Light Section and Vision Sensors Perfectly Combined in One Device

Ready-to-use solutions for comparison and surveillance tasks

Pepperl+Fuchs: The light section sensors from the SmartRunner range uniquely combine a high-precision light section sensor and vision sensor into one compact device.

These ready-to-use, plug&play devices from Pepperl+Fuchs are optimized at the factory for a specific field of work. Unlike conventional "general purpose" devices, commissioning and parameterization is extremely simple to carry out using teach-in or via data matrix control codes, and does not require trained and qualified personnel.

Thanks to powerful LED lighting, SmartRunner devices are capable of capturing images for the visual documentation of errors, process conditions and quality attributes. The integrated data matrix decoder allows the user to parameterize the sensor simply via data matrix control codes - without using a PC. The light section sensors supply the detection result as a good or bad signal to the switching outputs, which can be processed using any control panel.

The first representatives of the device family to be available are the SmartRunner "Matcher" and the SmartRunner "Detector". The Matcher is optimized to recognize a previously taught-in reference contour. Typical tasks include checking the position and accuracy of objects with high precision, to verify whether the robot can grasp body components, for example.

In contrast, the SmartRunner Detector monitors the taught-in scene for the entry of foreign bodies that pose a danger to sensitive machine parts, such as expensive lenses and precision tools. It detects objects with a size range of up to 1 mm with high accuracy, using a trapezoidal measuring range that is 350 mm wide and 700 mm deep.

The SmartRunner has numerous areas of use, such as in the automotive industry and in many areas of plant and mechanical engineering.

Pepperl+Fuchs is one of the world’s leading providers of industrial sensors and explosion protection. Based on an intense dialogue with our customers for more than 70 years we continue to develop new components and solutions, which support their applications the best way possible. For the landmark topic Industrie 4.0 (Industrial Internet of Things) we develop innovative technologies that pave the way to the digital networked production and to data transfer across all hierarchy levels – even beyond companies’ boundaries.

Industrial sensors: focus on the market
Market-specific solutions dominate an extensive portfolio of industrial sensors that covers all applications the market requires from today’s automation technology. From the inductive and capacitive to the photoelectrical and highly precise ultrasonic sensors, identification systems and many more Pepperl+Fuchs offers all current operating principles in a broad variety.
Sensorik4.0® provides sensor technology for Industrie 4.0. Our technologies enable sensors without difficulty to communicate horizontally within the production process and to exchange data vertically – even into higher-level information systems such as MES or ERP.

Process interfaces: secure applications
Components and technologies for use in hazardous areas are designed to fit the most specific requirements in the industries we serve. They guarantee maximum availability at maximum safety. Isolated barriers, signal isolators, remote I/O or fieldbus systems, HMIs and many other technologies offer solutions for a wide range of applications including certified packaged solutions and all types of explosion protection.
Ex-Protection4.0 brings digital networked Industrie 4.0-production structures to process industries. With concept studies like Ethernet for Process Automation integrated communication throughout all levels of an automation system via Ethernet becomes feasible – for the first time ever even down to the filed level.