Photoelectric
sensors are devices which are being utilized for detecting the
shape, size, color, distance, presence or absence and any other
attributes of the target entity. These devices utilize light for
performing their designated task. A typical photoelectric sensor
device generally consists of a light transmitter and a receiver.
Infra-red light sources are used in general in these devices. The
light is emitted by the transmitter towards the target and the
reflected light beam is received by the photoelectric receiver, thus
activating the sensor output. Photoelectric Sensors are deemed to be
the best substitutes for inductive proximity sensors.
This
is because photoelectric sensors can detect non-metal objects also,
apart from their ability to function over long sensing distances.
Only the optical components are present in photoelectric sensors used
for remote sensing while the electronic components are generally
contained in a control panel elsewhere. This is advantageous since
the sensor can be developed with a minimalistic design while the
controls can be designed to make it more accessible to the user. On
the other hand, self contained photoelectric sensors are designed to
contain both the optics and the electronic components together. These
sensors are designed to perform the modulation, amplification,
demodulation and other functions simultaneously. Advancement of
technologies has led to decrease in size of these sensors while
adding increasing embedded intelligence.
The
increasing demand for photoelectric sensors is mainly driven by their
use in the automotive industry, food & beverages and
manufacturing industry. The increasing demand for information-based
manufacturing and sensor-based data from production line machines are
driving the demand for photoelectric sensors. Additionally data from
certain industrial applications can be obtained systematically and
cost effective manner only by deploying photoelectric sensors.
Effectiveness
of photoelectric sensors, in controlling the movement of products
during the manufacturing process, has made them indispensable in
manufacturing plants across all the sectors. The high economic growth
coupled with increased automation of plants in emerging markets has
significantly boosted the photoelectric sensors market. The market
has also been boosted by increasing automation investments in US and
Mexico which is again due to positive government initiatives. One of
the biggest driver of this market is the advent of Industrial
Internet of Things (IIoT). This is because IIoT performs analysis and
decision support tasks for an organization by depending on sensor
based measurements. Furthermore, the capability to function over long
distances, decreasing size and increasing functionality among others
has also positively impacted the market for photoelectric sensors.
Lack of sensing capability of photoelectric sensors and lack of scope
of product differentiation are major restraints for the photoelectric
sensors market.
The
global photoelectric sensors market can be segmented, based on
functional types, into through beam, diffuse-reflective,
retro-reflective and distance-settable. On the basis of end user, the
market can be segmented into defense & aerospace, healthcare,
food & beverages, automotive and others. Furthermore,
photoelectric sensors market can be geographically segmented into
North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC) and rest of the world.
Some
of the key companies leading the photoelectric sensors market are
Omron (Japan), Rockwell Automation (US), Schneider Electric (France),
Balluff Inc. (US), Sick AG (Germany), Keyence (Japan), Hokuyo
Automatic Co. Ltd. (Japan), Takenaka Corporation (Japan), Baumer
Group (Switzerland) and Contrinex (Switzerland) among others.
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