Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring


Fibe-optic colour mark sensors - simpler design with higher resolution

May 2000 Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring

Banner Engineering now offers the R55F Series fibre-optic colour mark sensors - compact, solid-state devices with high performance. Their high resolution can detect 16 levels of greyscale at up to 10 000 actuations per second. Models with glass fibres are ideal for applications in harsh environments, including printing and food handling. Plastic fibre models are perfect for applications that require fibre flexing with no loss of performance, including robotic end effectors.

The R55F is simple to operate with all adjustments on the front panel. An innovative Teach function gives the operator two options, Static teach and Dynamic teach, to streamline set-up and sensing threshold programming. Static teach is used to set sensing conditions manually. Dynamic teach enables users to "teach" the sensor a series of conditions on-the-fly, average the sensing events, and then set and periodically update the threshold between the "light" and "dark" conditions to automatically compensate for changing sensing conditions. The operator can manually tweak the microprocessor-selected settings by simply pushing the up or down buttons.

With a choice of red, green, white or blue visible sensing beam, Banner Engineering says that R55F sensors can detect all colours and solve all colour mark applications. The sensors respond to "light" or"dark" signals to accurately detect even the most challenging colour mark combinations, including 20% yellow on newsprint.

In the sensor's set-up mode, users can program the outputs for "light operate" or "dark operate" and one of three output delay options. Teach programming can also be accomplished remotely, via switch or process controller, for added automation and security.

Mounting options include DIN rail mounting, and a special bracket, which allows flat mounting, and direct machine mounting. The included bracket provides identical footprint dimensions and mounting holes to competitive devices, making the R55F a convenient direct replacement, with more features. A mechanical holding feature captures, locks and seals the fibres to an IP67 rating, without the need for special tools.

Advanced diagnostics on the units include green LEDs that indicate "light operate" , "dark operate" and selected delay, and a yellow LED that indicates "outputs conducting". A highly visible, 10-segment, green LED bar provides continuous signal indication, aiding the user significantly during set-up and operation.

The units have bipolar outputs, NPN (sinking) and PNP (sourcing), that switch 150 mA, and integral circuitry that guards against reverse polarity, transient voltages, false pulse on power-up, continuous overload and short circuit of outputs. R55F sensors operate in temperatures of -10 to +55°C, with maximum relative humidity of 60% at 50°C (noncondensing) and meet IP67 environmental standards. Users can choose models with an integral 2 m cable or quick disconnect connector.



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

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...
Monitoring the voltage drop in cables
Turck Banner Southern Africa Electrical Power & Protection
With its new M12Plus connectors, Turck Banner is directly shifting the condition monitoring of cables subject to severe stress to the connection technology. The connectors, which come with voltage and current monitoring and a Bluetooth chip, enable measured voltage and current values to be sent wirelessly to a controller.

Read more...
Ensuring occupational health and safety in mining
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Probe Integrated Mining Technologies (Probe IMT) has partnered with M3SH Technology to offer state-of-the-art environmental monitoring solutions that address these dual requirements.

Read more...
Improved inductive coupler sets
Turck Banner Southern Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Online teaser: Turck Banner has updated its inductive coupler sets and now also offers additional functions such as selective pairing in addition to improved performance.

Read more...
Sustainability of surface water
Endress+Hauser South Africa Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
The sustainability of surface water is critical for South Africa’s economic development, social well-being and environmental health. Endress+Hauser has a full range of liquid analysis sensors and transmitters to measure important parameters and has an excellent global track record in water and wastewater process plants and various surface and industrial water monitoring sites.

Read more...
Advantages of wireless storage tank and container tank level monitoring
Turck Banner Southern Africa Editor's Choice
Implementing a tank monitoring system that utilises ultrasonic or radar sensors in a wireless network has many advantages.

Read more...
Keeping an eye on invisible radiation
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
At its peak in 1994, the energy generation capacity of the UK’s nuclear power stations was 12,7 GW across 16 plants. In 2024, the capacity has fallen to around 5 GW, and the number of stations is down to nine. However, this is far from the end of the story as spent nuclear fuel remains radioactive for centuries, and requires rigorous safety processes to safeguard against leaks.

Read more...
Robust Ethernet cordset series of cables
Turck Banner Southern Africa Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
Turck Banner offers a product range comprising a wealth of different connectors and cables, including over 115 000 connection technology solutions with differing degrees of complexity.

Read more...
Multicolour strip lights with superior environmental resistance
Turck Banner Southern Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Turck Banner’s industrial LED lighting products are high-quality and energy-efficient lights that provide years of maintenance-free operation, with no bulb or ballast changes required throughout the lifespan of the device.

Read more...
Machine safety, diagnostics and data security
Turck Banner Southern Africa IT in Manufacturing
Personnel safety systems on machines are often seen as a necessary evil. To function correctly, a safety device is required to be self-checking, which adds more complexity and costs compared to a non-safety device.

Read more...