Banner Engineering World-Beam QS30 Clear Object Sensors are robust, easy-to-use

Banner Engineering World-Beam QS30 Clear Object Sensor is said to provide reliable clear object detection to solve challenging applications by using an advanced optical design to allow the sensor to see translucent materials. Link to related video.

September 19, 2009

Banner Engineering World-Beam QS30 Clear Object Sensor in line

Proximity Sensor Tutorial Video: Photoelectric and Fixed-frame Sensors includes information about other Banner Engineering World-Beam sensors.

Banner Engineering World-Beam QS30 Clear Object Sensor provides reliable clear object detection to solve challenging applications, the company says, by using an advanced optical design to allow the sensor to see translucent materials, ensuring dependable detection of clear targets, including PET bottles and glass containers. The optical design prevents the sensor from being tricked by specular reflections, allowing detection of optically engineered surfaces, such as mirrors, LCD glass with polarizing films, and semiconductor wafers – any clear, translucent, or opaque targets-including reflective surfaces.

"Detecting clear objects is a difficult sensing challenge in many real-world situations," said Dennis Smith, technical marketing engineer at Banner. "The optical design of the Clear Object Sensor controls how the emitted light strikes the reflector, and it prevents false light signals from reaching the photodetector. The stable and controlled optical path allows the sensor’s microcontroller to detect small changes in the light level, so even clear objects that alter the light level only slightly will activate the sensor. It is a very sensitive and highly reliable clear object detector."

Banner Engineering World-Beam QS30 Clear Object Sensor

It configures with a pushbutton on the sensor or via a remote input line. The user can select from one of three switching thresholds-light, medium or dark, depending on the target’s transparency level-to optimize detection and maximize sensing stability. An automatic compensation algorithm adapts the switching threshold to the sensor’s environment in real time. The microcontroller filters out small changes due to dust or contamination on the sensor and reflector or small changes caused by ambient temperature shifts. These features ensure long and trouble-free sensor operation, with faster detection than ultrasonic, Banner Engineering says.

Applications include bottle jam detection, bottle counting, and bottle down detection; food processing and packaging machines; plate glass or clear web detection; and semiconductor wafer detection.

The sensor has:

– IP67 (NEMA 6) and 1,200 psi washdown per NEMA PW12, ratings for harsh environments, dust or contamination on the sensor or reflector, and for ambient temperature changes;

– Range of 100 mm to 2 m, with a fast 0.5 millisecond response rate;

– Easy configuration and status monitoring during operation with the easy-to-read bar graph display, with three selectable thresholds based on target type;

– Simple alignment with visible red emitter beam; it includes two reflectors;

– Compact worldwide standard housing, mounting versatility; and

– 30 mm threaded barrel or side-mount;

– Bright LED indicators for power and output status; and

– 10 V to 30 V dc operation.

Learn more from Banner Engineering about the Clear Object Sensor and view an interactive demonstration .

Banner Engineering Corp. is at booth 1000 at Design & Manufacturing Midwest , Sept. 22-24, 2009, Rosemont, IL.

-Edited by Mark T. Hoske, editor in chief, Control Engineering www.controleng.com

Read more about sensors at the Control Engineering industrial sensor channel.