BAUMER's non-contact level sensor overcomes challenges

The trend towards heightened automation, for instance, complicates matters further in various processing and industrial sectors, notably in food, beverage, semiconductor production, pharmaceuticals, printing, and repro.

Non-contact capacitive sensors typically emerge as the preferred choice for such applications due to their capability to detect fill levels without direct media contact, even with the rising diversity and sensitivity of the liquids commonly encountered in these processes.

Capacitive sensing technology presents significant advantages, especially in applications involving aggressive liquids, food, or sensitive pharmaceutical fluids contained in closed vessels, or where contact with foreign particles must be avoided. However, in certain applications, microfilms or residues may adhere to the inside walls of tanks and vessels as the fill level decreases. This poses challenges for 'conventional' capacitive sensors, as they struggle to reliably discern whether the level measurement represents the medium or merely the microfilms or residues.

As a result, there is a risk of the fluid handling system running dry, leading to undesired disruptions and unplanned downtime. Moreover, conventional capacitive sensors utilised in 'sensitive' applications can be highly susceptible to even minor influences; for instance, a slight touch of the tank or vessel may result in switching errors.

Sensor specialist BAUMER is continuing to innovate and broaden its portfolio of advanced sensors. Its latest offering, the new PL240 capacitive sensor, remains unaffected by these challenges. This compact yet sturdy sensor can be affixed externally to plastic or glass tanks, even those with a wall thickness of up to 6mm. It can reliably detect point levels of water-based media, such as cleaning fluids, milk, or laboratory liquids, thanks to compensating adherence.

Measuring 40mm x 40mm, this compact point level sensor can be swiftly attached directly onto tanks, vessels, or tubes using adhesive tape, cable ties, or screws. It offers exceptional performance, accommodating air gaps of up to 1mm between the tank and the sensor. This enables installation on machine parts when utilising swap containers, particularly in situations where direct contact may not be feasible or is challenging to establish.

The PL240 sensor expands BAUMER's portfolio of user-friendly 'smart' fluid monitoring solutions.