Abstract: Process for measuring distances by optical means on a specular or quasi-specular strip (1) of bright metal, characterised by the following steps: an incident light beam is emitted by a source (7) incorporated into a measurement head (10), said source projecting a pattern (11) in the form of a plurality of points, preferably a line, arranged along an axis that is essentially perpendicular to the motion direction of the metal surface, in an incidence direction upon a fixed part (5), preferably non-specular, of the installation; firstly, said beam is partially reflected by said fixed part (5) essentially along the same path as the incident beam and in the opposite direction towards a detector (8) belonging to said measurement head (10) and located in the immediate vicinity of said source (7); secondly, said beam is partially reflected towards said metal strip (1), from where it is further reflected in the direction of said detector (8).

Abstract: Process for measuring distances by optical means on a specular or quasi-specular strip (1) of bright metal, characterised by the following steps: