SWISS PRECISION LASER DISTANCE SENSORS

Software Manual

PolyDist V2.0.2

V 0.4
12.02.2019

File: PolyDist_Manual_en_V2_0_2.odt

Dimetix AG • Degersheimerstr. 14 • 9100 Herisau • Switzerland • Phone +41 71 353 00 00 • Fax +41 71 353 00 01 • info@dimetix.com • www.dimetix.com
 SWISS PRECISION LASER DISTANCE SENSORS

Table of content
1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 3
2 PolyDist Software ................................................................................................................................................ 3
3 Functions ............................................................................................................................................................ 4
3.1 Timed measurement..................................................................................................................................... 4
3.2 Distance delta supervision............................................................................................................................. 4
3.3 Interface....................................................................................................................................................... 4
3.4 Sensor.......................................................................................................................................................... 4
3.5 Status.......................................................................................................................................................... 5
4 Configuration ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
4.1 Activating..................................................................................................................................................... 5
4.2 Offset.......................................................................................................................................................... 5
4.3 Reference..................................................................................................................................................... 6
4.4 File size and line entries................................................................................................................................ 6
4.5 Result file name............................................................................................................................................ 6
5 Result File ............................................................................................................................................................ 6
6 Sensors ............................................................................................................................................................... 7
6.1 DLS-C / FLS-C sensors................................................................................................................................... 7
6.2 D-Series sensor............................................................................................................................................. 7
7 External signal lamp ............................................................................................................................................. 7

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1 Introduction LASER DISTANCE SENSORS

1 Introduction
Laser Distance Sensors PolyDist is able to monitor up to four distances. The distances can be
Adapter box measured with Dimetix laser distance sensors (DLS-C, FLS-C or D-Series
sensors) which are connected over the RS-422 interfaces.
PC An adapter box is used to connect the RS-422 interface and the power
supply of the sensors together. With a RS-422 to RS-232 converter the
Speisung
adapter box can be connected to the serial port of the PC. Other
converter can be used to e.g. RS-422 to USB / Ethernet. But it is
necessary to have a serial COM port on your system.
The PolyDist software controls up to four sensors and shows the
measurement results in the corresponding fields. All necessary functions
for installation and operation of the system are provided.

2 PolyDist Software
The following figure shows the user interface of the PolyDist software. The distance results are updated in the main
display form and in the result file at 6 Hz.

This description is valid for software version V2.0.2.

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3 Functions LASER DISTANCE SENSORS

3 Functions

3.1 Timed measurement

The timed measurement measures the distances of all active
sensors sequentially. If Tracking is checked, the measurement is
done with maximum speed. Otherwise, the measurement
sequence is started after the time stated as sample time. The
measurement sequence is repeated until the STOP button is
pressed.

3.2 Distance delta supervision

This feature allows the supervision of the max difference between the
measured distances. If the difference between the smallest and the largest
distance is more than the value set as Max delta distance the signal turns to
red and the digital output 1 on Senor 1 is turned on. If the max distance
difference is below the set value, the signal turns to green and the digital
output 1 on Sensor 1 is switched off. Since the digital output on Sensor 1 is
also controlled by this supervision function, an external signal lamp may be
connected to Sensor 1 (see chapter 7 External signal lamp on page 7).

3.3 Interface
Select the COM port where the Adapter box is connected.

3.4 Sensor

A control panel as shown on the left side exists for each Sensor.

3.4.1 Measure
A click to this button triggers a distance measurement of the corresponding sensor. The measured distance minus
the set reference distance is displayed as result.

3.4.2 Set Reference

The Sensor measures the distance and this value is stored as the reference distance. After the reference is set, the
displayed distance is the difference to the stored reference distance.

3.4.3 Clear Reference

The stored reference distance is reset to zero.

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3 Functions LASER DISTANCE SENSORS

3.4.4 Pointing ON
The laser of the corresponding sensor is switched on. Hence, easy alignment of the sensor is possible.

3.4.5 Pointing OFF

The laser is switched off.

3.5 Status

A control panel as shown on the left side exists for each Sensor.

