Pepperl+Fuchs Blog

Mobile robots typically use some version of a LiDAR sensor for navigation. LiDAR, which stands for light detection and ranging, is a remote sensing method that measures variable distances using light in the form of a pulsed laser. LiDAR helps localize, navigate, and avoid obstacles so the robot can perceive surroundings and select a collision-free path. As new industries continue to adopt mobile robots, they must be able to navigate new, dynamic environments. One of the challenges in these environments is navigating around drop-offs or cliffs, also known as negative obstacles.

Topics: Photoelectric Sensors, Laser Sensors, AGV, AMR, LiDAR

This episode of Ask an Expert for industrial sensors examines and provides answers to interesting sensing questions we've received from customers just like you. We explore and answer these questions:

1. Can the inductive sensor NJ6-F-N operate at -40 °C?
2. How far can a target reflector move sideways before a photoelectric sensor can't read it anymore?
3. Do you have distance sensors compatible with EtherNet/IP and ControlLogix Safety PLC?
4. What sensors could sense plastics and metals through a plastic tray?

Topics: Inductive Sensors, Capacitive Sensors, Photoelectric Sensors, Ask an Expert, Laser Sensors, Distance Sensors, Positioning Systems

This LIDAR image was recorded with the Pepperl+Fuchs R2000 LIDAR scanner. The R2000 was mounted vertically on a rail car. From there, the sensor recorded slices of its surroundings and translated the information into distance and reflectivity values. The 3-D point cloud was then processed by a powerful computer program that put together the image based on the distance and reflectivity data. Since the R2000 has a 360° field of view, it created a full view of the street.

Topics: Laser Sensors

What is a 2-D laser scanner?

A 2-D laser scanner consists of a light beam that’s rotated or fanned around a circular path in order to detect anything that is in the plane of the light beam. The light beam emitted will measure both the distance and the angle to the given object in the plane of view.

Topics: Laser Sensors, Distance Sensors

Laser barcode scanners have been used in material handling applications for decades.  It is an integral part of routing boxes down a conveyor line.  The production of products such as liquid soaps, lotions, and shampoo will use barcode readers also.  They are used in two places.  First, to read the pallets of raw material bottles at the beginning of the production line, then secondly, at the end of the line after barcodes are applied to the bottles.  The barcode readers have to read at very high read rates of over 200 bottles per minute.

Topics: Applications, RFID, Laser Sensors

You read that right.  Now with Pulse Ranging Technology (PRT), laser sensors can determine the distance to an object by emitting short, high-energy light pulses over a given distance.

Topics: Laser Sensors, Distance Sensors

When you purchase a laser displacement sensor, it will likely not be set up for your specific application out of the box. Programming instructions are included, but can be confusing to a first-time user. Let‘s take a look at programming one of the more popular series.

Topics: Troubleshooting, Laser Sensors

Measurement displacement sensors are used when you need to know a continuous distance that the sensor is from a selected target. There are two primary output types that can give distance.

Topics: Ultrasonic Sensors, Photoelectric Sensors, Laser Sensors, Distance Sensors

Instead of laser displacement sensors

When you’re looking for a solution to a problem or application, there may be a few different ways of solving it.  How do you decide which one to use? You usually try to find reasons for why you would use one device over another. I will give you 5 reasons why I would choose a rotary encoder over laser displacement sensors.

Topics: Rotary Encoders, Photoelectric Sensors, Laser Sensors

Aerosol cans are ubiquitous in the modern household. Look at the cleaning products under a kitchen sink or at the spray paint on a basement workbench, and you are likely to find an aerosol can or two.

Topics: Applications, Photoelectric Sensors, Laser Sensors, Distance Sensors