Sensor manufacturer SICK has introduced a ‘plug-and-play’ double sheet detector that promises to cut downtime and scrap for paper and board manufacturers and converters. The SICK UD18-2 can be set up easily by the user to be sensitive to a range of sheet thicknesses and to determine whether there are no sheets, or one, two or more layers of material present. The sensor uses ultrasonic technology to check for double layers, splices or glue residues and offers reliable detection independent of the colour, gloss, transparency or reflectivity of the material.
“Mishandling of sheets, missing sheets or double sheets cause multiple stoppages, downstream roller jams and lost material,” comments Darren Pratt, SICK UK’s distance sensor product manager. “An inexpensive investment in a UD18-2 sensor could pay for itself by preventing just one jam, by maintaining machine availability and reducing the need for operator supervision and maintenance.”
The UD18-2 comprises a compact ultrasonic sender and receiver that detect materials from 20 gsm to 2000 gsm. LED indicators viewable at any angle indicate clearly whether 0, 1 or 2+ sheets are detected, making it easy to monitor double-sheet detections.
For easy mounting, the UD18-2 is available in right angle or straight configurations. Sender and receiver can be mounted between 20 and 60mm apart to suit the requirements of the machine. For most applications, the sensor is plug and play with no need for adjustment. However, for materials with a particularly low or high density, the UD18-2 also has three sensitivity settings, which can be pre-set and activated via digital inputs during operation to suit changes of material, minimising machine downtime. Reliability is not affected by atmospheric conditions or by heat, humidity, moisture or dust.
Using the SICK Connect+ Adapter with software allows enhanced functionality with visualisation of sensor behaviour and sensitivity levels as a temporary preview of operation. Configuration capabilities include installation distance, operating modes and sensitivity levels, output and input, trigger mode, filters, off-delay and on-delay, switching threshold and reset mode.
