News From Balluff-Leuze

Unbeatably short, highly economical, where space is at a premium

With an unrivalled length of just 20 mm they disappear into the C-slot without protruding over the top.  Making them ideal for short-stroke cylinders, mini-grippers and other space-critical applications. And the new cylinder switches are particularly economical. They cost hardly more than a conventional reed switch. The BMF 204K and BMF 214K are also available as V-Twins. Simply two sensors pre-attached to one connector. They save time and installation cost, take up only one terminal and get by with just one connector.

Ecolab

Sensors and systems made of stainless steel offer everything you need to design your production process for safety, stability and hygiene. And perfected fastening and wiring technology in stainless steel guarantees optimal integration. Optimized for extreme conditions, the Balluff line of stainless steel products is resistant to aggres­sive cleaning agents and designed to provide the most reliable sealing (IP 67, IP 68 and IP 69K). These products also meet all the specifications and directives for the pharmaceutical and foods industry.

Stainless steel sensors and systems

• From mini-sensors to 30 mm diameter – the largest standard line of inductive sensors in stainless steel
• Proxinox and Steelface. All stainless of the highest quality – for the highest pressures and temperatures
• Photoelectric sensors for the harshest environments. IP 69K rated for resistance and sealing against aggressive media in the cleaning process
• Stainless steel capacitive sensors for use near the product. For reliable, accurate level sensing
• Micropulse transducers for product-contacting use – such as in level sensing. Developed to FDA standards and FDA3A certified
• Industrial RFID systems. Read and write –even through stainless steel covering

Reliable Detection of Dark and shiny objects!

The Leuze electronic 46 series has been extended to include an exciting new highlight: Diffuse reflection light scanner IHRT 46/4.01-800-S12 with background suppression. Due to the use of particularly intensive infrared light, this diffuse reflection light scanner is capable of detecting objects largely irrespective of their colour or surface properties. This makes it particularly suitable for detecting dark objects, even at distances of up to 1 metre, and for reliable recognition of shiny vessels. Objects such as wood or building boards are detected reliably by the IHRT 46 scanner even at shallow angles. Alongside a compact housing and an “autocontrol” warning output, this sensor is characterized by extreme performance reserves even at long ranges and outstanding black and white properties.

The position of moving plant and machine parts can be measured with hitherto unattainable accuracy using the new AMS 200 laser distance measuring devices. In addition, a logical design concept offers simple operation and maximum ease of installation.

Optical distance measurement based on the light propagation principle using red light laser is a tried-and-tested method for permanent position sensing of moving plant and machine parts such as for example rack handling systems, portal crane gantries, travelling trolleys or transfer bridges. With the AMS 200 Absolute Measuring System, Leuze electronic is setting new standards as regards accuracy, data transparency, handling and design. Measured positions are reproduced with millimetric accuracy up to a range of 200 meters. Thanks to the most modern laser technology and manufacturing processes, extreme accuracy of ±3 millimetres is ensured over a measuring distance of 200 metres.

The reduced tolerances of the devices in relation to each other allow simpler replacement and eliminate the need for teach-in of positions in installations of similar precision. The functionality and design are also unique. By combining laser technology with the most modern signal processors, the user receives an image of the actual values which can be used without limitation for positioning in position control circuits. Interfaces for Profibus DP and SSI are available at the same time. In the same way as the standardised M12 connection technology, they are accessible from the front. An operating display, also on the front, offers 100% transparency as regards current measuring values, set parameters or warning messages. Operation is intuitive by means of four buttons. An integrated alignment unit which enables easier positioning and adjustment of the laser is part of the design concept aimed at simple access and greater setting convenience.

The new BPS 8 barcode positioning system from Leuze electronic is designed for ease of use and operation. In conjunction with the MA 8-01 connection unit, the system permits low-cost solutions within the industrial sector.

Optical measuring methods are particularly suitable for establishing the positions of rail-mounted industrial trucks, overhead carrier systems, hoists, rack handling and similar automatic transport systems. They function without mechanical wear or slippage. With the Barcode Positioning System (BPS) from Leuze electronic, positions can be exactly determined in both horizontal and vertical travel. The BPS determines its position relative to the barcode tape by means of a visible red light laser. The codes which are read within the scanning range of the laser beam make it possible to calculate the position with millimetric accuracy using a combination of code information and code position. A large scanning distance is able to compensate for mechanical tolerances.

In addition to the BPS 34/37 already mentioned, Leuze has developed a new variant which has been optimised from the functional point of view. The new ' BPS 8 transfers the position values which have been calculated to the higher-level control system via an RS232 interface. For use in industrial environments, such as car body overhead conveyors within vehicle manufacturing or the automotive supply industry, an interfacing unit (MA 8-01) can adapt the level for the supply voltage as well as for the switching input and output. In addition, this means that a RS485 interface is available. Accommodated in small, robust metal housings, the new BPS 8 units fulfil Protection Class IP67. The equipment is simple to assemble and allows precise positioning up to a distance of 10,000 metres.

