LMI Gocator 2880 Dual-Triangulation 3D Laser Line Profile Sensor

The only Gocator profiler with two cameras. Eliminates the occlusion shadow that single-camera laser profilers cannot see past. Built for log scanning, large complex objects, and any inspection target with protruding features that block conventional triangulation profilers.

The Gocator 2880 is LMI Technologies' dual-triangulation 3D laser line profiler - the only Gocator sensor that combines two cameras and one laser in a single integrated body to deliver complete 3D scan coverage of large, complicated, irregularly-shaped objects. Where conventional single-camera laser profilers cast an occlusion shadow behind protruding features (knots on logs, brackets on assemblies, raised seams on totes), the 2880's dual cameras see the laser line from two angles simultaneously, eliminating the shadow and capturing the full target geometry in a single pass. The 2880 is the standard sensor for primary log scanning in lumber mills worldwide and is equally at home on automotive assemblies, packaging, large totes, and any inspection target where conventional profilers leave data gaps.

What "Dual Triangulation" Actually Means

Standard laser triangulation profilers project a laser line and use one camera, mounted at a known angle to the laser, to triangulate the Z position of each point along the line. The geometry works perfectly on flat or convex surfaces. But when the target has features that protrude up from the surface - a knot on a log, a raised boss on a machined part, the corner seam of a tote box - those features cast a shadow behind themselves where the camera cannot see the laser line. That shadow becomes a data gap in the 3D scan.

The Gocator 2880 solves this with two cameras at opposing angles, both viewing the same laser line. Where one camera is shadowed by a protruding feature, the other camera sees past it. The sensor automatically merges the two camera views into a single complete profile with no occlusion gaps. This is the dual-triangulation principle - and the 2880 is the only Gocator that implements it.

Key Features

• Built-in dual cameras for reduced occlusion on protruding features
• Megapixel imager with 1280 data points per profile
• Scan rates from 380 Hz up to 5000 Hz for inline production line speeds
• Wide field of view from 390 mm to 1260 mm - one of the widest in the Gocator portfolio
• 800 mm measurement range for tall protruding features and irregularly shaped parts
• 660 nm red laser in Class 3R configuration
• Factory pre-calibrated - delivers real-world XYZ coordinates out of the box
• Browser-based GUI with onboard measurement tools - no installed software, no programming
• Open-source SDK for integration with custom applications, PLCs, robots, and image processing libraries
• Standardized cabling and compact 498 mm body simplify mounting on existing structures
• Multi-sensor networking via LMI Master controllers for ring-configuration 360-degree scanning
• IP67 aluminum housing, vibration and shock resistant for harsh sawmill and factory floor environments

Gocator 2880 Specifications

Specifications based on Class 3R laser configuration. Resolution X and Z values vary across the measurement range. Refer to the official Gocator 2880 datasheet for full specifications.

Stocked Part Number

Custom laser classes and mount orientations are available on request. Contact Automation Distribution at 1-888-600-3080 for non-standard configurations.

Primary Application: Log Scanning in Lumber Mills

The Gocator 2880 was engineered for - and is the industry-standard sensor for - primary log scanning in sawmill operations. When logs pass through a measurement station on their way to the sawing line, the mill needs a complete 3D point cloud of the log to calculate volume, identify shape features (taper, sweep, crook), and determine optimal cutting patterns that maximize lumber yield per log.

Log surfaces are riddled with knots, bark protrusions, and other irregularities that occlude single-camera profilers. A single-camera ring of sensors would need 6 to 8 sensors to capture a complete log scan. With dual-camera 2880 sensors arranged in a ring configuration, mills capture the full 360-degree log surface using just 3 sensors - dramatically reducing system cost, calibration complexity, and maintenance burden. LMI Master network controllers handle the microsecond-synchronized triggering and laser safety interlock for the ring.

Other Applications

Software, Integration, and Networking

• Browser-based configuration GUI - set up the sensor, build measurement tools, and visualize real-time 3D data from any device with a web browser. No installed clients to manage.
• Onboard measurement tools - run gauging, geometric, and feature-extraction tools directly on the sensor without an external PC.
• Open-source SDK and native drivers - integrate with your application, image processing pipeline, robot, or PLC using C-based libraries supported across every Gocator model.
• Multi-sensor networking via LMI Master controllers (Master 100, 400, 800, 1200, 2400) for synchronized power, laser safety, encoder, and trigger distribution. Particularly valuable for ring-configuration 360-degree log scanning applications.
• Free Gocator Emulator for offline development and validation in a virtual sensor environment.
• Compatible with the GoMax Smart Vision Accelerator for offloaded point cloud processing in multi-sensor ring deployments.

