Solution

LiDAR application solution for material and liquid level sensing

Measure surface distance from the top of a silo or vessel, convert it into level, and make dust, cleaning, and mounting limits explicit.

Top-mounted LiDAR measuring liquid level in storage tanks

Scenario

Application scenario

Level sensing starts with vessel reference geometry, empty/full distances, surface behavior, and dust. The sensor measures line-of-sight distance; the controller converts level and handles abnormal data.

Engineering problem

Material surfaces form slopes, pits, or waves instead of an ideal plane.
Dust, condensation, and window contamination reduce or block returns.
Inlets, agitators, and vessel walls can enter the measurement path.

Why LiDAR

LiDAR provides non-contact surface distance from the vessel top for level conversion and thresholding, while the controller manages geometry and abnormal data.

Workflow

Record vessel height, mounting reference, and empty/full distances.
Choose a point clear of inlet flow, walls, and internal structures.
Connect distance, status, and invalid-data handling to the PLC or acquisition system.
Calibrate and maintain under real material, dust, and cleaning cycles.

Technology comparison and selection

Dimension	Condition	LiDAR	Alternative	Alternative performance	Conclusion
Non-contact surface distance	Compare on the real target, mounting path, environment, control logic, and project acceptance criteria; do not compare nominal maximum range alone.	Directly measures distance to a material or liquid surface on an unobstructed path.	Ultrasonic / mechanical level switch	Are affected by medium propagation conditions or point-level triggering, respectively.	Choose and accept the technology by continuous range needs, point alarms, dust, and maintenance conditions. 公开来源公开来源 · Verified 2026-08-24

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Selection

Product selection guide

Current material supports 3 candidates. Review product facts, rationale and boundaries together.

Model	Key product facts	Best fit and rationale	Operating boundary	Product details
TF02-Pro-W	Output data Single-point Distance Value Measuring range 0.1 ~ 25 m Interface RS-485 Protection IP5X	Current material explicitly covers level sensing, making it the primary documented product for industrial non-contact range input.	Validate dust, contamination, surface, internal structures, cleaning, and PLC fault handling on site.	View product
TFmini Plus	Output data Single-point Distance Value Measuring range 0.1 ~ 12 m Interface UART, I/O, I²C Protection IP65	Listed as a supplementary recommendation for controlled tasks that meet its range, interface, and mounting boundaries.	Not a default claim for dusty vessels or maintenance-free continuous level sensing; verify protection and maintenance requirements first.	View product
TFM3040	Reusable product facts are not available yet	The customer application workbook lists TFM3040 for level sensing, but the customer later confirmed it is not launched, so it remains a pending candidate name only.	Without public product master data and formal documentation, do not show parameters, create a product link or count it as a currently complete comparison candidate.	Product page not available yet

Continue with a relevant model-difference topic

Filtering 10–50 m tasks by range and protection

Installation and integration

Define the target, measurement axis, occlusion, wiring, and mounting space first; connect the current product manual to the target controller and record the model, interface, orientation, offset, and delivered revision.
Level-sensing solution · Target controller or host system · Target hardware and software release verified before deploymentTF02-Pro-W Datasheet · Verified 2026-08-24
Before connecting business control logic, validate healthy data, timeout handling, stop behavior, and fallback with real targets, worst-case distance, ambient light, and motion.
Level-sensing solution · Target controller or host system · Field procedure and fault handling verified on the target systemTF02-Pro-W Datasheet · Verified 2026-08-24

Operating limits

LiDAR provides distance or spatial-sensing input and does not by itself provide system positioning, safety integrity, braking, flight-stack fusion, or business outcomes; design and validate those functions separately on the target system.
Level-sensing solutionTF02-Pro-W Datasheet · Verified 2026-08-24

Sources

Supporting sources

Verifiable TF02-Pro-W reference

Current material verifies level-sensing direction, interfaces, and maintenance boundaries. The current public material supports verification of sensor specifications and interfaces; it does not establish vehicle-level performance, system safety level, or project results.

Use the stated target, reflectivity, ambient-light, mounting, and delivered-revision conditions; revalidate in the field.

TF02-Pro-W Datasheet

Verifiable TFmini Plus reference

Current material verifies range-input and interface conditions for a supplementary option. The current public material supports verification of sensor specifications and interfaces; it does not establish vehicle-level performance, system safety level, or project results.

Use the stated target, reflectivity, ambient-light, mounting, and delivered-revision conditions; revalidate in the field.

TFmini Plus Datasheet

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is a sensor with a cleaning design sufficient for level sensing in dust?

No. Also validate dust concentration and duration, measurement path, contamination rate, material surface, cleaning interval, invalid-data handling, and PLC alarm logic.

Resources

Resources and references

Confirm the selection with real mission conditions

Share the operating height, target surface, environment, mounting space, and flight-stack version. Our engineering team can help plan selection and validation.

Talk to an engineer