The Zebra AltiZ Series is an industrial 3D profile sensor range for surface inspection, dimensional measurement, assembly verification and robotic guidance. Available in dual-camera AltiZ and compact single-camera AltiZ 4200 configurations, these laser profilers capture profiles, depth maps and point clouds for conveyor, gantry and robot-mounted inspection systems.
AltiZ measures surface geometry using laser triangulation: a camera observes a projected laser line to calculate height across an object. Each profile represents a cross-section; relative movement between the sensor and part builds coverage of the surface.
Within machine vision systems, this provides measured depth for checking steps, contours, assembly positions and dimensional tolerances. The sensor generates 3D data; inspection software defines the measurements, acceptance limits and response to a failed check.
The original AltiZ uses two cameras viewing one laser line from different angles. Combining their observations reduces occlusion, where an object blocks a camera’s view of the illuminated surface. The cameras can also operate alternately to increase the scanning rate, trading combined-view coverage for speed.
AltiZ 4200 uses a compact single-camera design with a narrower field of view and denser profile sampling. Consider it for small features and restricted mounting spaces, while assessing whether the inspection needs the original model’s second viewpoint.
| Selection factor | Original AltiZ | AltiZ 4200 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical arrangement | Two cameras and one laser | One camera and one laser |
| Published maximum profile rate | Up to 11,000 profiles per second | Up to 14,000 profiles per second |
| Primary selection consideration | Additional surface coverage where one viewing angle leaves gaps | More than 4,200 points per profile for detailed inspection within a tight field of view |
| Shared integration features | GigE Vision, PoE support, M12 connectors and 24 V-compatible digital I/O | GigE Vision, PoE support, M12 connectors and 24 V-compatible digital I/O |
| Housing | IP67-rated aluminium | IP67-rated aluminium |
The quoted profile rates are published maxima, not results measured under identical inspection conditions. Confirm the achievable rate with the selected model, acquisition settings and actual surface; point count alone does not establish measurement accuracy.
Select the model around the full height variation and width of the object, including positional variation on the conveyor or fixture. Check the working distance, depth range and field of view at both the nearest and furthest surfaces, together with the resolution required to distinguish the smallest relevant feature.
For tolerance inspection, validate accuracy and repeatability against a suitable reference under production conditions. Mounting stability, surface finish, calibration and motion quality all affect the finished measurement.
AltiZ suits inspection tasks where the decision depends on physical geometry. Typical requirements include:
Measurements require a suitable reference. For example, a height reading represents thickness only when the supporting datum or opposing surface is accounted for. Hidden surfaces cannot be assessed from a viewpoint that does not capture them.
A fixed sensor can scan parts passing along a conveyor, or a robot or gantry can move the sensor across a stationary object. Plan the movement and acquisition timing together so successive profiles represent known positions along the surface.
Incremental encoder inputs support acquisition tied to movement and synchronisation between sensors. A multi-sensor installation also needs coordinate alignment and a software workflow to combine the captured surfaces; synchronised triggering alone does not produce a complete merged measurement.
At a conveyor speed of 1 m/s, collecting one profile every 0.1 mm requires 10,000 profiles per second. This calculation establishes the required sampling rate along the direction of travel; it does not establish measurement accuracy or confirm that a particular model can sustain that rate on the chosen material.
Test representative good and defective beads at the intended speed, then check whether exposure, profile quality, data transfer and inspection processing fit the available cycle time.
Dark, reflective or translucent materials, steep edges and deep recesses require sample testing. The dual-camera design can reduce gaps where one viewing angle is obstructed, but surfaces hidden from both cameras or the laser remain unavailable.
If the application needs an area point cloud without sweeping a laser line across the scene, assess the Zebra 3S Series. Its structured-light approach offers a different capture method: the 3S40 requires a stationary scene, while the 3S80 supports moving scenes. Compare coverage, motion requirements, accuracy and total acquisition time for the same task.
For robotic guidance, AltiZ requires a defined scanning path and calibration between sensor and robot coordinates. Bin picking or depalletising also needs software for part localisation, pick selection and robot control.
Zebra lists Aurora Imaging Library and Aurora Design Assistant as supported software platforms. Imaging Library provides tools for coded application development; Design Assistant uses a flowchart-based development environment. Confirm the required software version and development and runtime licences in the quotation.
GigE Vision supports connection to compatible third-party vision software, but the receiving application must support the selected 3D data format and required sensor controls. Include host-computer capacity, network bandwidth and communication with the PLC or robot in the integration assessment.
Both model families provide PoE support, industrial M12 connectors and 24 V-compatible digital I/O. Specify the correct power source, cables and I/O wiring for the selected model. The IP67-rated housing also requires an installation suited to the environment; check dimensions, operating-temperature limits, connector sealing and laser classification before finalising the machine layout.
