Scan Mode

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This topic provides descriptions of the parameters in the scan mode.

Trigger Settings

Select the trigger sources and set relevant parameters.

For the methods of triggering the laser profiler to acquire data in the scan mode, please refer to Methods for Triggering Data Acquisition and Workflow of Triggering Data Acquisition.

Data Acquisition Trigger Source

Description

Select the source of the signals that trigger data acquisition. In one round of data acquisition, multiple lines are scanned, multiple profiles are generated, and one intensity image and one depth map are generated using the profile data.

Visibility

Beginner, Expert, Guru

Values

  • External

  • Software (default)

Instruction

If you use externally input signals to trigger data acquisition, select External. Otherwise, select Software.

Line Scan Trigger Source

Description

Select the source of the signals that trigger the scan of a single line.

Visibility

Beginner, Expert, Guru

Values

  • Encoder (default)

  • Fixed rate

Instruction

  • If you use an encoder to trigger scanning, select Encoder.

  • If you need to trigger scanning at a fixed rate, select Fixed rate.

Please set Data Acquisition Trigger Source and Line Scan Trigger Source based on the combination of triggering methods in use.

After selecting different options, different parameters are displayed in the Trigger Settings category for adjustment:

Encoder Settings

When Line Scan Trigger Source is set to Encoder, adjust the parameters in this category.

Click Edit to open the Encoder Settings tool. You can check the encoder value and motion direction, and have the encoder resolution calculated.

If you need the Y-axis resolution of the scan data to be equal to the X-axis resolution, you can also use this tool to get the recommended value of Trigger Interval.

Trigger Direction

Description

Select the encoder motion direction that triggers scanning.

Visibility

Beginner, Expert, Guru

Values

  • Channel A leading: Scanning is triggered when channel A is leading.

    leading a

  • Channel B leading: Scanning is triggered when channel B is leading.

    leading b

  • Both (default): Scanning is triggered when either channel A or channel B is leading.

Instruction

Adjust this parameter based on the encoder motion direction and the motion direction of the target object relative to the laser profiler.

Check the encoder motion direction in the Encoder Settings tool.

Trigger Signal Counting Mode

Description

Set the number of quadrature signals to be counted in an encoder period. Counted signals are used to trigger scanning (These signals are trigger signals).

Each encoder period contains 4 quadrature signals, as shown below.

encoder period

Visibility

Beginner, Expert, Guru

Values

  • 1× (default): counts 1 signal in an encoder period.

  • 2×: counts 2 signals in an encoder period.

  • 4×: counts 4 signals in an encoder period.

Instruction

This parameter and Trigger Interval together determine the rate at which scanning is triggered.

  • If the rate at which scanning is triggered is greater than the max scan rate of the laser profiler, some data will be lost. Refer to Some Data Were Lost to resolve this issue.

    You can check the current max scan rate of the laser profiler in the upper right of the data display area.

  • The rate at which scanning is triggered determines the Y-axis resolution of the scan data, thus affecting the scan accuracy as well as the aspect ratio of the target object in the intensity image and depth map. For details, please refer to Y-Axis Resolution of Scan Data.

  • If you need the Y-axis resolution of the scan data to be equal to the X-axis resolution, adjust Trigger Interval in the Encoder Settings tool (The value of Trigger Signal Counting Mode may need to be adjusted accordingly).

Trigger Interval

Description

Set the number of trigger signals needed for scanning one line.

Visibility

Beginner, Expert, Guru

Values

  • Value range: 1 to 65535

  • Default value:

    • LNX-8030: 2

    • LNX-8080: 6

    • LNX-8300: 13

Instruction

This parameter and Trigger Signal Counting Mode together determine the rate at which scanning is triggered.

  • If the rate at which scanning is triggered is greater than the max scan rate of the laser profiler, some data will be lost. Refer to Some Data Were Lost to resolve this issue.

    You can check the current max scan rate of the laser profiler in the upper right of the data display area.

