Ensuring the Proper Status of Cartons In The Process Of Packaging via Miniature Photoelectric Sensors

During confectionery packing process, conveyors supply preformed cardboard cartons to packaging stations, wherein a pick-and-place packaging robot packs layers of bagged candy in cartons. Sensors are needed to detect cartons as they arrive at the packaging station, stopping the conveyor and beginning the packaging sequence when it is properly located.

Miniature retro-reflex photoelectric sensors are best for this application. Used in conjunction with a 41mm-diameter reflector, those sensors have a working range of up to 4500mm. A single sensor is installed near the carton conveyor, with the reflector located on the opposite side. When the leading carton breaks the light beam, the sensor detects it and stops the conveyor. Boarded in miniature plastic housings, photoelectric sensors are accessible with industry-standard NPN or PNP 3- or 4-wire outputs.

These sensors are connected to the customer’s control system through a PVC-sheathed cable with the choice of an integral M12 connector or a hermetically sealed entry.