The flexible family of customisable sensors

David Hannaby, SICK’s UK Product Manager for presence detection, explained why SICK developed the technology: “We are seeing more companies looking to use a hybrid sensor that allows flexibility in mounting either from the side or from the front.  During installation and operation, SureSense’s signal strength bar gives clear indication of the sensor’s performance and making set up and operation easier for engineers.

“The SICK SureSense enables machine builders and plant engineers to standardise on one single sensor family for the most basic to advanced applications. Users can literally build their own sensors online, expect prompt delivery and quickly commission their sensors for optimal performance.

“As a result, machine design variables, plant maintenance costs and stores inventories can be all be dramatically streamlined.”

Intelligent Sensing Technologies
SICK SureSense offers either laser light, red or infra-red LED in the same housing, multiplying the number of potential applications from one sensor family.

SICK SureSense also incorporates a facility, not seen on conventional sensors, that helps users achieve rapid set-up and ongoing high performance.  A signal strength light bar on the back of the sensor housing enables the alignment to be optimised, increasing performance consistency and stability, even when faced with mechanical stress or contamination.

SICK SureSense sensors draw on a comprehensive toolbox of innovative SICK technologies to compensate for the wide variety of shapes, colours and tones, transparency or reflectivity of objects to be detected. Excellent background suppression means the effects of changes in colour or materials, or by reflections from the surrounding production environment are minimised.   In applications to detect clear objects such as bottles or food trays, the sensors automatically compensate for dust and dirt contamination using Sick’s renowned Auto-Adapt technology.

Challenging Products and Conditions
Hannaby continued: “The SICK SureSense family benefits from all the SICK technologies you would expect to simply detect any object.   For example, built-in sensor intelligence compensates for the high light absorption by dark or matt black objects, by adjusting and optimising the emitted light intensity and signal strength.

“SICK SureSense is also available with a laser LED emitter that enables superior performance in applications such as counting small objects, detecting small holes, sensing objects through small openings and detecting product defects.”

SICK SureSense’s tough VISTAL housing and IP69K/Ecolab rating ensure rugged durability and resistance to vibration, chemicals and moisture for a long reliable life. The -40 to 70^oC range means the sensors can be used reliably without risk of failure in a wide variety of temperatures.