  • The rate at which scanning is triggered determines the Y-axis resolution of the scan data, thus affecting the scan accuracy as well as the aspect ratio of the target object in the intensity image and depth map. For details, please refer to Y-Axis Resolution of Scan Data.

  • If you need the Y-axis resolution of the scan data to be equal to the X-axis resolution, please adjust Trigger Interval through the Encoder Settings tool.

Fixed-Rate: Trigger Rate

Description

When Line Scan Trigger Source is set to Fixed rate, set the fixed rate at which the laser profiler is triggered to scan.

Visibility

Beginner, Expert, Guru

Values

  • Value range: 2 Hz to the current max scan rate

    You can check the current max scan rate of the laser profiler in the upper right of the data display area.

  • Default value: 1000 Hz

Instruction

  • This parameter determines the Y-axis resolution of the scan data. Please adjust it based on your needs for the Y-axis resolution.

  • If you need the Y-axis resolution of the scan data to be equal to the X-axis resolution, please calculate the appropriate Trigger Rate value according to the following equation:

    Trigger Rate: = travel speed of the target object relative to the laser profiler (μm/s) ÷ X-axis resolution

Trigger Delay

Parameter Description

Sets the delay time between receiving a line scan trigger signal and emitting laser light.

Visibility

Guru

Values

  • Value range: 0 to 2590 μs

  • Default value: 0 μs

Instruction

Do not adjust this parameter when only one laser profiler is used.
When multiple laser profilers are used to scan the same target object, refer to the Adjust Trigger Delay section below for the situation of adjusting this parameter and detailed instructions.

Adjust Trigger Delay

In the following situation, you need to adjust Trigger Delay:

  • Multiple laser profilers are used to scan the same target object.

  • The line scans of all laser profilers are triggered by a single source.

  • The FOVs of the laser profilers overlap. The laser profilers will interfere with each other if they emit laser light at the same time.

    trigger delay overlapped fov 1

With an appropriate value of Trigger Delay, laser profilers emit laser light at different times and acquire data without interference.

Adjusting the value of Trigger Delay will have the following impacts:

  • Reduces the max scan rate.

  • Since the laser profilers do not emit laser light and acquire data simultaneously, profiles with the same index do not correspond to the same position on the target object anymore. Such position deviations can be corrected by determining the spatial relationship of sensor heads through calibration.

Follow the steps below to adjust Trigger Delay:

  1. Adjust the parameters of each laser profiler according to Profile Mode and Scan Mode, and ensure that the data acquired with each laser profiler fulfill the requirements.

  2. If more than two laser profilers are used, check the overlap of FOVs:

    Overlap of FOVs

    FOVs of all laser profilers overlap

    FOVs of some laser profilers do not overlap (A and C in the image below)

    Example of spatial relationship

    trigger delay overlapped fov 2

    trigger delay overlapped fov 3

    The purpose of adjusting Trigger Delay is to avoid interference in overlapping FOVs. Since laser profilers A and C in the image to the right of the table do not overlap, they can emit laser light simultaneously. You only need to adjust Trigger Delay for laser profiler B, making it emit laser light after laser profilers A and C.

  3. Follow these steps to set Trigger Delay for laser profilers, referring to the spatial relationship examples and parameter settings in the table below:

    1. Determine which laser profiler should emit laser light first, and keep the default Trigger Delay value of 0 for it.

    2. Determine which laser profiler should emit laser light second, and set the value of Trigger Delay according to the following formula:

      Trigger Delay = 10 μs + the Exposure Time (in the Timed exposure mode) or the Total exposure time in the HDR Exposure Settings (in the HDR exposure mode) of the laser profiler first to emit laser light

      The laser profiler starts exposure 10 μs after emitting laser light to ensure stable brightness of the laser lines in the raw image.

