Lasers

AR500 Laser Position Sensor

AR500 Laser Position Sensor

The AR500 is a compact triangulation laser sensor that excels in its versatility. The AR500 is available with measurement ranges from 5mm (0.2 in.) to 1000mm (39.4 in). The red or blue laser is available with an assortment of power options (from Class 2 to 3B) for applications that require a brighter laser. A factory installed internal heater, air jacket, or splash guard is available for challenging environments.

Many Ranges, Exceptional Accuracy, One Case

The AR500 Laser Displacement Sensors measures 20 x 61 x 50mm (0.79 x 2.40 x 1.97 in.). It comes in 9 different ranges: 5mm, 10mm, 25mm, 50mm, 100mm, 250mm, 500mm, 750mm, and 1000mm. The AR100 has a 0.1% linearity and 0.01% resolution over the full measurement range for the 5mm to 750mm models, and a 0.15% linearity and 0.02% resolution over the full measurement range for the 1000mm model. The AR500 has a maximum sampling rate of 9.4 kHz, but if you need even more speed, a high-speed version—the AR550—boasts a sampling rate of 70 kHz.

Versatile Laser Diode Options

The AR500 is available with several power options for both red (660 nm) and blue (405 n m) lasers. Depending on the range, you can select between Class 2 (< 1 mW), Class 3R (< 5 mW), and Class 3B (~ 20 mW) lasers in both colors. The higher powers are useful in applications where the target is especially dark and far away, and they can help reduce noise in applications where a Class 2 laser just isn’t bright enough.

(Note: Class 3B lasers require certified eye protection for safe operation. Not all power options are available for all ranges. Speak to your Acuity Sales Representative for more details.)

Freezing, Sweltering, Unusually Wet? There’s an Option for That.

Setting it apart from other laser sensors, the AR500’s enclosure has a rating of IP67, so it can withstand dusty environments and occasional splashes without any additional options. It has a normal recommended operating temperature range of -10 to 60°C (14 to 140°C), so it can work in most environments without modification.

But if your application doesn’t take place in “most environments,” the AR500 has you covered with these factory-installed options:

  • An internal heater that allows operation in temperatures as low as -30°C (-22°F).
  • An air jacket that allows operation in ambient temperatures as high as 120°C (248°F)
  • A splash shield that helps keep water from landing on the laser window and interfering with the beam or optics.

Outputs and Inputs

The AR500 Laser Position Sensor comes with a standard RS232 or optional RS485 serial interface for communication with a computer or PLC, but if you need the laser to connect directly with a modern PC, an Ethernet output option is available. (Note: A minimum quantity is required for the Ethernet option. Speak to your Acuity Sales Representative for more details.)

The AR500 also comes with an analog output—your choice of 4-20mA or 0-10V. The analog output can be programmed to have a custom measurement range, and the minimum and maximum can be set to any points in the laser’s range.

The AR500 has a limit output for indicating alarms. This can be useful for triggering an external device when a target reaches a set position. The AR500 also has a line in to receive an external trigger to take single distance measurements.