Laser Sensor Explained | Types and Working Principles

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⌚Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:08 - How does a laser sensor work?
02:07 - Laser sensor output
03:17 - Why use a laser sensor?
03:55 - How laser sensors are used?
04:24 - Examples
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In this video, I will be talking about laser sensors. I will explain what laser sensors are, the basics of how they work, and the different types of laser sensors, and I will give some examples of how laser sensors are used with automation.
A laser sensor is an electric device that uses a focused light beam to detect the presence, absence, or distance of an object.
The light that a laser sensor emits is a small bright dot, similar to a laser pointer. This dot is bright enough to be easily seen even in direct sunlight. And being able to see this dot easily, makes it easier to set up and troubleshoot the laser sensor.
On some laser sensors, the light can be turned off when the sensor is not being used.
Now let’s talk about how the laser sensor works. First, the light travels from the sensor to the object. The light then bounces off the object back to the sensor.
The sensor then calculates how long it took for the light to travel to and from the object to determine the distance.
- If the object was within the sensor’s range, the output of the sensor will turn on.
- If the object was not in the sensor’s range the output will stay off.
To set up when the laser sensor output turns on depends on what type of laser sensor you have.
- If it is just a basic laser sensor, you just turn a dial or a ring on the laser sensor to adjust it from its minimum setting to its maximum setting.
- Other laser sensors have a display and buttons on them that are used to configure the sensor’s min/max settings.
- Other laser sensors require a computer to be connected to them to configure the min/max settings.
Depending on what laser sensor you have, the sensor outputs can be normally open, normally closed, NPN, PNP, or analog.
Also depending on the laser sensor, the analog outputs can be zero to ten volts or four to twenty milliamps.
Typically if you are using the sensor’s analog output, the sensor is connected to a PLC analog input card.
An example of when a laser sensor analog output might get used is to check the position of a part before it enters a robot cell.
The sensor’s analog signal is read by the PLC and the PLC displays this number on an HMI screen, along with the range that is considered good.
If the part is in the correct position, it will get released into the robot cell automatically.
But if the part is out of position, an alarm will sound and the part will not release until the part is in the correct position and the reset button on the HMI is pressed. This is an example of when a laser sensor would be used to check distance.
Now let’s talk about some of the reasons why you would use a laser sensor.
- They work very well in dusty conditions.
The brighter light of a laser sensor has fewer issues in dusty environments compared to other styles of sensors.
- The bright light of the laser sensor is not affected by other light sources. Laser sensors can even be used in direct sunlight.
- With the size of the laser sensor light dot, it works great at detecting small objects.
- Laser sensors can also be used for precise positioning. Laser sensors can also have a very long working range if needed.
A lot of the laser sensors made today use twenty-four volt DC power.
Depending on your needs one or both of these wires will get connected to a PLC input card. With these wires connected the sensor is ready to be set up.
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[@deniskalugin7984]

Great explanation with supportive visualization! Thanks, RealPars.

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Glad it was helpful, Denis!

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Brilliant as always. Thanks! 😃

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Our pleasure!

[@PLCTrainingforBeginners]

Very good explaining. Very helpful

[@realpars]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AnasAl-Dhafiri]

Thank you very much for this useful video . Good luck

[@realpars]

Glad it was helpful!

[@abramps]

I've work with IFM laser sensor and it's great. By this I can replace photocell+reflectors and replace encoder to be direct measure, no more disturbances from encoder coupling

[@hanzmarin4655]

Nice Realpars. Just in time

[@realpars]

Glad to hear that, Hanz!

[@user-ot9lh7iz9l]

thank you for your share，wonderful

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Thank you!

[@kiykio4299]

Excellant explanation

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Thank you!

[@user-oo9ug4lc8z]

easy to understand～～very good👍

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Glad you think so!

[@ridhoirawan6407]

good explanation

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Thank you, Ridho!

[@FirozKhan-uh3ib]

Very good.. I am beginner so please keep it more vedios.

[@realpars]

Thanks for your support, Firoz! We surely will.

[@Zuwwar]

Hi. Excellent video as always. Question; By configuring the Laser Sensor's Max. and Min. Settings, do you mean configuring its sensing range?

[@instrumentationeeetutorials]

very informative video ....

[@realpars]

Thanks a lot!

[@joshuapitong899]

Thank you.❤

[@realpars]

You are very welcome!

[@mohamedheshamsoliman3195]

I really want to know which software that you use to make a good video like this 💙

[@juliocesardealmeida2167]

Great video! I'd like to know about magnetic sensors.

[@realpars]

Thanks for your comment and feedback, Julio! I will happily pass this on to our course developers. Happy learning!

