The sensor OPTIPACT is based on an image correlation method. By comparing a sequence of images the sensor tries to track suited structures within the images. Knowing the pixel size the sensor can calculate the movement in X- and Y-axis. Thereby OPTIPACT is the first sensor for length and velocity measurements in industrial applications capable of measuring in 2 orthogonal axes. To receive reliable measurement results a good structured surface is necessary. Trackable objects can be achieved by having a high-contrast image. This can be generated by a grazing illumination and a rough structured surface (e.g. sand paper) or by a rough textured surface (e.g. like grained wood, grinded granite or paper with printed patterns). OPTIPACT-S1 is able to measure on these surfaces up to a velocity of 4m/s. Using optics with a higher resolution OPTIPACT can be adapted to less structured surfaces. The related version OPTIPACT-F1 has a velocity range of up to 1m/s. On glossy surfaces an angled mouting can also be helpful to be able to measure on.
