Two in One: Leuze Presents the GSX, the World's First Combined Fork Sensor

Oct. 7, 2020
The GSX combined fork sensor from Leuze combines the advantages light and ultrasonic sensors. The GSX sensor is exceptionally suitable for labeling machines used in the packaging industry

With the introduction of the GSX, the world's first combined fork sensor, Leuze is continuing its decades-long tradition as an innovator. Leuze invented not only the first label fork sensor with the GS05, but also developed the first ultrasonic fork sensor with the GSU14. With the company's latest innovation, the GSX (various models available), Leuze has expanded its fork sensor product range by adding a combined model that can do both: light and ultrasonic. It combines the advantages of the optical variants with those of the ultrasonic products, and it is best suited for labeling machines used in the packaging industry. With this innovation, Leuze is once again demonstrating their many years of expertise and the application know-how of the Sensor People in this field.

Leuze expands its fork sensor product range
Affixing labels of various shapes, sizes, and materials on products and packaging by means of a labeling machine is one of the fundamental tasks carried out in the packaging industry. For its precise positioning, the label must be safely and reliably detected—even at high conveyor speeds. This task is performed by fork sensors, which house the transmitter and receiver in a single device and ensure high operational safety. These devices are not only very sensitive, they are also easy to mount and do not require any alignment. Until now, Leuze offered two fork sensor models for this purpose: light and ultrasonic. A new version that combines light and ultrasonic is now available.

Two in one: world's first GSX14E
The GSX fork sensor is the world's first sensor of its kind and combines the two detection methods of ultrasonic and light in a single housing. It brings together the advantages of both principles and can be used very flexibly. It reliably, quickly, and precisely detects a wide range of labels, regardless of their material and surface characteristics. This increases the machine throughput and avoids downtime. Even labels made of inhomogeneous cavitated BOPP material can be reliably detected through the optical operating principle. The fork sensor is especially well suited for applications in which various types of labels need to be detected. Until now, this often required several different fork sensors. The user saves not only space, but also additional time and costs of installation. The new fork sensor can be quickly and easily set up via the teach button to teach the label-carrier combination. Only one universal mounting position is required for all objects.

IO-Link for easy configuration and recipe management
The new GSX fork sensor features an IO-Link interface. This serves to configure the sensor easily, quickly, and economically. The interface can be used to enable remote teaching, or to lock the buttons, among other things. In addition, recipe management facilitates easy format changeovers when replacing rolls. This means that re-teaching is not necessary when changing rolls to a different label format. The format is changed quickly by selecting the appropriate parameter set for the corresponding label format. This parameter selection is directly carried out on the labeling machine via the human-machine interface. It saves not only setup time, but it also increases the production volume and makes the system more economical.