Robust and Resistant to Cleaning:
When Stainless Steel 316L Meets Optical Sensor Performance
2K Miniature Design Expands PNG//smart Series

Specialists in harsh and demanding industrial environments: Type 2K photoelectronic
sensors are the latest additions to the PNG//smart product series. Thanks to their robust
stainless steel 316L housing with IP69K protection, they can withstand intensive high-
pressure cleaning up to 100 bar at temperatures up to 80 °C, aggressive cleaning agents,
coolants and lubricants, as well as mechanical influences and corrosion. They are able
to measure distances, detect objects and communicate intelligently via IO-Link. The
miniature design, which can be easily integrated into any system, is available to users
in six functional principles and three light sources.

In the food and packaging industries, production facilities must be regularly cleaned with high
pressure and aggressive cleaning agents. The high requirements in washdown areas also
apply to the sensors installed in the systems. The new 2K series with stainless steel 316L
housing (1.4404/V4A) meets these requirements thanks to its high IP69K protection class and
ECOLAB certificate. “Splash water, high pressures up to 100 bar and 80 °C water temperature
or aggressive cleaning agents do not influence the 2K sensors,” says wenglor Product
Manager Christoph Lang. Mounted in a compact miniature housing (35.5 × 18.5 × 17 mm), the
photoelectronic sensors are also suitable for applications in mechanical and plant engineering,
e.g. in milling machines. Thanks to their robust design, the sensors are also resistant to
coolants and lubricants. “The robust sensors are not affected by impacts, knocks, corrosion or
other mechanical influences,” Lang continues. “Making them ideal for tasks in heavy-duty
industries.”

Robust on the Outside, Intelligent Inside
However, 2K sensors not only offer great resistance but also impress with their well-known
PNG//smart properties: A calibrated switching point and an aligned optical axis ensure precise
photoelectronic performance and easy integration, adjustment and commissioning. Thanks to
the laser class 1, which is harmless to the human eye, the small sensors are also suitable for
moving system parts such as robot arms. The integrated IO-Link interface also enables
intelligent communication and configuration at the push of a button. “Condition monitoring and
data storage make maintenance easier, and batch size 1 production is easy to implement,”
continues Lang. “The combination of impressive photoelectronic performance, smart
communication and robustness make the 2K series a strong product for any industry.”

The Right Sensor for Every Application
The small 2K design is available for six functional principles: Energetic reflex sensors and
reflex sensors with background suppression, universal retro-reflex sensors, retro-reflex
sensors for transparent objects, through-beam sensors and long-range laser distance sensors
are all now available in stainless steel 316L. A total of three light sources are available: red
light, blue light and laser light. With these comprehensive combination options, the right sensor
can be selected for any application. “Whatever the industrial environment, whatever the object
colour and surface condition: The 2K sensors are suitable for contactless object detection for
any task.”