The ConoPoint-3 is a non-contact 3D laser profilometer that measures distance and surface profile using conoscopic holography — a patented interferometric technique in which a birefringent crystal analyzes the polarization pattern of a reflected laser cone. Because the emission and reception share the same optical axis, the sensor can measure features that conventional laser triangulation cannot physically access.

Why does collinearity matter for industrial measurement?

Triangulation sensors offset the laser emitter and detector by a known baseline angle, which creates a shadow zone: the laser spot on a deep hole floor or a steep groove wall is not visible to the detector. The ConoPoint-3's collinear design eliminates this baseline. The laser beam and the return path travel along the same axis, so the sensor can measure inside holes with a diameter-to-depth ratio of up to 1:10 and on surfaces inclined up to ±85° from normal. This makes it suitable for inspecting fuel injector seats, turbine blade cooling holes, injection mold cavities, and other geometries where the feature of interest is recessed or sharply angled.

What surfaces can it measure?

Unlike triangulation, which depends on a diffuse reflection pattern and typically fails on shiny or transparent surfaces, conoscopic holography works with specular reflections and partial transparency. The ConoPoint-3 measures polished metal, wet coatings, glass, and translucent polymers without the need for surface preparation or spray coatings. This versatility makes it practical for in-line inspection where surface condition varies from part to part or changes during a process — for example, measuring coating thickness before and after curing.

How does the interchangeable lens system work?

A single ConoPoint-3 sensor head accepts objective lenses that set the working distance and measurement range. Lenses are available for standoff distances from 16 mm to over 250 mm, with the spot size and depth resolution scaling accordingly. Changing a lens recalibrates the sensor for a different application — from sub-micron profiling of precision surfaces to wide-field contour measurement of large components — without replacing the sensor head or rewiring the installation.