VoluMatrix
VoluMatrix is a software application designed to capture measurement data from laser scanners, laser cameras etc. and for performing advanced calculations with the measured data. Calculations can be performed online in real-time or offline depending on application requirements and complexity.
Furthermore VoluMatrix can present the measured data and results graphically and make use of databases for storing data, recipes, results, etc.
Measuring and Inspection
VoluMatrix measures objects and areas in a large number of configurations – objects in-motion, statically placed objects, indoors, outside, in industrial surroundings etc. Depending on the application, VoluMatrix can calculate exactly that parameter you need to know:
- Dimensions; height, width, length, max and average.
- Volume; real volume, minimum enclosing box, bulk volume.
- Rotation; object rotation angle for automatic handling of objects with robots.
- Position; Corner positions, center position for automatic handling of objects with robots.
- Shape; Verification, recognition and classification of object based on shape, geometry, surface quality, surface patterns. Comparing object with reference to ensure quality and for sorting.
- Speed measuring; Speed of object i.e. in traffic, tracking objects.
- Surveillance; surveillance of areas.
- Visual inspection; Visual presentation of otherwise hidden features, in harsh environments where it’s difficult to go, of objects in 3D.
Architecture
The VoluMatrix architecture is based on a very scalable design which can be embedded in varying application sizes. The concept behind is drawn on the figure below:
- VoluMatrix Concept
VoluMatrix depends on to components: VoluMatrix Frontends and VoluMatrix Backend. Visualizer is an example of a Frontend which basically is graphically user interface that allows the user to explore measurements and results in an intuitive manner. VoluMatrix Backend handles data capturing, storing data and calculations. The Frontends and Backend can be separated on two separate machines when this is an advantage.
VoluMatrix Backend
As shown on the figure above, VoluMatrix Backend handles communication with a number of laser scanners or laser cameras, databases, robots, motor controllers or what ever the application might need and at last: The calculations. Following text gives a short introduction to the mentioned areas:
Laser Scanners and Laser Cameras
VoluMatrix supports several types of laser scanners and laser cameras through one device driver system which is developed uniquely for VoluMatrix. Providing this uniform handling of measured data internally, gives VoluMatrix several advantages:
- One single data format for measurements.
- Extensive reuse of algorithms and experience.
- Choose freely between all supported types laser scanners and laser cameras depending on for instance price level and measuring precision.
- Combinations of different types of laser scanners and laser cameras.
VoluMatrix supports synchronization between multiple types of laser scanners and laser cameras allowing an object to be measured from multiple angles simultaneously. VoluMatrix even supports different laser scanners and laser cameras to be combined. Features such as positioning, distance measurements, light intensity and surface opacity can be handled internally in the software.
In VoluMatrix calibrated 3D-data is used for calculations representing sizes and space coordinates in the real world.
Calculation Core
VoluMatrix internally uses calibrated 3D measurements which mean each coordinate is a true position in the applications physical environments. VoluMatrix already has a lot of built-in standard components and algorithms or they can be modified to support new applications. The calculation core is effective and fast so in many cases a result can be provided with a short response time.
System Platforms
VoluMatrix Backend is as such a platform independent design, but in specific applications where a certain amount of performance or physical robustness is demanded, these requirements will dictate the platform. The Backend is today supported in following platforms:
- Windows XP/Vista, Windows Embedded Standard and Windows Server 2003 and newer versions.
- Embedded in our dedicated DSP platform (see Evaluation Units).
- Embedded in the laser scanner or laser camera (not all types).
VoluMatrix Backend being internally multithreaded lets it support concepts like SMP, multi cores, Hyper Threading on the Windows platform. Furthermore the calculation core can be optimized to use concepts like SIMD/SSEx, for the specific processor, based on memory constraints etc.
Databases
Database support for standard SQL-databases such as Microsoft SQL Server 2008 opens up possibilities for parameter-control, recipe-control and logging of results in an easy and standardized way. The way database servers handle these data provides obvious advantages for backup through standard tools. Additionally database servers provide easy ways to search through the collected data and are supported by modern programming interfaces such as Java and .Net.
Robot Control
VoluMatrix Backend can communicate with robots in applications where it is necessary to handle objects automatically: Depalletizing, position corrections or pick-and-place. Feedback with the robots position is possible to avoid measuring while the robot is in the measuring area.
Visualizer Frontend
As already mentioned, Visualizer Frontend is an extensive graphical user interface for VoluMatrix. This application can visualize measurements which makes it not only usable for a VoluMatrix solution, but also when we develop new applications. This is needed because laser scanners and laser cameras are advanced devices which give a lot of measurement data. All these data needs to be visualized to know what the application has to deal with. For a normal user the amount of data can be reduced for user friendliness.
Measured data can be visualized in 2D and 3D. Calculated results can be embedded in the visualization for clarity. The user can move the viewpoint allowing a three dimensional object to be viewed from any angle. Also the user can be allowed to edit parameters and options. The choices of what to enable is decided on a project by project basis.
Visualizer Frontend is built for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 or newer versions. It can access VoluMatrix Backend measuring data, results and the databases.
- Visualizer Frontend Example
Remote Frontend
VoluMatrix has an in-built option to allow for a remote controlled user interface which is less graphic intensive than the Visualizer Frontend. The advantage of this Frontend is the possibilities in programming languages which for instance can be C# .NET with LINQ where it is an advantage. This can be in applications which rely heavily on combined databases. All that Remote Frontend requires is a network connection to control the overall behavior of VoluMatrix Backend. The network connection can be an intranet or even Internet.
- Remote Frontend Example
- 3D Wireframe
- 3D Color Ramp
- 3D Solid
System Integration
VoluMatrix can interface to a numerous number of interfaces like RS232, RS422, RS485, Ethernet, Fiber-standards, LonWorks, Meter-Bus, Modbus, Profibus, USB etc. Since Puls Design A/S is a company with wide engineering skills in both electronics and software, we can always adapt our applications to the costumer requests (see competencies).
Specifications
Processor Architecture: 32/64-bit Intel x86 or 16/32-bit DSP.
Operating Systems: Windows XP/Vista/Embedded/Server.
Software Architecture: Multithreaded (supports SMP and multi cores).
Visualization Modes: 2D wire frame, 3D wire frame/solid.
Databases: Microsoft(R) SQL Server 2000 and newer.
Number of supported sensors: 32 laser scanners/laser cameras per Backend.
