Circa 1986, Tri-Tronics introduced what is now referred to as the Classic Smart-Eye photoelectric sensor. As detailed in our prior article on the original (Classic) Smart-Eye versus the (newer) Mark II Smart-Eye, the latter introduced the patented Enhanced Dynamic Range / EDR feature (circa 1995)t. From a performance standpoint, the integration of the EDR feature is perhaps the most significant. It extended the effective operating range of all the products in that Mark II Smart-Eye Series.
Compared to the Classic Smart-Eye, the Tri-Tronics Mark II Smart-Eye sensor also offered several other advantages/features. The most noticeable new feature was that, unlike the Classic Smart-Eye, which was only offered with a potted-cable, the Mark II was standard with a quick-disconnect connector on its body. That standard 4-pin M12 male connector allowed for ease of swapping out with competitive models (most of which were the same connector and same pin-out configuration for wiring), but also facilitated evaluation of various Classic Smart-Eye sensors with different color LED sources to determine the optimum source for a given application. It also permitted easy replacement at the sensor’s end-of-life. This new feature was significant, as most customers, OEM’s and End-users, prefer quick-disconnect models.
Where the Tri-Tronics Classic Smart-Eye had different models with trade-offs in gain versus response time, the Mark II Smart-Eye offered all models with the same high gain, and all models with even faster overall response time; i.e., 50 microseconds.
The Tri-Tronics Classic Smart-Eye was only available with an offset that required a small screwdriver to adjust, and occasionally was destroyed by those using the inappropriate size to adjust it. The Mark II Smart-Eye was offered either with the same offset, or with an operator knob, which eliminated the need for any tool to adjust. Given the choice, some customers prefer the knob for ease of adjustment and longevity where applications necessitate frequent adjustments, while others prefer the need for a screwdriver to discourage tampering.
The Tri-Tronics Classic Smart-Eye sensor was only offered with complimentary outputs (light-operate and dark-operate) by wire selection. The Mark II Smart-Eye added a slide switch to have the output be selected for either light-operate or dark-operate.
Another very significant advantage of the Tri-Tronics Mark II Smart-Eye Series is that all models provided both industry standard outputs, NPN/Sinking and PNP/Sourcing, by wire selection. The Classic Smart-Eye achieved either by different SKU’S. This addition of both industry standard outputs in a any single model, eliminated the costly mistake where the user ordered the wrong output type, largely due to confusion about what the two different output types really achieved and what was needed for a given application. The salesperson no longer had to ask “which output type does your existing machine require?” and hope the correct output type was stated.
Later in the Tri-Tronics Mark II introduction, a Blue LED light source, and subsequently a White LED source were added to the already available choices of visible red, IR, and green LED sources. The Blue offered an advantage in sensing some contrasting colors such as yellow marks on white, and White LED, with its broad spectrum, was best overall choice when discriminating various contrasting colors.
While to this date, the Tri-Tronics Classic Smart-Eye is still offered, the choice of the Mark II Smart-Eye sensor over its predecessor is strongly suggested for enhanced performance, valuable-added features, and of course, availability. The Classic Smart-Eye Series and the Mark II Smart-Eye are the same, interchangeable size.
Excel Automation / Eagle Sensors & Controls in an Authorized Distributor for Tri-Tronics (since 1989). Please contact us for technical, application, or sales support.