AutomationDirect’s new QM series photoelectric sensors are IP67-rated sensors available in three-wire NPN or PNP styles and with visible red and infrared versions. The mini-rectangular photo eye sensors are constructed with plastic housings and have either an attached two-meter output cable or an M8 quick-disconnect connector. The series includes diffuse, diffuse with background suppression, retroreflective, […]
Vision systems
Farsens unveils the PHOTON, a battery free RF field detector
The PHOTON from Farsens S.L., San Sebastián, Spain is a UHF RF field detector passive tag equipped with an LED. Whenever this tag is close to an RF field source, it will harvest the energy from the RF field and drive an LED. The stronger the RF field in a specific point and orientation, the […]
New Miniature Diffuse Mode Photoelectric Sensors from Pepperl+Fuchs
Pepperl+Fuchs has added three high performance diffuse mode sensors to its family of user-friendly and field-proven ML100 Series photoelectric sensors. These new versions are designed to provide advanced performance for increasingly complex and space-constrained applications. The ML100-8-W is equipped with an extra-wide beam light spot for detecting transparent objects or use on heavily textured and […]
Optical Displacement Sensor Squeezes into Smallest Space
If sufficient space is not available, making precision distance measurements at a reasonable cost can be a problem. The SICK Optical Displacement (OD) Mini short range distance sensor addresses these restrictions. With measuring ranges from 100 to 250 mm, the sensor uses CMOS receiver technology to deliver accurate, high-resolution measurements regardless of brightness and color […]
Sensor Webinar: Solving Common Sensor Application Problems
System designers face a surprising variety of sensing issues these days from continuously monitor factory machinery to making multiple measurements with limited space. Sensor suppliers recognize the challenges and with the help of in-house experts have designed solutions to solve these and other problems. The solutions get a lot easier to implement if the supplier […]
New truly powerful universal vision sensor from Balluff
Balluff’s new BVS Universal Vision Sensor truly does what others can’t, including: 360° part position detection, defect finding, contour based counting and matching, bar code reading (linear and 2D DM) and OCV. It also includes a serial port and digital I/O. The Balluff BVS Universal adds a powerful 360° algorithm, providing performance much like that […]
RGB Digital Light Sensor
RGB light sensors help product manufacturers improve both mobile and fixed (TV) viewing for users. Intersil’s ISL29125 RGB digital light sensor includes on-chip IR filtering technology and high angular response in a 1.65 mm x 1.65 x 0.75 mm form factor. With an operating voltage range of 2.25 V to 3.63 V, the sensor delivers […]
Photoelectric and Ultrasonic Sensors Use the Same Design
Photoelectric sensors target applications with very small objects and high speed operation. Ultrasonic sensors detect almost every object. Until now, choosing one design approach posed significantly difficulties if the other type was desired later. With the same design approach, Baumer’s U500 ultrasonic sensor added to its existing portfolio of NextGen sensors changes that. The new […]
Affordable Thermal Imager Announced for Smartphones
At CES 2014, thermal imaging company FLIR announced the FLIR ONE™ personal thermal imaging device that targets consumer applications. The non-contact device detects infrared (IR) energy (heat) and converts it into an electronic signal for displaying a thermal image on a smartphone screen and performing temperature calculations. In its report on “Uncooled Infrared Imaging Technology […]
Google’s Acquisition of Hardware Supplier Advances IoT Connectivity
With Google Inc’s announcement of its plans to acquire Nest Labs Inc, the Internet of Things (IoT) received a tremendous boost. Nest Labs makes smart thermostats and smoke alarms that have a high degree of connectivity. The Nest Protect smoke alarm uses six sensors: photoelectric smoke sensor, carbon monoxide (CO) sensor, heat sensor, light sensor, […]