Train and Railroad Inspections Posted in: Position Measurement – Tags: Transportation
Last Updated: March 20, 2023
Laser Sensors Monitor Rails and Trains
Laser Distance Sensors Are Often Used in Railroad Inspections
With thousands of kilometers of track to maintain for train and railroad inspections, the rail industry needs high-speed measurement sensors to keep the trains reliably moving. Laser rangefinders are commonly used to monitor the position of trains, vehicles and cabs along different railroads and ore docks.
One customer is using an AR3000 to monitor the position of an iron-ore conveyor car as it traverses back and forth on top of the dock structure. The customer has installed (2) AR3000 sensors at a fixed mid-point aiming at a target towards each end.
The conveyor is roughly 800 feet in length so the customer chose the AR3000 distance measurement sensor for this application. Two AR3000 units are pointed at reflectors on opposite ends of their travel, for half-distance redundancy. The AR3000 Class-1 infrared (non-visible) measuring laser is considered safe for eye-exposure, without any restrictions. The Class-2 aiming (visible-red) laser is considered safe for unintentional eye exposure, but it can also be switched-off after the laser aim is set up.
The AR3000 is IP-67 rated, meaning it is sealed for outdoor weather exposure – and actually submersible to 1M. The laser also has its own integrated heater, allowing operation from temperatures of -40F to 140F – without an enclosure.
These train and railroad inspections ensure precise position monitoring of vehicle positions to ensure operator safety. Similar vehicle positioning/detecting applications are solved using the Acuity long distance sensors.
Related Products
AS1100 Long Distance Sensor
The Acuity AS1100 Long Distance Sensor can measure up to 100 meters on natural targets and up to 150 meters away with an Acuity reflective plate with an accuracy of ± 3 mm. This rugged sensor is built for versatile environments and is often used in applications that involve measurements on hot materials.
AS2100 Accurate Distance Sensor
The AS2100 is a highly accurate laser distance sensor that is designed to work well outdoors, in bright lights, and even on difficult targets such as hot or dark surfaces. With the ability to take accurate measurements (± 1 mm) from distances up to 500 meters away, and a measurement frequency of up to 250 Hz, it is the perfect laser for a wide range of applications.
AR2700 High-Speed Long Range Sensor
Acuity Laser’s ultra-compact rangefinder model. This eye-safe rangefinder has a measurement frequency of up to 40 kHz and can measure distances to natural targets up to 70 meters away or to retroreflective targets 270 meters away. This laser is best for applications that demand high sampling rates.
AR3000 Distance Measurement Sensor
AR3000 distance measurement sensors are Acuity’s longest-range models. Ideal for measuring positions of cranes and trolleys, the time-of-flight sensor can measure up to 300 meters to natural surfaces and up to 3,000 meters when using a retroreflective target.
Sarah has been our technical support and sales engineer for 5+ years. If you've ever reached out to Acuity Laser for tech support, more than likely, Sarah is the one who helped you.