Product category:
Food and drink manufacturing: processing equipment
News Release from: Balluff UK | Subject: Food and packaging automation sensors
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 02 December 2005
Sensors designed for food and packaging
automation
BLatest brochurefor the food and packaging industry features a variety of sensors designed especially for machinery automation and ranges from detecting clear film to unusual shaped objects.
Balluff introduces its new brochure 'Sensors for Food and Packaging Industry' This full colour brochure features a variety of new products designed especially for food process and packaging machinery automation and highlights Balluff's unique approach to problem solving from detecting clear film to unusual shaped objects
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 24 Oct 2000 at 8.00am (UK)
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The brochure clearly illustrates how Balluff continues to develop clever solutions for the food and packaging industry.
This is demonstrated with the new series BLG 1 Light Grid, which allows detection and measurement of objects - even over large areas.
The BLG 1 photoelectric light grid is designed for any area of automation technology but is especially suitable for the food and packaging industry.
Further reading
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The BOD series Laser Measurement Sensors utilizes the accuracy of laser light to produce an analogue distance measurement sensor with resolution down to 20 microns.
Miniature inductive proximity sensors get smaller
Miniature inductive proximity sensors with long sensing distance are made now with an even smaller package for smaller automatic handling systems, special assembly machines and grippers.
Compact ultrasonics sensors are easy to operate
Compact ultrasonics sensors with numerical digital display needs the operator only to input parameters and then read measuring values in plain text during the running operation.
Working on the basic principle of a through-beam sensor, infrared LEDs are used as the light source.
Among the key applications are detecting, counting and measuring various objects, for example when packages need to be selected or checked on a conveyor.
The height or width of objects can be determined and used as the basis for a decision with respect to further processing.
The BLG 1 Light Grid can detect objects as small as 4mm in diameter.
Two different outputs are available on the system.
The analog output provides a voltage signal proportional to the number of interrupted beams.
This voltage signal can be directly processed in the controller.
A single light grid - consisting of emitter and receiver - allows numerous objects to be detected.
The digital output always becomes active when at least one light beam is interrupted.
This output is ideal for counting objects, and also enables planar presence monitoring.
What makes this product unique is that it can be installed and operated with no special technical expertise.
Installation is simple, and alignment non critical.
The Integrated power and diagnostic indicators make startup and troubleshooting easier.
The housing is made of anodized aluminum and is thus suitable for even harsh environmental conditions.
The light grids are available with controlled heights of 100, 150 and 300 mm and ranges of 850 and 2100mm.
A further product designed especially for the food and packaging industry is the BFS 27K Colour Sensor - economic, fast and sensitive.
These sensors are highly sensitive measuring devices and are ideal for detecting dark colours.
The outstanding features of this new product family include the shortest response times for high-speed applications and high colour sensitivity, in particular when it comes to dark colours and low-reflectivity objects.
Even small colour differences can be detected, for example in quality control of textiles, leather or plastics, such as in the production of packaging materials.
Colour sensors are widely used in the fields of robotics, automation and quality assurance, as well as in production processes.
Quality assurance checking, selection of parts according to colour or sensing cable conductor wire colours are just some of the tasks the BFS 27K colour sensor was designed to handle.
Balluff also offers a wide range of custom tailored accessories such as mounting brackets and connectors.
A feature of the brochure is the problem solver pages, which offers users a quick overview of just some of Balluffs problem solving techniques, highlights of these pages are cap detection, clear object/film detection, unusual object detection, height and level control, product quality control and distance/thickness measurement.
Plus ideas for minimizing the risk of mechanical damage to your sensors and therefore reducing your down-time and sensor cost outlay.
Balluff is your sensor partner with worldwide service.
There are 50 subsidiaries around the world offering perfect solutions and application assistance for automation.
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