The Latest in Inspection Equipment

Vision Inspection

A machine-vision systems and sensors company debuts a new product. The Checker 252 has the same inspection capabilities as other award-winning Checker vision sensor series models. Additionally, its software sensors verify height, width, and diameter and deliver reliable pass-fail results on high-speed production lines. The sensor features One-Click Setup, in which a minimum and maximum threshold and polarity edges are established with a single click. Cognex Corp.; 877/COGNEX1; www.cognex.com.

Tablet-Specific Sensor

A company introduces a tablet-specific optical inspection system. The Optyx SG/P has a new integrated dust abatement feature and new KeyWare software for tablets to automatically inspect coated and uncoated tablets at high speeds. Product is verified by inspecting small color and shape discrepancies and removing defective tablets at sizes as small as 5 mm. The Optyx SG/P uses proprietary color cameras to view product; four primary inspection cameras are located above and below the product stream. A parallel processor enables operators to monitor images. Symetix; 800/941-3701; www.symetix.com.

Safe Light Curtains

New light curtains provide additional safety. SL-V Safety Light Curtains use visible indicators to allow setup and clear views of the current operating status. The unit conforms to IP65 and IP67 ratings standards. A green light indicates when the curtains are active, by lighting up when the curtains are aligned. Curtain lengths range from 150 to 2390 mm up to 3 total or 240 beams. The SL-V includes an automatic interference-reduction function to stabilize operations without special wiring. Keyence Corp. for America; 888/539-3623; www.keyence.com.

Metal Detectors

New fast-moving, gravity-fed small metal detectors are available. Apex metal detectors and systems protect companies via easy-to-install packages, and new models are available in drop-through and pipeline systems for quick integration into production lines. High sensitivity results in fewer false rejects, and increased flexibility lets the detectors work with several applications, according to the manufacturer. In combination with the VersaWeigh checkweigher, Apex offers integrated weighing and contaminant detection. Thermo Fisher Scientific; 800/678-5599; www.thermofisher.com.

Remote Monitors

A company has launched a new series of sensors. New Smarteye X-Pro XPC sensors for production line inspection tasks allow operators to monitor sensor status and reporting from an HMI screen. Users can remotely address the sensor from the screen for configuring inspection settings. A “smart” communications server performs the inspection, sending pass and fail data to a line management HMI screen. The screen can be printed out, providing more valuable data to customers, OEMs, and FDA, according to the manufacturer. Tri-Tronics Company Inc.; 800/237-0946; www.ttco.com.

Mini Sensors

Mini photoelectric sensors are on the market. ML7 retro-reflective mode sensors can detect clear objects such as PET bottles, clear shrink-wrap, glass, and clear Mylar film at a distance of up to 3.5 m, and opaque objects, up to 5.7 m. The sensors are sized at 31 × 23 × 11 mm, the smallest that the manufacturer offers. Single sensitivity adjustments allow one of three contrast levels to be taught easily, providing reliable, repeatable detection of low- or high-contrast transparent media from clear shrink-wrap to colored glass, according to the manufacturer. Pepperl + Fuchs, Twinsburg, OH; 330/486-0001; www.am.pepperl-fuchs.com.