SENSORS | NUCLEAR
and planar surfaces used for
reference. The sensor provides
the axial and lateral distance (2D)
measurements between the scanned
object and sensor frame, which is
not sufficient for reconstruction.
Therefore, the 2D data obtained
from the laser sensor is combined
with the position of the robot flange,
which is read in real-time from the
robot controller using a LabVIEWbased
22
central controller. Combining
these two, the central controller
generates the 3D reconstruction of
the as-welded part as a point-cloud
and converts it into the desired CAD
format.
“The 3D CAD model of the aswelded
part is then used to generate
grinding/deburring paths either
offline using CAM or robot path
programming software or online
using in-house developed path
generation algorithms. Once path
generation has been completed, the
grinding or deburring operation
begins,” states Gurdal. The robot
used for this work was a six-axis
Staubli TX200, as Staubli was one of
the partners on the project.
The scanCONTROL 2910-100_BL
is a compact, high performance
laser profile sensor (laser line
scanner) with integrated electronics
that makes it ideally suited to robot
mounting. It operates using blue
(violet) laser technology rather
than red, especially useful for
measuring against shiny metallic
structures or difficult-to-measure
surfaces. The sensor projects a wide
laser line from
58mm to 143mm
over the object
with a profile
resolution of 1280
measuring points.
The measuring range
in the z-axis is from
100mm to 290mm, which
gives useful flexibility for the robot
positioning.
The sensor is equipped with
a Gigabit Ethernet interface for
transferring profile data, as well
as a multi-purpose connector for
RS422, encoder input triggering,
Digital In (HTL/TTL), power supply
and synchronisation. The sensors
support Power-over-Ethernet (PoE),
which means they can be operated
with only one cable, thus simplifying
installation even further. nsor and a
PLC.
“The scanCONTROL laser
sensor is a good piece of kit. We’ve
successfully used the sensor in
multiple projects, for example, weld
monitoring and weld grinding. The
integration was straightforward too.
There are a variety of APIs/software
tools provided by Micro-Epsilon for
integration with different software
platforms and programming
languages such as LabVIEW and
C++, so it was really a plug-andplay
set up without much hassle
which saved precious time for us.
We’ve also been very happy with
the technical support provided by
Micro-Epsilon when we’ve needed
this,” concludes Gurdal. !
NUCLEAR AMRC
The Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing
Research Centre helps UK manufacturers
win work across the nuclear sector
– in new build, operations and
decommissioning – and in other qualitycritical
industries. Its facilities and services
are open to all.
It is led by its industrial members, but
companies don’t have to be members
to take advantage of its capabilities and
expertise. Its manufacturing innovation
capabilities and supply chain development
services are open to all UK manufacturers,
from specialist SMEs to top-tier OEMs.
Its engineers and sector specialists
work with companies to develop
innovative techniques and optimised
processes for large-scale highprecision
manufacturing. Companies
can use its state-of-the-art workshops
to develop and test new processes on
production-scale machines, without
losing capacity in their own factories.
It also provides a range of supply
chain development support to help
manufacturers enter the nuclear market
and compete worldwide. The Fit For
Nuclear programme is a unique diagnostic
tool which lets you measure your
operations against industry requirements
and take steps to close any gaps.
The Nuclear AMRC is backed by
industry leaders and government and
owned by the University of Sheffield.
Its research factory at the Advanced
Manufacturing Park in South Yorkshire
forms part of a world-leading innovation
cluster alongside the AMRC, Castings
Technology International and AMRC
Training Centre.
It also operates a modularisation R&D
facility in Birkenhead, and the new Nuclear
AMRC Midlands in Derby. Its applied
manufacturing research is underpinned
by the nuclear and materials technology
expertise of The University of Manchester
Dalton Nuclear Institute.
It is part of the High Value
Manufacturing Catapult, an alliance of
seven leading manufacturing research
centres backed by Innovate UK. This
allows it to tap into a national network of
manufacturing research excellence – if
a particular technology falls outside the
Nuclear AMRC’s areas of expertise, it can
call on other Catapult partners for the
support needed.
The sensor is
equipped with a Gigabit
Ethernet interface for
transferring profile data,
as well as a multi-purpose
connector for RS422,
encoder input triggering,
Digital In (HTL/TTL),
power supply and
synchronisation