AR700 Laser Displacement Sensor

The AR700 laser displacement sensor is Acuity’s top of the line, most precise, laser triangulation sensor. The AR700 series contains models with measurement ranges from 0.125 inches up to 50 inches and resolutions as low as one-sixth of a micron. With sampling speeds up to 9.4kHz and linearity to within 0.03% of the measurement range, the AR700 is a versatile sensor for many challenging applications.

Product ID: 3692 Category:

Industry High Precision

The AR700 laser displacement sensor series includes fourteen models with measurement ranges varying from 0.125 inches (3.2 mm) to 50 inches (1270 mm). The AR700 linearity is among the best in the industry at ± 0.03% of the measurement range.  All models in this series have a 0.005% resolution throughout the measurement range and some models can even achieve resolutions down to one sixth of a micron. Acuity takes pride in the fact that our specifications are true in real world situations. We encourage customers to ask for previous AR700 calibration certificates to serve as examples of the sensor’s true precision under ideal conditions.

High Speed Capability

The AR700 sensor offers adjustable sampling rates of up to 9400 Hz to satisfy high speed applications. A special trigger mode can be used with the AR700 for synchronization of multiple sensors, but in that case, the maximum speed is reduced to 4500 Hz.

Input/ Output Options

The AR700 laser displacement sensor is standard with a variety of serial and analog outputs. For serial communication, RS232 and RS422 are both included for communication with a computer or PLC. RS232 and RS422 data formats include ASCII English, metric, native and two binary outputs. The sensor can output error codes for: Target too near, Target too far, Target not seen and Laser off.

Analog outputs include a 4-20 mA current loop, 0-10V outputs and two NPN sinking limit switches. All parameters and settings are selectable either from push-buttons on the sensor or through PC serial commands for ease of use.

Built for Applications Needing Top Precision

The AR700 displacement sensor laser offers different sensor options to satisfy a wide variety of environments and applications. Different laser powers and optional bandpass filters can be ordered for improving sensor performance in applications with high ambient light or in measuring distances to targets that are radiating, dark or shiny. All AR700 laser sensors come with programmable options for background light elimination, sample priority, and exposure limit controls to improve the sensor’s performance in certain environments.

All models in this series have a built-in automatic gain control feature to ensure quality measurement despite variations in target colors. The AR700 is commonly used in traditional applications such as thickness, position, and distance measurement, but is most requested in applications that require the upmost accuracy and precision.

AR700 Case Studies

Battery Expansion Laser Displacement Test

A US manufacturer was looking to find a system to precisely measure the displacement of a battery cell during a battery expansion measurement test.

Copper Thickness Measurement for Inline Production

A worldwide manufacturer of copper round stock and copper strips sought — and found — a new solution for their inline copper thickness measurement. The company selected two AR700 – 0125 laser displacement sensors for a dual thickness solution.

Counting sheet metal stacking for in-line inventory

In this video we showcase how we use our AR700 Laser Displacement Sensor to count & display stacks of sheet metal.

Customization for High Accuracy Triangulation Scenario

An existing Acuity customer asked for a longer range, high accuracy laser triangulation single spot laser sensor to measure deflection. To keep the laser out of an area that can damage the laser sensor, we created the AR700-2 Long range model.

Inline Board Thickness Measurement

Non-contact laser displacement sensors are used to measure the thickness of polystyrene foam-extruded insulation boards in a continuous manufacturing environment.

Laser-Based Alignment System

The National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University uses a laser sensor in a system to measure the alignment of detectors. A full presentation of the project can be accessed from their website.

Non-Contact Rubber Measurement with Laser Displacement Sensor

In this example video we show off the abilities of our AR700 laser sensor for non-contact rubber measurement.

Propeller Blade Profiling

A major North American propeller manufacturer and service company selected a long-range triangulation sensor to measure the profile of its propellers and controllable tip blades during the manufacturing process. Non-contact measuring, like that afforded by laser sensors, is desirable in propeller manufacturing.

Sensors Measure Compression of Bamboo

Investigating the use of bamboo as a primary construction material, a team measured the strain of bamboo samples during materials testing. They required a laser sensor with a long standoff so that it would not get harmed if the bamboo failed and shattered. 

Sub-Micron Thickness Measurement with Dual Laser Sensors

In this application example we zero out two laser displacement sensors for a sub-micron thickness measurement on a 10mm block, with our touch panel displaying between 9.9993mm to 9.9997mm.

Wooden Door Online Thickness Measurement

One of the issues doors can have is that they are too thick or too thin for a good fit. Laser displacement sensors in a dual opposed mode can make thickness measurements to hold several thousand’s of an inch as doors move down the conveyor line.

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

Laser Options

Road Profiling Option

Acuity produces a bundle of options specifically targeting the needs of the road profiling community. These options include a 20mW laser diode (visible or infrared, both Class 3B) and optimized firmware which permits the highest sampling rates on dynamically changing road surface colors.

Laser Diode Power and Filter Upgrades

In some instances, it is desirable to increase the output power from the sensor’s diode. This is especially true when the sensor will be used outdoors or on very dark or shiny targets. The higher laser power generates a stronger return signal off the target surface. AR700 lasers that are standard with 1mW visible diodes can be upgraded to 5mW visible RED. Acuity AR700 sensors standard with 5mW visible lasers and can be upgraded to 20mW visible diodes (Class 3b). Internal Bandpass filters improve sensor performance in sunny conditions or when measuring to radiating targets.

Cable Lengths

Acuity offers different cable configurations to meet your special needs. For custom cable requirements, please let us know.

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 AR700 laser displacement 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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