In industrial automation it is often important to be able to detect an edge. The most common application where edge detection is used is in a copy counter application. Other examples of industrial applications are:
- Counting packages with no physical separation;
- Counting boxes that are stacked;
- Exact edge detection for a label application, for example;
- Detecting edges in cutting applications;
- Seamless detection of every individual copy;
- Counting newspapers and magazines in a Lap stream application
It is of importance that this can be performed at high speeds and that the sensor is insusceptible to color, detects all thicknesses and does not make contact with the target. Edge detection sensors can detect objects from a height difference of 0.05 mm.
RED-110 copy counters for edge detection
According to our experts, the best sensor for this is the RED-110. This is a relatively new sensor and is more often chosen over the existing alternatives. This is because the specifications and performance are better and the price is significantly lower.
The functioning of the edge detection sensor is illustrated in the image on the right. Because the laser beam is emitted in an angle, the receiver 1 (CH0) and receiver 2 (CH1) receive a signal. When something passes by, like a newspaper or a sheet of paper for example, the reflection changes and so does the signal. The edge is detected.
Comparison copy counters from Sensor Partners & Baumer
To make a clear comparison between the copy counters of Sensor Partners, the RED series, and that of a competitor Baumer, we have listed the specifications of both next to each other. It can be said that the sensors from the RED series are significantly better performing at the two most important operational specs.
*Price is the average of 3 offers, june 2019
In the comparison table the following types are taken into consideration from Baumer Scatec: FLDK 110C1003/S42, FLDK 110C1005/S42, FLDK 110G1003/S14, FLDK 110G1003/S42, FLDK 110G1005/S14, FLDK 110G1006/S14, FLDK 110G1010/S14, FLDK 110G1303/S14, FLDM 170C1011/S42, FLDM 170C1030/S42, FLDM 170G1011/S42, FLDM 170G1030/S42.
Minimum edge height
In addition to a higher counting speed, the RED series sensors are also capable of detecting small transitions in the material. The minimum edge height is 0.02 mm. To put this in perspective: Baumers SCATEC series require a minimum edge height of 0.1 mm.
Counting speed
The counting speed of the RED series from Sensor Partners is 33% higher than that of Baumers ‘SCATEC’. Where SCATEC can only performs at 3 million copies per hour, the RED series performs at 5 million copies per hour.
Price
The RED series do not only provide operational advantages. Financially the RED series are also better due to the fact of RED sensors being three times lower priced on average than the SCATEC series of Baumer.
Would you like to receive more information about the RED series from Sensor Instruments? Then contact one of our experts now!
