LMI Gocator 3500 Series High-Resolution 3D Snapshot Sensors

Metrology-grade 3D snapshot inspection in a single shot. The Gocator 3500 Series brings 5-megapixel stereo cameras and 12 micron accuracy to snapshot 3D inspection - the precision of laboratory metrology in a factory-floor smart sensor.

The Gocator 3500 Series is LMI Technologies' family of high-resolution 3D smart snapshot sensors - structured light 3D capture with 5-megapixel stereo cameras delivering metrology-grade XY resolution and Z accuracy that conventional vision systems require expensive lab instruments to match. Two active models cover distinctly different inspection envelopes: the Gocator 3506 targets small-parts precision inspection at 12 micron accuracy and 20 micron XY resolution; the Gocator 3520 extends the high-resolution snapshot approach to larger fields of view up to 282 x 175 mm for robot-driven inspection of automotive and industrial assemblies. Both deliver complete 3D point cloud capture in a single shot with no motion required, eliminating the cost and complexity of linear motion systems and removing vibration-induced measurement error.

What Makes the 3500 Series "Metrology-Grade"

The 3500 Series jumps from the 2-megapixel imager of the Gocator 3210 to 5-megapixel stereo cameras. That alone is a 2.5x increase in raw data density per snapshot. Combined with industrial blue LED structured light projection and a precisely calibrated optical baseline, the result is XY resolution down to 20 microns and VDI/VDE accuracy down to 12 microns on the Gocator 3506 - measurement performance previously available only on coordinate measuring machines, white light interferometers, or other dedicated metrology instruments costing 10 to 100 times more.

The 3500 Series brings four metrology-grade capabilities to the smart sensor form factor:

Gocator 3500 Series Model Comparison

The two active models in the Gocator 3500 Series target opposite ends of the inspection envelope: the 3506 for the smallest, highest-precision parts; the 3520 for the largest, robot-mounted snapshot applications. Match the model to the part size and accuracy target.

Both Gocator 3500 Series models use LED structured light - not lasers - so they do not carry laser class designations. The 465 nm blue LED projectors are eye-safe at normal working distances and do not require laser safety controls. All models share Gigabit Ethernet interface, IP67 aluminum housing, native Gocator industrial protocols (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus, ASCII), and Universal Robots certification. The Gocator 3504 stereo snapshot sensor is also available in the 3500 Series for ultra-compact applications (12 x 13 mm FOV, 6.7 micron XY resolution) - contact Automation Distribution for special-order configurations.

3506 vs 3520: Which Model Do You Need?

The 3506 and 3520 are not just different sizes of the same sensor - they target genuinely different applications with different optical engineering choices behind them.

Key Features

• 5-megapixel stereo cameras across both models for metrology-grade data density
• Single-snapshot 3D capture - no motion, no encoder, no conveyor required
• Industrial blue LED structured light projector at 465 nm rated for 10 years of continuous operation
• 3-way triangulation on the Gocator 3520 for occlusion minimization on complex parts
• High-intensity LED projector on the 3520 for short exposure times and reduced motion blur
• 12 micron VDI/VDE accuracy on the 3506 - the highest accuracy in the Gocator snapshot family
• 282 x 175 mm field of view on the 3520 - the largest in the Gocator snapshot family
• Pre-calibrated - delivers real-world XYZ coordinates out of the box, no on-site calibration
• Universal Robots certified for cobot-mounted inspection (UR3, UR5, UR10, and UR e-series)
• No laser safety classification - LED structured light eliminates the interlocks, key controls, and access controls required for Class 3R or 3B laser sensors
• Vibration immunity - the snapshot is faster than typical factory floor vibration periods
• Onboard 3D feature and volumetric tools for direct measurement without external processing
• Browser-based GUI for setup and configuration - no installed software, no programming required
• Open-source SDK for integration with custom applications, PLCs, robots, and image processing libraries
• IP67 gasketed aluminum housing, vibration and shock resistant for factory floor deployment
• Compatible with the GoMax Smart Vision Accelerator and GoPxL Anomaly Detector for AI-based defect detection

Stocked Part Numbers

The Gocator 3504 (ultra-compact 12 x 13 mm FOV, 6.7 micron XY resolution stereo snapshot) is also available in the 3500 Series for the smallest precision applications. Contact Automation Distribution at 1-888-600-3080 for 3504 special-order configurations.

Industries and Applications

Common Connectivity and Construction

Software, Integration, and Networking

• Browser-based configuration GUI - set up the sensor, build measurement tools, and visualize real-time 3D data from any device with a web browser.
• Onboard 3D feature and volumetric measurement tools - run gauging, geometric, and volumetric tools directly on the sensor without an external PC.
• Open-source SDK and native drivers - integrate with your application, robot, or PLC using C-based libraries supported across every Gocator model.
• Universal Robots certified - direct cobot integration with UR3, UR5, UR10, and UR e-series robots through certified URCap.
• Compatible with GoMax Smart Vision Accelerator for offloaded point cloud processing. Note that GoPxL can accelerate only a single G3 snapshot sensor per GoMax unit.
• Compatible with the GoPxL Anomaly Detector for AI-based surface defect detection on snapshot 3D data.
• Free Gocator Emulator for offline development and validation in a virtual sensor environment.

Compatible Accessories

Round out your Gocator 3500 deployment with factory-correct hardware available through Automation Distribution: LMI Cordsets for power, I/O, and Ethernet; the GoMax Smart Vision Accelerator for offloaded point cloud processing and AI inference; and the GoPxL Anomaly Detector for AI-based defect detection on snapshot 3D data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Gocator 3500 Series used for?

