Feature

Omron introduces new sensors for the food & beverage industry

Omron has introduced a transparent-object sensor and a new sensor series that is detergent resistant, both specifically designed for the food & beverage industry.

15/06/2014 11:45:34

Offering better detection of objects such as glass bottles, PET bottles, transparent trays or packaging film, the E3S-DB transparent object sensor offers high stability. Itis also available in narrow-beam models with a convergent beam that has a focused spot size of just 2mm at a distance of 200mm.

To meet the trend towards the use of thin PET bottles in the beverage industry, E3S-DB sensors apply a technique known as P-Opaquing, which offers increased detection stability through special polarising filters for PET objects. A further advanced feature also automatically compensates for light-level changes caused by ambient conditions, or contamination.

The E3S-DB is capable of detecting just 3 percent light-intensity attenuation at a distance of up to 4m.

The advanced optical system of the E3S-DB also increases stability performance by completely cutting off even the smallest amounts of stray light that might interfere with glass bottle detection. Known as the 'bottle-lens-effect', this unwanted magnification of light intensity commonly causes disruption of glass-bottle detection on packaging lines that use less stable sensors.

Similarly developed to meet the needs of users in the food and beverage industries, Omron has introduced the E3FC series of photoelectric sensors that are detergent resistant.

To allow easy installation and adjustment, these new sensors feature cylindrical threaded M18 bodies of the type often used for inductive sensors. The bodies are manufactured from corrosion-resistant 316L stainless steel, and are partly filled with epoxy resin to provide optimum protection against water jets and industrial detergents and to prevent water entering via either the connector or cable-end.

All E3FC sensors have an IP68/IP69K ingress protection rating and an operating temperature range of -25ºC to +55ºC. Their durability has been verified by extensive testing with a range of detergents and by thermal shock testing in surface-tensioned water.

E3FC products are available in a complete family of through-beam, retro-reflective, diffuse-reflective and background-suppression versions.

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.