Overton Industries Acquires Konica Minolta Range 7 Non-contact 3D Digitizer

Mooresville, IN (March 15, 2010) - Overton Industries is proud to announce its acquisition of the Konica Minolta RANGE7 Non-contact 3D Digitizer.  It is a high-accuracy instrument for measuring the three-dimensional shape of subjects such as forged or cast parts, press-formed parts, plastic parts, etc.

The KONICA MINOLTA RANGE7 noncontact 3D digitizer will open up the possibilities of non-contact 3D measurement by adding further reliability, operability and transportability to Konica Minolta's reliable optical technologies and AF/AE controls.

The dark surface mode function enables the measurement of objects with reflectance as low as 2.5% without requiring the use of special darkrooms or spraying of the object, achieving the industry’s top level low reflectance performance. With the addition of the dark mode function, ultra-low reflectance surfaces (dark objects) can be measured without being sprayed, measurement inaccuracies caused by uneven thickness of the sprayed layer can be eliminated. Plus, the work involved in pre-measurement surface preparation (spraying) and post-measurement surface cleaning is also no longer necessary, leading to drastic improvements in work efficiency. Reducing the environmental load since spray and cleaning liquids are not used is also an additional benefit of using this new function.

Utilizing a new 1.31 megapixel CMOS sensor that can detect finely detailed shapes as well as newly designed optics, the RANGE7 achieves the highest level of guaranteed accuracy for a non-contact camera type 3D measurement instrument, with an accuracy of ±40 µm* according to ball bar accuracy testing based on

In addition, the RANGE7 has been designed with the concept of on-site use, minimizing the influence of instrument tilt, temperature changes, etc. at the time of measurement in order to provide high reliability in actual use environments such as in factories, etc.

Original high-speed processing circuits enable high-speed scanning of approximately 2 seconds per shot. In addition, the RANGE7 is equipped with a 3D preview function that lets users predict the measurement results and check for scan area depth, dead angles, scan problems due to surface conditions, etc. beforehand to greatly reduce scanning mistakes.

TELE and WIDE lenses can be interchanged according to the measurement subject to provide a broad scan range.  In addition, the autofocus (AF) function has further advances that only Konica Minolta could provide, with a multifocus mode that automatically shifts the focus position to provide sharp, high-accuracy 3D measurement data and a point AF function that adjusts the focus to the point specified by the user, enabling scanning work to be performed without being concerned with fine positioning of the measurement subject.
Plus, the new sensor and original measurement algorithm provides an expanded dynamic range. Even objects with gloss, such as metallic surfaces, etc. can be measured.

The size and weight of the RANGE7 are both less than 1/2 those of previous models, and the compact, lightweight design enables the camera and controller to be integrated in a single body weighing approximately 6.7kg to provide high mobility in measurement environments.  In addition, when the optional special stand is used, the RANGE7 can be easily moved about and measurements taken when necessary for stress-free work. (Of course, as with previous models, a tripod can also be used.) Plus, user calibration can be performed with the RANGE7 mounted on the stand.