SICK Develops Smallest Laser Scanner using Maxim Products
Maxim has reported that its software-configurable digital IO products has helped to enable a 50 percent size reduction for the microScan3 Core I/O LiDAR-based safety laser scanner from SICK AG, a leader in the design and manufacturing of industrial sensor-based solutions.
Achieving the industry’s smallest design allows SICK to expand the versatility of the new nanoScan3 Safety Laser Scanner for machines and vehicles that require high performance but have minimal mounting space.
“The new nanoScan3 with its ultra-compact profile can now be used under transporting palettes to safely carry payloads which would not have been possible before,” said Christian Matt, Development Engineer at SICK. “By reducing the size to 106.6mm in length, 117.5mm in width and 80mm in height, the nanoScan3 is opening new potential applications where space is highly critical. Working with Maxim’s team to redesign our sensors with digital IO technology was beneficial for our company in helping us achieve our goals.”
“Our work with SICK to achieve the new nanoScan3 safety LiDAR sensor platform reinforces the benefits of teamwork. The adoption of our MAX14914 software-configurable digital IO technology coupled with other design efforts validates Maxim’s performance benefits that lead to this amazing size reduction and enhanced performance capabilities,” said Jeff DeAngelis, Vice President, Industrial Communications for the Industrial and Healthcare Business Unit at Maxim Integrated. “Designers of industrial equipment continue to adopt Maxim’s software configurable digital IOs, IO-Link® and motion control solutions to achieve configuration flexibility, reduce commissioning times, as well as realize smaller size and benefit by saving power. Maxim remains committed to delivering industrial automation solutions to help unlock new performance benefits that advance AGV platforms and empower a new class of smart sensors and actuators as seen by SICK’s new nanoScan3 safety LiDAR sensor platform.”
Maxim and SICK designers worked side-by-side to optimize the new scanner design by replacing several discrete components with a combination of the MAX14914 software-configurable digital IO and the MAX22191 parasitic powered digital input along with other Maxim ICs to achieve the 2x size reduction compared between the microScan3 Core I/O and the new nanoScan3. The results are inspiring as the nanoScan3 boasts an overall height of just eight centimeters.
SICK’s nanoScan3 incorporates the MAX14914 software-configurable digital IO, which allowed system designers to reduce the number of components from six discrete components plus peripherals into one IC.