Error-free

Displacement
Measurement

Calculating Required Accuracy from Tolerance

Variations Caused by Targets
Criteria for Stable Detection
 1 Calculating Required Accuracy from Tolerance

Tolerance refers to the accepted range of error relative to a reference value.

The difference between the maximum and minimum allowed values is the tolerance.

Minimum Reference Maximum

value value value

49.9 mm 50.0 mm 50.1 mm

50±0.1
Tolerance = ±0.1 mm (0.004 inches)

Accuracy is used to indicate the closeness of a measurement to the true value.

How accurate must this measurement be to satisfy a tolerance of ±0.1 mm which is shown above?
The table below shows the proportion of measurements taken with an accuracy of (1) ±0.001 mm, (2) ± 0.01 mm, and (3) ±0.03 mm that
fall inside a tolerance of ±0.1 mm, and the size of targets that will be judged OK.
Red areas show where OK product

Displacement Fraction of Actual size of targets

would be mistakenly judged NG
sensor accuracy tolerance that can be judged OK

24.901 to 25.099
(1) ±0.001 1/100
(Range = 198 μm)

24.910 to 25.090
(2) ±0.01 1/10
(Range = 180 μm)

24.930 to 25.070
(3) ±0.03 Approximately 1/3
(Range = 140 μm)

If there is always a difference of 0.1 mm or more when an NG product is actually produced, you can reduce the required level of
accuracy. If variations of 0.1 mm need to be precisely identified and products falling inside this range are to be deemed OK whenever
possible, you need a measurement system with the highest possible accuracy.
We will now explain how you can determine a laser sensor's accuracy from its specifications.
(May differ slightly between manufacturers)

■ IL-030 Laser Differentiation Sensor Specifications

Model IL-030
Reference distance 30 mm
Measurement range 20 to 45 mm
Red semiconductor laser, wavelength: 655 nm (visible light)
Light source Class 1 (FDA (CDRH) Part1040.10) *1.
Laser class
Class 1 (IEC 60825-1)
Spot diameter (at standard distance) Approx. 200 × 750 μm
Linearity ±0.1% of F.S. (25 to 35 mm) *2*3
Repeatability 1 μm *4
Sampling rate 0.33/1/2/5 ms (4 levels available)
Temperature characteristics 0.05% of F.S./°C *5
Enclosure rating IP67
Ambient light Incandescent lamp: 5000 lux *6
Environmental Ambient temperature -10 to +50°C (No condensation or freezing)
resistance Relative humidity 35 to 85% RH (No condensation)
Vibration 10 to 55 Hz Double amplitude 1.5 mm XYZ each axis: 2 hours
Pollution degree 3

*1 The laser classification for FDA (CDRH) is implemented based on IEC 60825 in accordance with the requirements of Laser Notice No.50.
*2 Value when measuring the KEYENCE standard target (white diffuse object).
*3 F.S. is as follows. ±5 mm
*4 Value when measuring the KEYENCE standard target (white diffuse object) at the reference distance, sampling rate: 1 ms, and average number of times: 128.
*5 F.S. is as follows. ±5 mm
*6 Value when the sampling rate is set to 2 ms or 5 ms.

Linearity Graph
The two factors that can be combined to give a measurement of
Voltage

accuracy are repeatability and linearity. Repeatability reflects the Linearity

Actual
difference between repeated measurements of the same target. measurements
Linearity shows variation from the ideal value.
Measurement accuracy
The lower both of these values are the better the accuracy will be.

IL-030 ❙ Repeatability: 1 μm Ideal

straight line
❙ Linearity: ±10 μm
(+/−0.1% of F.S. = +/−0.1%*10 mm)
Distance

2
2 Variations Caused by Targets

The figure to the right shows the structure of a reflected light laser displacement sensor using a
triangulation method.
It fires a laser at the target, then the reflected light forms an image on the light receiving element inside
the sensor.
The position of the target determines the position where the light is detected.
The position of the target can therefore be back-calculated from the position where the light is detected.
This method is vulnerable to the following three sources of error caused by differences between types Target
of target.
Some laser displacement sensors have ways of reducing these errors.

