New laser diffuse sensor reduces cost and effort

With the new ODT3CL1-2M laser diffuse sensor, the Sensor People from Leuze are expanding the operating range of their 3C series distance sensors. Thanks to innovative ToF technology, the switching and measuring sensor with background suppression works with an operating range of up to 2m. This makes the ODT3CL1-2M suitable for all intralogistic applications where long distances need to be bridged, e.g., in AGVs to monitor the position of goods, control robot grippers, or control quality. Reliable use is guaranteed even under harsh conditions. This is because the sensor satisfies the high requirements of the degree of protection IP69K.

Thanks to the extremely small and space-saving housing (11.4mm x 34.2mm x 18.3mm), the ODT3CL1-2M can be used in many different applications.

As a 2-in-1 solution, the ODT3CL1-2M reduces users' costs and efforts in procurement, installation, commissioning, and operation. With its two independent switching points, it can perform detection and measurement tasks simultaneously. System operators can, therefore, solve both requirements using just one sensor. This is an advantage if, for example, shuttles are used: They can optimally set and vary their speed via the independent switching points. This enables goods to be transported quickly to their target position.

On AGVs, the ODT3CL1-2M optical sensors monitor pallets to ensure they are correctly received and transferred.

IO-Link can be used to transmit measurement values and process data from the sensor to the machine control. This allows users to effortlessly evaluate the comprehensive diagnostic data from the diffuse sensor, e.g., temperature information, information on signal quality, and warnings. It also makes device swap-out easy: The presettings are transferred to the new device loss-free via IO-Link without the sensor having to be taught in again.

Thanks to its compact design (11.4mm x 34.2mm x 18.3mm; W x H x L), the ODT3CL1-2M laser diffuse sensor can also be used where space is limited. For example, it can be used in the gripper of a robot arm, on shuttles or stacker cranes. The small, clearly visible light spot allows fast alignment during commissioning. The operating range can be set numerically via IO Link. Another advantage of the diffuse sensor is its integrated object test. This allows the function reserve to be quickly checked.

With the 3C series, the company provides a sensor solution suitable for less than 2m distances. Therefore, the ODT3C diffuse sensor is ideal for operating ranges up to 150mm – perfect for packaging processes, for example.

The laser diffuse sensor detects the presence of a component, defines reference points on the component, and checks its quality. The sensors work reliably even with different surface structures.