Patent Pending
AirShield
Optical Sensor Protection System

Keep your sensors clear. Keep your line running.

AirShield is a Coanda-effect air purge nozzle that continuously protects any laser-and-camera sensor — LMI Gocator, ifm, Keyence, and more — from dust, debris, and particulate, without interrupting production.

CAD model — isometric view
CAMERA / RECEIVER LOW PRESSURE ZONE AIRSHIELD NOZZLE (cross-section) AIR IN
360°
Uniform air curtain coverage
Protected — camera lens & laser emitter
12+
Units in the field since 2024
24/7
Continuous protection, zero downtime

Proven on the sensors you already run.

AirShield protects any laser-triangulation sensor — a laser emitter paired with a camera receiver. If that describes your sensor, AirShield can protect it. Here's what's already field-proven, with a nozzle variant matched to each.

Proven

LMI Gocator

The full Gocator laser-profiler series. Multiple nozzle variants for different models.

Proven

ifm OID Series

Including the OID200 photoelectric distance sensor. Field-deployed and running.

Proven

Keyence Point & Profile

The complete Keyence point and profile sensor lineup — every model we've tested, protected.

Your Sensor

A different model?

If it uses a laser and a camera, we'll build a nozzle variant for it. Tell us your sensor →

See it in action.

AirShield filmed in a controlled test environment — demonstrating the Coanda airflow and dual-nozzle purge system before field deployment.

Front View
Test lab footage showing the nozzle face-on — air curtain activation and coverage across the sensor window.
Side View
Profile angle from the test lab showing nozzle positioning and the laminar flow as it exits the Coanda surface.
Overall View
Wide lab shot showing the complete setup — both nozzles mounted and running, with the full device in context.

Coming soon — a demonstration video showing real dust exposure with and without AirShield, and the effect on sensor image clarity in real time.

How AirShield works

Three principles working together to keep your optics clean — continuously, passively, and without moving parts.

01

Coanda Effect — Pressure Differential

Compressed air flows through the nozzle and follows the curved Coanda surface. This creates a low-pressure zone directly at the sensor lens face, while maintaining higher pressure in the surrounding area — effectively producing a continuous suction effect that holds contaminants away from the optical surface.

02

Pressure Curtain at the Lens

The pressure differential keeps the lens face in a sustained low-pressure state relative to the environment around it. Dust and debris are pushed away from the optical surface rather than settling on it — no physical contact, no turbulence, no moving parts.

03

Dual-Point Protection

One nozzle is positioned at the camera/receiver lens, the other at the laser emitter. Both optical surfaces are protected independently — ensuring the full measurement path stays clear, not just the imaging side.

See the effect, live.

This is a simplified simulation of an inspection line — dust accumulates on the sensor's lens exactly like it would in a dusty manufacturing environment. Press and hold the button to see AirShield clear the view.

Watch dust build up on the sensor's lens as parts pass on the line. Press and hold Activate AirShield to purge the lens and restore a clean, reliable read.

OCHI Automation

AirShield — Live Sensor Demo

Coanda-effect lens purge · Interactive simulation
Parts Scanned 0
Detected 0
Detection Rate

Status: Scanning — lens clean

Built for harsh environments

Eliminates Sensor Downtime

Contaminated optics are one of the leading causes of unplanned line stoppages. AirShield keeps the lens clear continuously — no manual cleaning cycles required.

No Moving Parts

The Coanda effect is purely fluidic — no motors, no wiper blades, no wear components. Once installed with a clean filtered air supply, AirShield runs indefinitely with no maintenance.

Controllable Air Consumption

Flow is determined directly by input pressure — dial up for more aggressive protection, dial down to conserve. There's no minimum threshold beyond what's needed to maintain the pressure differential at the lens face.

Easy Retrofit Installation

AirShield mounts directly to standard sensor brackets, with a nozzle variant matched to each supported sensor. Field-proven on LMI Gocator, ifm OID, and the full Keyence point & profile lineup.

