# Do I need a motorized sensor to find and track the line position?

> No. Traditional line sensors have narrow fields of view, requiring motorized positioning to physically move the sensor until it finds the line. Roll-2-Roll Sensors have wide sensing ranges from 48 mm to 960 mm, allowing the sensor to see the entire potential line position area simultaneously. The...

**Last updated:** 2026-02-01

**Source:** https://live-roll2roll.pantheonsite.io/resources/faq/do-i-need-motorized-sensor-find-and-track-line-position

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## Question

Do I need a motorized sensor to find and track the line position?

## Short Answer

No. Wide sensing ranges (48-960 mm) let the sensor see the entire area without mechanical movement.

## Detailed Answer

No. Traditional line sensors have narrow fields of view, requiring motorized positioning to physically move the sensor until it finds the line. [Roll-2-Roll® Sensors](https://r2r.tech/products/sensors) have wide sensing ranges from 48 mm to 960 mm, allowing the sensor to see the entire potential line position area simultaneously. The sensor and controller automatically identify and track the line within this range—no mechanical movement required.

**Category:** Technical, Installation

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## About Roll-2-Roll Technologies

Roll-2-Roll Technologies designs and manufactures patented fiber-optic web position sensors and advanced web guiding controllers — the precision measurement and control core of modern roll-to-roll manufacturing. Spun out of Oklahoma State University's Web Handling Research Center and trusted by Fortune 500 medical, battery, and nonwovens manufacturers, our patented sensors work without recalibration at ±0.1mm accuracy up to 760 mpm — typical customer outcomes are 50%+ less downtime and payback under six months. Headquartered in Stillwater, Oklahoma, our team of PhDs, controls engineers, and industry veterans extends the sensor + controller core into complete web guide systems including stepper-motor-based linear actuators (RLA, BLA, LHS).

- Website: https://r2r.tech
- Phone: +1 (888) 290-3215
- Email: sales@r2r.tech