Long Range Laser Sensor

The company's BOD 63M laser time-of-flight sensor is a long-range sensing laser for precise detection and measurement of a wide range of objects. The new sensor can detect or measure objects, stationary or moving, that are up to 6 m (around 19') long or up to that distance away. Applications include distance measurement and control of moving objects, such as pallets, hot steel that could damage a sensor, parts that change colors or have reflective surfaces or targets that move at angles unfavorable to a light beam, such as parts manipulated by robots, behind glass or in other restricted areas. The sensor can be used for measurement of large objects such as logs, rolls of steel and paper. It can also measure hopper levels or material handled in automated warehouses and transelevators.

The sensor bounces a Class II laser beam off objects to determine distance or length by measuring the amount of time the light takes to reflect back to the sensor. This time-of-flight technology provides higher linearity, better accuracy and longer range than traditional optical sensors that use standard triangulation. Because the sensor is laser-based, its resolution is constant across the entire distance the beam travels, allowing it to detect objects as small as 1 mm, regardless of the target's reflective properties. With its discrete output adjustable over it entire working range, the sensor can also be used as a long-range background suppression sensor. Models are available with one PNP or NPN output, an alarm output and one 1-10 Vdc or 4-20 mA analog output.