SICK UK (www.sick.co.uk) is proud to announce the launch of its all-new OLM200 for high performance materials handling applications. With this release, the company has extended the capabilities of its optical linear measurement sensor portfolio.

The innovative positioning sensor – delivering increased accuracy, repeatability and speed – uses a barcode tape to deliver non-contact linear positioning on both straight and curved tracks. The sensor continuously reads up to three barcodes to create an absolute positional value, guaranteeing optimal performance even if a barcode is damaged or missing.

Supported by additional plant control system connectivity, the enhanced new sensor has high operating speeds (up to 10 m/s) with non-contact linear positioning (0.15 mm) for greater positional accuracy and repeatability, allowing better space utilization in automated picking lines.

The increased speed of OLM200 can be used to achieve increased volume throughput, which makes it ideal for use with applications including rail-mounted shuttles, turntables, rotary tables, slewing rings hoisting systems, overhead conveyors and robots, which are commonly used in textile, film and automotive industries.

A PROFIBUS DP interface allows connection to several complex distributed control systems. In addition to diagnostic information, both speed and position can be communicated to enable enhanced system control.

Darren Pratt, distance sensor product specialist at SICK UK, said: “The OLM200 illuminates the barcode using a red LED, and a CMOS array reads the illuminated barcode. Without moving parts, such as the mirrors used in conventional barcode scanners, the read head is highly reliable even when mounted on a machine subject to high levels of vibration and shock.”

“As no laser is required for the unit, there are no classification issues. In addition, the LED illumination has a life expectancy of almost twice the length of a good quality laser diode.”

“You can expect to get 100,000 hours of use from the OLM200, as opposed to the average 50,000 hours expected from a laser diode, it’s therefore perhaps no surprise that we’ve had a great deal of interest in the OLM range.”