ML6 Photoelectric Sensors Improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

ML6 Series subminiature photoelectric sensors are now available with dual-sensor redundant detection and independent outputs. Long-range background suppression sensing models and retroreflective sensing models with no sensing deadband are also available. These photoelectric sensors help improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) in many types of industrial applications. 

An ML6 photoelectric sensor with dual-sensor redundant detection and independent outputs provides dual beams from two emitter LEDs that reflect light to two receivers, and two independent outputs indicate the state of each separate beam.  This enables users to affordably align or guide translucent paper, plastic, and fabric webs because it serves as two sensors in one package.  When the web is properly positioned,  one beam detects the web while the other beam does not.  This photoelectric sensor can also be used to detect a gap between two objects to suppress the detection of small particles such as textile fibers.  Other potential applications include semiconductor and PCB positioning for conveying and buffering.
 
Two long-range background suppression sensing models, ML6-8-H-150-RT/59/65a/115/136 and ML6-8-H-150-RT/59/65a/115b/136, provide sensing distances 25 percent greater than previous generation ML6 sensors.  This means that the sensor can be mounted further from the object to be detected, which can be beneficial in a multitude of applications in the material handling, printing, semiconductor, and solar industries.

Two new ML6 Series retroreflective sensing models with no sensing deadband, ML6-54-F/25/95/136 and ML6-54-F/25/115/136, are used with a corner-cube reflector and are polarized so that shiny objects will not be erroneously seen as the reflector.  An innovative single optical axis design eliminates sensing deadband.  This functionality is significant in applications that require more signal strength than is available with background suppression sensors, and that sense at either very close or long sensing distances. 

“Retroreflective models with no sensing deadband can be used when rigid reflectors or even reflective tape must be detected up to the sensor face, as a standard retroreflective mode sensor would typically not see reflective tape unless it were two to four inches from the sensor,” explains Jeff Allison, Product Manager, Pepperl+Fuchs.  “They are also well suited for detecting objects such as solar cell wafers and packaged tubes or cartons where precise and repeatable leading edge detection is a must.”

All  non-thru-beam ML6 Series photoelectric sensors feature integrated cross-talk immunity to eliminate concern for side-by-side mounting, a tamperproof design with no external adjustments, 4-in-1 output to reduce inventory requirements and wiring hassles, and superior immunity to ambient light even for high-frequency energy-saving lights.  They also feature diagnostic LEDs in the front and back of the housing for quick and easy status indication and metal-reinforced mounting holes.