Where AirShield is deployed

Building products manufacturing
Wood processing & millwork
Metal fabrication & stamping
Aggregate & mineral processing
Automotive parts production
Any dusty inline measurement environment

If it has a laser and a camera, AirShield fits it

AirShield protects any laser-triangulation sensor — a laser emitter paired with a camera receiver. Already field-proven on the LMI Gocator series, ifm OID sensors, and the full Keyence point & profile lineup, with a nozzle variant matched to each. Running a different model? We'll build a variant for it.

Specifications

Engineered for continuous-duty manufacturing environments. All specs are for the standard dual-nozzle configuration.

Operating principle Coanda-effect pressure differential at lens face
Nozzle configuration Dual-point — camera lens & laser emitter
Supply pressure 60–100 PSI filtered, dry air
Air quality requirement Filtered & moisture-free — see air supply options
Air consumption Proportional to input pressure — adjustable
Proven sensor compatibility LMI Gocator · ifm OID · all Keyence point & profile
Universal fit Any laser-emitter + camera-receiver sensor
Moving parts None
Operating modes Continuous · Purge · On/Off
Duty cycle Rated for continuous 24/7 operation
Material PETG — FDM 3D printed
Status Patent Pending · Field-proven since 2024
AirShield requires clean, filtered, dry air — unfiltered shop air will introduce contaminants to the sensor. Turnkey filtration and air control systems are available. Custom nozzle variants available for non-standard sensor models and mounting configurations.

Clean air is part of the system.

AirShield requires filtered, dry compressed air — unfiltered shop air carries moisture and particulate that defeat the purpose. We can supply everything needed to make it work out of the box.

Continuous
Air runs constantly at a set pressure — maximum protection for high-dust environments or critical measurement applications.
Purge Mode
High-pressure burst triggered on demand or by schedule — clears accumulated debris before a measurement cycle begins.
On / Off
PLC or timer-controlled activation — air runs only when needed, minimizing consumption in intermittent production environments.
Turnkey Option

Filtration & Air Control Systems

Don't want to source filtration components separately? We supply complete, pre-engineered air preparation systems designed specifically for AirShield — including regulators, coalescing filters, dryers, and solenoid valve control where needed.

Coalescing particulate & oil filtration
Moisture separator & desiccant dryer
Precision pressure regulator
Solenoid valve for purge / on-off control
PLC-compatible I/O wiring & integration
Ask About Turnkey Supply →

Frequently asked questions.

What sensors does AirShield work with?

AirShield is proven on the LMI Gocator series, ifm OID sensors (including the OID200), and the full Keyence point and profile sensor lineup. It's designed to fit any sensor built from a laser emitter paired with a camera receiver, so custom nozzle variants can be built for other laser-and-camera sensor models on request.

How does AirShield keep dust off the lens?

It uses the Coanda effect — compressed air flows through a nozzle and follows a curved surface, creating a sustained low-pressure zone directly at the sensor's lens face. That pressure differential pushes dust and debris away from the optical surface continuously, with no moving parts and no physical contact with the lens.

What air supply does AirShield need?

Clean, filtered, dry compressed air at 60–100 PSI. Unfiltered shop air introduces moisture and particulate that defeat the purpose. OCHI Automation also supplies turnkey filtration and air-control systems — regulators, coalescing filters, dryers, and solenoid valves — for customers who don't want to source these separately.

Does AirShield require maintenance?

No. AirShield is purely fluidic with no motors, wiper blades, or wear components. Once installed with a clean filtered air supply, it runs indefinitely without scheduled maintenance or cleaning cycles.

How long does it take to get a quote?

Quote requests submitted through the form below are typically returned within 1 business day. Tell us your sensor model and environment and we'll recommend the right configuration and price.

Is AirShield available through distributors?

Yes. OCHI Automation is actively expanding its distributor network in the Pacific Northwest and welcomes distributor and reseller inquiries.

Request a quote.

Tell us your sensor model and environment. We'll recommend the right configuration and get you a price — quotes returned within 1 business day.

OCHI Automation LLC

Auburn / Sumner, WA

Distributor inquiries welcome

Interested in carrying AirShield for your region? We're actively expanding our distributor network in the Pacific Northwest. Reach out to discuss partnership options.