AR200 Laser Measurement Sensor

The AR200 laser measurement sensor is a compact, durable, and reliable sensor built for many industries including the lumber, medical and high-tech industries. The AR200 sensor consists of five different models with ranges up to 100 mm (4 in) and accuracies down to 6-microns to satisfy precise measuring requirements.

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Product ID: 3452 Category: Short Range Sensors

Bulletproof Measurement

Acuity’s AR200 compact measurement sensor uses laser triangulation principles for precise displacement, distance and position measurements. The AR200 series contains five models with ranges from 6 mm (0.25 in) to 100 mm (4 in) with linearity to within 0.1% of the measurement range. All AR200 sensors employ a CMOS detector to achieve measurement frequencies up to 1250 Hz and resolutions to within 0.03% of the entire measurement range.

The AR200 emits a Class 2, red, visible laser diode and has a spot size as small as 35 microns in the middle of the measurement range.

Easy Integration

All AR200 models are standard with analog (4-20mA, 0-10V), serial (RS232), and limit switch outputs. The AR200 has two limit switches that will output a current of 100 mA if the measurement exceeds the programmable limit. The AR200 limit switches are used to trigger external PLC features such as secondary processes, audible and visible alarms or other PLC operations. All parameters and settings are selectable either from push-buttons on the sensor’s interface panel or through PC serial commands for ease of use. Acuity has worked with small and large volume customers to provide customized laser sensors with easy integrations into your existing workspace.

Durability in a Wide Range of Applications

Designed to withstand difficult industrial environments, the AR200 laser measurement sensor is commonly used in lumber, medical and high tech industries. The sensor can measure a wide range of materials from drywall to steel, and under some application circumstances, can be used to measure distances to glass. All AR200 models have a built-in automatic gain control feature to ensure quality measurement despite variations in target colors. Typical applications include steel strip thickness, flux height measurement, engine displacement & vibration measurement, amongst others. The AR200 laser measurement sensor comes at an attractive price point, and is used as replacement for LVDT sensors for a contract-free displacement measurement.

AR200 Case Studies

3D LASER TEXTURE SCANNER

One of Acuity’s customers, Ames Engineering has developed a 2D and 3D laser texture scanner using the Acuity AR200 laser measurement sensor inside their portable and GPS-enabled Texture Scanner.

Acuity AR200 Dimensioning Solution

It is a complicated process to create vision-guided robotics, imaging systems, and dimensioning systems. For their systems Artemis Vision chose AR200 lasers from Acuity.

AR200 Now Nearly Twice as Accurate

Last Updated: March 16, 2023 Acuity Laser is pleased to announce that the linearity for our AR200 Laser Measurement Sensor has been improved for 2023 for all available unit types. Previously the linearity was +/- 0.2% of range, and for 2023, has been improved to ± 0.1% of range. We’re proud of the AR200 and the accuracy we’ve seen from the device over time. With this linearity improvement, the AR200 becomes a strong option for…

Crane Rail Thickness Custom Application

Crane rail thickness solution uses both short range and long range laser sensors, and reduces measurement of wear-and-tear on rail flanges from 3 months to 1 night.

Displacement Diesel Engine

The leading electric motor and generator servicing company in the US uses four laser measurement sensors to measure the amplitude of vibration of large diesel generators. Their test setup has the sensors measuring the displacement of the diesel engine (generator) support rails while the system is idling and during heavy loading.

Engine Vibration Measurement

Our cost effective sensors are placed at various sections of the engine to measure the vibration displacement in multiple engine locations.

Measuring Speaker Cone Deflection Using Triangulation Sensors

A major audio speaker manufacturer contacted Acuity to help solve a challenging applied measurement problem. In this sound vibrations scenario, a sensor with fast frequency response was needed to profile the entire amplitude of cone movement.


