bks+ ultrasonic web edge sensors

The bks+ ultrasonic web edge sensor

is a fork sensor for scanning the edges of sound-impermeable materials such as foil or paper.
This is why the bks+ is ideally suited for the web control of high-transparency foils, light-sensitive materials, materials with greatly varying transparency and paper subject to high paper dust loads.

The functional principle

Both transducer and receiver are placed in a single, slim fork housing. The transducer in the lower leg is emits short, cyclical sound pulses. These are detected by the ultrasonic receiver in the upper leg of the fork. A material embedded in the fork covers the sound gap and thereby dampens the receiving signal in depending on the coverage. This is analysed by internal electronics.
An analogue signal is output depending of coverage, resp. data word via IO-Link.

1 Push-Pull switching output with pnp or npn switching technology and 1 analogue output 4–20 mA and 0–10 V

The working range for the bks+3/FIU/A is 12 mm and for the bks+6/FIU/A is 40 mm.

Using the Teach-in button

on the upper side of the edge sensor sets the zero point for the local edge. This calibration can be done in two ways:

• clear the fork completey of any web material,
• push the button for approx. 3 seconds
• cover the fork sensor completely and push the button briefly (< 1s). Ready. Or
• adjust the path edge within the fork to both markings so that 50 % of the sound gap is covered,
• then push the button for approx. 6 seconds. Ready.

The edge sensor bks+3 has a fork width of 30 mm and a fork depth of 43 mm. The bks+6 web edge sensor has a fork width of 60 mm and a fork depth of 73 mm. Other fork widths and depths are available upon request. The housing side is equipped with two consistent bores for the edge sensor’s mounting. The electrical connection is established via an M12 circular plug.

Three LEDs

show the position of the web material within the fork. When using light-sensitive materials, the LEDs can be switched off.

With a fork width of only 30 mm and 60 mm respectively and a depth of 33 mm and 73 mm respectively, it has a very compact design. Its working range of 12 mm and 40 mm respectively and its high accuracy of 0.1 mm permit a wide variety of applications.

Swichting over

between current and voltage outputs is done by using the button or LinkControl. The bks+ is preset and can be used immediately. Optionally, it can also be comprehensively parameterised using LinkControl adapter LCA-2.

Updated to IO-Link version 1.1.3

The bks+ sensors with the extension "/A" in the order name now support IO-Link 1.1.3 and the Smart Sensor Profile.

The predecessor models bks+3/FIU and bks+6/FIU can be found in the sensor archive.