Selection Guides

Laser Profiler Selection Guide

Select laser profilers and 3D profile sensors by profile width, height range, Z resolution, speed, surface reflectivity, mounting angle and repeatability target.

3D laser profiler measuring a metal sample on an engineering test fixture

Direct answer

Laser Profiler Selection Guide

Select a laser profiler by matching profile width, height range and required Z repeatability to the moving part. Reflective surfaces, weld geometry, black materials and speed variation should be tested before choosing the sensor class.

Where this matters

Start with the inspection condition.

A laser profiler is justified when pass/fail depends on height, gap, profile, volume or geometry that 2D contrast cannot prove repeatably.

Why projects fail

Confirm the limits that change hardware.

Reflective or dark surfaces need real sample tests.

RFQ preparation

Send enough context for a real review.

Motion stability, encoder timing and mounting angle affect 3D repeatability.

What engineering should check

What this page should help teams decide.

Profile width and height resolution trade off.
Reflective or dark surfaces need real sample tests.
Motion stability, encoder timing and mounting angle affect 3D repeatability.

Related Deyi routes

Product families commonly involved.

Practical note

Use a laser profiler when height is the evidence.

2D vision can see contrast and edges, but it cannot always prove weld height, step height, gap, bead profile, flatness or volume. A laser profiler should be considered when the acceptance rule is geometric.

Practical note

Profile width and Z resolution must be balanced.

A wider profile covers more of the part but can reduce height detail or require a different sensor class. The RFQ should state both the full measurement width and the smallest height change that must be trusted.

Practical note

Surface reflectivity can decide success or failure.

Polished metal, black rubber, transparent parts and highly curved surfaces may create missing or noisy profile data. Sample testing should include worst-case finish, angle and movement, not only a clean stationary sample.

Practical note

Motion and encoder planning protect profile geometry.

Moving parts need exposure, scan rate, trigger timing and sometimes encoder synchronization. Without motion planning, the height data can be correct in the lab but distorted on the production line.

How to test before buying

Use this guide as a pre-RFQ decision filter, not as a part-number shortcut.

Machine vision selection is usually stable when the project starts from the inspection condition instead of a catalog model. Before requesting a quote, define what must be detected or measured, how the part moves, what surface behavior affects contrast and which factory constraint cannot change.

Use this guide to translate the requirement into testable inputs: sample images, target tolerance, line speed, field of view, working distance, mounting envelope and the current failure mode. That gives the factory enough evidence to map the request to camera, lighting, optics, reader or 3D routes.

Decision checks

Three checks before locking the route.

Height range

Sensor range must cover the tallest and lowest expected profile with margin.

Profile width

Wider profile can change resolution, mounting distance and sensor class.

Surface finish

Reflective, black or transparent surfaces need sample validation.

Decision table

Use these data points to turn the concept into an RFQ-ready decision.

Factor	Practical rule	RFQ impact
Height range	Sensor range must cover the tallest and lowest expected profile with margin.	Send min/max height, tolerance and fixture reference plane.
Profile width	Wider profile can change resolution, mounting distance and sensor class.	Send full measurement width and target feature size.
Surface finish	Reflective, black or transparent surfaces need sample validation.	Send real samples or videos from worst-case batches.
Motion stability	Scan rate, exposure and encoder timing must match line speed.	Send speed range, trigger method and whether distance-based mapping is needed.

Application proof

Related delivery routes that make this selection decision concrete.

View all cases

Battery inspection

Battery Tab Weld Height Inspection

Battery tab weld inspection needs geometry confidence, stable position reference and traceability under high station throughput.

Automotive parts inspection

Automotive Metal Surface Defect Inspection

Reflective metal surfaces can hide scratches and burrs unless the lighting geometry is matched to the defect direction and part movement.

Robot guidance

Robot Guidance Pick and Place Positioning

Robot guidance fails when part presentation, height variation or lighting changes the coordinate output.

Common mistakes

Problems that slow down selection.

Selecting by model number before the inspection target is measurable.
Treating lighting as an accessory instead of the main contrast-control tool.
Ignoring fixture stability, part variation and operator maintenance workflow.

Factory handoff

What Deyi Vision reviews after receiving the project details.

The factory route review starts by checking whether the image can be made stable with lighting and fixture control. Then the camera, lens, reader or 3D sensor route is sized against speed, resolution, interface and installation constraints.

If you already have a Keyence, Cognex, Basler, OPT, LMI, Hikrobot or barcode-reader reference, include it as a reference model. Deyi Vision uses it to understand the application class; final selection still depends on real samples and production limits.

Guide to RFQ

Have a real part, sample image or production constraint?

Use the guide to frame the question, then send the details so engineering can recommend a route.

Request engineering RFQ

Guide FAQ

Questions related to laser profiler selection guide.

Ask engineering

When should I choose a laser profiler instead of 2D vision?

Choose a laser profiler when the decision depends on height, gap, profile, volume, weld shape, flatness or geometry that cannot be separated reliably by 2D image contrast.

What makes laser profiler selection difficult?

Profile width, height range, Z repeatability, surface reflectivity, mounting angle, scan speed and encoder timing all interact.

What should I send for a laser profiler RFQ?

Send part drawings or photos, profile width, height range, tolerance, surface finish, speed, trigger method, mounting distance, sample videos and required output protocol.