Laser light sensor helps quality control

Pepperl+Fuchs laser light section sensor LineRunner LR300 can track corrections, do edge or gap measuring, provide volume determination, and do tolerance checks.

By Mark T. Hoske May 4, 2013

Pepperl+Fuchs high-performance and safe laser light section sensor is the LineRunner LR300. Tasks of and demands on modern vision system solutions include correction tracking, edge or gap measuring, volume determination, and tolerance checks. In the laser light section process, a line is projected on an object and recorded by a camera at a certain angle. Using the triangulation principle, it is possible to determine the necessary height and width information.

The LR300 uses this method and can compensate (due to a refined lighting system) even very difficult color and contrast lines. Safe laser protection class 1 saves costs for securing workstations, which would otherwise arise in the case of a higher laser protection class.

Via its Ethernet interface, the LineRunner 300 provides width and height data in millimeter dimensions and thus can be directly connected to the VMT systems to form a reliable and secure overall unit.

The VMT LineRunner system solution has:

  • No impact of extraneous light due to IR laser measurement
  • No impact due to changing background images
  • No restrictions in the choice of the measuring locations owing to object geometry
  • No impact due to changing surface appearances (color, texture)
  • No additional protective measures are required owing to laser protection class 1
  • Only Ethernet and voltage supply lines (no video lines attached to the robot).

– Edited by Mark T. Hoske, content manager, CFE Media, Control Engineering and Plant Engineering, mhoske@cfemedia.com.

See also “Quality control measurements for smooth surfaces” for more application information and photos below. 


Author Bio: Mark Hoske has been Control Engineering editor/content manager since 1994 and in a leadership role since 1999, covering all major areas: control systems, networking and information systems, control equipment and energy, and system integration, everything that comprises or facilitates the control loop. He has been writing about technology since 1987, writing professionally since 1982, and has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism degree from UW-Madison.