Besides Reliability, which sensor type is best for you depends on four things:
- Performance (Accuracy, Speed)
- Usable Label Materials
- Ease of Use
- Cost
Sensor-Type Details | Measuring Sensor Performance
Optical
Inexpensive optical sensors are an excellent choice if you’ll never use clear labels or go too fast.
The LionEye2 is an example of an optical sensor.
Strength: Inexpensive
Weakness: Clear Labels, Speed
Scores: Performance: 3/5 | Materials: 2/5 | Ease of Use: 4/5 | Cost: 5/5 | Reliability: 5/5
Differential Capacitive
If you use clear labels, but never use metallic materials, metallic inks, or other metallic artwork, these are the best sensors on the market.
The LRD2100 is an example of a differential capacitive sensor.
Strength: Clear labels, Speed
Weakness: Metallic materials and inks
Scores: Performance: 5/5 | Materials: 3/5 | Ease of Use: 4/5 | Cost: 4/5 | Reliability: 5/5
Single-Ended Capacitive
These sensors work well with metallic inks, hot-stamps and other metallic artwork. They can be difficult to adjust for solid metallic label materials like foils.
The LRD6300 is an example of a single-ended capacitive sensor.
Strength: Clear labels, Metallic art, Speed
Weakness: Solid foil label materials
Scores: Performance: 5/5 | Materials: 4/5 | Ease of Use: 5/5 | Cost: 4/5 | Reliability: 5/5
Ultrasonic
Unaffected by metal, these sensors work on nearly everything and are easily adjusted. They are the least accurate, and accuracy goes down as speed goes up.The LRD8200 is an example of an ultrasonic sensor.
Strength: Works on virtually all materials
Weakness: Accuracy, Layered webs, Speed
Scores: Performance: 2/5 | Materials: 5/5 | Ease of Use: 5/5 | Cost: 3/5 | Reliability: 5/5