Measuring volume refers to accurately determining the spatial content of a three-dimensional object. This measurement is used to measure the volume of materials, liquids, gases or solids. With the help of modern 3D laser line sensors, it is possible to measure the volume of free forms extremely precisely.
Measure volume: 3D point cloud volume of aluminum block
Volume measurement is of great importance to quantify the quantity of a substance or to calculate the required space. Especially for irregular shapes such as adhesive beads, welds, foodstuffs or bulk material on conveyor belts, it is a method to determine the quantity of a substance either in addition to weight measurement or as an alternative to it.
Volume measurement is an essential step in determining the spatial content of an object. Typically, the measurement is made in cubic units such as cubic meters (m³), cubic centimeters (cm³), cubic feet (ft³) or gallons (gal), depending on your chosen system of measurement. Depending on the type of object or material being measured, there are different methods and instruments for determining volume:
For simple, uniformly shaped objects such as cubes, rectangular prisms, cylinders, and spheres, you can use specific geometric formulas to calculate volume. Here are some examples:
The measurement of volumes of liquids or gases requires special equipment such as gas syringes or gas burettes. It must be taken into account that temperature and pressure can influence the volume of substances, especially gases.
The displacement method works as follows: The object to be measured is placed in a container with liquid, and the rise of the liquid level is measured. This rise corresponds to the volume of the object. Archimedes’ principle states that the volume of an irregularly shaped object can be determined by the amount of water it displaces when immersed. By measuring the change in water level before and after immersion of the object, you can calculate its volume.
For objects with irregular shapes, so-called free shapes, such as adhesive beads, weld beads, displacement methods cannot be used to measure a volume.
In today’s world, computer-aided methods such as 3D laser line triangulation sensors and image processing software are increasingly being used to precisely measure the volume of complex shapes. These technologies allow the object to be digitally captured and the volume to be calculated using computational methods. 3D measurement enables accurate determination of the smallest enveloping surface of objects. 3D laser line triangulation sensors can capture object contours from all sides in three dimensions within seconds.
Laser triangulation is an advanced method for distance measurement and shape determination of objects based on the principles of geometry and optics. This method uses triangulation to calculate the distance to an object based on the angles and known dimensions of a triangle consisting of a light source, a sensor and the object to be measured.
By knowing the fixed distance between laser source and sensor as well as the angle of incidence of the laser light on the sensor, the points of a laser line can be calculated in height (z) and width (x). In this way, a 2-dimensional profile is created. Several of these profiles, taken at a fixed distance from each other, result in a 3D point cloud. These calculations are performed in the 3D laser line triangulation sensor using trigonometric principles.
Calibration processes are used to ensure accurate results and to account for potential errors or deviations in the system.
However, it is important to note that 3D laser line triangulation sensors are only suitable for measuring solids.
360° adhesive bead volume measurement
When bonding and sealing body parts in vehicle production, it is crucial to ensure that the adhesive bead is applied exactly at the intended position and with the correct volume. A particular challenge is that the adhesive bead is applied by a robot on a rectangular surface, where the adhesive bead nozzle does not allow 90-degree rotation at the 90-degree corners. Therefore, continuous 360-degree monitoring of the adhesive bead is required. This requirement can be met using four QuellTech 3D Laser line triangulation sensors in a square array. It must be ensured that the laser lights from the individual sensors do not interfere with each other. Thanks to this approach, the volume of the adhesive bead can be precisely monitored at all times.
QuellTech’s volume measurement provides extremely precise measurement data.
Accurate volume measurement increases throughput, which leads to a reduction in costs.
The volume measurement enables the precise determination of the dimensions, which leads directly to the calculation of the volume.
Measurement data is automatically acquired and seamlessly transferred to a higher-level IT system.
Precise volume calculations help to increase economic efficiency.
In addition to the pure measurement, an image documentation of the measured objects is carried out.
Volume measurement can be performed continuously in throughput without interrupting the process.
The measurement data allow the yield to be calculated.
Q6-D700:
With a wide measuring range, high resolution and high scan rate, this product is ideal for measuring cast metal ingots.
Q6-D1100:
With a very large measuring range, high resolution and high scan rate, this product is ideal for measuring volume flows on conveyor belts in mining.
Q6-D90:
This product offers high resolution and enables precise measurement of smartphone batteries.
Q4-80s:
With a small form factor, this product enables 360° measurement of adhesive beads.
Q4-60:
Also equipped with a small form factor, this product is ideal for measuring weld beads.
QuellTech Laser Scanner Q4-80s with small form factor (86 x 44 x 25 mm) for robotic welding
QuellTech Laser Scanner Q4-60 with optional cooler and protective window system
We are happy to help you with that!
Stefan Ringwald
Technical Consultant
If you have any questions about Volume Measurement or would like a consultation from QuellTech on this subject, we will be happy to help.
We would like to help you to precisely evaluate your specific measurement task. Through an initial free test measurement of your application, we can give you an early assessment of the feasibility.
There is always potential for improvement, we will help you with that. Contact us for more information or to make an appointment for a consultation.
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Your technically competent contact, Stefan Ringwald, will be happy to help you.
Our aim is to fully understand your specific technical requirements for your current measurement task.
Thanks to many years of experience with complex tasks in the field of 3D laser measurement, you will receive well-founded solution proposals from us.
