Sensing An Extremely Long Distance With Precision

[shearstrength]

Anyone could recommend an economical way to sense a steel plate at a distance of 16 feet with precision to 2 decimal places?

I've found Ultrasonic Sensors that can sense the distance, not the precision but costs a fortune.

Any response will be greatly appreciated!

 

[IRstuff]

And so you DON'T need the accuracy you previously specified?

The instrument in question has a best case accuracy of 0.5 in and at 16 ft, only 0.96 in.

This one at least claims 1/8 in accuracy:

http://www.calculatorsource.com/pl-pls1.html

TTFN

 

[shearstrength]

Sorry, misread the specs for this unit! Accuracy still applies

Although, I did verify the "Pacific Laser System". This might actually work well!

Thanks IRstuff!

 

[jraef]

You may have moved on with this task, but for reference I happened across this manufacturer on another project and remembered this thread.

http://www.wenglor.de/english/lieferpr/taster/sindex4a.htm

The second unit from the right has a range of up to 20.7m, and a resolution of 2mm (.08"). Looks like it might need a reflector however.

The unit to the right of it has better resolution and makes no mention of a reflector, but has a range of 3.7m, just a little short of your needs.

No idea about cost but it doesn't LOOK expensive (not that this means anything!)


"Venditori de oleum-vipera non vigere excordis populi"

 

[shearstrength]

Thanks for the tip, if the cost is right, the link that IRstuff referred me to will work very well.

If someone has a similar application, you might want to look at this device.

http://www.plslaser.com/prodspecfs_pls1.htm