SICK (www.sickusa.com), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sensors, safety systems, machine vision, and automatic identification products for factory and logistics automation, today announced the launch of the WL27-3 Reflex Array photoelectric sensor for reliable leading edge detection of irregular shaped objects. Any object 12 mm or larger is detected with the Reflex Array’s 50 mm detection height, regardless of object properties or position within the array - including clear materials.
The WL27-3 Reflex Array provides low-cost area detection in a standard sensor platform. Operating in a “reflex” (retro-reflective) mode results in only having to mount and power a single device, reducing costs. Further, an intuitive alignment/teach procedure quickly ensures the device is operating under ideal conditions with the reflector. A high resolution version offers a Minimum Detectable Object (MDO) resolution down to 5 mm with 24 mm detection height.
Applications include leading edge detection of irregularly shaped objects, such as products with tapered edges (totes), bagged product, warped boards, and packaged product. This also includes continuous edge detection of multi-height objects, pallets and containers with holes/gaps. With these applications, the reflex array can oftentimes displace the traditional approach of small light grids or stacked photoelectric sensors.