Dimetix DAN-30-150 Laser Distance Sensor

The selection should be based on the actual distance, tolerance, target speed, surface, and control system.

• For level, height and position at mid-distance when ±1 mm does not add value to the process.
• For processes with vibration or dust where non-contact measurement eliminates mechanical wear.
• For systems with local indicator, PLC or 4-20 mA.
• To cover 100…150 m without oversizing the installation with a 500 m sensor.

Alternatives within the D Series: DAN-10-150 if ±1 mm is required; DBN-50-050 for applications up to 50 m and 10 Hz with less demanding requirements.

The following examples are taken from documented applications using Dimetix technology and have been selected because they help to understand How is distance measurement used to obtain position, level, deformation, or dimension?, not just because they share a keyword.

Height of compacted material

Dimetix directly documented the DAN-30-150 on a line where layers of wet material were deposited and compacted using pneumatic tampers and vibratory rollers. The process involved intense vibration, dust, and surface color variations. The available height was displayed on a local numerical indicator, avoiding the need to install a computer in the dusty area.

Level of silos and hoppers

The spot measurement allows for non-contact monitoring of solids levels. In applications with irregular surfaces, the value can be stabilized by filtering or combined with multiple sensors if a better representation of the pile shape is required.

Positioning of carts and mechanisms

100 Hz offers sufficient headroom for many industrial movements where extremely fast speed is not the goal. Analog output or industrial buses make it easy to transmit position data to the PLC.

Dimensional control of large parts

The distance can be converted into height, separation, or dimension using a known geometric reference. An accuracy of ±3 mm is suitable for large parts and processes where product tolerance is greater.

• Interfaces: RS-232, RS-422/RS-485 and SSI; USB for configuration.
• Analog output: 0/4…20 mA programmable, max. error ±0.1 %.
• Digital I/O: 2 programmable digital outputs + 1 error output + 1 digital input.
• Industrial Ethernet: PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and EtherCAT via optional cover.

• Experience with wet and variable-colored materials demonstrates usefulness on natural surfaces, but this does not mean that performance is independent of reflectivity. The current manual specifies that reflectivity, ambient light, and atmosphere affect range.
• In heavy dust conditions, the cloud of particles can return a signal before the lens. It's advisable to keep the optics clean and consider purging or shielding if the process generates suspended dust.
• Precise mode can improve typical accuracy compared to fast mode, at the cost of reducing the measurement frequency.
• For 150 m, a reflector is used in the approximate area 40…150 m; the reflector must be installed and aligned correctly.

In critical applications, it is advisable to validate the target surface, ambient light, geometry, optical contamination, speed, and atmosphere before setting the final usable range.