4 Configuration
This window provides access to the configuration of the PolyDist software.

4.1 Activating
If Activated is checked, the corresponding sensor is activated and will process distance measurement. Further, all
functions related with the sensor are activated.
Note: Sensor 1 must be activated in order to use max distance supervision.

4.2 Offset
The offset field displays the reference distance. On this window manual setting of the reference distance is possible.
The offset can be set automatically by pressing the button Set Reference on the main window.

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4 Configuration LASER DISTANCE SENSORS

4.3 Reference
This setting defines the zero reference for all distance measurements. If front is selected (default setting), the
distance 0mm is on the front edge of the sensor. If back is selected, the 0mm distance is on the back edge of the
sensor. If back is selected, all measurement data logged into the result file are marked with a small 'r' (Reference).

4.4 File size and line entries

If file size (KB) is checked, the maximum size of the log file can be set in the text window. When the log file reach
the maximum file size it will automatically generate a new log file with the actually time stamp.
If line entries is checked, the maximum line entries of the log file can be set in the text window. When the log file
reach the maximum line entries it will automatically generate a new log file with the actually time stamp. To save this
settings click the Set button in the PolyDist configuration window.

4.5 Result file name

Shows the path and file name for the result logging file. To change this setting click the open file button, navigate
to the desired path, type a file name in and click open. To save this settings click the Set button in the PolyDist
configuration window.

5 Result File
All measurement results are logged into the result file. This log file is formatted as shown below.
Sensor1 Sensor2 Sensor3 Sensor4
Type Date Time Dist Ref Time Dist Ref Time Dist Ref Time Dist Ref
T 02.10.2018 08:42:28 389.9 0.0 08:42:29 390.9 0.0 08:42:29 392.2 0.0 08:42:29 393.3 0.0
T 02.10.2018 08:42:29 389.8 0.0 08:42:29 390.9 0.0 08:42:29 392.0 0.0 08:42:29 393.3 0.0
T 02.10.2018 08:42:29 389.8 0.0 08:42:29 391.0 0.0 08:42:29 392.1 0.0 08:42:29 393.1 0.0
T 02.10.2018 08:42:29 389.9 0.0 08:42:29 391.0 0.0 08:42:29 391.9 0.0 08:42:29 393.3 0.0
T 02.10.2018 08:42:29 389.7 0.0 08:42:29 390.9 0.0 08:42:30 392.0 0.0 08:42:30 393.2 0.0
T 02.10.2018 08:42:30 389.9 0.0 08:42:30 391.1 0.0 08:42:30 392.1 0.0 08:42:30 393.2 0.0

If an error occurs, the corresponding error number is saved to the log file too.
Different measurement types are marked in the row type as follows:
M Meas Single measurement
R Reference Reference measurement
C Continuous Continuous measurement
T Tracking fastest possible measurement
If a small r is logged into the file, the measurement reference is on the back of the sensors.

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6 Sensors LASER DISTANCE SENSORS

6 Sensors

6.1 DLS-C / FLS-C sensors

10
The DLS-C / FLS-C sensors are identified with an ID switch,
1
which is inside the device (7). The DLS-C / FLS-C sensor with ID1
9
corresponds to sensor 1, the sensor with ID2 corresponds to
sensor 2 and so on.

1
The ID switch is located behind the cover on the side of the DLS-
C / FLS-C device.
5
6
7
8

6.2 D-Series sensor

The ID of the D-Series can be set with the LaserSensorUtility
software or with the commands sNid+x and sNs. The D-Series
sensor with ID1 corresponds to sensor 1, the sensor with ID2
corresponds to sensor 2 and so on.

7 External signal lamp

Connect an external signal lamp to signalize an event of too
0.2A max large differences in the measured distances. This signal lamp
V+ must be connected to the digital output 1 (DO1) of sensor 1.
GND
DO 1 Connect the lamp between the DO1 output and the positive
DO 2
DO E power supply V+. See the drawing on the left.
AO
AGND
Rx
Tx
T-
T+
R-
DLS R+

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