    3. Determine which laser profiler should emit laser light third, and set the value of Trigger Delay according to the following formula:

      Trigger Delay = the Trigger Delay value of the laser profiler second to emit laser light + 10 μs + the Exposure Time (in the Timed exposure mode) or the Total exposure time in the HDR Exposure Settings (in the HDR exposure mode) of the laser profiler second to emit laser light

    4. Set the value of Trigger Delay for all laser profilers following this logic.

      Example of spatial relationship

      trigger delay overlapped fov 1 1

      trigger delay overlapped fov 2

      trigger delay overlapped fov 3

      Parameter settings

      trigger delay sequence 1

      trigger delay sequence 2

      trigger delay sequence 3

      exposure delay: Exposure delay time:(10 μs)

      exposure time: Exposure Time/Total exposure time

      trigger delay: Trigger Delay

Scan Settings

Set other parameters that affect the scanning process.

Scan Line Count

Description

Set the number of profiles needed to generate one intensity image/depth map.

Visibility

Beginner, Expert, Guru

Values

  • Value range: 16 to 20000

  • Default value: 5000

Instruction

Make sure that the set value can cover one target object completely. You can refer to the following equation to calculate the appropriate parameter value:

Scan Line Count = length of target object (μm) ÷ Y-axis resolution of scan data (μm)

The set value should be slightly larger than the calculated value.

Timeout Period

Description

Set the timeout period for data acquisition. After data acquisition is triggered, if the software does not receive data within the set timeout period, the current round of data acquisition is automatically stopped.

Visibility

Beginner, Expert, Guru

Values

  • Value range: 100 ms to 60000 ms

  • Default value: 4000 ms

Instruction

Adjust based on the actual needs.

Brightness Adjustment

Parameter Description

Adjust the brightness of the intensity image. A greater value of this parameter results in a brighter intensity image.

Visibility

Expert, Guru

Values

  • 0.5×: reduces the brightness to half (0.5) of the original intensity image.

  • 0.75×: reduces the brightness to three quarters (0.75) of the original intensity image.

  • 1× (default): displays the original brightness of the intensity image.

  • 1.5×: increases the brightness to one and a half (1.5) of the original intensity image.

  • 2×: increases the brightness to twice (2) the original intensity image.

Instruction

  • To reduce the brightness of the intensity image, set the parameter value to 0.5× or 0.75×.

  • To increase the brightness of the intensity image, set the parameter value to 1.5× or 2×.

Intensity images with different Brightness Adjustment values (all other conditions identical):

Brightness Adjustment: 0.5× Brightness Adjustment: 1× Brightness Adjustment: 2×

brightness adjustment 0.5

brightness adjustment 1

brightness adjustment 2

Resolution

The parameters in this category set the X-axis resolution of the scan data and the Y-axis resolution of the point cloud.

X-Axis Resolution

Description

Sets the X-axis resolution of the scan data, which is the distance between two neighboring points along the direction of the laser line.

Visibility

Beginner, Expert, Guru

Values

  • Value range (μm):

    • LNX-7530: 11.0–70.4

    • LNX-7580: 28.0–179.2

    • LNX-75300: 132.0–844.8

    • LNX-8030: 9.0–73.7

    • LNX-8080: 23.5–192.5

    • LNX-8300: 105.0–860.2

  • Increment: 0.1 μm

For the default values of X-axis resolutions of different laser profiler models, refer to Technical Specifications.

Instruction

If you need the X-axis and Y-axis resolutions of the scan data to be the same while the Y-axis resolution cannot be modified by adjusting parameters such as Trigger Signal Counting Mode, adjust this parameter.

Point Cloud Y-Axis Resolution

Description

Sets the Y-axis resolution of the point cloud, which is the distance between two neighboring points along the travel direction of the target object.

Visibility

Beginner, Expert, Guru

Values

  • Default value (μm):

    • LNX-8030: 9.0

    • LNX-8080: 23.5

    • LNX-8300: 105.0

    • LNX-7530: 11.0

    • LNX-7580: 28.0

    • LNX-75300: 132.0

  • Increment: 0.1 μm

Instruction

This parameter only affects the Y-axis resolution of the point cloud. If in the point cloud, the distance between two points neighboring along the Y-axis is shorter than the actual distance, please increase the value of this parameter. Otherwise, decrease the value of this parameter.

