Wenglor PNBC optical sensors

Measurement of extremely small components in the micron range often pushes optical sensors beyond their limits. The Wenglor PNBC range offers a maximum resolution of 0.06 μm with only 0.05% linearity error. This precision is supported by high reproducibility and thermal stability at output rates of up to 30 kHz.

The PNBC sensors work with a high-resolution CMOS line array and determine distance to the object by means of angular measurement. High-quality optics make measured values possible, which can be read out with 16-bit resolution and can thus go all the way down to 0.06 μm.

Built-in algorithms allow stable measured values to be obtained even for difficult-to-measure surfaces, such as sheet metal with a speckle effect, and can be reliably evaluated. Minimised temperature drift makes use of the sensor possible immediately after switching it on without a long warm-up phase, and the sensor can get down to work without delay.

The measured value is read out simultaneously via the analog output and an ethernet interface. This provides users with the opportunity of forwarding data to higher-level system participants directly via network integration. The sensors are also equipped with up to four switching outputs, which can also be used as incremental encoder inputs or for switching emitted light on and off.