AR200 Model	AR200-6	AR200-12	AR200-25	AR200-50	AR200-100
Range	0.250 [6.350 mm]	0.500 [12.70mm]	1.00 [25.40 mm]	2.00 [50.80]	4.00 [101.6 mm]
Base Distance	0.71 [18.03 mm]	0.664 [16.87 mm]	0.85 [21.59]	0.67 [17.018]	1.1 [27.94]
Linearity (± 0.1% of range)	0.00025 [6.35 µm]	0.0005 [12.7 µm]	0.001 [25.4 µm]	0.002 [50.8 µm]	0.004 [101.6 µm]
Resolution (0.03% of range)	0.00007 [1.9 µm]	0.00014 [3.8 µm]	0.0003 [7.6 µm]	0.0006 [15.2 µm]	0.0012 [30.5 µm]
Laser spot size (At middle of range, end of range)	35 µm, 100 µm	40 µm, 200 µm	45 µm, 130 µm	50 µm, 220 µm	55 µm, 250 µm
Laser type	650 nm, 1 mW max. visible RED, Class 2. Complies with 21 CFR 1040 with Laser Notice #50 and IEC/EN 60825-1:2001
Sample Rates	0.2 - 1250 Hz, or sample on command (serial command or hardware trigger)
Power	12 - 30 VDC, <150 mA
Operating Temperature	32 - 140°F [0 - 60°C]
Environmental	NEMA -4, IP65.
Weight (less cable)	3 oz. [85 g]

Options and Accessories

Connection Options

Acuity offers the following standard and optional outputs for the AR200 laser measurement sensor:

Standard RS-232 Full Duplex Serial Output

All AR200 sensors come with a disconnectable, 5 meter, 8 wire, shielded cable for power and RS232 serial communication. Optionally, 10 meter cables and cables with 90° connections are available. Transmission rates are adjustable between 1.2K and 230.4K baud. Serial output can be configured for one of several data formats. ASCII may be used for visual reading with a terminal device or emulation program, or a binary format can be used with application software. Using binary output, data transmission is 3 bytes / sample, 0 – 50K over full scale span and Hex FF terminated. ASCII output format is up to 11 bytes/sample.

Standard Current Loop Output

4-20 milliamp current output is standard on AR200 sensors. The maximum and minimum current outputs can be set to any point on the sensor’s range, even inverting direction if necessary. The 4-20 mA output has a maximum voltage capability of 10 volts, and we suggest that a 400 to 500 Ω resistor be connected to the current loop wires at the measurement point for best accuracy.

Standard Voltage Output

A 0-10V voltage output is standard on the AR200 laser measurement sensor. The zero and span points for the voltage output may be set at any location within the natural limits of the detector’s measuring range.

Display Accessories

Touch Panel Display

Stand-alone terminal interface for use with Acuity laser distance sensors. These fully enclosed units replace panel meters, alphanumeric displays, and analog controllers by providing a modern interface through a full-color LCD and touch screen. The Touch Panel Display communicates with up to 6 Acuity sensors using RS-232 serial interfaces. The touch panel can be easily configured using on-screen buttons to display, scale, and even graph the sensors’ distance outputs. Relative dimensions can be measured using a tare function. With two Acuity sensors paired together, the touch panel can serve as a thickness gauge. Limits can be programmed into the touch panel to give a visual warning to operators that the target is too close or too far or too thick or too thin. With a USB flash drive, measurements can be logged and saved for further analysis.

Connection Accessories

Connectivity Kit

The AR200 laser measurement sensor comes with an unterminated bundle of wires in a shielded cable. As an option, Acuity sells a connectivity kit to aid in connecting your laser to a power supply and serial port. This product includes a 120V, 15 VDC, AC power supply; a serial cable with DB9 connector; and a solid-state, NEMA-4X interface box. The interface box includes two sets of terminal blocks for simple input (from sensor) and output (to your selected device), a DB9 male serial connector out, and a barrel style power connector in. You can either pass through the wiring to another unterminated cable, connect a DB9 serial cable directly to the interface box, or both at the same time.