Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announces that its parent company, Canon Inc., and Canon Marketing Japan Inc. launched a new measurement device for making high-precision measurements of products on manufacturing lines—the PD-704 contactless measuring device. The new device utilizes Canon’s proprietary profile matching system to perform high-speed measurements of objects moving at up to 100G of acceleration and features a depth detection range of ±15 mm.
At manufacturing sites that implement press systems to shape materials via metal moulds, problems may occur during the pressing process, such as distance or speed miscalculations that occur when parts like metal coils are moved via the belt inside the pressing device. These types of incidents can lead to defective parts or damage to the metal mould during pressing. The new PD-704 employs an LED light source to perform the contactless calculation of the displacement of targeted objects. The device can track objects moving at up to 100G of acceleration and calculate with high precision the distance moved and the movement speed of the object. This helps support reliable and efficient parts provision with uniform quality, thus contributing to higher output on manufacturing lines.
The PD-704’s contactless measuring system utilizes a profile matching method that works by capturing consecutive images of an object and using these images (profiles) to search for correlations (matches). Based on the differences in position, the system calculates the distance and speed at which the objects have moved. Although the system is contactless, it is capable of tracking moving subjects accelerating as fast as 100G, enabling the detection of distance moved and speed of subjects when manufacturing lines are abruptly halted or drastically sped up. What’s more, thanks to an optical system that accommodates vertical shaking of ±15 mm, high-precision calculations are ensured even when shaking occurs due to changes in speed.
Unlike contact-type measuring devices, the PD-704 is capable of performing measurements without touching the target object. This not only helps prevent staining and damaging of objects during measurement but also avoids potential measuring errors within the device caused by slippage or friction. The potential for downtime resulting from the substitution of measured items of varying thickness is also reduced, and maintenance is easier to perform.
The PD-704 uses LED light as its light source for contactless measurement instead of lasers, thus removing the need for safety precautions to protect against laser radiation. In addition, the device is both compact and lightweight with an integrated sensor component and signal processing component, making the device easier to install and implement into manufacturing lines. A moisture-proof option can also be installed if required in order to use the device on manufacturing lines where liquids such as water or oil may splash, or dirt and dust may scatter. This option helps the device meet a wide range of needs for manufacturing lines that handle such items as housing construction materials, extrusion moulding, iron and steel, and automobile parts, as well as for elevator maintenance and printing press inspection.
Pricing and Availability
The Canon PD-704 contactless measuring device is scheduled to be available in Sept 2021.