The client company, which manufactures electrical panels, measuring machines and industrial automation systems, expressed its intention to launch an industrial research and experimental development project aimed at designing and building a prototype non-contact measuring machine that would allow measurements to be taken of profiles and internal surfaces that are difficult to access with traditional instruments. As part of the project, the objective, prior to the construction of the final prototype of the machine, called I-LUMOS, was also to test and evaluate three different technologies suitable for ‘non-contact measurement’, namely: a triangulation system with directional lighting; a system with white light or confocal lasers; and a system based on the principle of optical interferometry.

Romagna’s industrial research activity on the I-LUMOS project primarily involved the analysis, design and support for the creation of a technological demonstrator developed to test and evaluate the three options for systems suitable for ‘non-contact measurement’.

This was followed by the mechanical and electronic design of the engineered prototype based on the triangulation system with directional lighting, chosen as the technological solution to be implemented.

Operational support was also provided to the client for the assembly, construction and testing of the prototype.

As a final result of the industrial research activity, the prototype design was released, complete with a list of commercial components identified with their respective suppliers, as well as a set of 2D drawings of custom components with instructions for their construction.

This industrial research and experimental development activity can be implemented in all contexts where the client, starting from an initial idea supported by specific functional and performance requirements, needs to arrive at a final engineered and fully functional prototype.