MarvelTech supports machine vision and production automation projects, including equipment and software maintenance. An AltiZ enquiry can address model selection, inspection feasibility, mounting geometry, motion synchronisation and integration with the existing control system.
The quotation should identify the sensor variant, software licences, host hardware, power and data cables, mounting accessories and agreed installation and support work. Ask for availability, lead time, warranty terms and service coverage for the installation location.
Provide the following details so MarvelTech can assess the configuration:
Send your application details to MarvelTech to request a model recommendation and an itemised quotation.
Choose AltiZ when inspection depends on measured height or surface shape, such as checking adhesive beads, component seating, gaps or deformation. It captures cross-sectional profiles that can form a surface scan as the part or sensor moves. For inspections based primarily on colour, printed information or visible presence, compare suitable 2D options within Marveltech’s machine vision systems.
The original AltiZ uses two cameras viewing one laser line, reducing missing data where a feature obstructs one camera’s view. AltiZ 4200 uses a compact single-camera arrangement with more than 4,200 points per profile for detailed scanning within tight fields of view. Choose around the required surface coverage and feature size: denser sampling does not replace the additional viewpoint provided by the original design.
Select a model whose measuring volume contains the complete inspection area, including part-position variation. Working distance describes sensor-to-surface separation; field of view describes the width captured at that distance. Check coverage at both the nearest and furthest surfaces, alongside the available mounting clearance. A part fitting within the maximum field of view may still extend outside the usable measuring volume elsewhere.
No. Profile resolution describes sampling detail; accuracy describes how closely a measurement matches a reference. Repeatability describes consistency between repeated measurements. For tolerance inspection, assess these separately using representative parts across the intended measuring range. Define the measurement reference too: height above a conveyor represents thickness only when the supporting surface and part position provide a valid reference for that measurement.
Zebra publishes maxima of 11,000 profiles per second for original AltiZ and 14,000 for AltiZ 4200. Required profile rate equals conveyor speed divided by the desired spacing between profiles. Encoder-triggered acquisition can tie sampling to movement. Validate exposure, data transfer and processing at that rate; profiles per second do not equal inspected parts per second. Original AltiZ also trades combined-camera coverage for speed when its cameras operate alternately.
Suitability requires testing the actual surface and geometry. Check whether critical features produce stable profiles at the intended exposure and production speed, particularly on reflective, dark or translucent materials. The original AltiZ’s second camera helps when one viewing angle is obstructed, but it cannot recover a surface that neither camera can see or that the laser cannot illuminate. Evaluate missing measurement points, not just overall scan appearance.
Consider the Zebra 3S Series structured-light sensors when the application needs area-based 3D capture without sweeping a laser line across the object. AltiZ builds surface coverage through successive profiles and relative movement. Compare the alternatives using the same object dimensions, smallest relevant feature, motion conditions and result deadline; an area scan and a single laser profile represent different amounts of inspection coverage.
Zebra lists Aurora Imaging Library for coded development and Aurora Design Assistant for flowchart-based applications. Compatible third-party software can connect through GigE Vision, provided it supports the required 3D formats and sensor controls. Specify development and runtime licence entitlements in the quotation. The software must also implement measurements, acceptance limits and PLC or robot communication; sensor connectivity alone does not establish a complete inspection workflow.
Yes. AltiZ supports robot or gantry mounting, and incremental encoder connections support synchronisation between sensors. Robot-mounted scanning requires a defined motion path and calibration relating sensor measurements to robot coordinates. Combining several sensors also requires coordinate alignment and software to merge their data. Synchronised acquisition alone does not establish that measurements from different viewpoints describe the same location accurately.
Plan compatible host computing, network connectivity, rigid mounting, power and data cables, plus any encoder or trigger wiring. Zebra lists an AltiZ starter kit containing a mounting bracket, Ethernet cable, power and I/O cable, and an I/O breakout box with power supply. Confirm kit compatibility with the selected model and identify supplied accessories separately from additional purchases.
Zebra specifies IP67-rated aluminium housings for both AltiZ families, but installation suitability also depends on temperature, vibration, connector sealing and contamination of the optical windows. Check cleaning chemicals and washdown conditions separately against the selected model’s documentation. For dimensional inspection, assess mounting and thermal stability as well as enclosure protection, and confirm the laser classification before finalising the machine layout.
Provide part dimensions, materials, surface finishes, inspection features and tolerances, supported by drawings or sample parts. Include conveyor speed or robot motion, required profile spacing, cycle time, mounting space and existing controls. Request an itemised configuration covering the sensor, software licences, computing hardware and accessories, with availability and the scope of industrial automation integration and maintenance support confirmed in the quotation.
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