BE-A range of optical flow sensors from Panasonic

"Automated processes are indispensable to enable reliable, repeatable and cost efficient routine tasks in laboratories," says Holger Morgenstern, Head of Product Group Strategic Brands at Conrad Business Supplies.

"Panasonic's BE-A range of optical flow sensors contributes significantly to the continuously evolving laboratory automation market. The new sensors allow liquids and air bubbles to be detected fast and reliably.”

The optical sensors can be easily installed - independent of their position - and they can be fitted with transparent plastic tubes with outer diameters of 2, 3 or 4 mm. The tubes are clipped into the sensor housing in just one easy step (see photo).

A special lens enables highly reliable detection of air bubbles or air gaps with sizes as small as 0.8 mm. In addition, a very short response time of 20 μs guarantees very fast analytic processes.

The new optical flow sensors feature an integrated amplifier and can be put into operation immediately after installation. The presence of liquid inside the clipped-on tube is indicated by an orange LED.

With their very small dimensions - approximately fingertip size (at 20 mm (L) x 15.5 mm (W) x 16.5 mm (H) - several sensors can be tightly packed in a narrow space and thus require little room inside laboratory devices.

The sensors conform to the protection class IP40, have an operating voltage between 5 and 24 VDC and are specified for the temperature range -25 to + 55°C.