the application.

In contrast to triangulation, the conoscopic sensors transmit the laser beam in the same optical axis as the returned signal. This co-linearity allows conoscopic sensors to measure inside holes, through folding optics such as mirrors, and measure steeply inclined surfaces (even at angles greater than 85 degrees). In Conoscopic sensors, large amount of data from each camera pixel is retrieved for each measurement. Even in cases where part of the returned signal from the object is blocked or is of poor quality, the large amount of data provides enough high quality signals to produce accurate measurement data.

The Conoprobe should be used for opaque or diffusive surfaces such as metal while the NanoConoprobe is to be used on reflective or transparent surfaces such as glass and mirrors. The objective lens for the Probe is characterized by its stand-off and working range needed for the application. Examples:

1. To best measure a surface or object with features in height of 12mm - use 75mm lens with working range of 18mm (assuming the system does not have motorized Z axis).
2. To best measure a metal object with features in height range of 1.5mm use the Conoprobe with 25mm objective lens has a standoff (distance from the Probe to the center of the working range) of 17mm with working range of 1.8mm.
3. To measure glass thickness of 0.7mm use the NanoConoprobe with 25mm objective lens with working range of 1mm.

• Working Range is the height difference (mm) between the highest and lowest points to be measured in the specimen.
• Standoff is the distance (mm) from the probe to the middle of the specimen’s working range.
  

See scheme below:

When choosing a lens you should take into consideration both the resolution and working range required. The working range increases as the focal length is enlarged. The resolution decreases with the focal length growth. For example, if you estimate that the specimen’s working range is 30mm and the resolution you need is more than 35 microns, the f100mm lens with a working range of up to 35mm will be suitable. If the Z axis in the system is motorized, then there is an option to use a shorter focal lens (with higher resolution) as long as the measured object and surface is accessible.

Optimet sensors have interchangeable lenses. The sensor has a specific calibration to each objective lens which is stored in the sensor itself. The application software communicates with the sensor and specifies which lens is used for the specific measurement.

The output of Optimet sensors, achieved by a sophisticated processing unit embedded in the sensor itself, includes:

1. Distance Z,
2. “SNR” (signal to noise ratio),
3. “Total” (the amount of energy reflected from the measured object to the sensor),
The SNR and TOTAL values provided for each measured point are used for qualifying the measurement result for each measured point,
4. “bit set” indicating in/out of range.
5. Optional – OPS - the exact position of up to 3 axes (& encoders) of the system synchronized with each measured point if the sensor is used with OPS (Optimet Position Synchronizer) option.

In principle, the sensor calibration does not change over time as Optimet sensors do not have any moving parts. It is recommended, however, to validate periodically the sensor and scanning system accuracy as instructed by ISO standards. In scanning systems provided by Optimet, a simple calibration and validation procedure is recommended periodically.

Yes, Optimet technology in co-linear (co-axial) and allows measurement through a hole. See image below

The minimal hole diameter (D) and distance from the object (L) in which a measurement can be performed without disturbing the measurement is given by the following expression: D= 22(1-S/L) (mm)

Example for hole minimal diameter with a 100mm objective lens:

For other objective lenses use the following stand-off's:

Objective Lens focal length (mm)	Stand off (mm) L*
25	15
50	42
75	65
100	90
150	140
200	185

Optimet sensors are provided with Ethernet interface. Several sensors (up to 64 sensors) can be connected via a standard hub to one PC. The software provides synchronized measurement readouts for all the sensors without requiring any additional hardware.

There are several applications where Optimet sensors work via the lens objective or optics of the customer's system, including with relay optics. For example, autofocus of YAG laser, where the sensor measures via the laser lens by using relay optics such as a beam combiner. This is possible due to the co-linearity of Optimet's technology. Another example is the integration of the Optimet sensor with a machine vision camera and lens (in the same axis).

Optimet sensors are robust and have no moving parts. Hence, they can be mounted on moving modules and gantries. It is important to make sure that during the scanning the system and the object or surface being measured are stable and that vibrations are minimized and taken into account.

Please go to Support, fill in the form and our application engineers will contact you to assist you.

Please go to downloads and enter the CD setup of the sensor you choose. The CD Setup includes a complete package of the files required to operate the sensor of your preference. The SDK provides code samples in addition to utilities that test the communication between the sensor and the PC.

Please go to Support, fill in the form and our support engineers will contact you.

The accuracy of Optimet sensors is defined by the objective lens used. For example, the precision of the ConoProbe Mark 3.0 with 25mm lens is <2µ. Conoprobe high definition sensors can reach submicron precision.

The accuracy of Optimet Dental Scanner as tested is 15µm and down to 5µm in measurement of implant bridges position (height Z and angle of the implant seats). These accuracies allow very precise design and manufacturing of the dental restoration with perfect clinical results.

Yes, the NanoConoprobe can measure thickness of transparent objects and materials such as glass and liquid (based on the simultaneous reflection from the top and bottom surfaces). In case of opaque objects such as metal, the thickness is measured by two aligned ConoProbes.

Optimet sensors and systems can measure a wide variety of materials, including glass, liquids, metal - both diffusive and shiny, mirrors, silicon, wood, casts, plastic, leather, semi-transparent objects and more. For more information and assistance, please contact Optimet Support.

The periscope diameter is 5mm and its length is 22mm. the working range is 7mm. Hence, the minimal inner
  diameter of the tube to be measured is 6mm and its length around 17.5mm.
For different dimensions a custom periscope can be designed.

To contact one of Optimet regional sales organizations, please go to Contact us/Distributor and find the distributor closest to your location.

Optimet has technical support offices in USA, Israel, Japan and China. For more information please go to Contact us.

Optimet Dental Scanner is distributed globally by Nobel Biocare under Procera™.

Optimet products and sensors have a large variety of objective lenses and accessories well suited for a wide range of measurement needs. In specific cases and if relevant, Optimet offers a full customized scanning solution. In addition Optimet works with a large number of integrators which provide solutions using Optimet sensors and technology. For more information and assistance please contact Optimet Support.

Optimet continues to develop additional technologies, products and solutions for the industrial, dental CAD/CAM and medical markets according to customer and market needs.

Optimet products are CE and ROHS compatible. The quality control procedures of Optimet products are performed according to the German DIN. Optimet is ISO 9001:2008 approved and all production as well as development is done according to strict quality and ISO standards.