Laser Sensors

Description

Laser sensors are the devices used for accurate measurement of displacement, position, vibration, level, and thickness. It uses the triangulation principle to measure the displacement. A sensor head emits a laser beam towards the target object and the light that is reflected, is obtained as a spot image. If the target changes its position, the spot image also changes its position accordingly. The movement of the spot image is indicated on the position sensitive device, which is used to compute the exact distance between the sensor and the object. Laser sensors can also be utilized to detect objects with low surface reflection characteristics, such as black rubber. Laser sensors work on direct current or universal voltage (AC/DC).

Types

Some of the commonly available laser sensors are listed below:

• 3D laser sensors
• Construction laser sensors

Features

The features of laser sensors are given below:

• Long sensing range
• Accurate output can be achieved
• High resolution and repeatability
• Insensitive to ambient light
• High measuring frequency
• Shorter response time

Advantages

The advantages of laser sensors are as follows:

• Used in the field of robotics due to its compact size
• Replaces the use of conventional measurement devices such as rulers, chalk, strings, etc for better accuracy
• Digital laser sensors provide easy alignment by employing visible red laser beam (laser class 1 and 2)
• Detects of very small targets due to small measuring spot size 

Applications

The applications of laser sensors are given below:

• 3D laser sensors are used for on-line gauging applications
• 3D laser sensors are used for collecting high-density data needed for detection of defects as well as their localization during high-production rates in manufacturing facilities
• Used in motion detection security systems to provide protection to people and property
• Used in conveyor belt profiling
• Used in altimetry applications