Laser-based loop control maintains continuous material payout

Coil Control’s new Laser Material Loop Control provides noncontact control of continuous material payout for the metal stamping industry. Laser-based loop control can operate in any lighting condition and almost any production environment, remaining unaffected by high-pitched noise from fluorescent lights.

Output remains stable, even with large temperature swings caused by opening overhead doors in winter. The control’s industrial design uses system-on-chip design for reliability in harsh operating environments.

The control measures distance based on the time-of-flight principle. Each transmitted photon travels at a constant rate to the target and back to the sensor. The measured time is directly proportional to the distance traveled.

Setup requires no programming. A large, four-digit, alphanumeric display with push buttons is used to set up device parameters. The unit can provide a 0- to 10-VDC or 4- to 20-mA analog signal to control a variable-speed drive. The analog signal can be scaled to operate with material loop sizes from 24 to 240 in. deep. A tight loop relay output interlock also is provided.