Product category:
Monitoring and sensor equipment and systems
News Release from: Panasonic Electric Works UK | Subject: UZB3 photoelectric sensor
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 01 May 2001
Sensor needs no amplifier or sensing
head
The UZB3 photoelectric sensor has been designed as a cost-effective alternative to conventional fibre-optic devices. All of the optics and electronics are in a small hex-head screw.
The UZB3 photoelectric sensor from Matsushita Electric Works has been designed as a cost-effective alternative to conventional fibre-optic devices This has been achieved by incorporating all of the sensor's optics and electronics into the format of a small hex-head screw, thus eliminating the need to purchase an amplifier and separate sensing head
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 25 Jun 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Apart from cost, the UZB3 also addresses some of the other key limitations of fibre-optic sensors.
Conventional fibre-optic cables are often susceptible to breakage or damage that can impair the performance of the sensor.
The UZB3 has been fitted with a virtually unbreakable cabtyre cable that enables the device to be installed from any direction.
As a result, tubing, which is used to protect conventional fibres from breakage, is not needed.
Furthermore, because the UZB3 can be screw-mounted, the device can be inserted into production lines in exactly the same way as standard fibre-optic sensors.
Effectively a "sensor in a screw" the UZB3 measures just 14mm across the flats and is available in both thru-beam and diffuse-reflective types.
The thru-beam type achieves a long sensing distance of 500mm and is available with an optional slit mask for applications where small object detection is required.
The diffuse-reflective version of the UZB3 incorporates a sensitivity adjuster that is located in the sensor's head - a useful feature for fine-tuning.
Both thru-beam and reflective-diffuse types are available with either PNP or NPN outputs with a choice of Light-on or Dark-on switching.
All types have a high-speed response time of 0.5ms and are equipped with two bright LED indicators.
The UZB3 enables space-critical applications to be considered that previously could only be resolved by use of a relatively expensive combination of amplifier and separate sensing head.
Applications include the sensing of small or fast-moving objects on production lines or automated assembly machines.
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