Application Spotlight - Ultrasonic Sensors

Ultrasonic Sensors - Sound solutions for object detection and measurement

Whether your application is position detection, distance measurement, or the detection of solid, powder, or liquid media: BUS ultrasonic sensors are precise all-around performers. They remain high-performance independent of color, transparency, and surface properties. Even poor lighting conditions and dark, transparent, or highly reflective objects pose no problem.

Ultrasonic sensors show their true strength when long operating ranges with high accuracy are needed. In dusty, humid, and hazy environments, they are sometimes the only alternative. Even in the case of heavy debris, BUS sensors have proven themselves.

Ultrasonic sensors can be used in many application areas

Foil tear monitoring Ultrasonic sensors
with switching output can be used for foil tear
monitoring. If large waves are formed in the foil,
the sensor should be operated as a diffuse
reflective sensor. This operating mode functions
reliably even if the sound is reflected by waves in
the foil.

Height and width measurement
Through the use of multiple BUS M30 or
BUS 18M ultrasonic sensors, three-dimensional
measurements can be made for everything from
small boxes to large cartons.

Presence verification BUS detect filled or
empty pallets and measure the content of
transport containers. If a box or a container is to
be inspected with multiple sensors, they can be
synchronized with each other.

Robot positioning Due to their small dimensions, BUS are
ideally suited for exactly positioning robot arms:
BUS 18M ultrasonic sensors in threaded
sleeve and BUS R06K in block-style housing.

Control foil sag and monitor roll diameter Using an ultrasonic sensor with analog output, the material on a roll or a coil is detected and the roll drive or a brake readjusted. Another sensor with analog output readjusts the material infeed at the dancer roller as a function of the cable loop.








Scott Equipment offers a complete line of ultrasonic sensors from Balluff.  For additional information on Balluff ultrasonic sensors contact us or visit the Balluff Website.




Application spotlight provided by Balluff: 
Balluff, Inc.
8125 Holton Drive
Florence, KY 41042
www.balluff.us

Ethernet/IP Network I/O Video from Balluff

Video overview of Balluff's Ethernet/IP I/O:

New Balluff Low-Profile Transducer - Micropulse PF®

Today more applications than ever in automation need linear position feedback.  Many of these applications have requirements to fit them into smaller spaces. To give us more space saving options Balluff has released the PF or "Perfect Fit" Micropulse® transducer.

The Micropulse® PF series provides accurate, reliable linear position feedback, in a sleek, industrial, low-profile anodized aluminum housing.

• Low-profile, space-saving housing
• Non-contact magnetostrictive technology
• Absolute analog output
• Stroke lengths up to 180"
• Accurate, rugged, and reliable
• 5-day standard delivery
• Assembled in the USA

Less than 1" high, the Micropulse PF is ideal for space critical applications. The rugged, compact, extruded-aluminum housing fits into even the tightest space.

The Micropulse PF is available with voltage (0…10V, -10…+10V) or current (0.1…20 mA or 4…20 mA) outputs. The sensing element and processing electronics are contained within the Micropulse PF’s low-profile housing. No additional processing electronics are required.

ZERO and SPAN can be easily and quickly programmed anywhere within the active stroke. Programming can be done through the connector, either manually or by using the optional in-line programming box.

The Micropulse PF® has an industry-standard M12 connector.  The integrated bi-color status LED provides at-a-glance confirmation of operational status, and also provides visual feedback during stroke scaling.

Want to learn more?

Download the Micropulse PF® brochure

Need application assistance or an onsite product demonstration?

Contact Scott Equipment

Balluff EtherNet/IP machine mount I/O Blocks

Balluff has introduced a new line of EtherNet/IP™ machine mount I/O blocks. Balluff's EtherNet/IP™ line consists of twelve versions of IP67 of machine mount I/O blocks and an IP 67 unmanaged switch.

