Linear positioning

SICK has developed a new camerabased optical linear measurement sensor which uses barcodes to deliver accurate, high-speed, non-contact linear positioning on curved as well as straight tracks.

The OLM100 is suitable for use in the automotive, textile and film industries, where overhead conveyors, rotary tables, turntables, rail-mounted shuttles, slewing rings, hoisting systems and robots are commonly used.

The optical linear measuring sensor detects position via a barcode tape, which is installed along a travel section measuring up to 10km. The read head is mounted on the moving part, at a distance of between 80 and 120mm from the tape. By reading the barcodes printed on the tape, at 3cm intervals, the read head determines the current position, with a resolution of up to 0.1mm.