SICK’s Ranger3 streaming camera set a new performance benchmark for high-speed, high-definition onboard 3D image processing, when it was launched last year. Powered with SICK’s ROCC (Rapid On-Chip Calculation) technology, the pocket-sized SICK Ranger3 processes up to 15.4 gigapixels per second, enabling full-frame 3D imaging (2,560 x 832 pixels) at 7 kHz.
The SICK Ranger3’s outstanding capability to capture dimensions, contours and surface defects make it ideal for dimensioning and inspection tasks in metal production processes. High repeatability must be assured regardless of the colour, contrast or brightness of profiles, slabs and pipes, even as they flicker with heat, and despite harsh environments contaminated with tinder, dirt or moisture.
One of the first to recognise the Ranger3’s potential is German company, IMS Messesysteme GmbH. The international market leader offers a range of measurement technologies for steel and non-ferrous metal production.
IMS has integrated the Ranger3 camera into its optical X-3Dvision measurement system, used for 3D inspection in thermal production processes in continuous casting plants, hot rolling mills and tube rolling mills. With the SICK Ranger3, IMS has refined the accuracy of the X-3Dvision system at the sub-millimetre range, widening its competitive advantage and opening up new market applications.
IMS’s X-3Dvision measurement system is used for 360° inspection of profiles such as H beams, C profiles, CZ profiles, sheet piling and tubes. To capture the entire surface seamlessly, multiple Ranger3 cameras and lasers are configured into a single, circular measurement setup. While systems usually feature between three and eight cameras, the latest plant contains 22 SICK Ranger3 cameras with eight lasers in one system.
Using the highly light-sensitive M30 CMOS sensor and ROCC (Rapid On-Chip Calculation), the SICK Ranger 3 converts the laser line contour of the profile into precise, ready-to-use 3D coordinates. There is no need for complex post-processing and the images are output at 4gigabits per second via Gigabit Ethernet interface. The Ranger3 camera configuration can create up to 24,000 profiles per second.
Long goods or pipes are passed through the system to measure dimensions, contours and linearity, as well the minutest of surface defects such as cracks, deposits, inclusions, or indentations. Very small details, typically 0.3mm in the width, 0.3mm in the depth and 1mm in the length can be detected at full production speeds. By adopting the SICK Ranger3 in its X-3Dvision system, IMS has dimension and contour measurement has been improved up to + or – 0.1mm accuracy.
The system refinements have helped IMS to increase its competitive advantage and open up new market applications for the X-3Dvision system.
For more information please contact Andrea Hornby on 01727 831121 or email andrea.hornby@sick.co.uk.
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