Posted to News on 13th Jul 2020, 12:46
SICK goes the distance with its miniature PowerProx sensor
SICK says it has shrunk its high-performance PowerProx sensor into a space-saving miniature housing to reach the longest distances ever achieved with such a compact device. The tiny SICK WTT4SL PowerProx Mini photoelectric sensor measures just 12.2 × 41.8 × 17.3mm yet delivers performance good enough to detect objects up to 1.3m away, making it well suited for high-speed production and logistics applications.
The PowerProx mini can be integrated into tight machine spaces (such as the grippers of picking robots or for materials handling duties in AGVs), as well as for empty bay and clearance detection in high-bay warehouses. SICK reports that it has engineered its autocollimation time-of-flight sensing technology to fit into the exceptionally small housing, ensuring reliable high-speed detection, with excellent repeatability even in challenging ambient conditions - and without cross-talk interference from other sensors. The responsive Powerprox Mini finds leading edges with precision even at high process speeds with the ability to detect targets reliably through small holes, for example for quality control inspection of automotive parts assemblies.
David Hannaby, SICK's UK Product Manager for Presence Detection says: "The SICK Powerprox Mini can replace through beam, background suppression or reflex sensors, so machine builders and production teams can streamline their inventories while still guaranteeing high-performance sensing. The Powerprox Minis can be set up in an instant using the on-board teach-in function, or via IO-Link. It's all the reliability, repeatability and versatility you expect from SICK, packed into a sensor no larger than a packet of sugar cubes."
With the option of IO-Link and up to eight variable switching outputs, the SICK Powerprox Mini can easily be configured for multi-task applications, says the manufacturer. Its 100 per cent background suppression ensures only the target is detected without any interference from high-viz jackets or shiny metal objects behind it. The SICK WTT4SL Powerprox mini is offered in speed or distance variants: excellent repeatability ensures reliable counting, quality control and sorting applications in high-speed FMCG production packaging processes, even with products that have different surfaces. Its red-light Class 1 (eye-safe) laser, small light spot size and wide angle of incidence with switching frequencies up to 1kHz are said to ensure competitive performance across a broad range of applications.
Learn more about the SICK WTT4SL PowerProx Mini photoelectric sensor at www.sick.co.uk.
