Innovative Optical Measurement Instruments from GBS

Whether in manufacturing, research, or quality assurance, the demands for precise surface measurement are constantly increasing. Optical measurement instruments are essential in many industries to accurately capture surface topographies.

The contactless measurement method ensures fast and detailed analysis of micro- and nanostructures, supporting the adherence to manufacturing tolerances. GBS Metrology GmbH offers a wide range of suitable systems for diverse applications.

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Application example polished steel surface
Definition

What Are Optical Measurement Instruments?

Optical measurement instruments provide detailed three-dimensional data on surface characteristics, roughness, and microstructure. Unlike tactile methods, they operate contactlessly, enabling fast and material-preserving inspections.

These measurement systems capture height profiles, structure depths, and surface roughness with high lateral and vertical resolution. They are used in metalworking, the semiconductor industry, electronics manufacturing, medical technology, and research. Thanks to the principle of white-light interferometry, various surface types and materials can be analyzed reliably.

Produktfoto des smartWLI nimbus8 Hochgeschwindigkeitssensors für Produktionsumgebungenvon GBS metrology.
GBS company building section
Products

Optical Measurement Instruments: GBS Products at a Glance

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smartWLI firebolt & firebolt8

The high-speed sensor is designed for rapid measurement of large surface areas. With a 10GigE camera, users can capture up to 8 million measurement points per scan, obtaining detailed roughness and topography data—ideal for inline quality control in production.

This system features a motorized objective turret and is suitable for universal measurement stations as well as complex research applications. Its high resolution and flexible configuration make it the first choice for demanding measurement tasks.

The optical 3D profilometer combines a motorized 3-axis stand with automated scans. It is specifically designed for precise and reproducible sub-nanometer measurements and supports automated workflows in both laboratories and production.

This measurement device, with a manual or optionally motorized objective turret, offers a flexible solution for laboratories and R&D. Users can quickly switch between different objectives and efficiently analyze a wide variety of surfaces.

With blue LED illumination, high tube magnification, and a 5-megapixel camera, this device achieves lateral resolution down to 0.3 micrometers, making it particularly suited for analyzing the finest microstructures.

The compact sensor combines space-saving design with high measurement accuracy. It is ideal for repeated measurements of similar samples and tasks requiring consistent lateral resolution.

This model is designed for automated rapid focusing and a large Z-scan range. Integration into production lines is supported via the SDK and automation capabilities.

The laboratory instrument features a manual turret and a 400 µm piezo actuator. It is specifically designed for measuring extremely smooth surfaces and allows fast objective changes.

The high-end sensor combines a motorized objective turret with various camera options, enabling companies to meet different requirements for speed and resolution.

This system is specialized for precise measurement of cylinder bores. It combines specialized objectives with plugins for detailed analysis of honing structures and pores on cylinder walls.

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Our produkt highlights

Accessories Example configuration:

smartWLI next

high end sensor with motorized objective turret
Accessories Example configuration:
Scan/Focus axis (50 mm, motorized)
XY positioning stage (100 × 100 mm², motorized)
Tilt table (manually operated)
Accessories Example configuration:
Scan/Focus axis (70 mm, manually operated)
XY positioning table (100 × 100 mm², motorized)
Tilt table (manually operated)

smartWLI firebolt8

high speed sensor for production environments
Accessories Example configuration:
Scan/Focus axis (70 mm, manually operated)
XY positioning table (100 × 100 mm², motorized)
Tilt table (manually operated)

smartWLI nimbus8

high-speed, extreme resolution sensor
Accessories Example configuration:
Scan/Focus axis (100 mm, motorized)
XY positioning stage (200 × 200 mm², motorized)
Tilt table (motorized)

smartWLI firebolt

high speed sensor for production environments
Accessories Example configuration:
Scan/Focus axis (70 mm, manually operated)
XY positioning table (100 × 100 mm², motorized)
Tilt table (manually operated)
Accessories Example configuration:
Scan/Focus axis (70 mm, manually operated)
XY positioning table (100 × 100 mm², motorized)
Tilt table (manually operated)

smartWLI GBScanner

3D profiler for fast and reliable roughness measurements
Accessories Example configuration:

smartWLI GBScope

3D profiler with an excellent price performance ratio
Accessories Example configuration:
Scan/Focus axis (50 mm, motorized)
XY positioning stage (100 × 100 mm², motorized)
Tilt table (manually operated)
Accessories Example configuration:
Scan/Focus Axis (70 mm, manually operated)
XY Positioning Table (100 × 100 mm², motorized)
Tilt Table (manually operated)
Accessories Example configuration:
Scan/Focus Axis (70 mm, manually operated)
XY Positioning Table (100 × 100 mm², manually operated)
Tilt Table (manually operated)
Benefits

Technological Features and Applications of Optical Measurement Systems

The Advantages of GBS Optical Measurement Instruments

  • Contactless and rapid data acquisition

  • Measurement times of 1 to 3 seconds thanks to GPU-based data processing

  • Flexible use in laboratories, near-production, and inline

  • Easy integration into automated production lines via SDK

  • High repeatability and evaluation according to ISO 21920 and ISO 25178

  • Robust housings and compact designs for seamless process integration

GBS optical measurement instruments use coherence scanning interferometry to precisely capture three-dimensional surfaces with high height resolution. Speedytec® technology ensures short measurement times through parallel image processing on the graphics card, while advanced quality control algorithms detect and eliminate outliers.

Thanks to a modular system architecture, the measurement systems can be tailored to specific requirements. Software solutions such as smartVIS3D and MountainsMap® enable automated evaluation and comprehensive analysis of 3D data.

In practice, these systems are used for roughness control in metalworking, analysis of wafers and polished semiconductor surfaces, and measurement of tools and cutting edges.

They provide precise data on wear and structure in cylinder bores, capture surface textures in additive manufacturing and electroplating, and are used to examine optical components, tribology structures, and biomedical surfaces. The flexible configurability and ease of use of the optical inspection instruments open up numerous application possibilities across various industries.

GBS metrology

GBS – Your Partner for

Optical Measurement Instruments

GBS Metrology offers a wide range of precise optical measurement instruments for industry, laboratories, and research. The systems stand for innovative technology, fast measurement times, and seamless integration into your production processes. Benefit from personal consultation, free test measurements, and system configurations tailored to your specific requirements.

Aufnahme des Unternehmensgebäudes der GBS Metrology GmbH
GBS metrology

Profilometry Solutions from GBS for Every Requirement

GBS offers powerful optical profilometry systems that capture surfaces quickly and precisely. The devices can be flexibly integrated into production lines or laboratories and provide standard-compliant measurement results for a wide range of applications. Individual consultation and free test measurements ensure a tailored solution for every measurement task.

Close-up of the company building of GBS Metrology GmbH