Laser measurement sensors are often used in industry and research for dimensional verification of length, width or thickness. Typical applications include determining wood thickness, steel coil thickness, paper coil width, and more. Engineers choose non-contact laser sensors because they are very accurate, fast, and the distance between the measurement device and the surface of the object being measured can be great.

How to measure the size of an object

There are several ways to measure the size of an object using a non-contact sensor. The first is to use a single device to measure the length, width, thickness, and other dimensions of an object placed on a stationary surface (often called a reference surface). Without a reference, the laser sensor only needs to measure the distance of its target relative to the sensor, not the position of the opposite. For objects or materials that are in motion or not in contact with the reference surface, engineers can use two sensors. Measure the size of an object as it passes between two sensors

single sensor method

Dimensional verification is simple and straightforward when the object is at rest and in contact with a reference surface. This is mostly the case for bench top and Quality Assurance tests using measuring fixtures. The selected sensor has sufficient measuring range to meet the maximum measuring size. Engineers installed the sensor directly opposite the reference plane. The technician then "zeros" the sensor against the reference plane using the appropriate configuration settings in the sensor or the equivalent of a "tare" function in their computer or controller. The sensor can read the height (or thickness, width, etc.) of an object placed on its channel.