Application Spotlight Extreme Temperature Photoelectrics

Often times, standard photoelectric sensors are used in conditions they were not intended for, such as high heat or extreme cold environments. The result is unsatisfactory performance that does not meet customer requirements. Balluff manufactures sensors with enhanced capabilities to resist cold or heat. They are easily installed and are robust enough to operate reliably in extreme conditions, without the need for replacement or constant maintenance. n n n n Robust, metal housed sensors succeed where others will not High temperatures up to +250 C Low temperatures down to -25 C Anti-fog reflectors for cold, moist conditions

Marble Counting in Hot Environment

Jam Detection in Cold Environment

High temperature applications, such as detecting and counting molten glass marbles as they leave the furnace, require a special sensor. In this application, a thru-beam fiber optic pair with steel cladding is installed directly on the output chute of the furnace, and detects the marbles as they roll down the chute. Unlike a diffuse sensor that would be fooled by hot objects or a polarized retroreflective sensor whose reflector would melt, the fiber optic solution is reliable and holds up well to such high temperatures. In addition, the high-heat fiber optic cables can be mounted at the ideal spot to see the marbles, rather than farther away to prevent heat damage. The length of the cables also allows the customer to mount the amplifier farther back from the process where it is cooler.

Many food packaging applications are faced with environmental issues that effect sensor performance. In this seemingly typical jam detection application on a seafood processing line, the sensor and reflector are set up across from each other on the conveyor. The output of the sensor transitions as the seafood containers pass by. If there is a jam, the output does not transition, and the controller signals an error. However, the temperatures in this environment can be below 32 F, which, combined with the humidity in the room could cause fogging on the reflector. To get around this potential performance limitation, the BOS R-36 reflector with special coating that resists fogging is used.

Part Number High Temperature

BOS 18M-PA-1PF-E5-C-S4 BFO 18A-LAA-MZG-20-1

Description
M18, fiber optic sensor - rated to 55 C (131 F) 1m, glass, thru-beam fiber optic - rated to *250 C (482 F) 1 2 1 2

Low Temperature
BOS 21M-PA-PR10-S4 BOS R-36 BOS R-37 Polarized retroreflective sensor - rated to -25 C (-13 F) Anti-fog reflector, 40x60 mm Anti-fog reflector, 100x100 mm 3 4 5

*Temperature when fiber is not flexed. 170 C (338 F) when flexed.

www.balluff.com/ExtremePhotoeyes
Balluff, Inc. n 8125 Holton Drive Florence, KY 41042 n 1-800-543-8390 n www.balluff.com

PS_040 Extreme Temperature Photoelectrics 2009-11