lasertriangulaation

Laser triangulation is a non-contact optical measurement technique used to determine the distance to an object or to measure its shape. The principle relies on the geometric relationship between a laser beam, a sensor, and the target surface.

In a typical laser triangulation system, a laser diode emits a thin beam of light that is projected onto the surface of the object being measured. This laser spot then reflects off the object and is captured by an imaging sensor, such as a camera or a linear sensor array, positioned at a known angle relative to the laser beam. The sensor detects the position of the laser spot in its field of view.

As the distance to the object changes, the laser spot on the sensor's surface shifts. By knowing the angle between the laser and the sensor, and the position of the laser spot on the sensor, the distance to the object can be calculated using simple trigonometry. The greater the distance, the further the laser spot appears on the sensor, and vice versa.

This method is effective for measuring the profile or surface of objects, as well as for detecting small changes in distance. Applications include automated inspection, dimensional gauging, robot guidance, and 3D scanning. The accuracy of laser triangulation depends on factors such as the quality of the laser, the resolution of the sensor, the angle between the laser and sensor, and the reflectivity and surface characteristics of the object. It is generally suitable for measuring a wide range of materials, provided they reflect light sufficiently.