The ConoProbe is a non-contact, single-point measuring sensor based on conoscopic holography technology. Constituting the heart of all Optimet products,when integrated into metrology systems the ConoProbe uses mathematical processing to transform the reflected laser beam into a 2D profile or 3D surface.

Optimet customers world wide are integrating this general-purpose measuring device into their applications as a replacement of their standard contact and non-contact probes. By so doing, they are achieving significant improvements in measurement ability, speed, precision and overall efficiency in such industrial applications as

• QA/QC
• Reverse engineering
• In-process inspection

The ConoProbe easily processes an impressive variety of working ranges by using interchangeable lenses.
Its sophisticated technology offers:

• Up to sub-micron  precision.
• Robust measurement frequency provided in two versions; up to 850Hz and 3000Hz.
• Calibration data storage for up to 31 different calibrations.
• Up to 170º wide angular range coverage.

How the ConoProbe Works

The ConoProbe emits a laser beam that is reflected by a beam splitter and hits the object being measured. Scattered light returns from the object through the beam splitter and birefringent crystal and is then detected by the sensor’s CCD camera (refer to Figure A 1).

	Figure A1

The birefringent crystal modifies the speed of each light ray differently in accordance with its angle. This creates a high contrast fringe pattern on the CCD camera. The angle of the light ray is a function of the distance between the reference plane and the laser spot projected on the object. The distance therefore can be determined by analyzing the characteristics of the created pattern.

A sophisticated and powerful electronics inside the ConoProbe head analyzes this pattern and calculates the object’s distance. The exact relationship between the signal on the CCD camera and the object's distance is determined by a careful and accurate calibration process performed for each objective lens used.

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Last Update: October 25, 2007      Site Map