Wet Saw Cut-to-Length of Stone Slabs Using an Off-Axis Laser Sensor Posted in: Length Measurement, Updates – Tags: AS1100, Building Materials and Equipment

Acuity worked with a stone fabrication company to use our AS1100 Long Distance Sensor to measure the length of each slab before it is cut with a wet saw. They needed a sensor that could accurately measure long slabs accurately at an affordable price. 

The AS1100 is part of the same family of laser sensors as the AS2100. It has all the same features–IP65 rating, serial and analog output, Ethernet/IP connectivity option–with a slightly larger 3mm error and a slightly slower 50 Hz maximum measurement frequency. It’s perfect for applications that demand the flexibility and reliability of the AS2100, but don’t need all the performance.

This application had a couple of challenges. First, the wet saw is, well, wet. Laser measurement sensors do not work well through water. Fortunately, the AS1100 holds its accuracy over time very well. It has sensors and internal code to help correct for the measurement drift most sensors get as the temperature changes (“thermal drift”). This means that the company can zero the measurement at the saw while it is dry, and be confident that the AS1100 will measure the slab length accurately throughout the day’s shift. 

Second, the sensor couldn’t be mounted directly in the direction of the desired measurement dimension. The AS1100 had to be mounted a bit off-axis to avoid an obstruction. This isn’t as difficult a problem as you might think. With a couple of objects of known length (gauge blocks for instance), you can easily correct for the difference. Find out more information in the article: Measuring Around Obstacles with Off-Axis Laser Sensors.

With the help of our Acuity sales team, the AS1100 is currently deployed at multiple locations cutting stone and cutting costs. If you have a cut-to-length application, or any other application that might benefit from our sensors, we can help you find solutions that will improve your efficiency, your productivity, and your profitability. Email us at or call 503-210-5733 to speak with our experts.