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3DShaper-380-5 · static heads

Technical Q&A
Round & Rectangular Profiles

Detailed answers on measuring round pipes OD 168.3–339 mm, square/rectangular profiles from 140×140 to 200×300 mm, full 360° inspection, defect detection limits, accuracy, temperature management, and surface condition requirements.

Coverage & 360° Inspection

Compatibility with round and rectangular geometries, and full circumference inspection.

Can the system measure round pipes from OD 168.3 mm up to 339 mm and square/rectangular profiles from 140×140 mm up to 200×300 mm with the same configuration?

Yes — all HiR systems can cover the range you've indicated. We do have several other models that are not suitable: some are more accurate but have less range, while others are less accurate but offer even more range.

As an example: the beams cover the minimum round shape, the maximum round shape, the minimum square shape, and the maximum square shape, as per your specifications.

In our opinion — depending on the weld seam accuracy required — the suitable model for your application is the 3DShaper-380-5 with static heads. The 5th head is essentially there to ensure the best possible view of the weld area.

Can it provide full 360° inspection for both round and rectangular products?

Yes, the system provides complete 360° inspection for both round and rectangular profiles. The multi-head configuration ensures full coverage of the circumference, including the weld area when equipped with the 5th head.

Full 360° inspection with static heads, including dedicated weld seam view (5th head).

Geometry & Defect Measurement

Ovality, corner radius, convexity/concavity, weld seam geometry, and surface defect detection.

Can the system measure ovality, corner radius, convexity/concavity, and external weld seam geometry?

Yes — that is the standard use for those systems. The 3DShaper platform is designed to extract all these geometric features with high precision.

  • Ovality
  • Corner radius
  • Convexity / concavity
  • External weld seam geometry
For surface inspection, what is the minimum detectable scratch/defect depth and width at a maximum line speed of 50 m/min?

Defect length: the key parameter is the distance the part travels between one profile and the next.

  • Maximum speed: 50 m/min = 833.33 mm/s
  • Sampling rate: 16,000 profiles/s (16 kHz)
  • Spatial step: 833.33 mm/s ÷ 16,000 profiles/s ≈ 0.052 mm

So the sensor acquires one profile every approximately 52 µm of travel. A reliable reading is the average of ~3 profiles counted, so the defect can't be less than 152 µm (~ ±0.15 mm) in length.

Defect width: each profile consists of 3200 points, but the actual spacing between these points depends on how far away the object is, ranging from about 56 µm to 75 µm per point.

These are the worst-case values: max speed, worst measuring range (very small diameter pipe or very big rectangular profile, for example).

Accuracy, Repeatability & Resolution

Guaranteed sensor specifications and overall system accuracy.

Could you provide separately the guaranteed accuracy, repeatability, and resolution?

Each sensor has the following specifications:

Repeatability: 10 µm Linearity: ±0.035% of F.S. (full range) Profile Data Interval: 75 µm (default, can be set down to 50 µm) Profile Data Count: 3200 points

The overall accuracy is given by a combination of repeatability, linearity, and temperature change (0.0315 mm/°C). Applying our usual "real world" compensation of 10 times the sensor repeatability (10X factor), the best accuracy the 380 Series can offer (worst range) is no better than ±0.100 mm.

Operating Environment

Product temperature up to 80°C and management of process oil on the surface.

Is the system suitable for operation near a product temperature of up to 80°C?

No. The 3DShaper frame (usually hexagonal in shape) is fitted with Peltier cells for air conditioning. It's a very standard Rittal top-mounted thermoelectric cooler.

The Peltier system is used because there is no direct contact between the outside and the inside, so dirt and dust are kept out.

We also use it on cold materials, not only on hot ones, because we need to keep the temperature as stable as possible in order to limit the temperature drift of the sensors (0.0315 mm/°C) as well as the thermal expansion of the frame.

If there are sudden temperature changes greater than 10°, we normally use carbon fibre plates, which are immune to expansion. But that's not the case in a standard pipe factory.

The product surface may contain process oil. An air wiping/cleaning system can be installed before the measurement station. What is the required surface condition for reliable measurement?

The pipe or profile should be air-sprayed. Oil drops will be seen by the system as part of the pipe.

Some users don't want a constant air wipe, so they find alternative solutions (a rag is a classic old-style method).

All vision and laser-based systems are subject to this problem. X-rays are immune, but they are not usable in these applications. UT and eddy pulse are immune too, but their performance is far lower than that of digital profilometry.

Surface must be free from oil drops or excessive contamination for reliable measurement. Air wiping is recommended.
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