LASER-BASED DEPTH MEASURING FOR DRILL RIGS Posted in: AR1000 Laser Distance Sensor – Tags: Oil and Gas
Last Updated: February 10, 2026
Drill rigs require accurate measurement, but they aren’t always the most hospitable hosts for delicate instruments. They operate outside in the weather, and drilling through soil and stone can shake things up a bit. If you’re looking for a laser distance sensor for measuring depth on a drill rig, it needs to be as rugged and reliable as it is accurate. The AR1000 Laser Distance Sensor fits the bill.
The AR1000 has been rigorously tested to withstand shocks and vibrations that other sensors can’t.* With an IP65 rating, the AR1000 can be used outside with minimal protection from the rain. The base model can be used in temperatures from 14°F (-10°C) to 122°F (50°C), and it can also be purchased with an option for an internal heater that can allow its use in temperatures as low as -40°F (-40°C). All of this, while maintaining an accuracy of 0.12 in (3 mm) at up to 100 ft. (30 m).**
An AR1000 laser distance sensor can be attached to the drill mast to measure the stroke of the drill head as the bit drills into the ground to measure the hole depth indirectly. If the drilled hole is free of obstruction, the AR1000 can instead be used to measure the exact hole depth directly by shining the laser light into the hole either from an attachment point on the drill rig or a separate mounting.
The data from the AR1000 can be piped into a cabin display using either serial or analog communications. This gives a more efficient, and often more comfortable, way of measuring drill hole depth by allowing an operator to monitor the depth from the driver’s seat.
If you have any questions about your application, please contact the Acuity sales team. We can help you find solutions for your measurement needs.
* Shock (single): 500g / 1ms, DIN ISO-9022-30-08-1
Shock (continuous): 10g / 6ms / 1000x in all 6 directions, DIN ISO-9022-31-01-1
Vibration: 10 Hz … 2000 Hz … 10 Hz / 0,075mm / 1g / 2 cycles in 3 directions, DIN ISO-9022-36-02-1
** Measurement distance and accuracy can be dependent on the measurement target.
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AR1000 Laser Distance Sensor
The Acuity AR1000 laser distance sensor can measure up to 30 meters on natural targets and up to 150 meters with a retroreflective target with an accuracy of ± 3 mm. This rugged sensor is built for tough, industrial environments and applications such as fill level measurement and material height monitoring.
Sarah has been our technical support and sales engineer for 5+ years. If you've ever reached out to Acuity Laser for tech support, more than likely, Sarah is the one who helped you.