Ensuring uninterrupted industrial processes requires precise monitoring and management of liquid and free-flowing solid levels in tanks or similar containers. The challenge lies in selecting a sensor that reliably detects various media, including liquids with different optical properties and irregularly shaped solids. Additionally, the sensor must withstand harsh industrial conditions and be suitable for confined spaces. Pepperl+Fuchs addresses these requirements with the UC18GS Ultrasonic Sensor Series, offering a solution that excels in adaptability and reliability.
The application of the UC18GS series extends to tanks containing liquids and granules, where continuous monitoring is essential for maintaining consumption-replenishment balance. The sensor’s capacity to detect transparent or coloured liquids and solid granules is a testament to its versatility. Moreover, historical data availability facilitates in-depth analysis and long-term planning for optimized processes.
The goal of the UC18GS series is to provide precise measurements unaffected by interfering components or container interiors. The compact sensor is designed to thrive in confined spaces, enabling installation outside the tank without extensive modifications. Small openings in the tank lid suffice for level measurement, emphasizing the sensor’s adaptability. A suitable protection class is maintained, ensuring resilience to varying ambient conditions.
The UC18GS series employs a cone-shaped sound beam with an adjustable diameter to strike surfaces over a wide area. This feature is crucial for accurate measurements, especially on irregular or moving surfaces. Software advancements, such as PACTware, suppress disturbance variables like support struts, guaranteeing precise level detection even in challenging conditions.
Technical features of the UC18GS series include a measuring range of up to 1000 mm, minimal dead bands of 30 mm or 70 mm, and interfaces such as IO-Link 1.1 and infrared interface IrDA. Output types include 2x push-pull switching output or 1x push-pull switching output and 1x analogue output (current/voltage). The sensor operates in an ambient temperature range of –25 to +70 °C and boasts a degree of IP67 protection.
The benefits of the UC18GS series are evident in its IO-Link interface, allowing remote parameterization via the controller without physical access to the sensor. The device’s compact design incorporates push buttons for easy configuration of output settings and sound beam width. Other features include interference target suppression, configurable sound beam, automatic synchronization, minimum dead band, and an infrared interface, making it a comprehensive solution for diverse applications.
In summary, Pepperl+Fuchs’ UC18GS Ultrasonic Sensor Series stands out for its reliable measurement capabilities on flat and irregular surfaces, independence from optical properties, adaptability of the sound beam without range loss, interference suppression, and space-saving design tailored for confined spaces. IO-Link further enhances ease of commissioning through remote access, showcasing the sensor’s versatility and future-oriented design.
Tricia Fleming | Pepperl+Fuchs
