Detecting and counting clear bottles in pharmaceutical, food and beverage applications has been a difficult sensing challenge. With traditional photoelectric sensors the sensing beam may burn through translucent materials, or the emitted light may reflect off the bottle, resulting in unreliable counting results. Ultrasonic sensors can be used to detect clear objects reliably, but ultrasonic solutions may not have a fast enough response time, and the ultrasonic beam is usually too wide to detect the gaps between bottles. A solution is needed that will reliably count clear bottles as they pass on a conveyor, and is sensitive to the small gaps between targets.
The World-Beam QS30 clear object sensor from Turck Banner has been created specifically to detect and count clear objects reliably. The optical design of the QS30 controls how the emitted light strikes the reflector. The stable and controlled optical path allows the sensor’s microcontroller to detect small changes in the light level. Additionally, the fast 500 microsecond response time makes the sensor able to detect and count the clear bottles as they quickly pass on the conveyor.
For counting applications, the switching threshold is based on the amount of light received by the sensor as the gap between the bottles passes through the light beam. To configure this application, the sensor is aligned to the retroreflector, and the bottles are positioned so that the beam is passing through the gap between the bottles. A Light SET is then performed to teach the sensor the expected light level it should receive from the retroreflector. The user selects a switch point, either 8% (clear), 16% (medium) or 32% (dark) below this taught light level. All conditions darker than this selected switch point will trigger an output.
In this application, the sensor’s automatic compensation algorithm should be disabled to prevent the sensor from adjusting to the brighter light level it receives when no bottle is present. It is advised to select the darkest switch point which reliably detects the bottle. The medium level will work for most applications. Dark level may provide more robust detection under difficult environmental conditions such as dust and vibration.
The QS30 clear object sensor has an innovative 30 mm housing to suit any mounting requirement, and has IP67 or IP69K environmental rating, depending on the model. Not only does it have a high power sensing range of 200 metres, but it is also easily configurable, using either the push button on the sensor or via a remote input line. It includes bright LED operating status indicators visible from 360° for easy identification.
Duct and plant room air quality (PRAQ) sensors Schneider Electric South Africa
Sensors & Transducers
Schneider Electric South Africa offers a comprehensive range of SpaceLogic duct and plant room air quality sensors. These cutting-edge sensors are designed to enhance building air quality and energy efficiency by combining multiple sensing capabilities into a single unit.
Read more...The sensory reaction of the BMS Schneider Electric South Africa
Sensors & Transducers
Today’s building management systems cannot function properly without sensors. Like our senses, they are an integral part of operations that run silently in the background, almost taken for granted.
Read more...Leaders in sensor technology Gail Norton Instrumentation
Sensors & Transducers
Photoelectric eyes have always needed perfect working conditions, but in the workplace there is no such thing. Steam, water, light and dirt interfere with most photoelectric eyes, but never with a Telco sensor.
Read more...A new era in top-notch measurement technology Senseca
Sensors & Transducers
In the ever-evolving world of sensor technology, a new name has emerged that brings a legacy of excellence, innovation and reliability - Senseca. This newly unified brand represents the merger of five industry-leading companies. All have a reputation for delivering top-tier sensor solutions, and have made significant contributions and set high standards in their respective industries.
Read more...Playing autoclave roulette VEGA Controls SA
Sensors & Transducers
Autoclaves ensure the sterility of medical and pharmaceutical products before reaching healthcare providers and their patients. To effectively manage these demanding conditions, VEGA provides reliable solutions, specifically the VEGAFLEX 81 and VEGABAR 83 sensors, which are designed to meet the stringent requirements of autoclave operations.
Read more...New toolset for Turck Automation Suite Turck Banner Southern Africa
Industrial Wireless
Turck is expanding its Turck Automation Suite IIoT and service software platform with the TAS Cloud industrial cloud service for remote maintenance and condition monitoring.
Read more...Condition monitoring to go Turck Banner Southern Africa
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Anyone who wants to efficiently monitor the climate in control cabinets will find a comprehensive range of control cabinet monitors for the DIN rail in Turck Banner’s cabinet condition monitoring family.
Read more...Energy measurement module for BL20 I/O System Turck Banner Southern Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Turck’s BL20 energy measurement module enables precise monitoring of the energy consumption of single- or three-phase systems.
Read more...Compact UHF RFID reader with integrated Ethernet interface Turck Banner Southern Africa
Industrial Wireless
Online teaser: Turck Banner’s Q150 UHF RFID reader has an integrated Ethernet interface. The IP67 reader communicates directly with PC or PLC systems in industrial Ethernet networks having the four most important protocols, without the need for an additional interface.
printer friendly version