Light grid can detect and sort parts to a resolution of 0.01mm

Published: 17 April, 2014

At the 2014 Hannover Fair, Balluff unveiled a light grid system that can detect objects with a resolution of 0.01mm and can be used to compare and sort items based on tiny differences in size. The BLA grid can also be used to perform presence and height checks on objects up to 50mm wide, over a range of up to 2m.

The system consists of a red-light laser transmitter and a receiver in rugged housings. It can operate autonomously, without needing a PC or special software. All settings are made via a multifunction display built into the receiver, and users can teach-in up to six different objects as well as hiding obstructions in the measuring field (blanking).

The system evaluates not only the brightness of the received laser beams, but also an object’s location and position within the light grid. The emitter and receiver can be aligned easily and quickly using the built-in graphic display.

In this application, the light grids are being used to check bottle neck widths, fill levels and cap seals on a filling line

Inspection results are available via two analogue and three digital outputs. From May 2014, there will also be a variant with an IO-Link interface.