MHW Magazine News and stories from the Materials Handling Industry
Sick UK is launching the LMS500 family of laser sensors, achieving new levels of consistent performance in adverse conditions. The sensors deliver highly-reliable moving object detection and distance measurement despite the most challenging logistics and materials handling environments.
A revolutionary new sensing and signal processing technology has been developed for the LMS500 to achieve a step-change in high-speed, accurate performance and consistent availability to cope with poor weather or low-visibility.
"The incontrovertible rule in laser measurement used to be – if you can’t see it, the laser can’t see it, but with the LMS500 this is no longer true," explains Tim Stokes, SICK (UK) laser sensor specialist. "These hard-working sensors ignore spray, smoke and dust and cope with rain, snow, ice and fog. They will operate reliably whatever the conditions, indoors or outdoors."
The LMS500 uses a unique 5-echo technology, combined with a very small radius (3.6mrad) spot, to ignore irrelevant signals that would distract sensors of lower capability. With five echoes per pulse, multiple objects at different distances in the field are also detected offering greater security and safety.
The LMS500 sensors can be quickly networked to synchronise multiple slave sensors, for example for example safely managing whole freight yards and container stores, or security scanning entrances, windows and vulnerable points of large buildings.
LMS500 Series (Pro and Lite ranges) offer customers a broad selection of models, resolutions and configurations to match application requirements and budgets. The sensors have a range of up to 80 metres, with a 1900 field and 100Hz scanning frequency which enable rapid detection and evaluation in applications such as building security or anti-collision.
The sensors have an IP67-protected modular design and a built-in heater. The multiple I/Os and powerful software platform combine self-monitoring and auto-calibration with up to 10 programmable fields per unit; an Ethernet interface and USB connections meet connectivity and configuration requirements. Power offtake is low.
"SICK introduced the world’s first 2D laser scanner," adds Tim Stokes. "It started the laser sensor revolution that enabled customers in all sorts of industries to achieve new productivity and security. Now the LMS500 elevates scanning technology to a new level of speed, accuracy and consistent availability."
