Confocal precision measurement expands industrial inline inspection

Micro-Epsilon has expanded its confocal measurement portfolio with the 2-channel confocalDT controllers IFC2412 and IFC2417, along with the IFD2410 and IFD2415 all-in-one sensor systems featuring Ethernet data output. The solutions are designed for industrial applications requiring high precision, speed, and seamless integration into automated production environments, including semiconductor manufacturing, battery cell production, and optical quality inspection in mechanical engineering.

Extended functionality for confocal-chromatic measurement systems
The new controllers complement the existing portfolio with 2-channel variants that enable dual-sided thickness measurement using a single device. Integrated processing functions allow direct calculation of measurement values, reducing the need for additional hardware and enabling more compact system configurations.

Confocal-chromatic sensing technology is based on spectral analysis of reflected light and allows highly precise measurements, even on transparent or reflective surfaces. This method is increasingly used in automated inline inspection systems to continuously monitor critical quality parameters.

Technical characteristics of the 2-channel controllers
The compact IFC2412 offers two measurement channels with an adjustable measurement rate of up to 8 kHz and submicrometer resolution down to 2 nm. The high-performance IFC2417 operates at measurement rates of up to 25 kHz and supports multi-peak measurements for analyzing up to five material layers simultaneously.

Active exposure control of the CCD line ensures stable measurement results, even on challenging surface conditions. Both controllers feature a robust IP40 aluminum housing and can be mounted on a DIN rail inside a control cabinet, supporting OEM integration and high-volume industrial production environments.

All-in-one sensor systems with Ethernet output
Micro-Epsilon has also expanded the IFD2410 and IFD2415 all-in-one systems with an integrated Ethernet interface. Measurement values can be transmitted directly with 32-bit resolution, enabling integration into digital production networks and data-driven quality assurance systems.

The compact systems operate without fiber optics and are designed for space-saving inline installation in machines and production systems. In addition to Ethernet, industrial fieldbus protocols such as EtherCAT, PROFINET, and EtherNet/IP remain available, facilitating integration into existing automation architectures.

Integration into digital production environments
Integration into customer-specific software environments is supported by the freely available MEDAQLib software and driver library. This enables real-time data processing and connection to higher-level systems, including automated inspection processes and closed-loop quality control systems.

With the new confocal-chromatic controllers and sensor systems, Micro-Epsilon addresses the requirements of modern industrial manufacturing, where high-precision optical measurement, compact system design, and standardized communication interfaces are essential for scalable and automated production processes.

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