One of the Smallest Distance Measurement Sensors with Pulse Ranging Technology

Pepperl+Fuchs introduces VDM28 Distance Measurement Sensors with Pulse Ranging Technology (PRT). These cost-effective sensors provide distance measurements from 200 mm up to 8 m with repeatable accuracy of <5 mm, with resolution of 1 mm and response time as fast as 10 ms, regardless of target surface. Pulse Ranging Technology is an advanced method of distance measurement that provides more precise measurement than phase correlation and time-of-flight techniques.

At just 88 mm x 26 mm x 54 mm, VDM28 Distance Measurement Sensors are the industry’s most compact PRT-based sensors. They feature a visible red laser light source with a small, well-defined light spot for quick, accurate alignment. These sensors offer a simple one-touch “teach” process, are immune to cross-talk and provide reliable operation in temperatures ranging from -22 degrees F up to 122 degrees F. They operate at 10-30 VDC with maximum load current of 100 mA, and feature two 4-in-1 discrete outputs. Available options include a 4-20 mA analog output, as well as an IO-Link of Com 2 interface.

Unlike phase correlation methodology that has limited range and is relatively dependent on good, stable environmental conditions for accurate and repeatable measurements, Pulse Ranging Technology can provide highly reliable and repeatable distance measurements to over 3200 feet with little concern for ambient environmental conditions.

With PRT, short pulses of light are emitted from the sensor, reflected off the target, and received back to the sensor. This procedure is repeated up to 250,000 times per second. The power of a single pulse is up to one thousand times more intense than the pulses generated by sensors that emit permanent light beams. As a result, PRT-based sensors deliver far more accurate, reliable and repeatable results irrespective of target surface or color, or high ambient light.

VDM28 distance measurement sensors feature the same housing as our popular, Series 28 family of photoelectric sensors, and installation compatibility with other industry standard sensors. They are ideally suited for use in applications where standard background suppression sensors reach their maximum range, or where a long-range sensor with a small light spot is required.