- Unique design of SmartReflect light barriers significantly improves the reliability of object detection

LONDON, Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the light barriers market, Frost & Sullivan recognises Baumer Group with the 2012 Europe New Product Innovation Award for its SmartReflect light barriers. This novel product brings numerous benefits for industrial customers and is a proof of how technological innovations can significantly improve productivity in manufacturing.

A unique design, high precision, and robustness, combined with rapid ROI, make Baumer Group's SmartReflect light barrier solutions extremely attractive to a broad spectrum of end-users and markets. This innovative solution overcomes challenges associated with conventional light barriers, such as high-installation costs and complicated maintenance processes.

"With SmartReflect, Baumer Group has succeeded in creating a solution that is more reliable than competing offerings, and which can be placed in machinery used in large-scale production environments," noted Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Emil Lazarski. "It facilitates the process of installation and integration of the sensor in the machine, while also being suitable for use in systems with limited space availability."

SmartReflect is the perfect solution for detecting objects independent of their shape, colour or surface in a cost-effective and reliable manner. It is unique in that it does not need the reflector, a part which is typically used in light barriers, and which is one of the constituents of competing solutions.  Another key distinguishing factor is that there is no blind region in front of the system's optics - a typical disadvantage of retro-reflective sensors.

"SmartReflect significantly improves the reliability of object detection," remarked Lazarski. "In the case of conventional retro-reflective solutions, function impairment can occur due to dirt accumulation. This is in odds with one of the major requirements in many end-user industries, including the food and beverage production industry – high standards of system hygiene."

SmartReflect light barriers have a special hygienic design that effectively meets the requirements of various industries. They are one of the industry's first European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG) certified photoelectric sensors.  Moreover, proTect+ is an impermeability solution used by Baumer Group in their sensors that ensures high product durability, even in the most demanding environmental conditions.

"The sensors are produced with the utmost precision and with high quality heat and chemical resistant materials," said Lazarski. "The use of such materials facilitates superior reliability and resistance to difficult environmental conditions, including high temperatures and the presence of cleaning agents."

SmartReflect light barriers are available in various versions, which have a sensing distance ranging from 45 mm up to 2 m. For the detection of transparent objects, Baumer Group engineers have specifically designed two versions of SmartReflect, which are capable of detecting transparent objects with a sensing range of up to 800 mm. While one of these versions can detect standard objects, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles or glass containers, the other version can be used for highly transparent objects.

"This product is capable of enabling a very high ROI (return of investment) due to savings in maintenance costs," stated Lazarski. "As there is no need to replace reflectors, downtime is reduced and productivity is improved. SmartReflect not only ensures substantial reduction in operating costs, but also cost savings due to easier installation, commissioning, and alignment."

Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has demonstrated excellence in developing a product with innovative elements that leverages leading edge technologies, that offers valued added features and benefits, supports increased customer ROI and has the potential for enhanced customer acquisition/penetration.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Baumer Group

The Baumer Group is an international leading manufacturer and developer of sensors, encoders, measuring instruments and components for automated image-processing. Baumer combines innovative technology and customer-oriented service into intelligent solutions for factory and process automation and offers a uniquely wide range of related products and technologies. With more than 2,500 employees and production plants, sales branches and agencies in 36 subsidiaries and 18 countries, the family-owned company is always close to the customer. Industrial clients in many sectors gain vital advantages and measurable added value from the worldwide consistency of Baumer's high quality standards and its enormous innovative potential. For further information, visit www.baumer.com on the internet.

About Frost & Sullivan

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Contact:
Emily Bailey
Best Practices
Frost & Sullivan 
emily.bailey@frost.com 
P: +44-(0)20-7915-7869