Time-of-flight distance · 0.1 m to 4 m, 1.5 mm + 0.5 %

Laser Distance Sensor (LE-TLS-01C)

A 658 nm time-of-flight distance sensor with NPN/PNP switching, analog voltage and current outputs and RS485 on the same M12 connector — 1.5 mm + 0.5 % accur

Model LE-TLS-01C-A1 / A2 / A3 / A4 · Brand LE Raun · Category: Laser Displacement & Profile

Range0.1 – 4 m

Accuracy1.5 mm + 0.5 %

Output time≥ 4 ms

ProtectionIP65

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Overview

The LE-TLS-01C measures time of flight: it fires a 2.5 ns pulse at 658 nm and times the return. Because the measurement depends on the round trip and not on the angle of a spot, it works at 4 m and on surfaces that would defeat a triangulation sensor at that distance.Accuracy is quoted as 1.5 mm + 0.5 % of the distance, which is the honest shape of a time-of-flight error: a fixed offset plus a term that grows with range. At 0.5 m the window is under 4 mm; at 4 m it is over 21 mm. The sensor is therefore a positioning and presence device, not a gauging head.The four variants differ only in what is brought out on the M12 lead: switching plus voltage (A1), switching plus current (A2), RS485 (A3) or all three (A4). IP65 and 10–30 V DC supply mean it can be mounted on the machine frame rather than in a cabinet.

Application scenarios

Crane and hoist positioning

Measures the distance to a load or a bay wall where a mechanical limit switch would be worn out by the duty cycle.

Plate length and width

Two sensors across a roller table report the dimensions of a plate as it passes, without contact and without a camera.

Collision avoidance on an AGV

The 4 m range covers the braking distance of a slow-moving vehicle; the switching output drives the stop directly.

Silo and bunker level

Looks down into a bin and reports the fill height, with the analog output scaled to the vessel.

Fast moving objects

A 4 ms output time is fast enough for a part on a conveyor to be measured between two stations.

Industries

Logistics
Steel and aluminium
Crane and port
Agriculture
General machinery

Technical specifications

Model	LE-TLS-01C-A1 / A2 / A3 / A4
Control output	NPN / PNP switching, voltage and current analog output, RS485 output
Adjustable range	0.1 m to 4 m, adjustable
Detection accuracy	1.5 mm + d × 0.5 %
Measuring object	Natural targets
Light source	Red laser, 658 nm
Pulse duration	2.5 ns
Output time	≥ 4 ms
Max. power	120 mW
Supply voltage	10–30 V DC ±10 %
Connection	M12 waterproof connector, cable lead
Protection level	IP65
Product application	Detect fast moving objects; measure thickness, length, width and position of plates
Measuring principle	Laser triangulation for short range, time-of-flight for long range
Typical repeatability	1 – 10 µm on the triangulation models
Linearity	±0.1 % F.S. on the precision models
Sampling rate	Up to 1 kHz on the fast models
Interface	Analogue 4–20 mA / 0–10 V, RS485, or digital switching outputs

Dimensions

Item	Value
Weight	360 g with the 2 m cable
Connection	M12 waterproof connector, flying lead
Adjustable range	0.1 – 30 m, set by the model

The aluminium body is the heatsink for the 2.1 W laser, so do not wrap it in a plastic bag on a hot line; the PMMA window scratches, and a scratched window shows up as a permanent distance offset.

Wiring & output

Connection	Function
Blue	0 V
Black	Switching output / alarm
White	Analogue output (4–20 mA or 0–10 V)
Shield	Earth — bond at the controller end only

How to specify

01
Fix the range first
Triangulation covers a few millimetres to about a metre with µm resolution; beyond that the time-of-flight models take over at millimetre resolution. Do not ask a 10 mm-range sensor to measure at 500 mm — the spot has already walked off the receiver.
02
Check what the spot lands on
A shiny machined face sends the beam away from the receiver, a black rubber part absorbs it, and a transparent film lets it through. Blue-laser models are the answer for hot, red-glowing or organic surfaces; a 45° mounting removes most mirror reflections.
03
Choose the interface from the controller
Analogue for a fast control loop, RS485 when several sensors share one bus or when the reading has to be logged, switching output for a simple go/no-go.
04
Allow for the environment
A 1 µm sensor is only as good as its bracket. Thermal growth of an aluminium bracket over 10 °C is more than the repeatability of the sensor; use cast iron, granite or a short, stiff bracket.

Why this series

Four metres without a reflector

Time-of-flight works on natural targets, so there is no reflector to mount, clean or lose. Point it at the object and read the distance.

Three output types on one connector

Switching, analog and RS485 are all available from the M12 lead. The A1–A4 variants select which combination is brought out, so the same sensor fits a PLC input, an analog card or a bus.

1.5 mm + 0.5 % is a specification you can design to

The error grows with distance, and the datasheet says so. At 1 m the worst case is 6.5 mm; at 4 m it is 21.5 mm. Size the tolerance window accordingly instead of assuming a single number.

Questions

Can it measure a liquid level through a tank wall?

No. The beam has to reach the surface. For a closed tank you need a window or an ultrasonic sensor mounted inside; the LE-TLS is specified for a direct line of sight to a natural target.

Why is the accuracy written as “1.5 mm + 0.5 %”?

Because the error has two parts: a fixed offset from the timing electronics and a term proportional to distance from the pulse width and the signal-to-noise ratio. Quoting a single number would be optimistic at 4 m and pessimistic at 0.3 m.

Does a shiny target reduce the range?

A mirror at normal incidence can return more light than a matt surface, but if it deflects the beam away the sensor sees nothing. Tilt a reflective target by a few degrees, or use a matt tape on the measurement spot.

Need a quotation for Laser Distance?

Send your application details or the guard opening dimensions and we will specify the right model and configuration for your machine.