Inductive and optical sensors offer protection

Paul Boughton
Sick UK is launching a suite of inductive and optical sensors to the food and beverage industry offering the highest standards of protection for long-life operation and meeting all critical hygiene requirements.

The Sick V18V photoelectric switches, the MH15V photoelectric sensors and the IMF inductive sensors are all protected from the processing environment and washdown to IP69K (DIN40050). With wide temperature capability and resistance to standard industrial detergents and cleaning solutions (certified by ECOLAB and JohnsonDiversey), they feature food-compliant stainless steel housings with FDA certified plastic watertight plug cap and cabling. Additional reliability is provided by corrosion resistant gold plated connections.

Says Sensors Product Manager Phil Dyas: “Under tough food and beverage manufacturing conditions it is essential for sensors to maximise plant availability and reduce pressure on margins.  By comparison, the cost of sensors is very small indeed.”

The hygiene and reliability of the V18V photoelectric switch sensors are enhanced by the patented Touch-Teach sensitivity adjustment which allows fine tuning of each sensor in situ without any mechanical intervention, so avoiding weak points. The V18V sensor withstands ambient temperatures between -40ºC and +85ºC (+100ºC for 15 minutes). It is contained in a M18 sized 316L stainless steel housing for easy mounting, with an easy clean mounting adaptor.

The V18V offers detection ranges either as a proximity switch (100mm, 400mm or 800mm), as a reflex switch over 4 metres with a new capability for detecting glass or transparent objects, or as a through beam device with a range of 25 metres. Options include a glass lens cover which is scratch and solvent resistant, and a smooth barrel housing.

The compact MH15V is the shortest M18 diameter photoelectric sensor on the market, and is ideal for tight spaces, where optical sensing has been a problem. Despite its size, it offers all the hygienic and durability advantages of bigger SICK sensors while delivering proximity switching (100mm, 350mm) reflex switching to 3.5 metres and through beam switching to 4 metres.

The IMF inductive sensor provides proximity sensing for food and beverage processing plant in a fully hygienic, M12 or M18 stainless steel housing and standard and x2 sensing distances in flush and non-flush mount. It is supported by an IP69K splitter and connection box in a stainless steel enclosure, connecting and extension cables and mounting systems, all designed for maximum resistance to wash down and chemicals and easy cleaning.

Sick V18V  

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