Line Triangulation

Laser line triangulation provides surface profile data at multiple points on the surface in a single image.  The principle of laser line sensing is quite similar to point triangulation. The major difference is that the laser beam is optically expanded in one dimension to create a line of laser light on the surface to be measured. The detector used is a 2D digital array imager (camera). The output of the imager is analyzed electronically, with many points along the line calculated in the triangulation equations.

The laser line sensor measures at a number of points along the laser line in each camera image or frame, providing detailed profile information over a large "footprint".

Today, enabled by recent developments in high speed cameras, low cost reliable lasers, smart sensors with image processing done inside the sensor housing, and Ethernet communications, powerful, economical laser line sensors are available with a broad selection of specifications.