Production Measurement Technology

Our range of services

The measurement of physical, chemical or biological parameters is critical in many manufacturing tasks. Fraunhofer ILT develops various laser measurement processes for tasks in production and for in-line process control; together with customers and partners, it implements these processes in prototypes and small series.

For example, thanks to an absolute measuring interferometric sensor technology developed at Fraunhofer ILT, geometrical properties of components can be measured with very high accuracy and high throughput. During Laser Material Deposition, this sensor can detect geometrical characteristics, such as the applied layer thickness. In real-time, therefore, it is possible to react to deviations from the target geometry so that process deviations can be detected and compensated for early on. Further fields of application for interferometric sensors are inline monitoring and control during laser beam melting, laser drilling and laser microstructuring.

In the field of recycling, for example, laser spectroscopic measuring methods are ideal for automated sorting processes. Metals, ceramics, glasses, slag, or raw materials can be identified and sorted very quickly. Rare valuable materials, such as technology metals in components on electronic circuit boards, can also be identified and specifically reclaimed.

The range of services offered include feasibility studies, the development of components and procedures for production metrology, support for the integration of new technologies in industrial manufacturing processes and the start of continuous operation in production, as well as individual consultation on customerized laser measurement systems.

Robust thickness measurement system »bd-2« (two interferometric sensors and a C-frame).
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
Robust thickness measurement system »bd-2« (two interferometric sensors and a C-frame).
INSPIRE-Sensors for testing shape and positional tolerances on camshafts.
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
INSPIRE-Sensors for testing shape and positional tolerances on camshafts.
Circulating measuring radiation of the "bd-1" for direction-independent geometry measurement during Laser Material Deposition. Alignment of powder focus, position of the processing laser radiation (green) and measuring radiation (red).
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
Circulating measuring radiation of the "bd-1" for direction-independent geometry measurement during Laser Material Deposition. Alignment of powder focus, position of the processing laser radiation (green) and measuring radiation (red).

Material Analytics

  • Spectroscopic measurement techniques, e. g. laser-based emission spectrometry (LIBS)
  • Process analytics of metals, ceramics, glass, slags, particulates
  • Analytics for material recycling
  • Positive material identification (PMI): 100 % inspection of semi-finished and final products
  • Cleanliness analysis of production control samples, e. g. micro inclusions in steel

Interferometrical Measurement Techniques

  • Interferometric sensor for absolute distance and contour measurements
  • Application in the production of foils, bottles, boreholes
  • Application in biometry, e. g. finger print detection

Development of Prototypes

  • Customer-specific solutions
  • Prototypes for measurement applications in the industrial production
  • Laser measurement technology for analytics

Markets

Laser technology can solve demanding tasks in many different industries. Whether as a tool in automotive production, as measuring equipment in the environmental sector, as a diagnostic or therapeutic instrument in medical technology or as a communication medium in space technology, the laser provides multiple uses with high productivity and high efficiency.

Read up about the innovations of the Fraunhofer ILT in a few selected industries and convince yourself!

 

Research with us!

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about general topics! Our contact persons are happy to get in touch with you.

Publications

Donges, A., Noll, R.:
Laser Measurement Technology
Heidelberg [u.a.]: Springer 2015,
Springer Series in Optical Sciences,
Vol. 188. ISBN 978-3662436332

Noll, R., Hölters, S., Kämmerling, J., Lenenbach, A.:
Laserabstandssensoren messen die Dicke von Walzbändern
QZ 58 (10), 44-47 (2013) 

Sturm, V., Eilers, D., Werheit, P., Chiarotti, U., Volponi, V., De Miranda, U. Zani, M., Makowe, J.:
Elemental monitoring of steel scrap loading an electrical arc furnace
Metallurgical Analysis,  Vol. 32 (6): 18-23
2012

Hölters, S., Overbeck, J., Ederleh, L., Michaeli, W., Lenenbach, A., Noll, R.
Präzise Messtechnik für komplexe Mehrschichtfolien
Coating Int. 43, Nr 9, 6-12
2010

R. Noll, M. Krauhausen
Online laser measurement technology for rolled products
Ironmaking & Steelmaking
35, 221-227, 2008

R. Noll, M. Krauhausen
Online Lasermesssysteme für die Stahl- und Automobilindustrie
Düsseldorf: VDI 2008
VDI-Berichte. Bd 2011
pp. 3-12

R. Noll, M. Krauhausen
Online-Prüfung von Bändern und Rohren
Bänder Bleche Rohre
49, 72-75, 2008

A. Lenenbach, S. Hölters, R. Noll
Optisches Online-Messverfahren zur Überwachung von Wandstärken an Stückgütern in der kunststoffverarbeitenden Industrie
VDI-BERICHTE
2011, 33-41, 2008

R. Noll, M. Krauhausen
Autoteile unter Laseraugen
Laser + Photonik
2, 30-33, 2007

R. Noll, M. Krauhausen
Den Bewegungszustand des Blechs einfrieren
QZ Qualität und Zuverlässigkeit
52, 36-40, 2007

R. Noll
Lasertriangulation
In: Handbuch zur Industriellen Bildverarbeitung. Hrsg.: N. Bauer. Fraunhofer IRB Verl.
56-60, 2007

R. Noll, M. Krauhausen
Lasertriangulation für die Online-Messung geometrischer Größen in der Produktion
In: Handbuch zur Industriellen Bildverarbeitung. Hrsg.: N. Bauer. Fraunhofer IRB Verl.
260-275, 2007

R. Noll, M. Krauhausen
Online-Lasermesstechnik für Walzprodukte
stahl und eisen
127, 99-105, 2007

Our services cover a wide range of topics. Related topics and further research and development projects can be found under the following links.