Compatible Accessories

Round out your Gocator 2880 deployment with factory-correct hardware available through Automation Distribution: LMI Cordsets for power, I/O, and Ethernet; the GoMax Smart Vision Accelerator for multi-sensor ring acceleration; and LMI Master network controllers for synchronized multi-sensor log scanning systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Gocator 2880 used for?

The Gocator 2880 is LMI Technologies' dual-triangulation 3D laser line profiler, used primarily for primary log scanning in lumber mills, tote and container scanning, automotive assembly inspection, large casting and forging dimensional QA, and any application where target features cause occlusion shadows that single-camera profilers cannot capture. The dual cameras see past protruding features to deliver complete 3D coverage in a single scan. View the Gocator 2880 at Automation Distribution.

Why does the Gocator 2880 have two cameras?

Standard laser triangulation profilers use one camera mounted at an angle to the laser. When the target has protruding features - knots on logs, raised bosses on parts, corner seams on totes - those features cast a shadow behind themselves where the single camera cannot see the laser line, creating data gaps in the 3D scan. The Gocator 2880 places two cameras at opposing angles, both viewing the same laser line. Where one camera is shadowed, the other sees past the feature. The sensor automatically merges the two views into one complete profile. This is the dual-triangulation principle.

When should I choose a Gocator 2880 over a single-camera profiler?

Choose the Gocator 2880 when your target has features that protrude up from the surface and you need complete data on both sides of those features. Typical scenarios include log scanning (knots and bark), tote scanning (corner reinforcements and seams), automotive assemblies (raised bosses and brackets), and complex castings or forgings. If your target is flat, convex, or has features that don't significantly protrude (think: sheet metal, electronics, food products), a single-camera profiler like the Gocator 2400 Series or Gocator 2600 Series is the right choice.

How many Gocator 2880 sensors do I need for 360-degree log scanning?

Typically 3 Gocator 2880 sensors arranged in a ring configuration provide complete 360-degree coverage of a log passing through the measurement station. The dual-camera design effectively doubles the angular coverage of each sensor, reducing the sensor count from the 6 to 8 typically required for single-camera ring systems. LMI Master network controllers handle the microsecond-synchronized triggering, laser safety interlock, encoder distribution, and power delivery for the ring. Specific sensor count depends on log diameter, conveyor speed, and accuracy requirements - contact Automation Distribution for application-specific sizing.

How fast does the Gocator 2880 scan?

Scan rates run from 380 Hz at the default configuration up to 5000 Hz with reduced regions of interest. For primary log scanning at typical conveyor speeds (1 to 3 meters per second), the 2880's scan rate easily keeps up with production throughput. For higher-speed inline inspection applications, the scan rate is comparable to other megapixel-imager Gocator profilers in the 2300 and 2400 Series.

What is the field of view of the Gocator 2880?

The Gocator 2880 has one of the widest fields of view in the entire Gocator portfolio - 390 mm at the near edge of the measurement range and 1260 mm at the far edge, with an 800 mm measurement range and a 350 mm clearance distance. This wide envelope is purpose-built for large targets like logs, totes, and automotive assemblies that would require multiple sensors of any other Gocator family to capture in a single pass.

Can I network multiple Gocator 2880 sensors together?

Yes. LMI Master network controllers (Master 100, 400, 800, 1200, and 2400) support 4, 8, 12, or 24 Gocator connections with synchronized power, laser safety, encoder input, and external trigger distribution. The multi-sensor ring configuration is the standard architecture for 360-degree log scanning. Each 2880 transmits 3D profile data to the host computer through standard Ethernet switches.

Why is the Gocator 2880 so long?

The 498 mm body length accommodates the dual-camera geometry. With two cameras mounted at opposing angles to one laser, the sensor needs sufficient baseline distance between the cameras to achieve the triangulation accuracy at the 800 mm measurement range. The 498 mm form factor is a deliberate tradeoff - longer than a single-camera profiler but still compact enough for ring mounting and integration into existing sawmill structures.