Exercise 9

Sensing range of a diffuse optical sensor with fibre-optic cable

Training aim

To learn about the fields of application and the sensing range of a diffuse sensor
equipped with a fibre-optic cable.

Exercise definition

Study the exercise. You will find hints and explanations in the textbook Proximity
Sensors.
Before the practical construction of the exercise, read through the data sheets of
the components required.
Assemble the components.
You can carry out the exercise in accordance with the description in paragraph
"Practical assembly".
Make a note of everything you consider of particular interest.

Warning
The electrical power supply must be switched on only after all connections have
been established and checked. After completion of the exercise, the voltage supply
must be switched off before the components are dismantled.

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Exercise 9

Problem description

Positional sketch

It is necessary to check the correct orientation of sealing caps fed from a vibrator
hopper. Restricted space conditions allow only sensors fitted with fibre-optic cables
to be used. Measure the sensitivity range of such an optical sensor.

Vibrator hopper (1), Fibre-optic cable, diffuse sensor design (2)

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Exercise 9

Layout

4
50 40 30 20 10 0

10 20 30

50 60 70 80 90 100

Components list

Item no.

Qty.

Designation

Distribution unit, D:ER-VERT-SENSOR-...

Positioning slide, D:ER-VS-FP1110-...

Vernier caliper, D:AS-MS

Optical sensor unit LL1, D:ER-SOE-L-Q-...

Fibre-optic cable unit RT, D:ER-SOEZ-LK-RT-...

The components list is continued on the following page.

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Exercise 9

Components list
(continued)

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Item no.

Qty.

Designation

Set of test objects, Kodak grey card, 100 mm x 100 mm, part 17

Set of test objects, pastic, transparent, 100 mm x 100 mm, part 18

Set of test objects, plastic, red, 100 mm x 100 mm, part 19

Set of test objects, plastic, blue, 100 mm x 100 mm, part 20

Set of test objects, plastic, black, 100 mm x 100 mm, part 21

Set of test objects, cardboard, white, 100 mm x 100 mm, part 22

Set of test objects, mild steel S 235 JR, 90 mm x 30 mm, part 3

Set of test objects, stainless steel, 90 mm x 30 mm, part 4

Set of test objects, aluminium, 90 mm x 30 mm, part 5

Set of test objects, brass, 90 mm x 30 mm, part 6

Set of test objects, copper, 90 mm x 30 mm, part 7

Set of test objects, rubber, 90 mm x 30 mm, part 9

Set of test objects, screw driver, part 36

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Exercise 9

Electrical connections

BN(1)
WH(2)

BK(4)
BU(3)

Electrical circuit diagram

Item no.

Qty.

Designation

Distribution unit, D:ER-VERT-SENSOR-...

Optical sensor unit LL 1, D:ER-SOE-L-Q-...

+24 V DC
BN(1)

BU(3)
0V

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Exercise 9

Practical assembly

Mount the distribution unit on the profile plate. Assemble the optical sensor unit
LL 1 (fibre-optic unit) with the fibre-optic cable unit RT. Insert the top part of the
fibre-optic cable into the fixture of the mounting bracket and position the mounting
bracket in front of the positioning slide. Mount the positioning slide 5 cm distant and
5 cm offset sideways (see fig."Layout"). Connect the 24 V power supply and the
proximity sensor to the distribution unit (see fig. "Electrical connections").
Attach the vernier caliper to the positioning slide.
Investigate the sensing range of this combination of units. Fix each material in turn
to the positioning slide.
For the first measurement with the white side of the Kodak grey card, set the
potentiometer for maximum range (turn the screw clockwise, max. 12 revolutions).
Enter your results for the switch-on point, the switch-off point and the hysteresis in
the table.

Note
For reliable operation, the green LED (function reserve indicator) must light up as
well as the yellow LED (switching status indicator), when the sensor is detecting an
object.

Mounting the fibre-optic cables

Insert the fibre-optic cables into the plugs of the fibre-optic unit up to stop. Securely
tighten locking screw

Mounting the vernier caliper

When mounting the vernier caliper, the slide unit of the positioning slide is set at
"0". The two measuring pointers are moved apart by approximately 10 mm. The
vernier caliper is placed parallel to the base plate, flush with the edge, so that the
front pointer is adjacent to the stop for the vernier caliper. The body of the caliper is
attached to the base plate of the positioning slide by means of the two retaining
magnets.

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Exercise 9

Evaluation

Material

Switch-on point
[mm]

Switch-off point
[mm]

Hysteresis
[mm]

Kodak grey card, white side,

part 17
Kodak grey card, grey side,
part 17
Plastic, transparent,
part 18
Plastic, red, matted side,
part 19
Plastic, blue, matted side,
part 20
Plastic, black, matted side,
part 21
Cardboard, white,
part 22
Mild steel S 235 JR,
part 3
Stainless steel,
part 4
Aluminium,
part 5
Brass,
part 6
Copper,
part 7
Rubber,
part 9

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Exercise 9

Conclusions
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