Real-time measurement and control technology

Many modern applications in industry or in the laboratory require uninterrupted data processing in real time and high computing power on demand. To meet such demands, Fraunhofer ILT develops solutions specific to an application for devices in manufacturing and laboratory measurement technology.

Powerful electronic units are central elements for the connection to sensors and actuators specific to a device. They can be designed as open platforms that allow specific functions to be implemented flexibly and cost-effectively. In addition, communication interfaces can be implemented into systems that are important for laser technology applications, such as for the connection of scanner systems and sensors.

Modular concepts consisting of central base boards with versatile interfaces and a matching portfolio of peripheral boards make it possible to assemble electronic units specific to an application for new devices. This way, data can be processed in real time. Hardware interfaces also allow the connection of laser beam sources, scanners, A/D and D/A converters, encoders, photomultipliers, photodiodes, PLCs, precision scales and other modules. Applications include devices in laser measurement and laser medical technology, such as distance sensors, microsorter and laboratory devices based on fluorescence measurement technology.

The range of service we offer includes feasibility studies for customer-specific tasks, the development of new processes, components and equipment, and individual consulting.

Measurement of Geometric Dimensions

• Laser-measurement processes (interferometry, triangulation) for measuring distances and thicknesses
• Absolute-measuring interferometric sensor technology (»bd-x«)
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
• Applications in manufacturing and process control and integration into control loops
• Inline monitoring and control of laser manufacturing processes (cladding, welding depth, surface structures, drilling, additive manufacturing)

Chemical Analysis

• Spectroscopic measurement technology, laser-induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS)
• Process analysis of metals, ceramics, glass, slag, raw materials, dust
• Analytics for mechanical recycling, automated sorting processes
• Positive material identification (PMI): 100% inspection of semi-finished and finished products in the production line
• Spatially resolved elemental analysis; purity analysis of production samples, micro-inclusions and segregations in metals

Developments

• Opening up new fields of application for laser measurement technology
• Evaluation models and prototypes for industrial applications
• Customer-specific systems for measuring tasks in production

Veltrup, M., Krüger, T., Wendt, F., Lück, M., Rütters, M., Lukasczyk, T.:
Laserabtragsprozesse hören und autonom nachregeln.
adhäsion KLEBEN & DICHTEN 68(3), 36-41, (2024)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s35145-024-1614-x

Hofmann, J., Taube, V., Stollenwerk, J., Holly, C.
Measurement and control system for compensation of thermal effects in laser material processing.
WLT/LiM Lasers in Manufacturing Conference 2023. 26. – 29. Juni 2023, München Germany.
Proceedings of World of Photonics, (5 S.), (2023).

Grubert, N., Prochnau, M., Stollenwerk, J., Holly, C.:
Fiber-based sensor for combustion chamber monitoring: manufacturing challenge.
SPIE OPTO, 28 Jan - 3 Feb 2023, San Francisco, California, United States.
Proceedings Volume 12434, MOEMS and Miniaturized Systems XXII; 124340O (2023)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.2647501

Fiedler, W., Schulze, F.:
Fugenfolgeregelung für das Fügen mit Laserstrahlung mittels koaxialer texturbasierter Bildverarbeitung.
DVS-BERICHTE 382, 371-378 (2022)

Knaak, C., von Querfurth, B., Hollatz, S., Duong, E., Abels, P., Olowinsky, A.:
Defect localization during laser microwelding of battery connectors using long exposure imaging and few-shot learning.
Procedia CIRP 111, 90-795 (2022)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2022.08.130 (Open Access)

Prochnau, M., Grubert, N., Andres, S., Holters, M., Stollenwerk, J., Loosen, P.:
Miniaturized optical measuring probe for the detection of drop sizes in steam turbines.
CLEO, Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Applications and Technology 2021,9–14 May 2021, San Jose, California US.
OSA Technical Digest (Optica Publishing Group, 2021), paper JTh3A.86, (2021)

https://doi.org/10.1364/CLEO_AT.2021.JTh3A.86

Grubert, N., König, G., Stollenwerk, J., Loosen, P.:
Ring-Shaped Conoscopic Holography for Distance and Tilt Measurement.
Conference on Lasers and Electro-, 09.05-14.5.2021, online only. OSA Technical Digest (Optical Society of America, 2021), paper ATh4Q.4 (2021)
https://doi.org/10.1364/CLEO_AT.2021.ATh4Q.4

Knaak, C., von Eßen, J., Kröger, M.., Schulze, F., Abels, P., Gillner, A.:
A Spatio-Temporal Ensemble Deep Learning Architecture for Real-Time Defect Detection during Laser Welding on Low Power Embedded Computing Boards.
Sensors 21(12), 4205- (28 S.), (2021)
https://doi.org/10.3390/s21124205 (Open Access)

Mahler, G., Westphalen, T. :
Laserangeregte Thermografie von CFK-Bauteilen
Thermographie-Kolloquium 2017, 28. – 29. September 2017 in Berlin.
Beitrag 7, (8 S.) (2017)

