1. Counting separated opaque cartons on a conveyor
A conveyor can place the sensor on one side of its carton path and a PL80A reflector on the opposite side. Each opaque carton interrupts the polarized return path and produces a PNP dark-switching condition for an external counter. Setup checks carton coverage and spacing against the installed distance, sensing diagram, 1,000 Hz rating and resistive-load response limit.
Problem Solved
Reflector-return interruptions give external counting logic carton-passage events, helping count separated opaque loads while supply and signal wiring remain on the sensor side.
Carton counting
PNP dark switching
1,000 Hz
2. Confirming a component crossing a transfer threshold
A transfer station can position the reflector-return path across a location that an opaque component must cross before the next process step. External sequencing logic reads the PNP dark-switching state as a crossing reference. Head or base M18 mounting supports sensor placement, while commissioning checks actual component coverage, alignment and reflector distance against the documented sensing-range diagram.
Problem Solved
A monitored optical crossing gives external sequencing logic a passage reference, helping coordinate the next transfer step when an opaque component interrupts the selected return path.
Transfer crossing
Head/base mounting
Polarized return
3. Monitoring material that remains across a chute
A parts chute can place the sensor and reflector across a location expected to clear between opaque loads. External timing logic measures the duration of the dark-switching condition and compares it with the process interval. The sensor provides the optical state; the external timer distinguishes a short passage from material that remains across the aligned return path.
Problem Solved
A maintained interruption condition gives external timing logic an accumulation reference, helping identify opaque material that remains at the chute position beyond its expected passage interval.
Chute occupancy
External timer
Dark-switching output