The intensity of laser light reflected from a target made of glossy metal differs greatly from that
reflected from a target made of black rubber. If the laser emitted from the sensor is kept at a
fixed intensity, problems will then arise when measuring targets with differing reflection
intensities. For bright targets, For dark targets,
weaker light stronger light
Recommendation
Reflectance

Our IL Series adapts to the reflection intensity of the target by adjusting and
optimising three parameters: laser power, shutter speed, and amplification of the
Shutter Speed / Power / Gain
light hitting the light receiving element. This makes it possible to detect a wide
range of targets.

The laser spot is a constant size.

Targets with rough surfaces distort the reflected laser light which then CMOS
distorts the position of the reflected laser light on the light receiving element.
Wave pattern received by the CMOS

The wave pattern received

Recommendation
IL-S by the CMOS can be

Some models in our IL Series shorten the laser wave pattern along the longitudinal sharpened by sharpening the
Quantity Conventional
spot diameter. This makes
axis of the light receiving element thus reducing the risk of variation in the position of light
it possible to determine the
where the light is received.
peak of the wave pattern
precisely.

Near Far
CMOS

Different target surfaces reflect laser light differently resulting in different intensity distributions (received-light wave patterns) at the light
receiving element.
Where the centroid of the received-light wave pattern is used to determine the position of the target, variations in the received-light wave
pattern will alter the detected position of the target.

Recommendation

Some of the models in our IL Series can identify differences in received-light wave patterns and automatically switch to an optimal wave pattern.
These models reliably detect targets with hairline metal surfaces as well as targets made of plastic, rubber, or other substances that conventional
models find difficult to detect. All without the need for tuning.

Wave Patterns Received by CMOS

❙ Metal ❙ Ceramic ❙ Plastic ❙ Conversion to ideal wave pattern

Quantity
of light

Photographs of Laser Spot Near Far

CMOS

3
 3 Criteria for Stable Detection

As described in section 1, the tolerance required for an application determines the accuracy of a suitable sensor.
The general rule is that accuracy, the sum of linearity, and repeatability should be around 1/10th of the tolerance.
However, depending on what is being measured, it may not be possible to determine the desired accuracy simply by looking at catalogue
specifications.
We recommend that you contact the manufacturer.

Recommendation

The models in our lineup are equipped with different types of sensors to cater to the required range of tolerance. Please refer to the table below.

Presence detection Between 1 mm and 0.1 mm 0.01 mm or less

Sensor Differential Sensor Displacement Sensor

(LR series) (IL series) (LK series)

Our Reflective Laser Differential Displacement Sensors IL Series

Feature Intelligent
1 High-precision differential / displacement measurements
Our sensors adapt laser power, shutter speed, and gain as they make
measurements against target objects. A dynamic range adjustment feature
ensures measurements can be made reliably against any target.

Feature Easy-to-use
2 Simple setup
Our sensors feature a number of convenient functions such as scaling function
that allows for simple compensation of errors resulting from tilted mountings, and
a "zero shift" function which allows one-touch setting of reference points.
Anyone can use these devices right out of the box.

Feature Tough
3 Rugged construction
IP67-rated rugged construction. The optical housing features a die-cast
construction, avoiding the possibility of errors due to deformation of the sensor
itself.

4
 Related Products

Contact-type High-precision Differential Displacement Sensors

Applications

Engine block parallel alignment Bearing assembly inspections

measurements

Display resolution : 0.1 μm

Accuracy : 1 μm
Lifetime displacements : > 200 million
Enclosure rating : IP67G Chassis deformity inspection Label doubling inspection

Non-contact Thrubeam Laser Sensors IG Series

Applications

Display repeatability : 5 μm
Linearity : +/-0.1% Sheet edge position control Dimensional differentiation in insulation
Enclosure rating : IP67 extrusion

SAFETY INFORMATION
Please visit: www.keyence.com Please read the instruction manual carefully in
order to safely operate any KEYENCE product.

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The information in this publication is based on KEYENCE’s internal research/evaluation at the time of release and is subject to change without notice. WW11-1037
Company and product names mentioned in this catalogue are either trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
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