Ultrasonic sensors emit short, high-frequency sound pulses at regular intervals. These propagate in the air at the velocity of sound. If they strike an object, then they are reflected back as echo signals to the sensor, which itself computes the distance to the target based on the time-span between emitting the signal and receiving the echo.
As the distance to an object is determined by measuring the time of flight and not by the intensity of the sound, ultrasonic sensors are excellent at suppressing background interference.
Virtually all materials which reflect sound can be detected, regardless of their colour. Even transparent materials or thin foils represent no problem for an ultrasonic sensor.
microsonic ultrasonic sensors are suitable for target distances from 20 mm to 8 m and as they measure the time of flight they can ascertain a measurement with pinpoint accuracy. Some of our sensors can even resolve the signal to an accuracy of 0.025 mm.
Ultrasonic sensors can see through dust-laden air and ink mists. Even thin deposits on the sensor membrane do not impair its function.
Sensors with a blind zone of only 20 mm and an extremely thin beam spread are making entirely new applications possible today: Fill level measurement in wells of microtiter plates and test tubes, as well as the detection of small bottles in the packaging industry, can be implemented with ease. Even thin wires are reliably detected.
The diameter of a roll or coil of material can be detected by an ultrasonic sensor with analogue output and the drive adjusted or brake applied accordingly. Typical application for an ultrasonic sensor
mic+35/IU/TC for small diameters,
mic+130/IU/TC for diameters up to 2.5 m.
Ultrasonic sensors of the mic+ family enable the contactless protection of automated guided vehicles in the driving direction. When using several sensors these can be synchronised with each other to avoid influencing each other. With a pre-alarm range and a stopping range, the vehicle can be halted smoothly before an obstacle without the impact bumper triggering the braking mechanism.
identifies two or more sheets of material on top of each other. The dbk+4 product range is ideal for use where paper is in use, such as sheet fed printing presses, printers, copiers or collating machines. For thicker materials, plastic sheets and coarse corrugated cardboard, the dbk+5 ultrasonic double-sheet detection is used.
Very flat objects on a conveyor belt can often be detected via an "indirect" reliable measurements: An ultrasonic sensor with switching output measures the edge of the object in an incline compared to the conveyor transport direction. The edge of the object forms a triple reflector with the conveyor belt and reflects the sound waves back to the sensor.
Detection of filling levels from just a few millimetres up to 8 m can be made. Ultrasonic sensors with one or two switched outputs for minimum/maximum control, or with 0-10 V and 4-20 mA analogue output are available. Even in small containers with a diameter of less than 5 mm can be measured with the zws ultrasonic sensor + SoundPipe .
The pico+TF ultrasonic sensors are the smallest chemically-resistant sensors available from microsonic. They cover a measurement range of 20 mm to 1.3 m.
Can be implemented with all ultrasonic sensors with switching output. If the material does not lie flat, it is advisable to operate the sensor as a two-way or reflective barrier. This operating mode also works reliably when the sonic beam is deflected away by the waves in the material. All ultrasonic proximity switches with the microsonic Teach-in support the operating mode reflective barrier.
By using several mic+ ultrasonic sensors (M30 housing), pico+ ultrasonic sensors (M18 housing) or zws ultrsonic sensors (small cubic housing), three-dimensional scanning of any size box can be made. There are sensors with different detection ranges available.
The mic+ ultrasonic sensors with analogue output 0 – 10 V and 4 – 20 mA are ideally suited for controlling the diameter on a foil extruder.
The esf-1 label sensor reliably detects high-transparency, reflective materials as well as metallised labels and labels of any colour. The measurement cycle time automatically self-adjusts to the sound power required. If you are looking for a label sensor with separated housings you can choose the esp label sensor .
Detection of filling levels from just a few millimetres up to 8 m can be made. Ultrasonic sensors with one or two switched outputs for minimum/maximum control, or with 0-10 V and 4-20 mA analogue output are available. Chemical resistant versions are also available with pico+TF ultrasonic level sensor in M22 housing, crm+ ultrasonic sensors (M30 housing) or hps+ ultrasonic sensors (process connection).
are possible with the hps+ sensors. In addition, the sensors are chemically resistant and available as a version with two pnp switching outputs or analogue and switching output.
A solution with the sensor operating as a two-way or reflective barrier should always be preferred when the object to be scanned absorbs the sound waves or, due to its shape or position in the tray, deflects the sound waves away. In this situation an additional reflector is positioned behind the actual object to be scanned. An ultrasonic sensor with switched output and operating in window mode emits a signal as soon as the object obscures the reflector. The pico+ and lpc+ in the M18 threaded housing is ideal for this purpose.
Sensors with a switched output, e.g., from the mic+ sensor family can be used, depending on the size of the box or container. The mic+25/D/TC , mic+35/D/TC or mic+130/D/TC can be selected for scanning small boxes.
With larger containers you are recommended to use a mic+340/D/TC or mic+600/D/TC . If the box or container is to be scanned by several sensors, it is recommended to synchronise them with each other.
Furthermore, the pms ultrasonic sensor in hygienic design is recommended in the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry or the beverage industry.
on a packaging machine. A broad spectrum of ultrasonic sensors are available for the detection of objects during fast processes: the zws ultrasonic sensors in square-shaped housing, the sks sensors in miniature design, the pico+ultrasonic sensors in the M18 threaded sleeve with optional angled head and IO-Link interface, the pms ultrasonic sensor in hygienic design and the lpc+ sensor family with 2 output stages and 4 scanning distances.
Owing to their compact dimensions pico+ ultrasonic sensors with an M18 threaded sleeve or the zws sensors in square housings are ideal for positioning robot arms.
The sonic beam can be redirected via a reverberant, smooth reflecting surface. There are 90° sonic reflectors available as accessories for this. These can be used to advantage in certain confined installations.
The esp-4 splice sensor reliably detects splices and also labels. It is available both in M18 housings, as well as in M12 with external receiving transducer.
Ultrasonic through-beam barriers are highly suited for reliable presence control and counting of objects at high speed. The through-beam barrier consist of a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter emits acoustic pulses on a cyclical basis which are captured by the receiver. If an object interrupts the pulses between the transmitter and the receiver, the switching output of the receiver is set.
ultrasonic sensors, as the pms sensors in washdown design, can be used for continuously detecting the filling level of objects on a conveyor belt. When the analogue sensor detects minimum filling level, the feed rate will be increased. On the contrary, when the sensor detects a maximum filling level, the control unit will reduce the feed rate in order to provide a smooth filling level process.
The ultrasonic web edge sensors bks and edge sensor bks+ sense the edge of web-form materials which are decoiled from a spool and guided through a processing machine. The position of the edge is required in order to readjust the web run in such a fashion that the material run always remains “on track”.
The ultrasonic web edge sensors are structured as a fork sensor and work as a through-beam barrier. A transmitter is located in the lower prong of the fork, which emits continuous ultrasound. A receiver transducer in the upper prong receives the emitted ultrasonic signal and evaluates its intensity. A web material inserted in the fork of the web edge sensor more or less covers the sound path between the transmitter and the receiver. The intensity of the receiver signal varies depending on the degree of coverage. This change is issued as an analogue signal 4-20 mA or 4–20 mA for the purpose of controlling the web run.
during the winding/unwinding of wires. Depending on the size of the drum, a mic+130/D/TC with 1,300 mm operating range or a mic+35/D/TC with 350 mm operating range can be used. If the position of the wire on the drum should be recorded, there are ultrasonic sensors with analogue output available. Recommended sensors are
