Pepperl+Fuchs is updating its PXV and PCV camera-based positioning portfolios, and the first PXV read heads in the F213 housing are available. The company describes the update as making absolute positioning "more compact, connected, and powerful." The new read heads have a larger field of view, which Pepperl+Fuchs says gives consistent reading results and lets installers bridge bigger gaps between codes.
Both families pair a 2-D camera with a Data Matrix code tape for non-contact positioning over distances of up to 100,000 m. The company's product page lists resolution of up to 0.1 mm. Multiple code redundancies keep the system reading when the tape is dirty or damaged. Typical applications include stacker cranes, electric monorail systems, lifting systems and shuttles.
On the PCV devices, the tolerance range for z-distance has been widened. That compensates for system variations such as curved paths and allows more flexible mounting.
Diagnostics are the other change. The read heads continuously monitor the z-distance to the code tape and their own rotation angle, which helps identify mounting errors. They also output quality values that rate the scene the head captures, including the tape. For automation engineers commissioning a long track, those values point to a misaligned head directly.
The sensors connect through a TCP/IP service interface to the Pepperl+Fuchs Vision Configurator software. From there, users can display diagnostic data, capture images and run remote updates. Commissioning is supported over RS-485, SSI, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, PROFIsafe, EtherCAT or IO-Link.
Pepperl+Fuchs is moving the entire PXV and PCV portfolio to the new hardware and software generation in stages, and additional variants will receive the improved features.
