Vision sensors are usually designed for individual, specific tasks. By contrast, the new SmartRunner Explorer 3-D product family from Pepperl+Fuchs offers high-precision solutions that can be used in a wide variety of areas. This technology allows for the capture of a comparatively much larger range of data, opening up new possibilities for application. The two versions of this product—Stereo Vision and Time of Flight (ToF)—are based on the same platform with the same housing, standardized user software, and data output. The integration costs are considerably reduced.
The Stereo Vision version has two high-resolution cameras that produce a precise 3-D point cloud image. You can use this to check and count defined objects or detect the volume of amorphous masses. The ToF version of the sensor has a camera with VGA resolution (640 x 480 px) and a high measuring rate of 30 Hz. It is especially suitable for applications with a larger measuring range, where short reaction times are required. This data can be used for applications such as controlling driverless transport systems.