[@juliuscontrolsandautomatio6861]

@@realpars I need to learn how to Wire Discrete DC Sensors to Rockwell VFD (Variable Frequency Drive). May you help me? Thanks!

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Yours video are great for learning 👍.. Everything is easily explained by animation . Sir can you explain how to make animation videos please upload video

[@realpars]

Great to hear that! Happy learning

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good video

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Glad you enjoyed!

[@michealgoudarzi6893]

Amazing

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Thank you, Micheal!

[@Lechugin61]

Very nice and informative video Thanks! Would be possible for you to do an explanation video for Photo eye and proximity sensors used primarily on amusement and waterpark rides?

[@realpars]

Great suggestion! I will go ahead and pass this on to our course developers as a topic suggestion.

[@biplabghosh_official]

Please discuss difficulties with laser sensor & Is there any latest technology that could challenge the proficiency of the laser sensor?

[@realpars]

Laser sensors obviously use a low-powered Class 2 laser, but even so, eye damage can result from looking directly into the laser light beam. An emerging technology uses LED for proximity sensors, and some show promise with being able to discern between materials being sensed.

[@SamMoh..]

Hey Pars! I'm a newly graduate Mechatronics Engineer. I'm interested in getting into the Industrial Automation field, looking forward to learn about both the hardware and software programming. Any tips or advices? Thanks in advance.

[@realpars]

Hi Mohammed! Great to hear that, in that case our learning platform would be a great place for you! Feel free to browse through our course library to see all the different topics we are covering learn.realpars.com/collections If you are interested, you will obtain full access to our complete course library (500+ video courses) by subscribing to either our monthly package for €24.99 a month or our yearly package for €179.99,-.

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[@shiock1991]

Hi RealPars & the community here, will you be able to share/explain swivel tool changers for robotic system? Would like to know how the orientation/angular position be controlled? Thanks!

[@realpars]

Great topic suggestion! I will go ahead and add this to the list. Thanks for sharing!

[@juliocesardealmeida2167]

Do you have a video teaching about safety relay?

[@realpars]

No we do not, but that is an excellent potential video topic! Thank you!

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[@schiz8860]

Thanks RealPars..great video..could you help me in qTeaching an IPF630520 laser sensor pls?..would be a big help..thanks!

[@realpars]

Thanks for your kind comment! I will happily share this with the team, hopefully we can create a future video course on this topic. Happy learning!

[@ruisilva3505]

Top inf.

[@realpars]

Much appreciated!

[@rishithagude5334]

It is only used for measuring the distance of the object ? How much range it can measure

[@realpars]

It depends on the specific sensor you are using, but most laser sensors can detect or measure up to 3 -5 meters.

[@sivaci_tayfa]

Hello, Is it possible to use laser sensor to define exact position and shape of 2d pattern?

[@realpars]

The single-beam laser sensor shown in this video is used for detection of the presence of an about. A laser scanner that uses a laser matrix or speckle pattern can be used to determine more about an object, such as the laser scanner used to scan for barcodes at the grocery store. A confocal laser sensor can determine shapes with a special sensor and software. Essentially, these scan an area and determine where the object blocks the beam.

[@advaitpatil2984]

To get the light reflected back towards LASER, shouldn't the surface need to be exactly perpendicular to the LASER beam?

[@realpars]

Hello Advait Patil, Thank you for your question. It is best to have the signal return to the laser as good as possible. Perpendicular would be optimal, but these laser photo devices have wiggle room to play with angles. The device it’s sensing might also move. I am providing you with a link of a global company you might want to read more of their applications and manuals. Happy learning! www.keyence.com/products/measure/laser-2d/lj-x8000/?search_sl=1

[@advaitpatil2984]

@@realpars Thank you!

[@aasmart9718]

Is it possible to use the laser sensor over a large area and a long distance, and to detect special materials?🤔🤔👍🙏

[@realpars]

The range of laser sensors is quite long. Signals to/from laser sensors are fast since a beam of light is being used. Laser sensors can reach up to 10,000 meters, according to one manufacturer, although it would be hard to have a good line-of-sight at that distance. So laser sensors can definitely meet the demands of any indoor factory application (up to 50 meters). As far as discerning between materials, laser sensors are used to detect presence only. For discerning between non-ferrous materials, it would require an LED type sensor, which is very accurate but expensive. Capacitance sensors can be adjusted to detect metal objects of different materials.

[@aasmart9718]

Can the LED sensor distinguish between narcotics from a distance and detect what is behind clothes, metals, water and plastic? This and thank you 🙏🙏🙏🤔

[@Ayman-ezzaki]

where is "this way u will never miss another one"