The Gocator 3500 Series is LMI Technologies' family of high-resolution, metrology-grade 3D smart snapshot sensors. The Gocator 3506 targets small-parts precision inspection - electronics, PCBs, battery and IC connectors, semiconductor packaging, medical devices, and any application requiring 12 micron VDI/VDE accuracy and 20 micron XY resolution. The Gocator 3520 targets larger-FOV robot-driven inspection - automotive engine components, piston bowl volume measurement, cylinder head verification, stop-and-go part inspection, and any application requiring up to 282 x 175 mm field of view with single-snapshot 3D capture. View the Gocator 3500 Series at Automation Distribution.

What is the difference between the Gocator 3500 Series and the Gocator 3210?

The Gocator 3210 uses a 2-megapixel stereo camera and is built for large-FOV, multi-feature inspection at 35 micron accuracy. The Gocator 3500 Series uses 5-megapixel stereo cameras and delivers metrology-grade accuracy (12 microns on the 3506) and higher XY resolution (20 microns on the 3506). Choose the 3210 when you need large-FOV multi-feature inspection on automotive assemblies at moderate accuracy. Choose the 3500 Series when you need metrology-grade precision for small parts (3506) or when you need both large FOV and high resolution with occlusion-minimizing 3-way triangulation (3520).

What is "3-way triangulation" on the Gocator 3520?

Standard stereo snapshot sensors (including the 3210 and 3506) use two cameras to triangulate the 3D scene. If a feature occludes one camera's view, that part of the scene becomes a data gap. The Gocator 3520 uses a 3-way triangulation design that captures the structured light pattern from three optical paths, dramatically reducing occlusion shadows on complex parts with protruding features, undercuts, or angled surfaces. This is particularly valuable for automotive components, engine parts, and other geometrically complex targets where conventional stereo snapshot leaves data gaps.

Why does the Gocator 3520 use a "high-intensity" LED projector?

A brighter LED projector enables shorter camera exposure times for the same image quality. Shorter exposures mean less motion blur if the target has residual vibration or jitter - which is common in stop-and-go production environments where parts pause briefly on indexing conveyors but haven't fully settled. The high-intensity projector also enables the 3520 to work at its larger 203 mm clearance distance and 150 mm measurement range, where the structured light pattern has to travel further and spread across a larger area. The tradeoff is the 3520's higher power draw (50 watts vs 25 watts for the 3506).

Which model do I choose - 3506 or 3520?

Choose the Gocator 3506 if your target is small (under 30 x 45 mm), you need the highest available XY resolution (20-25 microns) and Z accuracy (12 microns), or you are replacing offline metrology instruments like CMMs or white light interferometers with an inline smart sensor. Choose the Gocator 3520 if your target is medium-to-large (up to 282 x 175 mm), you need single-snapshot capture of the entire part, you need 3-way triangulation for complex geometries, or the sensor will be mounted on a Universal Robots cobot for multi-station inspection.

Is the Gocator 3500 Series a laser sensor?

No. Like the Gocator 3210, the 3500 Series uses an industrial blue LED (465 nm) structured light projector, not a laser. The sensors do not carry laser class designations (Class 2, 3R, 3B) and do not require the laser safety controls associated with laser-based Gocator sensors. The LEDs are eye-safe at normal working distances, simplifying integration into collaborative cells and operator-accessible workstations.

How fast does the Gocator 3500 Series scan?

Both the 3506 and 3520 capture one complete 3D snapshot every 333 milliseconds (3 Hz). Each snapshot is a full 3D point cloud of the entire field of view. This is slower than laser line profilers (which can scan thousands of profile lines per second), but each snapshot represents complete 3D data of the entire FOV rather than one slice. For metrology-grade inspection of stationary or stop-and-go parts, the 3 Hz rate is more than sufficient for most cycle time requirements.

Can the Gocator 3500 Series replace a coordinate measuring machine?

For many applications, yes. The Gocator 3506 delivers 12 micron VDI/VDE accuracy in a smart sensor form factor that costs a fraction of a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and can be deployed inline rather than as an offline lab instrument. This enables 100 percent inspection at production speed instead of statistical sampling. CMMs remain the right choice for the most demanding sub-micron metrology applications, very large parts beyond the 3500 Series field of view, and probing-based measurement of internal features. For everything else - especially inline cosmetic inspection, dimensional QA, and surface measurement - the 3500 Series is a powerful and cost-effective alternative.

Are the Gocator 3500 Series sensors Universal Robots certified?

Yes. Both the 3506 and 3520 are certified for use with Universal Robots cobots through LMI's URCap integration. This allows direct mounting on UR3, UR5, UR10, and UR e-series cobot end effectors with standard URCap programming - no custom driver development required. The 3520's 2.6 kg weight is well within the payload capacity of UR10e and UR16e cobots; the lighter 1.52 kg 3506 is compatible with all current UR models.

Can I network multiple Gocator 3500 Series sensors together?

Yes. Multiple 3506 or 3520 sensors can be deployed for simultaneous multi-station inspection. Standard Gocator multi-sensor networking handles synchronization, triggering, and data aggregation. Note that the GoMax accelerator supports only a single G3 snapshot sensor per GoMax unit - multi-snapshot deployments require either one GoMax per sensor or processing on the sensors themselves without acceleration.