Today's Automation News Headlines from Automation.com

August 11, 2011—Banner Engineering introduces A-GAGE EZ-ARRAY two-piece measuring light curtain with IO-Link output to its line of measuring array sensors. The EZ-ARRAY models provide a cost-effective measuring sensor solution designed for quick and simple installations with the sophistication to handle the toughest sensing applications. These sensors excel at high-speed, precise process monitoring and inspection, profiling and web-guiding applications such as package and baggage sizing on material handling conveyors, profiling/positioning of packages or material in process, web edge guiding, log diameter measurement and carpet to nap edge detection.

The EZ-ARRAY features a 6-position DIP switch for setting scan mode, measurement modes, analog slope and a discrete output 2 option for complementary measurement or alarm operation. Additionally, it offers a 4-meter range with 5-mm beam spacing. Depending on the scanning method, Banner’s EZ-ARRAY family is capable of a 5-mm minimum object detection or 2.5-mm edge resolution. A remote teach wire option for alignment, inverted display and DIP switch disable is also included.

Complete configuration, alignment assistance and process monitoring functions are available through PC based software tools, and software interfaces are available for advanced sensor setup functions. The MODBUS-RTU equipped models use Banner’s "Sensors" user interface, a free software package available from Banner, to interact with the EZ-ARRAY, while IO-Link equipped models use "PACTware," a complimentary IO-Link software package available from TURCK, to interact with the EZ-ARRAY.

"The introduction of the IO-Link allows for full configuration of the EZ-ARRAY operating parameters and beam status monitoring," said Dean Tyo, Chief Engineer for Vision, Measurement, and Instrumentation at Banner Engineering. "When connected to an IO-Link Master, EZ-ARRAY configuration and measurement data can be communicated to a host controller on the field bus network allowing for convenient reporting of measurement values."

About Banner. Banner Engineering is a world leading manufacturer of photoelectric and ultrasonic sensors, indicator lights, vision sensors and vision lighting, electronic machine guarding systems, wireless networks, fiber optic assemblies and precision measurement systems.