Are you familiar with the Sick DS-35 laser sensor? I am currently utilizing them to measure distances to newly created pallets made of untreated raw wood with a rough surface. The maximum distance I am measuring is 1000 mm, so it falls within close range. However, there are instances where the pallet is not visible at all, causing the signals to not reflect properly and resulting in a misread that persists for a few seconds. I am seeking more information on how the signal frequency (Hz) affects the reflection off the surface. Have you experimented with this aspect? Alternatively, have you found a more effective solution to this issue? /Holmux
"Wood with rough surfaces may not provide optimal conditions for a laser sensor to function efficiently. The level of reflectivity of the surface plays a critical role in the sensor's accuracy and detection rate. An important consideration is how many pallets are missed by the sensor due to suboptimal surface conditions. It is possible that a reflective surface may yield better results. This insight may shed some light on improving the sensor's performance."
When working with a robot tool, I have noticed that I may miss a measurement about once every 30 cycles. To ensure accuracy, I rerun the sequence in case of any discrepancies, typically being able to rectify the issue within 3 to 4 cycles. The main issue seems to stem from reflections, prompting me to switch two out of my five sensors to ultrasound technology. While this has improved the situation, it has also slightly slowed down my overall cycle time and incurred additional costs.
Holmux shared that he typically misses 1 out of every 30 measurements taken by the sensors mounted on his robotic tool. When a measurement is missed, he reruns the sequence and can usually obtain the missing data within 3 to 4 cycles. He suspects that the issue lies in the reflection, as he has a total of 5 sensors and has replaced 2 of them with ultrasound sensors for improved performance. However, this adjustment has led to slower cycle times and increased costs. Are you looking to determine the presence of a pallet or is the distance measurement critical?
Is there a way for the pallet to activate a series of reflectors that rotate into position to redirect the laser beam? Perhaps the reflectors could be side-hinged so that a rod, pushed by the pallet, spins them into place. I have experience using a similar Banner laser for hoist positioning, where even the steel surface wasn't sufficient for accurate measurements, requiring the addition of 4-inch reflectors. It has always struck me as odd that instead of using terms like "rangefinder" or "laser distance sensor", they are referred to as "Time Of Flight Sensors", despite not directly measuring time or flight.
Holmux mentioned that there is a 1 out of 30 chance of missing a measurement when the sensors are mounted on a robotic tool. He typically reruns the sequence to catch any missed measurements, usually within 3-4 cycles. The issue seems to be with the reflection, as there are a total of 5 sensors being used. By changing 2 sensors to ultrasound, there has been an improvement in performance; however, this has also resulted in slower overall cycle times and increased costs. Is it possible to enhance the sensitivity of the receiver to detect less reflective pallets or those reflecting diffuse signals more effectively?
Hi Holmux, I have some experience with the Sick DS-35 series. You're right to look into the signal frequency. Essentially, a higher frequency should offer more signal 'bounces', thereby increasing the chance of a successful read. However, that doesn't guarantee that you'll avoid reflection issues completely since the quality of the reflection heavily depends on the material being sensed. You might get better results if you look into the alignment of the sensor - a direct perpendicular alignment with the pallet increases the chance of a proper read. Additionally, you could potentially utilize muting sensors to disregard false readings. Keep in mind, these settings must be fine-tuned for the specific conditions of your operation.
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Answer: - The signal frequency (Hz) can affect the reflection off surfaces, especially when the target is not visible. Low signal frequency might result in inaccurate readings or misreads when the surface is rough or not reflective.
Answer: - When using a Sick DS-35 laser sensor to measure distances to rough surfaces like untreated raw wood, there can be instances where the sensor may struggle to accurately reflect signals due to the surface properties.
Answer: - To address misreads and inaccuracies caused by surface visibility issues, one can experiment with adjusting the signal frequency (Hz) to optimize reflection off rough surfaces. Alternatively, exploring different sensor positioning or utilizing additional sensors could potentially offer more effective solutions to this issue.
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