Jul 26 2010
The newly-introduced WL27-3 photoelectric, reflex array sensor of Sick has the ability to detect even broken pallets with its detection height of 50 mm. Generally, reflex array sensors have the capability to detect different types of pallets; thereby this decreases the sensors investment when compared with a small light grid.
WL27-3
Chep collects, distributes, repairs and cleans containers and pallets. The company has a pallet facility in Bornem, Belgium. A handling machine at this facility processes 900 pallets on an hourly basis, in both the 1,200 x 1,000 mm and the 1,200 x 800 mm versions. Both of the dimensions are covered with the help of two detection positions.
An initially installed light grid was very sensitive against the dust present in the air arising from the shipping of pallets. The pallets were not efficiently detected; therefore delays in the shipment of the pallets were caused sometimes.
In comparison with an installed light grid, the WL27-3 has a constant alteration of the switching threshold and longer scanning range. Since the detection height of this new sensor is 50 mm rather than the light grid’s 100 mm, the engineers of Chep mounted two units of WL27-3 on top of one another, for detecting a height of 100 mm.