When all other conditions are identical, point clouds with different values of Point Cloud Y-Axis Resolution are as follows:

Point Cloud Y-Axis Resolution: 12 μm Point Cloud Y-Axis Resolution: 23.5 μm Point Cloud Y-Axis Resolution: 35 μm

y resolution 18

y resolution 23.5

y resolution 30

Mask

Description

Use masks to exclude unneeded data, such as noise and laser lines produced by interreflection.

Visibility

Beginner, Expert, Guru

Values

Enable Mask toggle switch:

  • When the toggle switch is turned on, the added masks will be applied.

  • When the toggle switch is turned off, the added masks will not be applied.

Instruction

Click Edit to open the Mask Tool window. For detailed instructions, refer to Use Mask Tool below.

Use Mask Tool

Through the mask tool, you can add, edit, and delete masks.

Add Masks

Follow these steps to add masks:

  1. Select the appropriate tool in the toolbar on the left:

    • rectangle: used to add a rectangle mask.

    • polygon: used to add a polygon mask.

  2. Determine the location of the unneeded data in the raw image and draw a mask:

    • Rectangle mask: Hold and drag.

    • Polygon mask: Click to add a vertex of the polygon mask. After all needed vertices are added, press the Enter key or right-click to finish drawing the polygon mask.

      In a polygon mask, the overlapped regions are not effective:

      overlapped mask

      • Click Acquire again at the top to acquire the raw image after the masks are added to check the effect of the masks.

      • If the position, shape, or size of the masks are not satisfactory, you can edit the masks or delete the masks.

  3. After all masks are added, click Apply to close the current window.

    After you click Apply, the Enable Mask toggle switch will be turned on automatically. If the masks do need to be applied, turn off the toggle switch and acquire data again.

Edit Masks

If the position, shape, or size of the masks are not satisfactory, follow these steps to edit the masks:

  1. Click selection in the toolbar on the left.

  2. Select the mask that needs to be edited and conduct the needed adjustment:

    • Move a mask: Select the mask and drag.

    • Adjust the size of a rectangle mask: Select a vertex of the rectangle mask and drag.

    • Adjust the shape of a polygon mask:

      • Move an existing vertex: Select a vertex of the polygon mask and drag.

      • Add a new vertex: Left-click on an edge of the polygon mask.

      • Delete an existing vertex: Select a vertex of the polygon mask and right-click.

        Click Acquire again at the top to acquire the raw image after the masks are edited to check the effect of the masks.

  3. After all editing is completed, click Apply to close the current window.

    After you click Apply, the Enable Mask toggle switch will be turned on automatically. If the masks do need to be applied, turn off the toggle switch and acquire data again.

Delete Masks

Follow these steps to delete unsatisfactory masks:

  1. In the right panel, select the mask that needs to be deleted in Mask list, and click delete.

    If you need to delete all the masks, click Clear to the right of Mask list.

  2. In the pop-up window, click Confirm to delete the mask.

    Click Acquire again at the top to acquire the raw image after the mask is deleted to check the effect of the remaining masks.

  3. After all deletion is completed, click Apply to close the current window.

    After you click Apply, the Enable Mask toggle switch will be turned on automatically. If the masks do need to be applied, turn off the toggle switch and acquire data again.

Profile Alignment

The parameters in this category correct the X-axis and Z-axis vibrations in the profiles.

X-Axis Profile Alignment

Parameter Description

This tool corrects the X-axis vibrations in the profiles.

Visibility

Beginner, Expert, Guru

Values

Enable X-Axis Profile Alignment toggle switch:

  • When the toggle switch is turned on, settings for X-axis profile alignment will be applied.

