Sick TranspaTect optoelectronic sensor

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TranspaTect is an optoelectronic sensor for detecting, counting or positioning transparent objects and optically critical surfaces. The machine has no reflector, which simplifies machine design, cuts commissioning costs, and prevents problems involving replacement due to contamination.

The sensor uses a PinPoint LED as its light source and a switching distance from 0 to 700 mm. Surfaces with optical distortion or other distracting properties can be reliably detected. The optics, electronics and evaluation are accommodated in a zinc die-cast housing.

Instead of a reflector acting as a reference surface, the machine requires only a matt and stable machine background, eg, a glass-bead-blasted stainless steel wall or panel. According to the company, installation and commissioning of the sensor is therefore quicker and cheaper. Because the reference surface, on which sensitivity is taught-in via the teach-in button, is generally much larger than a reflector, accuracy is less critical for sensor alignment.

The sensor carries out continuous threshold adaptation to the new detection conditions caused by contamination (eg, dust or product residues on the optics), ensuring reliable switching behaviour.

The sensor is suitable for the packaging plants of the food and beverages industry. Suitable applications include: monitoring of transparent trays in the inflow tunnels of tray sealers; detection of transparent food packaging on conveyor belts or monitoring bottle flow at the entrance to fillers; detection of transparent packaging materials made of hard and soft plastics and PET preforms at the entrances or exits of plastic injection moulding and stretch blow-moulding machines.