Object detection

Fork sensors with mouth widths between 5 and 220 mm are ideal for the detection of small parts. High sensitivities and short response times facilitate simple and reliable integration of these sensors in fast automation processes. In addition, light/dark switching is also available.
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New and extensive fork photoelectric sensor product range for object detection

Even faster and more precise – the new fork sensors of the GS 04B/GS 08B series

In industry, fork sensors are used in applications where small parts must be detected or where object positions must be detected quickly, precisely and irrespective of the surface structure of the object. Sensors of this design combine transmitter and receiver in a single device, thereby enabling easy mounting without alignment as well as offering high operational safety.
High switching frequencies and quick reaction times enable optimum integration of these sensors in high-speed automation processes.
With the new fork sensors of the GS 04B/GS 08B series (stainless steel), we are offering our customers from a broad range of industries, for example mounting/handling technology and packaging, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, a new and even more extensive product range. As a result, Leuze is setting new standards when it comes to speed, precision and technical highlights.



Advantages for you

  • Optimum flexibility for your application: With 14 different fork widths between 5 mm and 220 mm to meet various requirements
  • Fast, easy assembly without alignment because the transmitter and receiver are located in a single housing
  • Greater convenience thanks to your preferred operating concept: Optionally via IO-Link or potentiometer
  • High switching frequency with up to 10,000/5,000 Hz for reliable detection even in high-speed applications
  • High precision for your application with a reproducibility of 0.01/0.02/0.03 mm and reliable detection of extremely small objects from Ø 0.05 mm
  • Precise detection of small objects using a small homogeneous light spot
  • Also available as stainless steel models for use in the food/pharmaceutical industry 
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Highlights

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Product range also available in stainless steel

In the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries as well as the food and beverage industry, sensor systems must meet strict requirements regarding hygiene and resistance to cleaning agents. The fork photoelectric sensors of the GS(L) 08B series offer a robust, resilient V4A stainless steel housing that is suitable for use in clean rooms, ECOLAB certified, and has a high degree of protection IP67. These stainless steel fork sensors can therefore withstand intensive cleaning cycles without problems.

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IO-Link inside

The new fork photoelectric sensors of the GS 04B/GS 08B series feature an innovative dual operating concept: Depending on the customer preference, all sensor functions can be configured via IO-Link or a simple, manual sensitivity adjustment can be carried out via potentiometer.
IO-Link can be used to implement innovative machine concepts with remote maintenance, diagnosis or sensor configuration.

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Fork widths for every application

With 14 different fork widths between 5 mm and 220 mm, a broad range of applications can be solved using the new fork photoelectric sensor product range of the GS 04B series. Customers from many different industries, for example mounting/handling technology and packaging, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, invariably find the appropriate size for detecting small parts in the mm range and for monitoring bottlenecks and feeding – even in constrained spaces. A fork width of 220 mm is also available for large components.
The large number of available fork widths means that there are unlimited options in terms of creating a flexible machine design. Sensitivity adjustment and light/dark switching mean that the fork photoelectric sensors can be used in different areas.

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Four different sensor modes via IO-Link

Each application has different requirements that must be met by the sensor – "Speed" or "Precision," "Standard" or "Power," we offer a sensor configuration to suit every scenario. Easily adjustable via IO-Link:

  • "Standard" sensor mode: Switching frequency 5,000 Hz, reproducibility 0.02/0.01 mm
  • "Precision" sensor mode: Resolution improved by 30% to enable detection of extremely small objects
  • "Power" sensor mode: Increased transmitting power and therefore increased function reserve for better insensitivity to soiling
  • "Speed" sensor mode: For the reliable detection of fast-moving parts in high-speed applications with a switching frequency of up to 10,000 Hz

Overview of the fork photoelectric sensors product range for object detection

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Application

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Detection of small parts with monitoring of bottlenecks and feeding

Requirement:
During production operation, small parts are to be reliably detected within a feeding line in constrained spaces. The mounting of the sensor is to take place quickly and easily.

Solution:
The new fork photoelectric sensor GS 04B with its compact design and fork width of 50 mm is ideally suited for installation in constrained spaces and reliably detecting small parts as part of the monitoring of feeding and bottlenecks. Fork sensors combine transmitter and receiver in a single device, thereby enabling easy mounting without alignment.

