Area measuring instrument is a special detection instrument that accurately measures the area of various objects (flat/curved, regular/irregular) through optics, laser, image recognition and other technologies, which can quickly obtain object surface area data, and is widely used in quality inspection, production control and scientific research analysis in many industries, and is the key equipment to improve measurement efficiency and accuracy.
Instrument type
Area measuring instruments are mainly classified according to measurement principles and application scenarios.
1. According to the measurement principle: first, the optical area measuring instrument, which uses the principle of optical imaging to capture the outline of the object and calculate the area through the software, which is suitable for flat sheets, paper, cloth and other objects; the second is the laser area measuring instrument, which uses laser scanning to locate the boundary of the object, with a wide measurement range, suitable for large-sized objects (such as sites, plates) and curved objects; The third is the image-based area measuring instrument, which combines camera acquisition images and image processing algorithms, with high accuracy and can measure tiny objects (such as chips and biological tissue sections).
2. According to the degree of automation: manual type needs to manually locate objects and trigger measurement, simple operation and low cost, suitable for small-batch detection; The automatic type integrates automatic feeding, image acquisition, and data recording functions, with high measurement efficiency and small error, making it suitable for large-scale production line testing.
Test principle
Optical/Image Type
First, the image of the object is collected through the lens or camera, and the image is converted into a digital signal; The software then preprocesses the image (denoising and enhancing) to identify the object contour and extract the contour coordinates. Finally, according to the pixel ratio and geometric algorithm, the actual area of the object is calculated.
Laser
The laser emitter emits a laser beam to scan the surface of the object according to a preset path, and the receiver captures the laser reflection signal in real time and records the spatial coordinates of the scanning point. The system constructs an object contour model based on coordinate data, and derives the area through integration or geometric operations. Core logic: By capturing the object boundary data and combining the algorithm to complete the area conversion, the measurement accuracy is positively correlated with the accuracy of contour recognition and the data sampling rate.
Fields of application
Industrial production - inspect the area of raw materials and finished products such as plates, films, leather, textiles, etc., to ensure that the specifications meet the production standards and avoid material waste; Monitor the winding area of coil products to optimize the production process.
Agricultural scientific research - measure the area of crop leaves, petals, and fruits, analyze the relationship between crop growth status and the environment, water and fertilizer, and provide data support for agricultural planting optimization.
Construction project - measure the area of the construction area such as the site, wall, and ground, and assist in quantity accounting, material procurement planning and project acceptance.
Scientific research experiments - in the fields of biology, materials, microelectronics, etc., measure the area of tiny samples (such as cells, chip components, thin film samples) to support experimental research and data analysis.
Quality inspection field - sampling inspection of the area of packaging materials, printed materials, hardware accessories and other products to ensure that the product quality meets the standard.
Common faults and solutions
Measurement accuracy decreases and data deviations are large: most of the reasons are lens/laser head contamination, instrument uncalibration, and uneven measurement datum. Solution: Wipe the lens/laser head with a dust-free cloth; calibrate the instrument regularly according to the instructions (using standard area templates); Adjust the measuring platform to ensure that the datum is level and flat.
Inability to recognize object contours: It may be due to the interference of the light environment, low object-to-background contrast, or the lens is not adjusted in focus. Solution: Adjust the measurement ambient light (avoid direct or dim light); Replace the high-contrast backdrop; Readjust the lens focus to ensure clear images of objects.
Data cannot be recorded or exported: Most of the data is due to storage device failure, poor data connection cable contact, or software failure. Solution: Check whether the storage device (USB flash drive, memory card) is plugged in or damaged, and replace the storage device; Replug and unplug the data cable and check whether the interface is loose. Restart the instrument or reinstall the measurement software.
Laser scanning stuttering or interruption: It may be a motor failure or an obstacle in the scanning path. Solution: Check whether there are foreign objects in the scanning area and clear the obstacles; If the motor makes abnormal noise or does not work, contact the manufacturer to overhaul or replace the motor.
How to choose
Clarify the measurement object - the size (small/conventional/large), shape (flat/curved, regular/irregular) and material (transparent/opaque, soft/hard) of the measurement object, such as the image type for measuring microchips, the laser type for measuring large sites, and the 3D laser type for measuring curved objects.
Determine the accuracy requirements - the conventional industrial quality inspection can be selected with an accuracy of 0.1mm, and a high-precision model of 0.01mm for scientific research experiments or small object measurement.
Matching usage scenarios - desktop model for fixed laboratory measurement, portable model for on-site mobile measurement, and automatic model for batch inspection of production line.
Pay attention to functional requirements - models with data recording and export functions that need batch data management are selected; It is necessary to adapt to multiple scenarios with multiple measurement modes (plane/surface/irregular shape).
Consider after-sales and maintenance - give preference to brands that are easy to purchase accessories and provide calibration services and technical support from manufacturers to reduce subsequent costs.
summary
As a multi-industry accurate detection equipment, the area measuring instrument can adapt to the area measurement needs of objects of different sizes and shapes with multiple technologies such as optics, laser, and image recognition. Its core value is to provide efficient and accurate area data support for production control, quality inspection, and scientific research analysis. In practical applications, mastering the handling methods of common faults and combining the scientific selection of measurement objects and scenarios can not only ensure the reliability of measurement data, but also give full play to the value of instruments, helping various industries optimize processes, improve quality, and reduce costs.
