Software + Encoder

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This topic introduces the workflow of using software to trigger a round of data acquisition and using encoder signals to trigger each line scan.

Prerequisites

In order to use the software + encoder method to trigger data acquisition, the following prerequisites must be satisfied:

  • Connect the hardware:

    Connect the encoder providing the trigger signal to the corresponding encoder signal terminals on the controller. Please refer to Signal Circuit Diagrams and Encoder Signal Terminals.

  • Improve the quality of the profiles:

    The intensity image, depth map, and point cloud are made of multiple profiles. Therefore, the quality of the profiles determines the quality of the intensity image, depth map, and point cloud.

    Please refer to Profile Mode to adjust the parameters in the profile mode, in order to improve the quality of the profiles.

Workflow

The laser profiler supports three acquisition methods: triggering a single round of data acquisition, automatically triggering multiple rounds of data acquisition, and continuous scanning. Their workflows are different.

Triggering a Single Round of Data Acquisition

When using this method, after triggering a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler scans a fixed length on the object’s surface, generates an intensity image and a depth map, and then automatically exits the acquisition ready status.

To trigger a single round of data acquisition, follow these steps:

  1. Set parameters: Configure the parameters as shown in the table below, and adjust other parameters as needed.

    Mech-Eye Viewer

    1. Set Data Acquisition Method to Frame-Based.

    2. Set the Data Acquisition Trigger Source parameter to Software.

    3. Set the Line Scan Trigger Source parameter to Encoder.

    Mech-Eye API

    1. Set DataAcquisitionMethod to Frame_Based.

    2. Set DataAcquisitionTriggerSource to Software.

    3. Set LineScanTriggerSource to Encoder.

    GenICam client

    1. Set AcquisitionMode to SingleFrame.

    2. Set TriggerMode to On, and set DataAcquisitionTriggerSource to Software.

    3. Set LineScanTriggerSource to Encoder.

  2. Enter the laser profiler to the acquisition ready status: The laser profiler can only respond to externally input signals after it enters the acquisition ready status.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: In the scan mode, click the single cap button.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the startAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client: Send the AcquisitionStart() command to the laser profiler.

  3. Trigger a round of data acquisition:

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: After entering the acquisition ready status in step 2, the laser profiler automatically triggers a round of data acquisition.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the triggerSoftware() method.

    • GenICam client: Send the TriggerSoftware() command to the laser profiler.

  4. Start line scans: Send signals that trigger line scans from the encoder to the laser profiler.

  5. End the current round of data acquisition:

    Set an appropriate value for the Scan Line Count parameter. The current round of data acquisition ends automatically when the set number of lines has been scanned.

  6. Exit the acquisition ready status: Exiting the acquisition status when you do not need to acquire data can avoid triggering data acquisition by mistake.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer:

      • In the scan mode, click the stop one cap button.

      • The laser profiler will automatically exit the acquisition ready status after scanning the set scan line count.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the stopAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client:

      • Send the AcquisitionStop() command to the laser profiler.

      • The laser profiler will automatically exit the acquisition ready status after scanning the set scan line count.

Triggering Multiple Rounds of Data Acquisition

When using this method, after triggering a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler scans a fixed length on the object’s surface, and generates an intensity image and a depth map. After a round of data acquisition, the laser profiler remains in the acquisition ready status.

To trigger multiple rounds of data acquisition, follow these steps:

  1. Set parameters: Configure the parameters as shown in the table below, and adjust other parameters as needed.

    Mech-Eye Viewer

    1. Set Data Acquisition Method to Frame-Based.

    2. Set the Data Acquisition Trigger Source parameter to Software.

    3. Set the Line Scan Trigger Source parameter to Encoder.

    Mech-Eye API

    1. Set DataAcquisitionMethod to Frame_Based.

    2. Set DataAcquisitionTriggerSource to Software.

    3. Set LineScanTriggerSource to Encoder.

    GenICam client

    1. Set AcquisitionMode to Continuous.

    2. Set TriggerMode to On, and set DataAcquisitionTriggerSource to Software.

    3. Set LineScanTriggerSource to Encoder.

  2. Enter the laser profiler to the acquisition ready status: The laser profiler can only respond to externally input signals after it enters the acquisition ready status.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: In the scan mode, click the continuous cap button.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the startAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client: Send the AcquisitionStart() command to the laser profiler.

  3. Trigger a round of data acquisition:

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: After entering the acquisition ready status in step 2, the laser profiler automatically triggers a round of data acquisition.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the triggerSoftware() method.

    • GenICam client: Send the TriggerSoftware() command to the laser profiler.

  4. Start line scans: Send signals that trigger line scans from the encoder to the laser profiler.

  5. End the current round of data acquisition: Set an appropriate value for the Scan Line Count parameter. The current round of data acquisition ends automatically when the set number of lines has been scanned.

  6. Start the next round of data acquisition:

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: After the last round of data acquisition ends, the laser profiler automatically starts a new round of data acquisition.

    • Mech-Eye API: Repeat step 3.

    • GenICam client: Repeat step 3.

  7. Exit the acquisition ready status: Exiting the acquisition status when you do not need to acquire data can avoid triggering data acquisition by mistake.

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: In the scan mode, click the stop cap button.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the stopAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client: Send the AcquisitionStop() command to the laser profiler.

Continuous Scanning

When using this method, after triggering data acquisition, the laser profiler continuously scans the target object and returns fixed-length data segments.

To continuously scan the target object, follow these steps:

  1. Set parameters: Configure the parameters as shown in the table below, and adjust other parameters as needed.

    Mech-Eye Viewer

    1. Set Data Acquisition Method to Nonstop.

    2. Set the Data Acquisition Trigger Source parameter to Software.

    3. Set the Line Scan Trigger Source parameter to Encoder.

    Mech-Eye API

    1. Set DataAcquisitionMethod to Nonstop.

    2. Set DataAcquisitionTriggerSource to Software.

    3. Set LineScanTriggerSource to Encoder.

    GenICam client

    1. Set AcquisitionMode to Continuous.

    2. Set TriggerMode to Off, and set DataAcquisitionTriggerSource to Software.

    3. Set LineScanTriggerSource to Encoder.

  2. Trigger data acquisition:

  3. Start line scans: Send signals that trigger line scans from the encoder to the laser profiler.

  4. Stop data acquisition:

    • Mech-Eye Viewer: In the scan mode, click the stop cap button.

    • Mech-Eye API: Call the stopAcquisition() method.

    • GenICam client: Send the AcquisitionStop() command to the laser profiler.

  5. Start the next round of data acquisition: Repeat step 2.

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