Baumer is introducing two new sensor types to the market: the „AlphaProx“ distance sensors with IO-Link interface and the chemically robust M12 ultrasonic sensors for use in bottling applications.
The AlphaProx inductive sensors with IO-Link are available in a cylindrical design in sizes with diameters from 6.5 millimetres up to size M30. They detect objects and measure distances over large measuring ranges of up to 18 millimetres with micrometre precision. They can be used for applications as diverse as the detection of batch sizes, the flexible control of Vibratory conveyors or the distance measurement of Gripper jaws can be used. Two switching points, counter values, the switching frequency and other analysis data can be evaluated directly.
Thanks to extended parameter options with IO-Link the sensors can be optimally adjusted to the respective application. IO-Link also enables sensors to be replaced according to the Plug-and-play principle, without the need for manual parameterisation.
As a particularly useful product advantage of the sensors Baumer The evaluation of secondary data such as temperature, supply voltage, operating time or switching cycles. This can be used for predictive maintenance tasks.
Sensor recognises bottles standing close together
Ultrasonic sensors detect objects regardless of their colour and transparency and are therefore ideal for detecting the presence of bottles in bottling plants. A disadvantage to date has been that the sensor front is sensitive to chemical cleaning agents. Baumer presents the new, chemically robust M12 miniature proximity switches „UNAR 12“ with Parylene coating.
The UNAR-12 sensors are suitable for use in a wide range of applications due to the parylene-coated sensor front and an FDA-compliant Stainless steel full metal housing protected from hot water vapour or chemical cleaning agents without any weak points such as LEDs. The design is compact, with a diameter of just twelve millimetres. The sensor and receiver are located in the same housing. No reflector or second sensor needs to be fitted.
The sound beam is very narrow, so that the sensor recognises individual bottles even when they are very close together. At less than six milliseconds, the response time is also very short, which enables high throughput speeds.
Baumer at the SPS IPC Drives 2018: Hall 4A, Stand 335
