Outstanding technical features open up numerous fields of application

Verification of product color is a constant challenge for many industries. Balluff is pleased to announce the BFS 33M true color sensor with IO-Link that provides a solution to this challenge. This sensor is able to detect the smallest nuances or shade differences while disregarding surface textures.

"As technology has progressed, true color sensors have been developed that not only can compare colors, but measure them more accurately than the human eye," shares Jack Moermond, Balluff Photoelectric Product Marketing Manager. "Balluff's true color sensors use white LEDs to provide a greater color spectrum evaluation. Combine this with the CIELAB Lab color space, which is one of the most versatile color systems, and the result is a color sensor that meets or exceeds the human eye". Lab color space includes all possible colors, exceeding the range of the RGB color model.

Due to the technology, a true color sensor can check only a small spot of color, but it can check this spot amazingly fast—up to 1.5 kHz with a range of 400 mm. Unlike a color sensor camera, which will focus on the objects surface pattern and might cause false readings, the true color sensor will ignore patterns, thus providing more accurate color detection.

Some of this product's features are:

Flexibility through configuration and parameterization with IO-Link
Configure and store up to 256 true color programs
Fiber optic-based, with sensing ranges up to 400mm
True color sensor that exceeds the performance of RGB sensors
Best fit and precise sensing modes
About Balluff Inc.: Balluff Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Balluff GmbH, Neuhausen, Germany. Balluff is a leading supplier of networked IO-Link control system architectures that unlock the potential of the IIoT and Industry 4.0. Balluff offers a wide range of intelligent IO-Link and industrial Ethernet sensors in a variety of technologies including inductive, photoelectric, capacitive, and magnetic as well as magnetostrictive linear position sensors, magnetic tape linear encoders, industrial RFID systems, and industrial vision systems. Balluff provides cost-saving, process-enhancing solutions to machine builders and manufacturers to control, regulate, automate, assemble, position, and monitor manufacturing, assembly, and packaging sequences. Industries served include: automotive, packaging, food processing, beverages, tire, primary metals, conventional and alternative energy, semiconductor, plastics, and fluid power.