Structured Light 3D Sensor for Fast and High Precision Surface Dynamics Measurements

Abstract

Friction tests under controlled conditions are crucial for the understanding of the boundary layer dynamics in technical brake systems. The dynamics of the friction interface characterize the braking performance. In order to evaluate and monitor the dynamics of the friction interface, detailed insights into the friction behavior is obtained by high precision tribotesters under laboratory conditions. Especially in the low sliding speed range, specialized machines such as the Variable Velocity Tribotester (VVT) make it possible to mimic real world phenomena under controlled conditions, e.g. creep groan or COF in low temperatures. This paper presents the wenglor sensoric 3D sensor ShapeDrive MLAS201 for measuring the pad surface between friction applications at VVT. With this device, quasi in-situ measurements with high speed and precision of the pad’s surface are attained. The 3D sensor consists of a light engine which projects several patterns onto the pad surface and a high resolution camera which can record these patterns again. The topography and intensity information of the pad surface would be stored in a point cloud file with high precision of 12 megapixels. Such information can be used to analyze the surface properties such as roughness and height. With further algorithms it is also possible to observe the change of the entire topography and in further way to determine the wear volume and analyze the contact situations.