AS2100 Accurate Distance Sensor

The AS2100 is a highly accurate laser distance sensor that is designed to work well outdoors, in bright lights, and even on difficult targets such as hot or dark surfaces. With the ability to take accurate measurements (± 1 mm) from distances up to 500 meters away, and a measurement frequency of up to 250 Hz, it is the perfect laser for a wide range of applications.

Product ID: 9550 Category:

Superior Accuracy at Long Range

The AS2100 accurate distance sensor can measure natural targets up to 100m (328 ft) away and Acuity reflective targets up to 500m (1640 ft) away with an accuracy of ± 1mm (0.04 in) depending on target reflectance and environmental conditions. The AS2100 is a rugged laser sensor that can accurately measure on difficult targets, including measurements on black surfaces with solar irradiation. The maximum measurement frequency of the AS2100 is 250Hz in optimal conditions.

Laser Diode

The AS2100 has a Class 2, red, visible laser diode for simple aiming and setup. The spot size starts at 0.15 inches and grows to only about 2 inches at distances of 100 meters.  Larger targets may be necessary at longer distances.

Outputs and Inputs

The AS2100 Accurate Distance Sensor can communicate using RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485 serial protocols by adjusting a single parameter. The AS2100 also comes with a standard, 4-20 mA, analog, current loop output (can also be set to 0-20mA). The analog output can be programmed to have a custom measurement span, and the minimum and maximum currents can be set to any points in the laser’s range.

The AS2100 unit comes with a built in USB connection option for easy testing & troubleshooting of unit.

The AS2100 with a specialized EtherNet/IP™ back cover allows the sensor to connect and send data to EtherNet/IP™ compatible hardware.

Wide Range of Applications

Due to the product’s high performing specs and ability to provide accurate measurements on difficult targets, including measurements on bright, dark, hot, and textured surfaces, it is a perfect accurate distance sensor for a wide variety of applications and industries. Examples include:

  • Metal production applications (including steel and aluminum production) –controlling fill level for steel and iron, cut to length applications, and dimensional measurements of hot materials.
  • Transportation industry applications – Positional measurements during materials handling processes (ASRS, AGV systems), crane positioning, trolleys and vertical lifts positioning, and flood gate position measurements.
  • Fill level measurement applications –silo level measurements & controlling the filling and pouring of steel and iron.
  • Process control applications – cut to length measurements (steel & lumber industries), diameter and width measurements of rolls (paper & steel), length/width positioning measurements for sorting applications, and more.

The AS2100 has been used in many other positioning and dimensional measurement applications. Contact Acuity Sales for your specific long range distance measurement application.

AS2100 Case Studies

Why Laser Sensors are Recommended for Steel Manufacturing

The steel working industry is vast with many different functions. Steel manufacturing began as a means to produce small and more expensive items like knives, swords and armor. Today, steel is a much larger industry and can be made cheaper and in higher quantities.

Accurate Distance Sensors for Hot Surfaces and Bright Lights

For distance measurements on hot surfaces or in bright lighting conditions, the Acuity AS2100 series is superior to previous Time-of-Flight lasers.

Laser Molten Metal Level Control

One of our customers is using the AR2000 laser rangefinder to measure and control the level of molten metal in a furnace.

Acuity Releases Air Cooling Jacket and Alignment Bracket for AS2100 Sensor

Stemming from popular demand, Acuity has released both an air-cooling jacket and bracket alignment unit for the AS2100 sensor.

Copper Bar Cut-to-Length

Acuity helped a copper bar manufacturer identify both a non-contact solution and formalize their upgrade investment justification.

Specifications

Range: Working distance between measurement endpoints over which the sensor will reliably measure displacement.

Accuracy: The sum of all measurement errors when compared to a known standard.

Resolution: Smallest increment of change in distance that a sensor can detect.

Repeatability: Similarity between duplicate measurements.

Sample Rate: Speed that data samples are obtained from the sensor.

Options and Accessories

Connection Options

Acuity offers the following standard outputs for the AS2100 laser rangefinder devices:

Standard RS-232/RS-422/RS-485 Serial Output

RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 outputs are standard on the AS2100. Cables purchased with the laser come with flying leads that can be wired directly to whatever connector your computer or PLC uses. The data from the AS2100 is output as ASCII and may be set to decimal or hexadecimal numbers.

Standard Current Loop Output

4-20 mA (can be set to 0-20mA), analog, current output is included on all AS2100 sensors. The maximum and minimum current outputs can be set to any point on the sensor’s range, even inverting direction if necessary.

USB Connection Option

The AS2100 unit comes with a built in USB connection option for easy testing & troubleshooting purposes.

Ethernet/IP Output

AS2100 Accurate Laser Distance Sensor with specialized EtherNet/IP back coverThe AS2100 can be ordered with a specialized EtherNet/IP™ back cover allows the sensor to connect and send data to EtherNet/IP™ compatible hardware.

Display Accessories

Touch Panel Display

Stand-alone terminal interface for use with Acuity laser distance sensors. These fully enclosed units replace panel meters, alphanumeric displays, and analog controllers by providing a modern interface through a full-color LCD and touch screen. The Touch Panel Display communicates with up to 6 Acuity sensors using RS-232 serial interfaces.

Touch Panel Display For Acuity's Laser Distance Measurement SensorsThe touch panel can be easily configured using on-screen buttons to display, scale, and even graph the sensors’ distance outputs. Relative dimensions can be measured using a tare function. With two Acuity sensors paired together, the touch panel can serve as a thickness gauge. Limits can be programmed into the touch panel to give a visual warning to operators that the target is too close or too far or too thick or too thin. With a USB flash drive, measurements can be logged and saved for further analysis.

Connection Accessories

Connectivity Kit

As an option, Acuity sells a connectivity kit to aid in connecting your laser to a power supply and serial port. This product includes a 120V, 15 VDC, AC power supply; a serial cable with DB9 connector; and a solid-state, NEMA-4X interface box. The interface box includes two sets of terminal blocks for simple input (from sensor) and output (to your selected device), a DB9 male serial connector out, and a barrel style power connector in. You can either pass through the wiring to another unterminated cable, connect a DB9 serial cable directly to the interface box, or both at the same time.

Also available: A 240 V version with a European-style plug; connectivity kit with serial to USB cable.

Cables

Cables sold separately from unit. Please see ordering sheet, under download tab, for more details on cable lengths.

Other Accessories

Reflective Plate

Acuity Reflective plate 210 x 297 mm (orange). The reflective aluminum target improves the reflected signal strength to measure long distance ranges. We recommend only using Acuity reflective targets to avoid damage to the laser.

Reflective Plate from Acuity LaserDimensions of the Reflective Plate from Acuity Laser

Reflective Foil

AS2100 Reflective FoilThe reflective foil provides a defined highly reflecting measuring target. It improves the reflected signal strength. This improved signal strength and is used to measure long distance ranges.
Size: 600 x 1200 mm +/-5mm

Bracket Alignment Unit
Bracket Alignment Unit
Bracket alignment unit that makes it easy to adjust the laser beam to the requested measuring target. The alignment unit allows +/-4° adjustment in two axis and is ideal for distances up to about 300m. The bracket is made of steel, zinc-plated and weighs about 850g.

 

AS2100 Cooling Enclosure

AS2100 cooling enclosure frontTo deal with heat related challenges, Acuity engineers have designed an AS2100 cooling enclosure with a built-in bandpass filter option. The cooled housing enables the sensor to be protected from the hot ambient temperature and the bandpass filter options allows the sensor to perform reliable, accurate measurements on molten metal.

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