At the recent Hannover Fair, Pepperl+Fuchs was showing what it describes as the world’s first multi-line laser sensor that can be used for 3D measurements of stationary or moving objects. The LineRunner400 camera (shown below) is suitable for applications such as presence detection, position or height control, volume measurements, tolerance controls, and 3D shape measurements.

The camera, which operates on the triangulation principle, uses several laser lines to measure an object accurately, even if it is stationary. Conventional laser sensors need to capture several images of a moving object to determine its shape, so cannot be used if it not moving.

The camera processes the data on-board and can therefore be used as a standalone sensor which does not need to be connected to a PC.