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Acuity's AccuRange 3000 distance measurement sensors employ pulsed time-of-flight measurement principles to measure very long distances at short measurement intervals. The solid-state laser diodes can be pulsed at nanosecond pulse rates and typical accuracies are within a few centimeters

The AR1000 measures from 0. to 300 m (~10 0 feet) without the use of reflective targets. It can measure to any opaque surface. The accuracy of the measurement is typically +/-20 mm, but it will depend on the reflectivity of the target surface, lighting conditions and temperature conditions and the number of distance samples that are averaged before transmitted to the user . Dark-colored targets may be less accurate targets than light-colored targets. In special sampling modes, the AR3000 can measure the velicity of moving targets.

For very distant measurements, one can use reflective target material (3M Scotchlite 3000X) to measure between 30 and 150 meters (500 feet). The AR1000 has a Class 2 visible laser diode for simple aiming and setup. The laser beam spot size is 5 mm with a divergence of 0.6 milliradians. Therefore, large targets may be necessary at very long distances.

The primary measuring laser is infrared (invisible to the human eye). The AR3000 has a pilot aiming laser that can be toggled through the serial interface. This visible, Class 2 laser beam makes it simple to adjust the alignment to distant targets.

This measurement sensor comes standard with a RS232 serial interface for communication with a PC computer or PLC. Also standard is a 4-20 mA current loop output and a single Limit switch for indicating alarms. The linearity of the analog output is commenserate with the serial output. Limit aloarms can be useful for triggering an external device when a target reaches a set position. The AR3000 can automatically sample distances or receive an external trigger for a single distance measurement. As an option, the AR3000 can be ordered with RS422 (replaces RS232) output interface. Data formats are both ASCII and Binary with selectable termination characters. This sensor, much like the AccuRange 4000 series, will also output the sensor's internal temperature and return signal amplitudes in its data stream. Amplitude can also be qualitatively judged using the indicator LED's on the rear panel of the sensor.

The sensor is ordered with an optional 2 meter (6 ft.) cable with Binder series 723 flange connector and soldertail wire termination. Users design their own connectors suitable for their application requirements.

The AR3000 has several measurement modes that are optimized for speed, accuracy, long distances or short measurement windows. Consult the User's Manual for a description of these modes.

AccuRange™ 3000 Laser Distance Sensor data sheet
This two-page specification sheet shares all of the technical details about the sensor includeing electrical, mechanical, software and physical specifications. The data sheet details the cabling and outputs for the sensor for configuration. The data sheet provides explanations for beam divergence and accuracy.

> Access the AccuRange 3000 distance measurement sensor Data Sheet Adobe PDF file size 450 KB

Acuity's AR3000 User's Manual
This user's manual is a multi-page document which explains how to operate and install the sensor hardware. Output formats are described and sensor commands are explained at length.

> Access the AccuRange 3000 device User's Manual Adobe PDF file size 1 MB

Acuity's AR3000 configuration software
This simple terminal interface allows for simple communication with the AR1000 and AR3000 sensors. Output can be viewed and archived.

> Access the AccuRange 1000 / AR3000 configuration software Zip file 250 KB

Output interfaces
Acuity offers the following standard and optional outputs for the AR4000 laser rangefinder devices:

> Standard RS-232 Serial Output
> Optional RS-422 Serial Output
> Optional Current Loop Output
> SSI or Profibus communicaiton (special order, call factory)

Standard RS-232 Serial Output
All sensors come with an RS-232 serial output on the 2m (6 foot), 9 pin cable that connects to PC style serial ports after the user attaches a DB9 connector. Serial output is ASCII and may be configured as either decimal or hexadecimal. The maximum baud rate is 38400 baud.

Standard RS-422 Serial Output
For long distance communications (more than 20 to 30 feet, depending on the baud rate), the RS-232 serial output may be replaced with an RS-422 serial output. The available sample rates, formats and software configuration commands are all the same as for the RS-232.

Standard Current Loop Output
A 4-20 milliamp current output is a standard output for the AR1000 laser distance sensor. The zero and span for the current loop output may be set at any location.. The span point (20 mA) may be made closer than the zero point if desired. The 4-20 mA output has a maximum voltage capability of 10 volts, and it is suggested that a 400 to 500 ohm load be used at the reading instrumentation for best accuracy.