New 'L' Shaped sensor from Balluff

The New BWL L-Shaped Self-Contained Thru-Beam Sensor Balluff’s new BWL L-shaped thru-beam sensor was designed especially for hazardous duty situations.

The new L-shaped sensor can be used in a variety of applications where a fork style sensor would be too large or inappropriately configured.

Above, the BWL sensor is mounted between the rollers of a conveyor where it is protected, yet can still sense the edge of a steel slab.

Features:

- Rugged zinc plated housing withstands abuse
- High power IR light burns through heavy contamination
- Easy installation

Compact Plus light curtains

The Leuze Lumiflex COMPACT Plus Light curtains are now available with Blanking (fixed blanking or floating blanking), integrated muting interface, ASi Safe, relay or solid state interfaces. Certified to safety cat. 4 and AS4024 equivelents they offer a new concept in machine safety guarding.

Blanking units support reduced resolution, as well as multi-zone blanking modes. Blanking can be taught in with a magnetic service key or via a key-switch input. All units include the new built in alignment aid. Optional are built in laser alignment tools. Perfect for applications requiring material feed through the curtain, or something that in mechanically mounting in part of the curtain zone, blanking modes are quick and easy to set-up.

Muting versions can be configured for many different muting modes including 2 sensor parallel, 4 sensor parallel, 4 sensor sequential, and 3 sensor directional. Available with a variety of muting interfaces, optional integrated LED muting lamp and configurable parameters (via the SAFETYlab software) the COMPACT plus curtains will solve more applications than ever before. Get more for your dollar with Leuze Lumiflex light curtains.

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SlagMaster (tm) Coating

Extend sensor's life in welding applications Balluff's new Slagmaster(tm) coating technology dramatically increases sensor life in resistance welding applications.

This coating can be applied to inductive proximity sensors with virtually no sensor performance degradation, allowing the sensor to resist weld slag buildup, high heat, and mechanical damage.

Compact Plus muting transceiver

Productivity and safety count among the essential requirements of automated manufacturing systems. In materials handling technology, safety light barriers with a muting function can ensure the safety of personnel at all times, without holding up the conveyance of materials. The new CPRT-m type 4 multibeam safety light barrier made by Leuze Lumiflex offers a particularly flexible and economic solution for this purpose. So as to keep the outlay on cabling as low as possible, the active components - transmitter, receiver and the integrated evaluation unit - are all accommodated together in as single housing (known as a ‘transceiver’).

All the sensors that are required in order to distinguish between human beings and materials, together with the operating and display components, can likewise be connected by means of M12 connection technology directly to the device on site, without need of a cable connection to the switch cabinet. On the other side of the conveyance path a pre-adjusted deflecting mirror system effects the passive deflection of the beam back to the transceiver.

Various output component groups, selectable at will - such as semiconductors, relays or the integrated AS-i safety interface - offer optimal conditions for integrating the device with any kind of control system. The various muting modes can be selected by means of six DIP switches. An integrated infrared interface facilitates application-specific parameterisation and diagnosis by means of the SafetyLab PC software.

Muting can be more than just muting - as you can see for yourself.

SteelFace (tm)Inductive Sensors

The rugged stainless steel sensor for extreme environments Balluff's new SteelFace(tm) sensors are designed to survive the most extreme environments. The SteelFace(tm) sensor enclosure is milled from one piece of solid stainless steel with an impact and abrasion resistant face approximately 1mm thick.

LED Beacon Range 829 with LED Flash

With the LED beacon range 829, several varying light effects can be realized with only one device.

It offers permanent, blinking and rotating LED light signals and is available in the form of combined versions. Furthermore, the range offers a high capacity LED flash which, thanks to the application of LED, offers a life duration of up to 50,000 hours and thus comes with an endurance which is significantly higher than that of conventional xenon flashes.

All versions use integrated LEDs in the same colour as the dome. This ensures colour-intensive light effects.

The LED beacons can be easily mounted to machines, brackets or tubes. A wire guard for vandalism protection is available for base mounting versions. All beacon types have a protection rating of IP 65.

New Fork Sensor Offers Exceptional Performance

Labelling always stands for high-speed precision. The Leuze fork sensor GS06 fully comes up to this requirement. When triggering labelling machines it operates with utmost accuracy and reliability. Its mouth widths of 2 mm and 5 mm allow the detection of a wide range of labels.

Due to the high switching frequency of the GS06 even smallest gaps between labels can be reliably detected. This results in a very high reproducibility. The GS06 is the world's very first fork sensor using an integrated modulated light source. With this sophisticated technology its intelligent receiver can differentiate between the transmitted light and external light coming from other sources. This reliably helps to avoid incorrect labelling as a result from spurious light.

User friendly adjustment for Leuze means that the sensor can be set to individual applications by simply pressing its integrated teach button. For more demanding applications the GS06 is also available with a multithread potentiometer that allows the most precise adjustment of the sensor. With its push/pull outputs the GS06 can be connected to both PNP- and NPN controllers. Its light dark switching feature guarantees optimum adjustment to the controller. Fast setting up is supported by 3 versions that allow connecting the sensor either through M8/M12 round plug or cable with open ends.