Optical distance sensor
November 1st 2003

Upgrading to Leuze Mayser optical measuring sensors means trouble-free, accurate positioning of overhead gantry cranes at M-Reals New Thames Mill. The installation uses a mounting arrangement, whereby mirrors are used to turn optical signals through 90 and still maintain accurate positioning of paper reels. Precise crane control is essential to ensure each paper reel is held in its correct location. This is achieved using the OMS1 optical measuring system, which needs little in the way of maintenance. It transmits visible red laser light onto a reflector on the gantry crane. By measuring the phase shift between the modulated transmitted light and the reflected light, the sensor automatically calculates crane position. A novel solution controls the vacuum grab-hoist position, by allowing the transmitted signal from a second OMS1 unit to be bounced from a mirror mounted on the main gantry through 90 and then onto the reflector on the hoist. The return signal follows the same path, again the phase-shift allows the distance to be calculated.

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