WORLD-BEAM® QS18 Adjustable-Field Sensors Now Available with Visible Class 2 Laser for Enhanced Sensing Capability
Banner Engineering announces the latest addition to their versatile family of WORLD-BEAM® sensors, the QS18 Adjustable-Field Sensor with a Class 2 laser (QS18LAF250). The QS18LAF250 provides increased sensing capabilities with a cutoff range of 50 to 250 mm. It also offers reduced excess gain within 20 mm of the sensor, making it less susceptible to the effects of lens contamination in challenging industrial environments. The QS18LAF250 delivers reliable background suppression sensing.
WORLD-BEAM QS18 sensors feature outstanding optical performance and excellent sensing repeatability in a universal compact sensor package. The QS18LAF250 has a narrow effective beam (approximately 1 mm spot size), making it ideal for small-object detection and precise position control. The visible red Class 2 laser accurately detects objects of relatively low reflectivity, ignoring background objects beyond the cutoff point. In addition, cutoff point is easily adjusted using the 5-turn adjustment screw on the sensor top. With its compact, sealed housing, bright LED operating status indicators and versatile mounting options, the QS18LAF250 delivers an exceptional sensing solution for small or difficult-to-reach areas.
“The QS18LAF250 is a background suppression sensor that builds upon the strong performance of Banner's WORLD-BEAM adjustable-field products," said Dennis Smith, Banner Engineering product manager. "The sensor's Class 2 laser provides a longer sensing range with high peak excess gain where it matters most. The optical design also introduces reduced excess gain close to the sensor face." Smith adds, "The reduced excess gain from 0 to 20 mm from the sensor makes the QS18LAF250 less sensitive to lens contamination. This feature also allows for the use of an external, replaceable lens shield in particularly harsh environments."
Applications. The QS18LAF250's design uses the optical triangulation principle to accurately detect objects of varying colour inside the adjustable cut-off distance, ignoring specular or shiny objects in the background. With this feature, combined with the sensor’s compact housing and precise sensing beam, the QS18LAF250 provides an exceptional solution for applications where detecting minute features is critical, including the following:
- Assembled part position sensing
- Hole detection
- Small part sensing in conveyor applications
- Small feature detection and inspection
- Edge detection
Plus, several features of the QS18LAF250 make it particularly easy to set up and operate:
- Extended sensing range—up to 250 mm
- Reduced excess gain within 20 mm of the sensor for decreased susceptibility to lens contamination
- Narrow effective beam for precise sensing and small-object detection
- Compact, rugged IP67-rated sealed housing
- Excellent optical performance throughout sensing range
- Crosstalk rejection algorithm for protection against optical disturbances from adjacent sensors
- Bright LED operating status indicators visible from 360°
- 2 m or 9 m attached cable, and 4-pin Euro- or Pico-style pigtail QD
- Mounting versatility—side mount or back mount using threaded inserts
- 10 to 30V dc operation
A family of easy-to-use sensors. WORLD-BEAM Series sensors from Banner deliver a universal solution for sensor users who demand a wide range of available sensing modes, in a choice of sizes. They are easy-to-apply, easy-to-use sensors that resist environmental contamination from moisture, dirt, EMI/RFI and crosstalk. WORLD-BEAM. One family. Complete solutions.
