Discrete Sensors have existed in the automation & control landscape long before the advent of Programmable Logic Controllers, supplementing relay logic. The function of a discrete sensor is to send high/low, on/off or yes/no signals to the controller regarding the quantity of a physical parameter. The obvious benefit discrete sensors had over analog ones was the absence of deadband, detection speed, analog thresholds and other similar complexities.
Fiber optics have revolutionized the communication industry globally and filled the vacuum left by media such as copper & electromagnetic waves. Providing higher throughput over longer distances, fiber optics form the backbone of the world’s communication, connecting cities, countries, and continents.
However, this isn’t the only application where fiber optics are used. In recent years, fiber optics have also penetrated the industrial sector, providing sensing in hard-to-reach areas that are otherwise affected by electromagnetic interference.
Modern industrial workspaces have dynamic requirements. Industrial networks in high-bay storage systems, gantry crane bridges, and side-tracking skates are plagued with interference over long distances. Currently available devices in the market require a considerable amount of effort for alignment and commissioning so that maximum continuity in the system can be insured.
The ability to analyze and understand large sets of data quickly and accurately is vital to success in modern factory environments. Critical factors such as big data and augmented analytics play key roles in a factory’s ability to operate efficiently, while avoiding potential errors. Below we’ll walk you through the concepts of big data and augmented analytics, the advantages they provide, and various ways they influence the modern factory environment.
Data is sensed, processed & acted upon within an industry through a wide range of sensors & actuators, which by now have become intelligent enough to perform a number of sophisticated activities with little intervention. But despite many innovations in interface technologies, an economical & reliable solution has still been missing that would conclusively address uninterrupted communication down to the lowest field level.
Leuze Electronic IO-Link
IO-Link is a serial, digital communication protocol that would be used within automation technologies to connect sensors/actuators within an automation system. With the IO-Link, the “last mile” problem of communications with sensors & actuators would be neutralized through digitization. While previously only binary switching states and analog signals were transferred, IO-Link would even allow status information to be read by the sensor or actuator.
IO-Link has traversed from the concept of being a bus system and transformed into a point-to-point connection between the IO-Link device and the connection unit.
Leuze Electronic offers several IO-Link products in order to support seamless operation within your automation infrastructure.
Contrast Sensors
Contrast sensors can be used to detect a variety of light sources, from white to laser-generated red to RGB. Leuze Electronic contrast sensors provide highly accurate detection & comparison between changing contrasts and deliver the results with minimal signal jitter.
KRT 3B Series – The series features contrast sensors that can distinguish between grayscale values enabling them to detect minimal contrast deviations. This makes them ideal for sensing the presence of texts or imprints.
KRT 18B Series – Several industrial applications require the detection of contrast marks on film bags and blister packaging. The 18B contrast sensor combines ease of use via permanent signal indicators with high performance. If required, the sensor also provides analog output for heavily demanding detection applications.
Retro-reflective Photoelectric Sensors
Retroreflective sensors are based on the simple principle of obstruction between a light beam, which sparks a response from an actuator. Such photoelectric sensors are commonly used in safety-related applications. Leuze Electronic offers photoelectric sensors based on its IO-link technology to provide uninterrupted, blazing-fast communications to your system. The various sensors offered by Leuze include:
46B diffuse sensors
HT 10 diffuse sensors
3C retro-reflective sensor
46C retro-reflective sensor
Optical Distance Sensors
Optical Distance Sensors make use of pulsed light beams to detect changes in distance from a target surface. These sensors either use laser or LED lights as a medium, precisely measuring the distance over a wide variety of materials. Leuze Electronic offers the following Optical Distance Sensors under its IO-Link banner:
ODSL 8 – Housed in a compact-metal enclosure, the sensor can be commissioned quickly and provides reliable readings.
ODSL 9 – This is a highly precise optical distance sensor, and works against harsh surfaces, e.g. glossy objects.
ODS 10 – The optical distance sensor measures the distance to a non-cooperating target, making the information available as a measurement value. The device works at a maximum range of 4000mm, while a range of 25000mm can be achieved using a reflector.
Light Curtains
Light Curtains are an essential requirement of any facility with machinery that can pose a risk to human life. By eliminating safety risks, light curtains indirectly improve the productivity of the environment. Leuze Electronic offers the following light curtains:
MLC 500 – These are type-4 safety light curtains and can be used to safeguard even the most sophisticated machinery on the plant floor. The devices can be used universally due to their flexible design, and are IP67/69K certified for use in harsh environments.
MLC300 – These are type 2 safety light curtains, available in basic & standard versions, fulfilling a variety of user requirements. The curtains can be used in extensive applications and sport metal end caps, flexible fastening, and AIDA-complaint pin assignment.
Automation has streamlined the modern manufacturing process. Instead of spending hours manually assembling materials, specialized machines now have the ability to quickly and precisely construct products within minutes. This idea can be translated into the concept of virtual automation as well. Because of this, robotic process automation is a key component of almost every modern factory. Below, we’ll explore the basics of robotic process automation and delve into how this specific variant of automation can benefit your organization in the long run.
Ever design a machine only to find out later that there wasn’t a risk assessment conducted? And, as a result, the design had to be modified due to safety requirements, adding additional cost, time and resources.
Magswitch claims it’s changing the way things are done; a statement that is very much accurate. The mechanical device’s phenomenal ability to turn permanent magnetic field on/off at the switch of a button makes it eligible for an exhaustive list of applications, while revolutionizing the way things are currently done in the steel fabrication & handling industry.
How many times have the lights gone out on you at a mission-critical time? How many times have your excursion trips been disturbed due to lack of lighting? Absence of proper lighting can be a deal-breaker at many situations, and you must always be prepared for the worst when it comes to this.
Banner Engineering’s Wireless Solution Kit enables the monitoring of parameters such as vibrations and temperature, forming the basis for predictive maintenance applications. The technology hosts simple construction, easy installation, and wireless networking, enabling plant engineers to collect remote data and visualize it through warnings and alarms.