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SPS IPC Drives 2015 exclusive show report

03 January, 2016
of IP69K reflector-less sensors that it claims are the only ones capable of detecting transparent objects of any shape at distances of up to 1m. The O300 and O500 SmartReflect Transparent sensors (below) have a response time of 0.25ms and offer three adjustable sensitivity levels, allowing them to detect even transparent films.

Another Baumer debut was a laser distance system that measures up to 600 values from an object and analyses them to produce accurate distance values. The multi-spot Mesax sensor takes up to 500 measurements per second at a resolution of up to 2µm, providing stable results, even in varying light conditions.

Datalogic unveiled a time-of-flight sensor with a new background suppression technology which, it claims, is the best in its class. It adds that the S65 sensor can detect objects with any surface, in any light condition, at longer distances than conventional sensors.

The German sensor-maker ifm electronic launched a series of inductive sensors for detecting metals, which it says are immune from magnetic fields, thus preventing incorrect switching. The IP68/69K sensors have a correction factor (K) of unity, so they have constant sensing range for all metals. They can detect aluminium where other sensors would have a reduced range.

Kübler was showing a hollow-shaft optical encoder with a mounting depth of just 43mm – 27mm less than the equivalent multi-turn encoder with a mechanical gear. The Sendix F883 Motor-Line encoder (below) is available with hollow-shaft diameters up to 15mm, and supports interfaces including SSI, BiSS, SinCos, and RS-422.

Also new from Kübler is a 58mm-diameter EtherNet/IP encoder for time-critical applications. The Sendix F58 encoder is claimed to transmit position values five times faster than rivals and is suitable for applications with update frequencies of up to 1kHz.

Leuze electronic demonstrated a range of optical sensors that can detect objects of different materials (even deep black) under varying lighting conditions over distances from under 50mm­ to 8m with accuracies of ±30mm. The measuring (ODS 10) and switching (HT 10) sensors have a high tolerance of angle of incidence, colours, surface structure and brightness.

Pepperl+Fuchs unveiled a new generation of photoelectric sensors, including one claimed to be the world’s smallest distance sensor of its type. The R100 and R101 sensors (below) encompass both LED and laser technologies and are suitable to both detection and measurement. They include though-beam and retroflective sensors, reflection and background suppression light scanners, light barriers and distance sensors. The sensors all support IO-Link.

Servotronix introduced a range of absolute rotary encoders that use a patented non-periodic pattern and signal processing to generate both Gray codes and high-resolution absolute positions from one circular track. The 36mm-diameter, 22mm-high sensAR encoders are available as single- and multi-turn devices with a maximum resolution of 36 bits.  

Sick unveiled its first 3D vision sensor for applications such as measuring volumes and thicknesses, counting objects and sensing their positions, and monitoring the contents of containers. The TriSpector1000 (below) operates by itself without needing any programming. It uses laser triangulation to capture height profiles of objects on production lines and then generates 3D images of them. The results can be sent to controllers via Ethernet or switching outputs.

Sick was also showing a family of photoelectric proximity sensors including the world’s smallest time-of-flight detectors. The PowerProx MultiTask sensors have sensing ranges from 5cm to 3.8m and they can detect objects that are small, flat, black or shiny. There are versions with one or two separately adjustable switching thresholds, while IO-Link can be




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