Transparent! So what?

New optical sensor system from IPF

Detect transparent objects extremely reliably, regardless of their shape or material thickness? For the new optical sensor system (retro-reflective sensor) OR270478 and the ultrasonic welded reflector AO000548 from ipf electronic, this is no problem.

The decisive reason: the system consisting of an optical sensor and a reflector works with extremely short-wave polarized UV light. For comparison: while the visible red light or infrared light of conventional optical sensors has a wavelength of around 700nm or 880nm, the wavelength of the OR270478 is only 275nm. For physical reasons, the sensor's short-wave UV light cannot penetrate even transparent materials that are otherwise difficult to detect. Corresponding objects therefore no longer have the property of transparency for the novelty, but are rather detected as non-transparent objects.

The high transmittance of transparent objects for visible radiation and the associated challenges for conventional optical sensors (e.g. low switching threshold and thus high sensitivity to soiling) have made it possible for the OR270478 has no relevance whatsoever. In contrast, the new solution from ipf electronic does not require high sensitivity to determine a clear switching threshold, so that even dirt, water droplets or ageing can ensure the proper function of the OR270478 do not interfere with the proper functioning of the OR270478. There is also no need for multiple switching to detect the same object.

The OR270478 with a degree of protection of IP67 achieves a distance range of 40 to 1,200 mm to the reflector and has a high switching frequency of ≤ 1kHz. Equipped with an IO-Link interface, the new solution also enables easy integration into Industrial Ethernet.

Potential fields of application of the OR270478 can be found in a wide range of applications, e.g. position sensing of glass or PET bottles in the beverage industry, position monitoring of glass panes, detection of transparent plastic containers on conveyor belts, recognition of transparent packaging or safety films, etc., etc., etc.

Further links

Retro-reflective sensors OR270478

reflektor AO000548