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Care and Handling
Alignment of the laser diode and camera are critical to the proper operation of the LRF Module. Both
components are aligned during production and affixed to the printed circuit board with cyanoacrylate
adhesive. Care should be taken to protect the LRF Module from sudden shock, excessive vibration, or
blunt force.
To verify proper alignment of the LRF Module, use the LRF Image Viewer tool. Set the LRF Module 10-30
inches away from a target object (preferably a grey or other non-white surface). Ensure the Color radio
button is selected, uncheck Blob Detection, and press the Grab Image button. A color image with the red
laser spot should be displayed in the image box. The laser spot should be centered vertically within the
frame:
If the laser spot is out of position, the laser diode will need to be manually re-adjusted and the LRF
Module will need to be re-calibrated. See the "X" command in the Command Details section, page 4, for
calibration instructions.
Safety
The LRF Module uses an Arima APCD-635-02-C3-A Laser Diode that contains integrated automatic power
control (APC) circuitry and glass collimating lens. The laser diode is a Class IIIa laser device with a
maximum power output of <= (less than or equal to) 3 mW @ 635 nm. The laser diode is only enabled
during a single frame capture, which takes ~400 ms.
To prevent eye damage, do not stare into the laser diode output on the front of the LRF Module. Many
documented cases of eye damage with Class IIIa devices (which include, for example, most run-of-the-
mill red laser pointers, laser levels, and laser-based thermometers), were caused by prolonged exposure
of the direct laser output:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_safety#Laser_pointers
Copyright © Parallax Inc.
Parallax Laser Range Finder (#28044)
v1.0 9/16/2011 Page 20 of 24
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