AR100 Super Compact Laser Triangulation Sensor

The AR100 is one of the smallest laser measurement sensors in the world. The ultra-compact AR100 comes with ranges from 10mm (0.4 in.) to 500mm (19.7 in.) with a single case size. It can take 9,400 measurements per second and has a linearity of ± 0.05% of the full measurement range for most models. In short, the AR100 is perfect for applications with tight size and mass budgets that can’t sacrifice performance.

Product ID: 3363 Category:

Small Laser, Large Range, Impressive Accuracy, Laser Triangulation Sensor

AR100 sensor using triangulationThe AR100 Compact Laser Triangulation Sensor measures just 17 x 45 x 30.5mm (0.67 x 1.77 x 1.2 in.) for all models and weighs just 40g (0.088 lb.) without its cable. It comes in 6 different ranges: 10mm, 25mm, 50mm, 100mm, 250mm, and 500mm.

It’s generally thought that the smaller a triangulation laser is and the longer its range, the less accurate it is. This is mostly true, but improvements in detectors and miniaturized optics have reduced the trade-off significantly. The AR100 has a 0.05% linearity and 0.01% resolution over the full measurement range for the 10mm to 100mm models, and a 0.1% linearity and 0.02% resolution over the full measurement range for the 250mm and 500mm model (0.01% resolution for 250mm).

The AR100 has a maximum sampling rate of 9.4 kHz, so you won’t be sacrificing speed either.

Multiple Laser Colors

The AR100 comes with a Class 2, eye-safe laser (< 1mW) in either red (660 nm) or blue (405 nm). Most applications work great with the more common (and cheaper) red lasers, but if your application has a target that absorbs or emits too much red light, the blue laser option might just make the difference. Our laser sensors all operate based off non-contact measurement.

Stands Up to the Environment

The AR100’s enclosure has a rating of IP67, so it can withstand dusty environments and occasional splashes.

Outputs and Inputs

You can choose a standard RS232 or optional RS485 serial interface for communication with a computer or PLC. The AR100 also comes with an analog output—your choice of 4-20mA or 0-10V. The analog output can be programmed to have a custom measurement span, and the minimum and maximum can be set to any points in the laser’s range.

The AR100 Laser Triangulation Sensor has a limit output for indicating alarms. This can be useful for triggering an external device when a target reaches a set position. The AR100 also has a line in to receive an external trigger to take single distance measurements.

AR100 Case Studies

Engine Vibration Measurement

Our cost effective sensors are placed at various sections of the engine to measure the vibration displacement in multiple engine locations.

Lumber Thickness and Dimensions

The forest, lumber and wood products industry is a regular user of Acuity laser sensor products for the measuring of logs, cants, lumber, veneer thickness, paperboard, etc.

Paper Roll Diameter

As a very large roll of paper winds off to smaller individual rolls, manufacturers must ensure that the smaller rolls have enough material present to be able to sell.

Specifications

Base Distance: Offset distance from the face of the sensor to the beginning of the measurement edge. Accuracy is greatest at the middle of the range, and the laser spot size is the smallest at the middle of the measurement range.

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

Resolution: Smallest change in distance that a sensor can detect. Stated as % of the full scale range

Linearity: The largest deviation from a best-fit straight line over the measurement range, created by data from the sensor with reference taken from a true distance scale. Stated as ±% of the Range.

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

Options and Accessories

Connection Options

Acuity offers the following outputs for the AR100 Compact Triangulation Sensor:

Serial Outputs (Choose One)

RS-232

An RS-232 0utput is standard on the AR100. 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 AR100 can be set to binary or ASCII output. The maximum transfer rate is 921600 baud.

RS-485

The AR100 can be purchased with an RS-485 serial output for applications that require long cables (> 20 ft). The RS-485 serial output replaces the RS-232 output, so please double check the output your application requires before ordering. The available sample rates, formats and software configuration commands are the same for a RS-485 output as it is for RS-232.

Analog Outputs (Choose One)

4-20 mA

A 4-20 mA analog output is preferred when there is a possibility of interference as the signal travels through the cable. The maximum and minimum current outputs can be set to any point on the sensor’s range, even inverting direction if necessary. We suggest that a 400 to 500 Ω resistor be connected to the current loop wires at the measurement point for best accuracy.

0-10 V

Some PLCs require a 0-10V analog output, and this option is available on the AR100. Like with the 4-20mA output, the maximum and minimum current outputs can be set to any point on the sensor’s range, even inverting direction if necessary. We do recommend using the shortest length of cable feasible to reduce any noise causing interference.

Display Accessories

Touch Panel Display

Touch Panel Display with data 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. The 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
Connectivity Kit

The AR100 laser measurement sensor comes with an unterminated bundle of wires in a shielded cable. 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: Serial to USB cable option; 240 V version with a European-style plug.

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