Photoelectric sensors are devices which are being utilized for detecting the shape, size, color, distance, presence or absence and any other attributes of the target entity. These devices utilize light for performing their designated task. A typical photoelectric sensor device generally consists of a light transmitter and a receiver. Infra-red light sources are used in general in these devices. The light is emitted by the transmitter towards the target and the reflected light beam is received by the photoelectric receiver, thus activating the sensor output. Photoelectric Sensors are deemed to be the best substitutes for inductive proximity sensors.
This is because photoelectric sensors can detect non-metal objects also, apart from their ability to function over long sensing distances. Only the optical components are present in photoelectric sensors used for remote sensing while the electronic components are generally contained in a control panel elsewhere. This is advantageous since the sensor can be developed with a minimalistic design while the controls can be designed to make it more accessible to the user. On the other hand, self contained photoelectric sensors are designed to contain both the optics and the electronic components together. These sensors are designed to perform the modulation, amplification, demodulation and other functions simultaneously. Advancement of technologies has led to decrease in size of these sensors while adding increasing embedded intelligence.
The increasing demand for photoelectric sensors is mainly driven by their use in the automotive industry, food & beverages and manufacturing industry. The increasing demand for information-based manufacturing and sensor-based data from production line machines are driving the demand for photoelectric sensors. Additionally data from certain industrial applications can be obtained systematically and cost effective manner only by deploying photoelectric sensors.