Three Problems That Occur When Deflection Cannot Be Measured Correctly
Depending on the choice of measurement method, the evaluation of deflection and deformation under actual operating loads can be completely incorrect.
Contact Methods Alter the Deflection of Flexible or Minutely Deforming Objects
Because dial gauges and displacement transducers push into the target with the contact force of the stylus, the amount of deflection itself changes for flexible, thin, or minute parts. If stiffness cannot be evaluated correctly due to errors caused by contact force, it can lead to incorrect design margins and quality judgments. In products, this manifests as unexpected damage, abnormal noise, or dimensional defects in subsequent processes or in the field. A measurement method with zero contact force is a prerequisite for evaluation.
Inability to Capture Dynamic Deflection Under Actual Operating Loads
With static single-point measurement, it is impossible to track the dynamic deflection behavior or the load-displacement relationship when an actual load is applied. If peak displacement or residual deformation after unloading is missed, the basis for evaluating stiffness and durability becomes weak. As a result, this leads to over-designing or, conversely, overlooking insufficient strength, inflating rework costs such as remaking prototypes or addressing defects after mass production.
Deflection Evaluation at Multiple Points or as a Distribution Becomes Dependent on Individual Skills
Measuring point by point manually prevents obtaining the deformation distribution for each part, causing uneven deflection or areas prone to warping to be missed. Evaluations vary depending on the operator and measurement method, delaying the understanding of stiffness trends and identification of causes. If mass production proceeds without being able to numerically demonstrate the validity of design changes, the risk of defective products reaching customers and design rework increases.
Flow From Load Application to Deflection Evaluation
Apply a load close to actual use, measure deflection synchronized with the load, and evaluate stiffness and durability from the load-displacement relationship.
- 1 Jig installation and reference setting – Step 1. Fix finished products or parts to a jig under support conditions close to actual use, and install the sensor head on the target. Acquire the unloaded state as the reference (zero).
- 2 Load application and load synchronization – Step 2. Apply loads simulating actual use in stages, and perform high-speed sampling of displacement (deflection) synchronized with the load signal. Map the load and displacement in a one-to-one relationship.
- 3 Actual measurement of deflection and deformation – Step 3. Measure the profile displacement of the target surface using non-contact measurement with zero contact force. Acquire the deflection distribution at multiple points without contact force errors, even for flexible or minutely deforming objects.
- 4 Stiffness and durability evaluation – Step 4. Calculate stiffness (slope) and residual deformation from the load-displacement curve. Evaluate changes over time under cyclic loading, and feed back to design and quality assurance.
Comparison of Deflection Measurement Methods
Depending on the measurement method, there are significant differences in contact force, measurable quantities, dynamic/multi-point evaluation, ease of setup, and applicability to moving or rotating bodies.
Contact force on the target (measurement error)
LK-G5000 Series (Non-contact laser displacement sensor / load synchronization)
◎ Zero contact force (non-contact)
Contact dial gauge
× Indentation due to pressing reaction force
Displacement transducer (LVDT, contact type)
× Contact reaction force of the probe exists
Strain gauge (bonded type)
△ Requires bonding and wiring
Application to flexible/micro-deformable objects
LK-G5000 Series (Non-contact laser displacement sensor / load synchronization)
◎ Measurement without deformation
Contact dial gauge
× Deflection amount changes
Displacement transducer (LVDT, contact type)
× Error due to indentation
Strain gauge (bonded type)
△ Restrictions on bonding surfaces/curved surfaces
Dynamic deflection under actual operating loads (load synchronization)
LK-G5000 Series (Non-contact laser displacement sensor / load synchronization)
◎ Dynamic acquisition with high-speed sampling
Contact dial gauge
× Primarily static reading
Displacement transducer (LVDT, contact type)
△ Restrictions on response/installation
Strain gauge (bonded type)
○ Dynamic strain can be acquired
Measurement amount (what can be measured)
LK-G5000 Series (Non-contact laser displacement sensor / load synchronization)
Geometric deflection/deformation of the external profile
Contact dial gauge
Displacement (point)
Displacement transducer (LVDT, contact type)
Displacement (point)
Strain gauge (bonded type)
Internal strain (external deflection is not covered)
Simultaneous multi-point/distribution evaluation
LK-G5000 Series (Non-contact laser displacement sensor / load synchronization)
◎ Up to 12 heads + calculation
Contact dial gauge
× One point at a time
Displacement transducer (LVDT, contact type)
× Difficult to increase the number of measurement points
Strain gauge (bonded type)
△ Requires bonding for each measurement point
Ease of setup and installation
LK-G5000 Series (Non-contact laser displacement sensor / load synchronization)
○ Non-contact, remote installation
Contact dial gauge
△ Contact setup required for each target
Displacement transducer (LVDT, contact type)
△ Requires jigs and contact
Strain gauge (bonded type)
× Time-consuming bonding and wiring
Continuous evaluation of moving and rotating objects
LK-G5000 Series (Non-contact laser displacement sensor / load synchronization)
◎ Measures moving and rotating objects as well
Contact dial gauge
× For stationary targets only
Displacement transducer (LVDT, contact type)
× For stationary targets only
Strain gauge (bonded type)
△ Restrictions on wiring layout
Role (area of expertise)
LK-G5000 Series (Non-contact laser displacement sensor / load synchronization)
Deflection, stiffness, and durability of finished products/parts under actual operating loads
Contact dial gauge
Point displacement of stationary targets
Displacement transducer (LVDT, contact type)
Point displacement of adjacent targets
Strain gauge (bonded type)
Strain and stress inside materials
Reasons to Choose the LK-G5000 Series
The LK-G5000 Series uses a non-contact triangulation method to measure deflection and deformation without touching the target and with zero reaction force. There is no pressing error like with contact types, and load-displacement under actual operating loads can be acquired at high speed even for flexible or minutely deforming objects. Multi-point measurement with up to 12 heads streamlines stiffness and durability evaluation.