[High Resolution Picture Link]

I/O Block Network Features:

• Easy, flexible IP addressing methods
• BOOTP/DHCP
• IP67 quick change addressing plug (IPAP)
• Addressable display (100 series only)
• Webserver interface
• Certified by ODVA to ensure reliable operation and complete interoperability
• Operates at 10 Mbit/s and 100 Mbit/s speeds for maximum throughput (auto recognize)
• Rugged M12 (D-coded) ethernet connector
• Supports star topology for increased reliability, accurate troubleshooting, and fast commissioning

Highly Visible Status LEDs

Status LEDs are vital during setup, preventative maintenance, and unplanned downtime. Traditional LEDs often become unreadable in the harsh and crowded manufacturing environment, but Balluff's LEDs are big, bright, and easy to see.

Detailed Level of Diagnostics

Many diagnostic features including monitoring low voltage conditions on the auxiliary power connector, short circuit and overload status.  

Powerful and Safe Outputs

Output current of up to 2 amps the output blocks are capable of driving almost any load.  Each output incorporates low trip overload protection with LED indication and a latching feature for easy troubleshooting.

Innovative Housing Design

This fully potten housing survives being stepped on, hit, improperly mounted, covered with debris, and splashed with caustic liquids. Super low-profile helps keep cables tucked safely out of harm's way. Rounded corners offer highly visible locations for channel markers. Strong metal housing requires only two mounting points and is tolerant of over-tightening.

Local Storage of IP Address

Unique IP67 Address Plug (IPAP) stores the block’s IP address, subnet mask, and gateway address. The IPAP has the additional features of user defined LEDs (which can aide in troubleshooting) and has an attachement strap to fix the IPAP to the network cable.

Addressable Display (100 series only)
Backlit display shows IP address, subnet mask, and gateway address. Push buttons allow the setting of any octet of the above addresses. The display can be locked out via the controller.

User Defined LEDs (100 series only) 

Similar to the IPAP, the display has the additional feature of red and green LEDs, which aid in troubleshooting.

For more information:

• Balluff EtherNet/IP™ Catalog
• To Order - Contact Scott Equipment (product is available for order via phone 800-222-2903, online ordering coming soon).
• Video - Link to Balluff EtherNet/IP YouTube Channel

Analog feedback for Grippers

Many applications have a need for precise jaw position feedback on pneumatic grippers.  Precise jaw position feedback may be needed for higher process speeds or improved quality control.  A few of ideas for use of the analog feedback on pneumatic grippers are to:

• Differentiate objects by physical size based on jaw position.
• Feedback to an analog pressure control circuit to control grip pressure based on position to prevent object deformation while ensuring a secure grip on the object.
• Part present in gripper detection.

Balluff offers a number of sensors and technologies ideal for analog feedback relative to jaw position on pneumatic grippers:

Measurement with analog magneto-inductive linear sensors (BIL or Micro BIL)
An analog sensor that uses magneto-inductive linear technology is attached to the gripper in a position where it will sense the grippers internal magnet mounted on the piston.  The Micro BIL unit (pictured below) can slide into the t-slot of many modern grippers, taking the place of existing hall-effect or reed-switches and providing analog feedback.

Measurement with analog inductive sensor
To use this method you utilize an analog proximity sensor.  The analog proximity sensor measures position based on the amount of the sensor face  covered by a moving target on the gripper.  The image below shows an example of how this could be mounted and used.

Analog prox sensor detects jaw position.

Direct measurement of a inclined target

Better suited for large grippers with longer strokes a inclined target, like shown below, moves with the gripper jaw.  An analog inductive sensor detects the inclined target and feeds back jaw position.

For more information contact Scott Equipment.  We will be glad to assist you in specifying a Balluff analog sensor for your application.

Balluff Power Supplies starting at $36.00

Scott Equipment has an incredible deal on Balluff's line of power supplies.  Starting at just $36.00 for the 750mA unit these power supplies are feature rich and priced right.

• Single Phase up to 20A
• Three Phase up to 40A
• Ultra reliable
• Built-in overload and overvoltage
• Parallel or single mode
• Load regulation to +/- 1%
• Long Life - MTBF 24 years when operating at published specifications.
• CE, UL/cUL & TUV approvals
• Rugged DIN Rail Mounts

To view Single Phase models and Pricing [click here]

To view Three Phase models and Pricing [click here]