The task
To determine the tread depth of vehicle tyres, the customer developed a laser sensor system for direct installation in road surfaces. The system works automatically as vehicles drive over the sensors at speeds of up to 140 km/h. One particular challenge is capturing the data reliably during the very brief moment a tyre passes over the sensor.
The solution
Scanning a relatively narrow area such as a tyre at high speed was not feasible with conventional PC systems. NewTec’s engineers therefore developed a dedicated processor concept to connect the laser to an embedded system at the required speed. Working with leading tyre manufacturers, NewTec also devised a business model for the measurement systems: installing the lasers at the entrances to filling stations and authorised workshops puts those sites in a position to offer a targeted tyre service. At the same time, the tyre data gathered gives manufacturers a basis for logistics forecasting, predicting how many tyres of which type will be needed in the near future.
