Contrast sensor KRT 3C for the packaging industry

Compact KRT 3C contrast sensor from Leuze provides fast and reliable identification of contrast differences in situations with limited installation space. Use this small sensor during packaging processes.

When flexibility meets usability

Contrast sensors are developed to detect defined markings on objects during packaging processes. These contrast markers are located on film, bag and blister packaging or on labels.

Leuze developed a compact contrast sensor of the 3C series for flexible use with different transmitter colors (RGB light, white light or laser-generated red light) for all common color and gray value combinations. The KRT 3C enables reliable and precis detection even of the slight contrast differences, as well as of print marks on glossy materials.

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Contrast sensor for tight installation spaces

With a very compact housing (11 x 32 x 17 mm), compact sensor of the 3C series is Leuze’s smallest contrast sensor. It is developed for situations with limited installation space and offering a high level of mounting flexibility.

The robust plastic housing covers degrees of protection IP67 and IP69K. The housing’s resistance against cleaning agents commonly used in the packaging industry is confirmed by ECOLAB certification.

You can easily perform all settings for integration and operation of the sensors as well as for the case of format changes of the products via the IO-Link interface.

Your advantages at a glance

Contrast sensor KRT 3C is flexible thanks to multiple types of light in a single housing: multicolor (red, green or blue light), white light and laser-generated red light.

Sensor enables reliable detection of even the slightest contrast differences and of print marks even on glossy and highly reflective materials.

The KRT 3C boasts highly precise and reliable identification of contrasts with a short response time of 50 µs (laser: 125 µs) and minimal signal jitter for optimum machine throughput.

High mounting flexibility and easy integration even in tight installation spaces are due to a compact and robust housing with a high degree of protection of IP 67 and IP 69K as well as ECOLAB certification.

Multiple teach modes are available for selection, thereby ensuring the appropriate adjustment routine for easy and fast machine commissioning (static or dynamic 2-point teach, static 1-point teach).

The KRT 3C contrast sensor features IO-Link for easy integration of additional functions into the machine control, for example easy format changeover due to recipe management, parameterization of the sensor, or locking of the teach button to prevent tampering.

contrast sensor KRT 3C Leuze

Select the appropriate light source

contrast sensor KRT 3C Leuze

Because the reliability with which contrast markers in different applications are detected is determined by the emitted light color, the KRT 3C contrast sensors use three different light types. In this way, you can select the appropriate light source for each type of material and for each contrast marker color in packaging or labeling processes:

Multicolor source uses red, green or blue LED light (RGB). Through the automatic selection of the right transmitter color, various color or gray value combinations can be reliably detected. Multicolor devices are especially well suited for very colorfully printed films.

The white light LED is used if it is necessary to distinguish colors and gray values from a reference gray value (with equal contrast resolution). This provides greater reliability particularly in the case of contrast markers on glossy surfaces.

Contrast sensors with a red light laser emit a very small laser light spot and are therefore the ideal choice for detecting very small markers and changes in distance.

Configure, operate and maintain contrast sensor easily

You can adjust the KRT 3C contrast sensors either (i) via a teach button, (ii) remotely by teaching via a cable or (iii) via IO-Link.

Using IO-Link for configuration, operation and maintenance (condition monitoring) of contrast sensors simplifies integration and thereby helps keep downtime in production to an absolute minimum.

  • Convenient format changeover to a different film or label type by uploading the respective parameter set including teach value to the contrast sensor (also possible directly via the Human Machine Interface (HMI))
  • No setup time and no re-teaching of the contrast sensor when changing format
  • Real-time signal information and diagnosis
  • Quick and easy remote teaching or locking of the teach button via IO-Link interface
  • The variety of teach modes enables fast commissioning of the machine:
    • Static 2-point teach: Suitable for manually positioning markers and background
    • Dynamic 2-point teach: Suitable for moving markers within automated machine processes
    • Static 1-point teach: Suitable for detecting any type of markers against a homogeneous background or outside of a reference value
contrast sensor KRT 3C IO-link

Mount contrast sensor flexibly

contrast sensor KRT 3C Leuze

Objects or cut marks in packaging processes must be detected quickly and with high switching reliability. Also, challenging environmental conditions exist such as tight installation spaces or frequent cleaning processes. The KRT 3C contrast sensor boasts a robust miniature housing and can be used flexibly for various detection tasks.

  • The small construction, just 32 mm in height, ensures flexibility during mounting, especially in confined spaces
  • The KRT 3C can also be used in areas requiring degrees of protection IP 67 and IP 69K
  • The ECOLAB certification ensures suitability for applications where the system is cleaned regularly and cleaning agents are used

Examples of use from industry

KRT 3C detecting cut marks

Detecting cut marks on the film feed

KRT 3C use cases tube

Tube alignment in a filling system through color mark detection

KRT 3C use cases alignment

The film feed in thermoforming machines

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labeling industry

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