Photoelectric Sensors come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and variants including reflective and through beam all of which essentially perform the same purpose, the detection of objects crossing the path of the beam which then leads to a given response from the control system. This could be an alarm if an item is missing or a signal triggering another function of an automation and control process.
Big Things Come In Small Packages
For your average industrial installation there will typically be a suitable photoelectric sensor available, but when the application is very restricted in terms of available real estate, then you will need to look beyond the average sensor offering. The biggest challenge when designing and manufacturing miniaturised industrial photoelectric sensors is combining both the optical and electronic components into one housing, which as you can imagine is a complex engineering solution. Panasonic, with decades of experience with electronic design and miniaturisation were the obvious candidates to develop and manufacture a high-performance range of diminutive photoelectric sensors.
With a width of only 3mm, the EX-Z Series of Miniature Thru-beam Photoelectric Sensors is one of the smallest in the world that also contains a built-in amplifier making them ideal for mounting in tight spaces. This small but mighty range of miniature photoelectric sensors are not only small but have been designed to detect even the smallest objects with a fast response time and with the highest precision. The EX-Z series is especially suited to precise object detection within a limited and challenging installation space. Even though the housing of the sensor is only 3mm deep it contains all the essential technical elements, such as optics, electronics, indicator LEDs, and transistor output. A 2-metre cable is built-in as standard with special lengths being available upon request.
Packed with Technology
Although small in stature these Miniature Through-beam Photoelectric Sensors pack a powerful punch, with the ability to detect objects as small as 0.3 mm diameter without the use of an optional slit and identify objects as small as 1 mm in diameter at up to 500 mm distance (depending on the chosen model), a world class achievement among self-contained miniature photoelectric sensors. The low power consumption of these detection sensors makes them appealing to many industries and coupled with IP67 protection and their excellent vibration and shock resistance the EX-Z series is ideally suited for use in challenging and harsh industrial automation and control environments. Supplied as an emitter and a receiver pair. 3 stainless steel mounting brackets are also available separately along with a polyacetal spacer for through wall sensing, providing numerous mounting and installation options.
EX-Z Photoelectric Sensors Key Features
- Miniature Thru-beam Photoelectric Sensor with built-in amplifier
- Slim 3mm design – including optics, electronics, indicator LEDs, and transistor output
- Front and side sensing types, sensing range 50, 200, 500 mm (model dependant)
- NPN and PNP output versions available
- Response time 0.5 ms or less
- Detects objects with a diameter of as little as 0.3mm (EX-Z11 Version)
- Built-in short circuit protection
- Light-ON, Dark-ON types available
- Voltage rating 12 to 24 Vdc
- Typical dimensions 14 x 8 x 3mm (front sensing type)
- Clearly visible LED spotlight, 650 nm
- Built in LED indicator lights
- Robust PBT enclosure, Polycarbonate lens, 2 metre cable
- Protection rating IP67
- Robot-cable version option
Kempston Controls is committed to finding you the ideal solution for your application. Call us today on +44 (0) 1933 411 411, email us at sales@kempstoncontrols.co.uk, or alternatively contact us here, we will be happy to help.