  • When the toggle switch is turned off, settings for X-axis profile alignment will not be applied.

Instruction

Acquire data, and then click Edit to open the tool. For detailed instructions, refer to X-Axis Profile Alignment.

Depth maps before and after turning on X-Axis Profile Alignment (all other conditions identical):

Target object (demonstration) Before After

x profile alignment object

x profile alignment off

x profile alignment on

Z-Axis Profile Alignment

Parameter Description

This tool corrects the Z-axis vibrations in the profiles.

Visibility

Beginner, Expert, Guru

Values

Enable Z-Axis Profile Alignment toggle switch:

  • When the toggle switch is turned on, settings for Z-axis profile alignment will be applied.

  • When the toggle switch is turned off, settings for Z-axis profile alignment will not be applied.

Instruction

Acquire data, and then click Edit to open the tool. For detailed instructions, refer to Z-Axis Profile Alignment.

Point clouds before and after turning on Z-Axis Profile Alignment (all other conditions identical):

Target object (demonstration) Before After

z profile alignment object

z profile alignment off

z profile alignment on

Correction

The parameters in this category are used to correct the tilt of and height error in the profile.

Tilt Correction

Description

Correct the tilt of the profile, which is caused by the rotation of the laser profiler around the Y-axis.

Visibility

Beginner, Expert, Guru

Values

Enable Tilt Correction toggle switch:

  • When the toggle switch is turned on, the tilt correction result will be applied to the profiles.

  • When the toggle switch is turned off, the tilt correction result will not be applied to the profiles.

Tilt Correction Angle:

  • Range: –90° to 90°

  • Default value: 0°

Instruction

For detailed instructions, refer to Tilt Correction.

Height Correction

Description

Correct the height error in the profile, which is caused by the rotation of the laser profiler around the X-axis.

Visibility

Beginner, Expert, Guru

Values

Enable Height Correction toggle switch:

  • When the toggle switch is turned on, the height correction result will be applied to the profiles.

  • When the toggle switch is turned off, the height correction result will not be applied to the profiles.

Height Correction Ratio:

  • Value range: 0.1 to 8.0

  • Default value: 1

Instruction

For detailed instructions, refer to Height Correction.

Filters

The parameters in this category perform blind spot filtering and noise removal on the depth map and point cloud.

Blind Spot Filtering

Blind spots are the areas on the target object surface where the reflected laser light is blocked.

However, if the surface of the target object has closely-spaced dents and bumps, such as PCBs, interreflection of the laser light might occur, thus producing false data near the blind spots. You can remove the false data by enabling the Blind Spot Filtering feature.

Parameter description

Identifies and removes false data caused by blind spots, thereby avoiding influence on further data processing.

Visibility

Beginner, Expert, Guru

Values

Enable Blind Spot Filtering toggle switch:

  • When the toggle switch is turned on, blind spot filtering settings will be applied.

  • When the toggle switch is turned off, blind spot filtering settings will not be applied.

Instruction

Acquire data, and then click Edit to open the tool. For detailed instructions, refer to Blind Spot Filtering.

Point clouds before and after turning on X-Axis Profile Alignment (all other conditions identical):

Target object Before After

bga solder balls

blind spot filtering off

blind spot filtering medium

Noise Removal

Parameter Description

Removes the noise in the depth map and point cloud. Noise is the scattered points close to the object surface.

Visibility

Beginner, Expert, Guru

Values

Enable Noise Removal toggle switch:

  • When the toggle switch is turned on, noise removal settings will be applied.

  • When the toggle switch is turned off, noise removal settings will not be applied.

Noise Removal Intensity:

  • Low

  • Medium

  • High

Instruction

  • A relatively large value of Scan Line Count and a high scan rate may cause lags in the data acquisition process.

  • A higher level of Noise Removal Intensity removes more noise but may also remove some object features.

Point clouds before and after turning on Noise Removal (all other conditions identical):

Target object Before After

noise removal object

noise removal off

noise removal on

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