Laser scanner delivers 100-micron accuracy at distances of up to 5m

13 April 2026  

Scan of a conveyor belt carrying a variety of objects. The Eyeonic Trace Ultra allows accurate detection of high-value items that must be separated from surrounding debris.

A Californian developer of 4D+ vision systems has announced a laser line scanner that, it says,  delivers an “unprecedented” 100-micron precision – equivalent to the thickness of a human hair or a sheet of paper – over distances of up to 5m. SiLC Technologies says that its Eyeonic Trace Ultra scanner, designed for demanding industrial automation and inspection applications, brings high-performance dimensioning with millimetre precision to “hard to detect” targets. Its rapid scan speed supports high-throughput environments, while its 72-degree field-of-view gives it a wide coverage.

SiLC says the scanner represents a move away from fragile, highly calibrated and unpredictable vision systems, towards robust physical AI sensors. It will provide reliable data for the next generation of automation, ensuring that as production speeds increase, precision does not slow down.

For example, in automotive manufacturing, parts moving along assembly lines need to be inspected for small scratches, dents and alignment tolerances. Today, many of these inspections are performed manually, or require items to be removed from the line to quality control stations. This can be costly and may allow defects to pass undetected.

With the new device, manufacturers can scan every part as it moves along a line, even at high speeds, enabling consistent, automated inspection that improves quality control and reduces reliance on human intervention. In addition, its long working range allows fine measurements on large objects such as an entire car frames.

“Manufacturers are increasingly looking to automate as much of the production and inspection process as possible,” says SiLC CEO, Mehdi Asghari. “That shift requires sensing technologies capable of delivering the accuracy and reliability needed to support fully automated operations. There are no competing products that can match the performance of Trace Ultra. This combination of features will change the game for manufacturers on a mission to achieve the highest levels of automation.”

The new scanner maintains the same compact footprint and ease of deployment as its predecessor, the Eyeonic Trace. A 300% improvement in precision allows the Trace Ultra to address inspection tasks that previously required manual measurement.

The scanner is compatible with existing Trace applications, allowing customers to upgrade applications that need higher precision.

The Class 1 eye-safe device can scan up to 600 lines per second with a resolution or more than 1,300 points per line. It can be used in bright sunlight and is immune to crosstalk from other sensors. It maintains its 100um precision even for low-reflectivity objects.

“The Eyeonic Trace introduced last year has been a huge success, with new customers and applications emerging every day,” says Asghari. “But some use cases demand even higher precision. Eyeonic Trace Ultra addresses that need by delivering 100µm accuracy while maintaining all the performance and benefits that made the original Eyeonic Trace so successful.”

SiLC says it is on a mission to drive the next industrial revolution, where machines perceive, reason, plan and act alongside humans in true collaboration. The company was established in 2018 by veterans of the silicon photonics industry. Its investors include Dell Technologies Capital, Sony Innovation Fund, Honda Xcelerator Ventures, Alter Venture Partners and Epson.

SiLC Technologies:  LinkedIn