KTS/KTX range of contrast sensors

The SICK KTS and KTX range of monochrome and colour contrast sensors bring new levels of detection accuracy and switching frequency speed in both sheet- and reel-fed production, even in challenging conditions.  

With compact, lightweight housings in rugged ABS, the sensors feature IO-Link data communication and an intuitive on-board display for easy set up and improved diagnostics.  The sensors incorporate SICK’s Twin-Eye Technology for improved contrast detection with better depth of field and a wider sensing distance tolerance. The greater grey-scale sensitivity means even better sensing of monochrome or colour registration marks, even on high gloss packaging. 

With a range of ‘core’ and ‘prime’ options in the product range, customers can choose different levels of functionality to suit their needs. With up to 70kHz switching frequency and down to 3µsec jitter rate (a level of performance never previously achieved) the KTS and KTX are easily capable of coping with up to 250 packs per minute and compensating for high-speed flutter on reel-to-reel material edges.

Common applications such as the detection of print marks or the control of industrial labelling processes will benefit immediately from the improved process stability and optimum machine downtime of the new technology.  The expanded range of sensor options now presents additional choices for application areas such as the detection of wafers, the management of reel changes and for quality control.

Conventional contrast sensors can struggle to perform reliably when faced with jittering webs, products with high-gloss surfaces, or where there is not much difference in contrast between a mark and its background. SICK  has overcome these challenges by introducing a second receiving channel – a first for any contrast sensor – achieving better process stability and reducing the risk of machine downtime.

SICK’s Twin Eye Technology analyses the optically-split remission signal from the material surface and compensates for any noise pulses it contains, so stable and controlled switching is consistently achieved. As a result the KTS/KTX sensors have a significantly larger depth of field, as well as a sensing distance tolerance of ±5mm, as-yet unique in contrast sensors of this type. 

The sensors intuitive onboard display enables operators to input and query parameters and ‘teach-in’ sensor and process adjustments quickly and easily.  The sensors can be rotated to ensure feedback information such as contrast quality is easily visible to the operator.

The KTS and KTX PRIME options enable fine contrast and colour differences to be detected using one device with a high degree of process reliability, while also blanking interfering colour gradients and imprints on the surface or noise from the detection background.