RET Automation Controls introduces new heavy-duty Vantage Line fiber optics to complement its industry-leading fiber amplifier product family. Featuring a flexible 304 stainless steel tube, the polyethylene jacketed plastic fiber is protected from crushing or abrasion in harsh industrial environments.

To accommodate diverse applications, the heavy-duty Vantage Line plastic fibers are available in eight different models, four with opposed sensing mode and four with diffuse sensing mode, in one and twometer options. All heavy-duty fibers are compatible with Banner’s existing plastic fiber amplifiers, including the DF-G family.

“Our new heavy-duty vantage line of plastic fibers offer enhanced durability and stable performance at a cost effective price,” said Dennis Smith, Senior Technical Marketing Manager, Banner Engineering. “With these heavy-duty models, our customers can use plastic fibers in rugged environments where they previously used more expensive glass fibers.”

Banner’s DF-G fiber amplifiers deliver stable sensing performance with fast response rates. With a thermally stable and high performance electronic design, DF-G fiber amplifiers feature dual display, digital readouts and an improved fiber clamp. DF-G fiber amplifiers also offer complete user control, providing manipulation of all operating parameters, including switch point threshold, light operate or dark operate, various output timing functions, electronic gain level and sensor response speed.

With a wide range of fiber amplifiers, Banner can effectively serve a diverse range of industries and applications, including small part or wire break detection on electronics assembly machines, pill and caplet counting and high-speed detection for registration mark or product leading edge detection.

About Banner. Banner Engineering is a world leading manufacturer of photoelectric and ultrasonic sensors, indicator lights, vision sensors and vision lighting, electronic machine guarding systems, wireless networks, fiber optic assemblies and precision measurement systems.

The Q4X lasers distance sensor from RET Automation Controls is now available with an analog output. Featuring 4-20mA and 0-10 V output options, the Q4X analog models expand the variety of applications Banner’s Q4X laser distance sensor can solve, including fill level indication, part positioning, roll diameter, loop control and thickness/height verification.

Providing continuous measurement and versatile sensing performance, Q4X analog sensors provide resolution as small as 0.15 mm and cover up to a 300 mm range. The sensors deliver reliable measurement regardless of colour or reflectivity of target object or background.

“While the original Q4X has become a problem solver for many of our customers’ challenging sensor applications, we discovered a need for an analog model to satisfy additional applications such as fill level verification. Advanced measurement modes, including the averaging trigger, provide more consistent measurements across inconsistent surfaces, such as pills inside a bottle,” said Brad Ragozzino, Technical Marketing Engineer, Banner Engineering. “With a combination of analog output and durable stainless steel housing with IP69K rating, the Q4X analog provides a truly unique and reliable sensing solution.”

The Q4X analog offers a simplified user experience with analog (V or mA) or distance (mm) readout from the highly visible, angled four-digit display that is easily viewed from multiple vantage points. The Q4X also offers intuitive user setup utilizing three tactile buttons conveniently located below the display.

For use in wet and high-pressure washdown environments, the Q4X is constructed with robust housing rated to IP69K. Durable FDA-grade stainless steel resists mechanical impact, over tightening and extreme vibration.

About Banner. Banner Engineering is a world leading manufacturer of photoelectric and ultrasonic sensors, indicator lights, vision sensors and vision lighting, electronic machine guarding systems, wireless networks, fiber optic assemblies and precision measurement systems.

RET Automation Controls is now stocking the updated industry leading Q4X laser distance sensor with a new dual teach mode. Featuring new firmware, the Q4X dual teach mode sensor combines window thresholds on both target distance and target reflected intensity, allowing the Q4X to reliably solve difficult applications with ease. The Q4X can now detect clear objects without requiring a retro-reflector. Dual mode can be used to error-proof applications by ensuring that the correct colour part is located at the correct position.

Banner’s Q4X reliably detects distance changes as small as 1 mm and covers a 25 to 300 mm range. The sensor was already ideal for difficult distance-based sensing applications as it easily detects objects regardless of target surface reflectivity, including black foam on black plastic, black rubber in front of metal, multicolour packaging and targets of all colours. Now with the dual teach mode, the sensor can detect small changes in reflected intensity for targets inside the distance threshold. This powerful combination allows the Q4X to solve many new applications.

