Improved Detection Of Dark Or Transparent Objects: Blue Light Retro-reflective Proximity Sensors

Phil Black - PII Editor 27/09/2016

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Blue light sensors from the F 10, F 25 and F 55 series

In many applications, specifically when it comes to the detection of dark or transparent objects, blue light retro-reflective proximity sensors offer improved detection reliability compared with traditional red light sensors.

That is why SensoPart is now expanding its product range in this field: in addition to the tried and tested F10 blue light sub-miniature sensor it has now launched the blue light sensor in miniature and compact form too.

The new series F 25 and F 55 blue light sensors have made it possible to cover scanning distances of up to 1200 mm. Originally developed for detecting solar wafers, blue light retro-reflective proximity sensors have proven extremely reliable in countless industrial applications.

Blue light sensors exhibit outstanding process stability, specifically when it comes to the detection of highly light- absorbent objects, e.g. black plastic/carbon parts or, detection at unfavourable, shallow angles.

The sensors also detect transparent objects such as bottles, syringes or films with just as much reliability as a retro-reflective photoelectric sensor – but without the added expense that is involved in installing the corresponding reflector. In many applications they constitute a cost- effective alternative to photoelectric sensors or light guide systems.

The increased process stability of the blue light series is down to the higher intensity and the reduced depth at which the short-wave blue light penetrates the surface of the target object, resulting in a larger portion of the light returned by the target object being returned to the sensor.

The reliability of the sensors is further enhanced by high-precision background suppression: even very light or reflective backgrounds, for example, reflections of metallic machinery parts, do not interfere with the detection process.

The compact sensor from the F 55 blue light series even offers the possibility of adjusting background suppression with a potentiometer – the only blue light sensor on the market which possesses this feature.

The forerunner among blue light sensors was the F 10 blue light sub-miniature retro-reflective proximity sensor with a maximum scanning distance of 30 mm, which has featured in SensoPart’s range since back at the start of 2014.

Now further additions include another variation on the sub-miniature format (max. scanning distance 50 mm) as well as miniature format configurations (F 25 blue light series, max. scanning distance 80 mm) and compact format versions (F 55 blue light series, max. scanning distance 1200 mm).

This means SensoPart blue light sensors are now available in all industry-standard designs and applications with considerably larger scanning distances are a real possibility. The new products are available now.