LK-G5000 Series Supporting Deflection and Deformation Measurement
A non-contact laser displacement sensor using the triangulation method. It measures deflection and deformation under actual operating loads with zero reaction force, and evaluates stiffness and durability from load-displacement.
Supporting Deflection and Deformation Measurement of Finished Products/Parts Under Actual Load — LK-G5000 Series
Ultra High-Speed/High-Accuracy Laser Displacement Sensor
This non-contact laser displacement sensor uses the triangulation method to measure deflection and deformation without touching the target and with zero reaction force. Even for flexible, thin, or minute parts, it captures displacement under actual operating loads as is, without pressing errors. With ultra-high-speed sampling of up to 392 kHz, dynamic deflection during load application and recovery (residual deformation) after load removal can be recorded in synchronization with the load, allowing stiffness and durability to be evaluated from the load-displacement curve. Simultaneous measurement of up to 12 heads and calculation functions also allow the distribution of multiple points, such as warpage and steps, to be grasped at the same time. More than 20 types of dedicated heads can be selected, ranging from rough surfaces to mirror surfaces and transparent materials.
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Get Detailed Materials on the LK-G5000 Series
You can download a free catalog summarizing the specifications and application examples of compatible heads.
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Inquiries regarding deflection and deformation measurement
Application Examples of Deflection and Deformation Measurement
These measurements are used for parts under actual load, running plates, and flexible/minute parts through non-contact deflection and deformation measurement.
Evaluating Deflection and Stiffness of Parts Under Actual Load at Multiple Points
By placing multiple heads on actual machine parts, deflection and deformation under conditions close to actual use can be measured simultaneously at multiple points without contact. With zero reaction force, the impact on the target is suppressed, reducing the man-hours required for stiffness and durability evaluation.
Deflection and Flatness Measurement of Plates and Sheets Under Tension
Non-contact measurement of deflection and flatness of running plates and sheets under tension using multiple heads. By calculating warpage and steps, the deformation distribution of low-stiffness plates can be continuously grasped.
Measuring Deformation of Flexible and Minute Parts With Zero Reaction Force
The deformation of flexible and minute parts that are sensitive to pressing reaction force is acquired through non-contact measurement with an extremely small spot. Targets that would be pushed in by contact methods can be evaluated without pressing errors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deflection and Deformation Measurement
Yes, they can. The LK-G5000 Series is a non-contact laser displacement sensor using the triangulation method, which measures deflection and deformation without touching the target and with zero reaction force. Displacement under loads close to actual use can also be captured as is.
Contact-type sensors push into the target with the contact force of the measuring tip, which can change the actual amount of deflection in flexible, thin, or minute parts. Because the non-contact LK-G5000 Series has no contact force, it can measure deflection without pushing into the target.
Yes, it can. By high-speed sampling of displacement in synchronization with the load signal, stiffness (slope) and residual deformation can be calculated from the load-displacement curve. It can also be used for durability evaluation under cyclic loading.
Yes, it can. Because it is non-contact and has no contact force, it can measure flexible objects such as rubber and resin, as well as minute deformations of targets.
This page covers the measurement of geometric deflection and deformation where the external shape of the target moves. Internal strain and stress of materials are in the domain of strain gauges and are not targets for measurement by laser displacement sensors. They are used for evaluating external displacement and stiffness.
Yes, it can. With ultra-high-speed sampling of up to 392 kHz, it can capture the dynamic deflection of vibrating parts. Simultaneous measurement of up to 12 heads and calculation functions allow for the simultaneous evaluation of multi-point distributions, such as warpage and steps.
Compatible heads and measurement configurations can be confirmed in the catalog or via the inquiry form.
- Ultra High-Speed/High-Accuracy Laser Displacement Sensor LK-G5000 series
Ultra High-Speed/High-Accuracy Laser Displacement Sensor
LK-G5000 series
