When operating gantry cranes, it is crucial to have information about the current position of the crane. In such cases, laser distance sensors are used with the support of reflectors. With a measuring uncertainty of ± 2mm and a rate of up to 50 measurements per second the devices are perfectly suited for reliable position measurement.

- Collision avoidance (Gantry cranes)
- Distance measurement (Ports, docking systems)
- Fill level measurement (Cement storage)
- Position detection (Coil storage)
- Positioning of containers in gantry cranes (Container ports)

When operating gantry cranes, it is crucial to have information about the current position of the crane. In such cases, laser distance sensors are used with the support of reflectors. With a measuring uncertainty of ± 2mm and a rate of up to 50 measurements per second the devices are perfectly suited for reliable position measurement.

Laser distance sensors of the type LDM302A are used in docking systems for vessels. They measure the distance from the edge of the quay to the incoming vessel and ensure that the navigator is informed about the current distance between the vessel and the landing pier at all times. The LDM302A uses invisible, eye-safe IR laser pulses to measure the distance to almost any natural surface in up to 300m distance. For the implementation in docking systems it is crucial that all kinds of hulks, whether they are rusty or freshly painted, can be detected reliably. This is ensured by the LDM302A. The LDM302A is also able to measure the current speed of the vessel along the laser beam based on the measured distance and its change. 

In huge storage depots cement is allocated from a train to several large storage boxes. Several laser distance measuring devices of the type LDM41P are deployed to provide the crane operator with precise information on the amount of cement each of the boxes can still take. The communication via PROFIBUS facilitates gathering distance information of several measuring devices easily in a central place. Efforts for wiring the measuring points are substantially reduced. Besides that, functional reliability of the complete plant is increased, as for example, defect wiring or the failure of a whole device is detected by the diagnosis and alarm function of the PROFIBUS.

In steel rolling mills the produced coils are stored on a large area, partly one on top of the other. When loading transport vehicles, LDS30A laser distance sensors are used, among others, to determine if the coil that is moved by the crane is in the correct position. Their high measuring rate of up to 30 kHz allows for sufficiently precise position detection while the coils are moved still hanging on the crane. Even very fast movements can be detected in a reliable way.

When loading and unloading sea containers on vessels and transport vehicles it is necessary to know the exact position of the container in relation to the gantry crane. In this case, the laser distance sensor LDS30A measures the distance between crane runway and container. The eye-safe infrared laser makes it suitable for the use in applications where people can be present. Despite its low power consumption the laser is able to measure on almost any solid surface, whether it is rusty, dirty or wet.