The analog out option allows the operator to set up your system so that measurement data is converted to a DC. This output is then typically used as an input for some other device. For example, the output could go to a strip chart recorder or a PLC. This option includes a 12-bit two channel card.

Corrugated Tube Measurement

This option is designed specifically to measure corrugated tube. The hardware includes a zero latency input module which ensures that there is no skew or drift while measuring the pitch, the distance between the peaks or valleys. Total Vu software provides for setting specification limits on both the peaks and valleys as well as a graphical profiling ability. With graphical profiling, the operator can view the silhouette of the tube as it passes through the scan field.

The software also identifies peak and valley diameters, pitch (distance between consecutive peaks or valleys), and peaks per foot.

Digital I/O

With the use of a digital I/O card, Total Vu software can be set up to send out signals when events occur. For example, a light on the plant floor could be triggered when the product is out of spec or about to go out of spec. If there is a break in the line, a machine could be shut down or a warning light or alarm triggered. These signals can help notify operators sooner that a problem has occurred or is about to occur. If an operator is notified of a problem before it actually occurs, the problem may be avoided altogether, saving time and materials that might otherwise be wasted.

Digital inputs can be used to perform a number of input functions, such as resetting alarms that have been triggered by the digital output. They can be used to trigger flaw reporting, or start and stop SPC measurements. They can also be used to reset the encoders, and to start and stop the logging of measurement data.

Event Characterization

With this option installed, Total Vu software can be configured to log data automatically when certain events occur within the system. For example, if the product goes out of spec, a data file can be set to open and record the measurement surrounding this event. With the digital I/O option installed, operators on the plant floor can trigger data collection through an external input source. Logging full-speed measurement data can be very useful in refining production processes and diagnosing problems on the line.

Operators can watch potential problems areas and trigger data recording without a need to be at the computer terminal. Recording only the event-related data is very useful when analyzing sporadic process problems. A laser micrometer may be generating 4,000 scans or more a second. With this much data coming in, recording all of it simply isn't practical. Too much data makes it difficult to find the exact set of measurement data where the problem occurred.

Event characterization is designed to save only the data of interest during a production run.

Min/Max

Allows the monitoring of the minimum and maximum values of other measurements defined within the system. This option can be used to find and record defects, filter for valid measurements data from irregular shaped products, and many other applications.

The Min/Max option provides two new measurement types to Total Vu software: Minimum and Maximum. These types get their data from another measurement that has already been defined in the system, a diameter measurement for example. In this case, the diameter measurement comes from a laser micrometer and then the diameter measurement is passed on to the Min/Max measurement. The Min/Max measurement examines the diameter data to keep track of the minimum or maximum values, over an interval.

The Min/Max interval may be defined as a certain number of diameter measurements, a certain period of time, a certain distance, a single part, or between external digital input events. At the end of the interval, a certain number or percentage of measurements that are the largest or smallest are averaged together and that average is the value of the Min/Max measurement.

Same-Spot Measurement

A scanner take a measurement at a particular point in the line, typically before some process or application is to occur on the product. Then a different scanner takes a new measurement further down the line after the process or application has occurred. As an example, this can be used to measure the thickness of a coating applied to a wire. By measuring the wire before and after the coating has been applied, the two measurements can be correlated to obtain the thickness of the coating.

This option requires the use of an encoder so that the same spot at which the line was measured the first time can be measured again. The second scanner looks at the distance between scanners to know when to take its measurement.

Zero Latency Encoder Input

With the encoder option, the position along the production line at which a measurement was taken can be recorded. This is very useful in situations where spools of material are being produced and the product goes out of spec for a short period of time. The spool with the defective length can be easily found, and the point in that spool at which the product goes out of spec can be found quickly, because you will know the exact positions at which the abnormality starts and stops.

Knowing the point at which product abnormalities occur isn't just helpful in situations where product is being spooled. It's helpful any time long sections of product are being produced, whether it's rod, cables, string, strands, or tubing.