“Incorporating the innovative dual teach mode into the next-generation Q4X sensor provides our customers with a more powerful sensing solution for their most difficult applications,” said Dennis Smith, Senior Technical Marketing Manager, Banner Engineering. “With combined intensity and distance thresholds, the Q4X extends its world class sensing performance to clear object detection and common error-proofing, or poka yoke, applications.”

Offering a simplified user experience, the Q4X includes a bright readout on a highly visible, angled four-digit display that is easily viewed from multiple vantage points. The Q4X also offers intuitive user setup utilizing three tactile push-buttons conveniently located below the display.

The Q4X is constructed with robust housing rated to IP67, IP68 or IP69K, allowing use in wet and high-pressure washdown environments, durable FDA-grade stainless steel resists mechanical impact, over tightening, extreme vibration and aggressive cleaning procedures.

About Banner. Banner Engineering is a world leading manufacturer of photoelectric and ultrasonic sensors, indicator lights, vision sensors and vision lighting, electronic machine guarding systems, wireless networks, fiber optic assemblies and precision measurement systems.

RET Automation Controls is now stocking the S18-2 compact photoelectric sensor series with fixed-field background suppression mode configurations. The compact, self-contained sensors provide up to six detection ranges from 30 to 200 mm to satisfy diverse cost-sensitive and high-volume applications.
Featuring excellent optical design and an advanced electronic design, Banner’s S18-2 background suppression sensors are resistant to fluorescent light and offer a high level of crosstalk avoidance. With a small, bright red LED emitter beam, S18-2 sensors are easy to align to the target, and ensure very small shifts in the detection range caused by target colour variation.
“The S18-2 optics are factory calibrated to one of six sensing ranges between 30 and 200 mm to ensure consistent sensing performance,” said Dennis Smith, Senior Technical Marketing Manager for Sensors at Banner Engineering. “Machine builders can count on stable and robust detection with no risk of machine down time related to sensor adjustment. For customers requiring a range not in our catalog, Banner is able to quickly produce customer required fixed range sensors perfectly matched to a machine designer’s requirements in a short time.”
For ease of use, S18-2 sensors feature a highly visible output, and dual-function power and stability indicators. The indicators are comprised of one green and two yellow LED lights. Solid green indicates power is applied and the sensor is ready, while green flashing specifies a marginal sensing signal. The two bright yellow LEDs, visible from both sides of the sensor, indicate the output is conducting.
Designed with a rugged ABS plastic housing, S18-2 sensors are well sealed against water ingress. A wide operating temperature range of -40 to +70 degrees Celsius ensures optimal performance for diverse applications.

About Banner. Banner Engineering is a world leading manufacturer of photoelectric and ultrasonic sensors, indicator lights, vision sensors and vision lighting, electronic machine guarding systems, wireless networks, fiber optic assemblies and precision measurement systems.

RET Automation Controls introduces the WLB92 industrial LED light bar from Banner Engineering.  Featuring bright, high-quality and uniform light, the WLB92 is designed to increase worker productivity and ergonomics. With a rugged metal housing and shatterproof light cover, the WLB92 is optimal for a variety of industrial lighting applications including robotic work cell lighting and quality inspection, while having aesthetics suitable for an office environment.

The WLB92 LED light bar delivers a versatile lighting solution with models available in ac or dc voltage supply and multiple connection options, including ac quick disconnect and ac conduit. The WLB92 also features several mounting options, such as surface, swivel, snap and hanging brackets to accommodate diverse installation needs. To ensure continuous run and permanent installation, the WLB92 is equipped with industry-standard conduit knockouts. An optional dimming function is also available to allow users to customise light levels.

“Industrial lighting continues to grow as our customers find new applications and challenges,” said Matt Hahn, Technical Marketing Engineer, Lighting at Banner Engineering. “Banner’s energy-efficient WLB92 light bar provides the quality, brightness and durability required with no maintenance time or additional costs.”

The WLB92 is available in 550 or 1100 mm lengths. All WLB92 models offer enhanced light quality with bright, densely spaced LEDs to ensure even, bright and highly efficient illumination. AC models are also DLC qualified and have a five-year warranty.

About Banner. Banner Engineering is a world leading manufacturer of photoelectric and ultrasonic sensors, indicator lights, vision sensors and vision lighting, electronic machine guarding systems, wireless networks, fiber optic assemblies and precision measurement systems.