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Infrared scanners - the innovative future of measurement technology

Infrared scanners work with infrared radiation (IR radiation). Infrared is electromagnetic radiation in the spectral range. This range lies between long-wave terahertz radiation and visible light. This refers to light with a wavelength in the range between 780 nm and 1 mm. The most common application is the barcode scanner at every supermarket checkout. This is a data acquisition device. This device reads the barcodes and transmits the data for data processing. For example, stock levels are constantly updated to the latest status. The recognition of the code is done by infrared light.

The working technique of an infrared scanner

The infrared detector glides over a surface. In the process, it measures and records the surface texture, dimensions, etc. At the checkout, the goods with the barcodes glide over the sensor of the checkout or are scanned by a barcode scanner. In the process, the data is optically recorded and forwarded to "the head office".

Another application of the infrared scanner is stripe projection systems. These are often called strip light topometry. This is an optical measurement method. In this, image sequences are created in order to be able to record a measurement object in three dimensions. One application is 3D cameras. These enable the three-dimensional measurement of surfaces of any shape. This results in countless possible applications, such as in research, self-programmable measurement and filter sequences, reverse engineering (measuring the point cloud up to the CAD drawing), rapid prototyping, milling data generation for CNC machines, quality control, archaeology, etc.

The most innovative application of infrared light - the 3D infrared scanner

Unfortunately, conventional infrared scanners could not read dark, black, transparent or reflective surfaces. Therefore, the surfaces always had to be pre-treated. With 3D infrared scanners, spraying, whitening and subsequent cleaning are completely unnecessary. The new infrared measuring method also allows inline inspection and measurement.

In industry, this measuring technique is very popular for quality assurance. But also component geometry or rapid prototyping make use of this innovative technology.

The operating principle of the 3D infrared scanner

An expanded laser beam glides over the object surface. This heats up a kind of stripe pattern. The component absorbs the heat energy and then emits it again. A high-speed infrared detector captures the pattern. This then produces either a 3D point cloud or end result measurement data in grid form.

Conclusion

Infrared scanners are primarily used as a measurement technique. Surfaces are scanned by a sensor. After that, the captured data is further processed. However, in the last few decades, this technology has evolved greatly from simple document scanning to innovative fringe projection systems, etc. For example, 3D infrared scanners can be used to detect and measure hidden caves or archaeological sites deep underground using this surface topography measurement technique.

With the help of these infrared detectors, it has been possible to discover further burial sites in Egypt at locations that had been abandoned as "unpromising". In archaeology, this measuring technique is also used for measuring objects on the seabed. In marine archaeology, these sensors are used to search the ocean floor for sunken ships and their valuable cargo. Cave and mountain rescue teams use these infrared detectors to recover missing persons. Cave systems are often widely branched. The search is often very difficult. This is where this measuring technology comes in handy. Fringe projection systems are also frequently used. In geology, the surface structure is used to determine what is "underneath". With these modern measuring techniques this can be done much easier and faster.