STEMMER IMAGING

The Opto Engineering TC CAGE is an integrated opto-mechanical system designed to fully inspect and measure parts from their side without any need of rotation. Four orthonormal views of an object are provided by a telecentric lens through an array of mirrors. The optical path is designed so that the displacement angle between the views is exactly 90°; this optical layout ensures complete coverage of the object lateral surface. Furthermore, telecentric imaging makes the system insensitive to part decentering and therefore suitable for measurement applications. The Opto Engineering TC CAGE is the perfect solution for inspecting parts whose features would be hidden when looked at from the top and for all those applications where an object must be inspected or measured from different sides. Two different illumination devices are built into the device to provide either backlight or direct part illumination.

Working principle of telecentric lenses

A telecentric lens observes the object from 4 different positions through a mirror assembly, ensuring that the optical path is the same for all 4 view points.

The 4 views are equally spaced every 90° and partially overlapped, obtaining complete coverage of the object lateral surfaces. The system can thus tolerate component decentering without any significant decay of the image quality thanks to the telecentric optics, which ensures that magnification is maintained in each image segment. The system is designed so as to allow components to pass unobstacled through the mirror cage, for in-line applications.

Integrated illumination

The Opto Engineering TC CAGE integrates both direct and backlight illumination devices.

Direct illumination is provided by a ring illuminator placed on the top of the part that can be used to enhance surface defects.

Back lighting is obtained by means of a diffusive source which illuminates the object through the mirror system; this type of illumination is suggested for measurement purposes or to inspect transparent objects.

Additional port

The Opto Engineering TC CAGE is provided with a 28 mm diameter hole, placed right above the object.

This port can be used to inspect the top of the part by means of an additional lens and camera system (i.e. a Hole Inspection Lens, a Macro or a Telecentric lens). The aperture can also host other types of illuminators.

Models

• Maximum object diameter: 8 mm or 16 mm
• Maximum object height: 32 mm or 68 mm