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High-speed applications in constrained spaces

Requirement:
On a test bench, the rotational speed of a small plastic gear wheel is to be determined. The space available for installing a sensor is very limited.

Solution:
From the new fork sensor product range of the GS 04B series, the model with a fork width of just 5 or 10 mm can be optimally integrated into the limited installation space. With a switching frequency of 10,000 Hz, the rotational speed of the small plastic gear wheel can be reliably determined, even in this high-speed application.

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Controlling the position of larger components

Requirement:
On a conveyor line, the position of a large, glossy component is to be checked by monitoring the presence of a groove. The commissioning of the sensor is to be fast and without alignment.

Solution:
The new fork photoelectric sensors of the GS 04B series with red light LED are also available with extra-wide forks of 170 or 220 mm. As a result, even applications with larger components can be solved using fork sensors. By combining transmitter and receiver in one device, the commissioning can be carried out quickly and without additional alignment. Even glossy objects can be monitored with high precision thanks to these fork photoelectric sensors.

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Monitoring disposable syringes in the clean room

Requirement:
In a pharmaceutical packaging machine, hanging disposable syringes are transported to an assembly station at high speeds via a feeder unit. Plastic caps are to be fitted on the disposable syringes using a rotary table. Beforehand, the thin needles of the syringes, with a diameter of just 0.3 mm, must be reliably detected because this is what triggers the fitting of the plastic cap.

Solution:
The thin needles of the syringes are detected reliably using a laser fork photoelectric sensor of the GSL 08B series. The V4A stainless steel housing is suitable for clean rooms and ECOLAB certified, making it ideal for areas with strict requirements regarding hygiene and resistance to cleaning agents. The fork sensors of the GS(L) 08B series provide a degree of protection of IP67 and work reliably in a temperature range of between –25 °C and 60 °C.

Technical properties

 

  GS 04B

GSL 04B

GS 08B GSL 08B
Housing material Metal Metal Stainless steel (V4A) Stainless steel (V4A)
Available fork widths 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 170, 220 mm 30, 50, 80, 120 mm 30, 50, 80, 120 mm 30, 50, 80, 120 mm
Light source Red light (660nm)
Infrared (880nm)
Laser red (laser class 1) Red light (660nm) Laser red (laser class 1)
Switching frequency 5,000 Hz (red light)
10,000 Hz (infrared)
5,000 Hz (factory setting in Standard sensor mode) 5,000 Hz (factory setting in Standard sensor mode) 5,000 Hz (factory setting in Standard sensor mode)
Response time 0.1 ms
0.05 ms (infrared)
0.1 ms 0.1 ms 0.1 ms
Reproducibility  0.02 mm
0.03 mm
(mouth width: 170, 220 mm)
0.01 mm 0.02 mm 0.01 mm
Resolution (smallest detectable object) 0.2 mm (mouth width: 5, 10 mm)
0.3 mm (mouth width: 20-100 mm)
0.5 mm (mouth width: 120/170 mm)
1.0 mm (mouth width: 220 mm)
0.05 mm (mouth width: 30/50/80 mm)
0.10 mm (mouth width: 120 mm)
0.05 mm (mouth width: 30/50/80 mm)
0.10 mm (mouth width: 120 mm)
0.05 mm (mouth width: 30/50/80 mm)
0.10 mm (mouth width: 120 mm)
Switching output PNP, NPN Push-pull (IO-Link) Push-pull (IO-Link) Push-pull (IO-Link)
IO-Link -  V1.1 (COM2)  V1.1 (COM2)  V1.1 (COM2)
Operation 2 potentiometers:
  • Sensitivity adjustment
  • Light/dark switching
2 potentiometers:
  • Sensitivity adjustment
  • Light/dark switching
2 potentiometers:
  • Sensitivity adjustment
  • Light/dark switching
2 potentiometers:
  • Sensitivity adjustment
  • Light/dark switching
Degree of protection IP 67 IP 67 IP 67 IP 67
Certifications CE, UL CE, UL CE, UL, ECOLAB CE, UL, ECOLAB
Connection 3-pin M8 3-pin M8 3-pin M8 3-pin M8