I wanted to continue the discussion on LaserSpeed from my last blog article and give you a quick history lesson.
From time to time, someone will ask “what is the history of LaserSpeed?”. “When was this product developed?”. “Did we develop this gauge in house or did we acquire it?”
Well, the LaserSpeed gauge has been around for quite some time. I’m not bragging (oh well, I guess I am), but it’s one of the most sought-after, non-contact length and speed measurement products on the marketplace. And, there’s a bit of history behind this wildly successful gauge. Let me tell you the story.
First There Was Evolution
The origins of the LaserSpeed non-contact gauge can be traced back to its early beginnings with TSI, Inc. – an innovative technology company that pushed the envelope in measurement tools. The first system was designed for scientific purposes, but soon thereafter LaserSpeed was introduced to industry. It offered a highly accurate and effective solution for measuring the length and speed of products in a range of metals production applications. Through the years, LaserSpeed underwent a technical transformation, making the unique laser-based gauge faster, better and more cost effective. The overall system anatomy transformed from a large, complex footprint to a compact, smart design.
The LaserSpeed Development Timeline
The transformation and adoption of this unique gauge did not happen overnight. Let’s look at its history.
- 1973 – TSI, Inc. develops the first Laser Doppler Velocimetry system for fluid flow research
- 1984 – LaserSpeed introduced to the aluminum and steel industries
- 1994 – Length and speed solution developed for light-duty industrial applications
- 1997 – Heavy-duty solution developed for mill applications
- 2003 – BETA LaserMike acquires LaserSpeed from TSI, Inc. and introduces model LS8000/8000E
- 2007 – BETA LaserMike introduces model LS9000 for automatic direction and zero speed detection
- 2008 – BETA LaserMike introduces model LS8000-3 with enhanced capabilities and long stand-off measurement distance
- 2009 – LaserSpeed gains wide acceptance across a wide range of industries
- 2014 – BETA LaserMike merges with NDC Infrared Engineering to form NDC Technologies (LaserSpeed becomes part of the NDC product portfolio)
- 2018 – NDC releases LaserSpeed Pro, ready for Industry 4.0 connectivity, communications and control
- 2019 – NDC releases LaserSpeed Pro M Series for hard-to-measure, moving products
- Today – that’s the next part of this story…keep on reading…
Now There is a Revolution
LaserSpeed has become synonymous with global leadership in length and speed measurement, offering manufacturers an effective process and quality control solution. Over 10,000 gauges have been installed in production plants across the globe in industries such as wire, cable, tube, pipe, flat products (including paper, extruded film, nonwovens, etc.), building materials, metals and more. Applications range from continuous length measurement…to speed measurement…to differential speed and cut-to-length control, to name a few.
NDC offers wide range of LaserSpeed Pro gauges to meet unique budget and application needs. From low-cost solutions, to more comprehensive systems that measure forward/reverse directions and down to true zero speed, to systems with environmentally protected housings, the evolution of LaserSpeed continues to meet industry’s most challenging applications.
Become part of the LaserSpeed revolution. Explore LaserSpeed Pro today.
