Contrinex Measurement Light Grids Excel at Box Sizing – Affordable, High-Performance and Install in 90 Seconds
04/02/2025 PLUS Automation Ltd (Contrinex & Satron)
Contrinex’s MGI Measurement Light Grids combine performance, affordability and simplicity, which makes them simple to install. The innovative infrared light grids offer fast response times and reliable detection of varied objects with robust immunity to interference from ambient light.
Fast, simple and low-cost implementation is assured because the sensor provides a 0 to 10V or 4 to 20mA analogue output, like a conventional analogue sensor. There is no data stream to analyse, removing the need for expensive and complex processing. Set-up, therefore, can take less than 90 seconds, connecting an industry-standard 4-pin M12 cable between the transmitter and the receiver, and setting two switches.
CUSTOMER APPLICATION
To speed up an end-of-line packaging station, a manufacturer wanted a simple and affordable measurement system to establish the height of incoming boxes.
To utilise existing end-of-line carton taping and wrapping machines, a solution was sought to establish the height of the incoming box and thus configure the conveyor feed speed to maximise throughout to optimise productivity.
CUSTOMER SOLUTION
A simple control system was designed to take the analogue 4 to 20mA signal from the Contrinex MGI measurement light grid, establishing the incoming box's height accurate to 5mm. A PLC compares the height value to a look-up table and adjusts the conveyor line speed accordingly. The PLC also presets the start height position of the wrapping machine. This removes the time delay of a measurement and positioning activity being taken within the shrink-wrapper so that the wrapping machine is now configured before the carton reaches it.
The sensor’s small cross-section of only 40 x 20.5mm and rugged one-piece aluminium extruded cases make them easy to fit within existing systems. Their ability to cover a 4m distance and their immunity to interference from ambient light provides reliable measurement.
The MGI sensors are available with measurement heights up to 960mm at a 5mm resolution or 1438mm at a 12mm resolution. The sensor’s response time ranges from 3 ms to 14 ms depending upon the number of beams in the unit, and pricing that ranges from £1,100 to £3,000 makes them affordable and so ideal for a wide variety of measurement applications and industries.
PRODUCT ADVANTAGES
- Well-proven, highly reliable measurement
- Ideal for measurement of a wide variety of applications and industries
- Resolutions of 5 mm or 12 mm
- Detection heights up to 1m at 5mm resolution or 1.5m at 12mm
- Fast response time 3 ms to 14 ms
- Robust aluminium extrusion housings and shatter-resistant PMMA optics
- Fast & simple set up – Set 2 DIP switches
- Low-cost M12 cable connections
- -5°C... to +50°C – IP65 rating
- Exceptional price/performance ratio
Click to download Contrinex’s Product Overview brochure to find out more.
Print this articleFor more information, please contact:
PLUS Automation Ltd (Contrinex & Satron)
Lyth Farm
Ombersley
Worcester
Worcestershire
WR9 0LG
Tel: +44 (0)121 5822258
Email: sales@plusautomation.co.uk
Web: https://www.plusautomation.co.uk
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