Sturm, V., Meinhardt, C., Fleige, R., Fricke-Begemann, C., Eisbach, J.:
Fast identification of steel bloom composition at a rolling mill by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART B: ATOMIC SPECTROSCOPY 136, 66-72 (2017)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sab.2017.08.009 (Open Access)

Donges, A., Noll, R.:
Laser Measurement Technology
Heidelberg [u.a.]: Springer 2015, Springer Series in Optical Sciences, Vol. 188.
ISBN 978-3662436332
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-43634-9

Sturm, V., Fleige, R., de Kanter, M., Leitner, R., Pilz, K., Fischer, D., Hubmer, G., Noll, R.:
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for 24/7 automatic liquid slag analysis at a steel works
Anal. Chem. 86, 9687-9692, (2014)
https://doi.org/10.1021/ac5022425

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)

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

Noll, R., Krauhausen, M.:
Online laser measurement technology for rolled products
Ironmaking & Steelmaking 35, 221-227, (2008)
https://doi.org/10.1179/174328108X284543

Sturm, V., Schmitz, H.-U., Reuter, T., Fleige, R., Noll, R.:
Fast vacuum slag analysis in a steel works by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy Spectrochim.
Acta Part B 63, 1167-1170, (2008)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sab.2008.08.004

Noll, R., Sturm, V., Aydin, Ü., Eilers, D., Gehlen, C., Höhne, M., Lamott, A., Makowe, J., Vrenegor, J.:
Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy - from research to industry, new frontiers for process control
Spectrochim. Acta Part B63, 1159-1166, (2008)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sab.2008.08.011

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

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

Sturm, V., Brysch, A., Noll, R.:
Online Multielement Analysis of the Top Gas of a Blast Furnace by Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
Berg- und Hüttenmännische Monatshefte 152, 28-32, (2007)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00501-006-0268-3

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

Noll, R., Krauhausen, M.:
Den Bewegungszustand des Blechs einfrieren
QZ Qualität und Zuverlässigkeit 52, 36-40, (2007)
https://doi.org.de/10.24406/publica-fhg-214294

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

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

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

Noll, R., Sturm, V., Stepputat, M., Whitehouse, A., Young, J., Evans, P.:
Industrial applications of LIBS. Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS): Fundamentals and Applications
Ed. A.W. Miziolek, V. Palleschi, I. Schechter, Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Pr. (2006) 400-439, (2006)
https://doi.org.de/10.5772/61915 (Open Access)

Balzer, H., Höhne, M., Noll, R., Sturm, V.:
New approach for online monitoring of the Al depth profile of the hot-dip galvanised sheet steel using LIBS
Analytical & Bioanalytical Chemistry 385 225-233, (2006)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-006-0347-z

Balzer, H., Hoehne, M., Hoelters, S., Sturm, V., Noll, R., Leunis, E., Janssen, S., Raulf, M., Sanchez, P. Hemmerlin, M.:
Online depth profiling of zinc coated sheet steel by laser-induced break/down spectroscopy,
Progress in Analytical Chemistry in the Steel and Metal Industries 7, 237-242, (2006)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sab.2005.07.003

Vrenegor, J., Sturm, V., Noll, R., Hemmerlin, M., Thurmann, U., Flock, J.:
Preparation and analysis of production control samples by a two-step method.
Proceedings of the 7th International Workshop "Progress in Analytical Chemistry in the Steel and Metal Industries", 81-86, (2006)

Sturm, V., Vrenegor, J., Noll, R., Hemmerlin, M.:
Bulk analysis of steel samples with surface scale layers by enhanced laser ablation and LIBS analysis of C, P, S, Al, Cr, Cu, Mn and Mo,
J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 19, 451-456, (2004)
https://doi.org/10.1039/B315637K

Sturm, V., Noll, R.:
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of gas mixtures of air, CO2, N2, and C3H8 for simultaneous C, H, O and N measurement,
Applied Optics 42, 6221-6225, (2003)
https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.42.006221

Peter, L., Sturm, V., Noll, R.:
Liquid steel analysis with laser-induced breakdown spectrometry in the vacuum ultraviolet
Applied Optics 42, 6199-6204, (2003)
https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.42.006199

Brysch, A., Sturm, V., Noll, R.:
Online-Überwachung von Aerosolen im Hochofen-Gichtgas durch Laser-Emissionsspektrometrie
VDI-Bericht, Anwendungen und Trends in der optischen Analysenmesstechnik,
VDI Verlag, Bericht-Nr. 1667, 149-154, (2002)

Sturm, V., Peter, L., Noll, R.:
Steel analysis with laser-induced breakdown spectrometry in the vacuum ultraviolet
Appl. Spectroscopy 54, 1275-1278, (2000)
https://doi.org/10.1117/12.360993

Mönch, I., Peter, L., Priem, R., Sturm, V., Noll, R.:
Quality assurance in the production of pipe fittings by automatic laser based material identification
SPIE Vol. 3823, 235-243, (1999)
https://doi.org/10.1117/12.360993

Sattmann, R., Sturm, V., Noll, R.:
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of steel samples using multiple Q-switch Nd:YAG laser pulses
J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 28, 2181-2187, (1995)
https://doi.org/10.1088/0022-3727/28/10/030

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