Concise description

In the tough conditions of an automatic washing system, highly robust cylinder photoelectric sensors from SICK detect the position of stainless steel transport trucks.

Task

Daloon in Nyborg, Denmark, is the world's largest manufacturer of spring rolls. It goes without saying that fresh ingredients are used for the different fillings. Hygienic stainless steel transport trucks are used to transport the washed and chopped vegetables for use in the spring rolls. Empty trucks which come off the production line go through an automatic cleaning system where they are pre-washed, cleansed of all remnants using acids and alkalis, pressure-cleaned at 100 °C, disinfected and heat-dried. For the purposes of this fully-automated process, the transport trucks must be exactly positioned in the machine. Even though the specifications matched on paper, none of the sensors from other manufacturers which were previously used for position sensing could withstand the tough conditions for more than three weeks. After a discussion with SICK, the problem was solved using recommended sensors which were truly suited to the task.

Implementation

Maximum detection reliability and machine availability thanks to stainless steel cylinder photoelectric sensors

SICK Denmark presented Daloon with a solution to the task in the form of a cylinder photoelectric sensor made of stainless steel (V18V). This was then subjected to an intensive test phase on site. It was proven that the photoelectric sensor fulfilled the required specifications for use in this extreme environment, including IP 69K, and guaranteed availability for detecting the position of transport trucks. The cylinder photoelectric sensors were installed and aligned in the washing system. They only detect the transport truck once it is in the correct position for starting the cleaning program. If the control system does not receive a signal from the photoelectric sensor, the transport truck must be positioned correctly before the process can begin. This guarantees trouble-free operation with no risk of damage to the washing equipment or the transport truck.

Customer benefits

The cylinder photoelectric sensor from SICK has proven itself to be the perfect solution in day-to-day use for Daloon. "We finally have the photoelectric sensor which solves our automation problem. This also shows how much the limits of application can be pushed or raised when not just the data sheet, but also the device concept, is designed to match the conditions of use," says Peter Madsen, supervisor for system servicing at Daloon. The new sensor solution does not give error signals or false alarms, and the availability and throughput match Daloon's requirements and expectations. The amount of maintenance and service work required for the sensors has been greatly reduced, thus significantly improving the efficiency of the cleaning system. The opportunity to subject the sensors to extensive tests in advance allowed Daloon to be sure that they were making the right decision in choosing the cylinder photoelectric sensors from SICK.