New compact programmable laser scanner from Leuze Mayer has multiple sensing fields

Citation

(2002), "New compact programmable laser scanner from Leuze Mayer has multiple sensing fields", Sensor Review, Vol. 22 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2002.08722aaf.011

New compact programmable laser scanner from Leuze Mayer has multiple sensing fields

New compact programmable laser scanner from Leuze Mayer has multiple sensing fields

Keywords: Laser scanning, Sensors

A new laser scanner has been launched by sensor specialist Leuze Mayser. The new scanner, called the Rotoscan RS4, represents the very latest developments in the field of programmable, wide-angle scanning devices and is a significant addition to the company's extensive range of safety equipment(Plate 13).

Developed by one of the world's leading specialists in opto-electric sensors, it has the most advanced features of any similar type of device currently available and is amply qualified for a wide variety of applications from providing personal protection through to identifying the safe progress of AGV's. Its high specification enables Leuze Mayser to introduce Rotoscan with BIA certification, and it fulfils the requirements for safety category Type 3 in accordance with IEC 61496-3 (approval for use in personal protection on robot working areas, conveyor equipment, etc.)

Plate 13

The Rotoscan RS4 scanner continuously monitors a surface, much like a radar system, and uses diffuse laser light reflected from the surface of non-transparent objects. Light impulses from its laser diode are directed around a 190^o scanning area using rotating mirrors. The pulsed travel time procedure serves as the measurement principle, the distance to a specific light-reflecting object is calculated based on the time difference between the transmittal and reception of a light impulse. The evaluation is virtually independent of the remission of the scanned object.

With this latest scanner development from Leuze, if an object or person is detected within the programmed field, Rotoscan calculates its precise co-ordinates with regard to distance, size and position. Simultaneously, Rotoscan checks whether the detected object is located inside or outside a previously defined protection field.

By nature of its radar-type sensing capability this currently unique non-contract type scanner has four programmable sensing fields spanning up to 15m radius and four programmable safety fields of up to 4m radius over a 190^o arc. In order to operate as an effective personal protection device, Rotocsan has been engineered to have an extremely fast response time of a mere 80ms.

A feature of Rotoscan is that each sensing and safety field can be programmed in pairs – any object within the sensing zone will create an 'alert' signal, in the case of AGVs this can be used to trigger the controls causing the vehicle to slow. If the object remains in the path and enters the programmed safety zone the vehicle will stop.

Configuration of the protection fields is carried out using simple, easy to understand communications software from a PC. Each unit is supplied with communications software that runs on Microsoft Windows 95, 98 and NT. It enables areas to be plotted, point by point, or by regular shapes such as rectangles or curves with trim and cut out facilities.

Future software developments will enable the obnject and safety area contours to be taught to the scanner automatically. To do this will require the contour of the field in question to be physically reproduced using cazrdboard or similar material. When the "learn" command has been given, a reading process begins which scans the presented contour and the data acquired creates an embedded profile within the designated programmable field. To prevent unauthorised access to the programming facility, Leuze has made the programming function password protected.

In developing Rotoscan RS4 Leuze has produced a scanner that satisfies many industrial pre-requisites such as being small (overall size is 142 x 135 x 153mm), robust and a device that is immune to the affects of ambient interference.

Roboscan RS4 will become a valuable addition to Leuze Mayser's comprehensive range of machine guarding equipment and safety systems. It is a range that enables Leuze to satisfy virtually every conceivable machine guarding requirement with products such as light curtains and grids, safety mats and edges, interlocks and relays and miniature machine safety interface control systems.

For further information please contact:

Fiona Morgan, Leuze Mayser Ltd, Generation Business Park, Bradford Road

St Neots, Cambs PE19 6YQ.Tel: 01480 408500; Fax: 01480 403808; E-mail: mail@leuzemayser.co.uk; Web: www.leuzemayser.co.uk