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Tactile-optical contour sensor

Flexible measurement of roughness, waviness and contour

The tactile-optical contour sensor (WCP: Werth Contour Probe) combines the stylus needles familiar from contour measuring machines with a laser distance sensor (WLP, see p. 27 f. Laser triangulation sensors) and image processing. With this contour sensor, roughness and contour measurements can be carried out with high accuracy in the coordinate measuring machine. As Figure 35 shows, the deflection of the contour probe tip is measured with the laser sensor otherwise used directly for the measurement of the workpiece surface. One benefit of this arrangement is compliance with the comparator principle.

<p>Fig. 35: Werth Contour Probe (WCP): Additional equipment for tactile contour measurement with distance sensors: a) measuring beam, b) magnetic interface, c) mirrors, d) bearing, e) probe tip, f) workpiece</p>

Contour measurement in workpiece coordinates

By placing the contour probe in a stylus changer, measurements can alternatively be taken directly using the laser sensor or image processing. The integration of the tactile-optical contour sensor into a coordinate measuring machine enables fully automatic contour measurement in a large measuring volume. Another benefit is the high positional accuracy of the measurement in the workpiece reference system and the arbitrary scanning direction in the plane. This is not possible with conventional contour measuring devices. The measured data is analysed using software functions for roughness, size, form and position. Application examples are profile measurements on gear segments or embossed sheet metal, measurement of profile cuts of strand material with small geometries, roughness measurement of punched bent parts at defined positions, contour measurement in blind holes of injection nozzles, on lenses or on injection moulded parts.

Werth Contour Probe WCP