Low-cost LED sensors produce smaller spots

The new nano spot sensor range from STM offers laser-like accuracy with a standard photoelectric LED.

The new nano spot sensor range from STM offers laser-like accuracy with a standard photoelectric LED.

At a sensing distance of 20mm the beam spot is just 1.5mm in diameter.

One recent application was to provide a precise sensing solution for material edge detection on an industrial sewing machine and we used a RLV385RN reflective sensor in conjunction with a V91N amplifier unit.

The focal point of the light beam had to look through a very small opening in the sewing machine foot and the base plate's polished surface was used to reflect the light emitted from the head.

Only if the light spot remained smaller than the opening in the foot was it possible to avoid false triggering.

This was easily achieved as the nano spot diameter was just 2.3mm at the required height of 50mm.

The opening in the foot is used to observe if material is present or not, materials of any type or colour will sufficiently reduce the amount of light being returned and causes the sensor to switch.

This small sensor technology is ideal for many other applications including thread break, small component/product detection, drill bit break etc.

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