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.

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

Select the appropriate light source

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:

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.

Mount contrast sensor flexibly

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

Detecting cut marks on the film feed

Tube alignment in a filling system through color mark detection

The film feed in thermoforming machines