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MINI-BEAM SME312 Expert Series

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Microprocessor-based TEACH mode photoelectric sensors¹

• TEACH-mode sensors in the popular MINI-BEAM package

• Easy push-button programming automatically adjusts sensitivity to optimal set­ting

• Multiple sensing modes include retroreflective, polarized retro, clear object de­tection, diffuse, divergent, and convergent, plus glass and plastic fiber optic
models

• Fast, 500 microsecond (0.5 millisecond) output response

• Bipolar NPN (sinking)/PNP (sourcing) outputs

• Easy output programming eliminates the need for Light or Dark Operate selec­tion

• Separate TEACH input allows remote programming by an external device, such
as a switch or a process controller

• LED status indications for received signal strength (using Banner’s AID™ func­tion), power ON, and output state

• Green Stability indicator flashes when received signal level approaches the
switching threshold, also indicates Power ON

• Integral 2 meter (6.5 foot) cable or 5-pin Euro-style quick-disconnect (QD) con­nector, depending on model; 9 meter (30 foot) cable models are also available

¹ U.S. patent(s) issued or pending

WARNING: Not To Be Used for Personnel Protection
Never use this device as a sensing device for personnel protection. Doing so could lead to serious
injury or death. This device does NOT include the self-checking redundant circuitry necessary to allow its

use in personnel safety applications. A sensor failure or malfunction can cause either an energized or de­energized sensor output condition.

Retroreflective Models

Sensing Mode Model * Range or Focus Supply Voltage Output Type

Retroreflective, 650 nm visible red SME312LV 5 m (15 ft)**

Polarized retroreflective, 650 nm visible red SME312LP

Polarized retroreflective, 650 nm visible red
(clear object)

** Sensing ranges vary according to the efficiency and reflective area of the retroreflector(s) used. (Retroreflective tape is not recommen­ded for use with Clear Object Detection models.) See Accessories and the Banner Engineering catalog for more information.

Diffuse Models

Sensing Mode Model * Range or Focus Supply Voltage Output Type

SME312LPC

10 mm to 3 m** (0.4 in to 10
ft)

1 m (3.3 ft) with supplied re­flector**

10 to 30V dc

Bipolar

NPN/PNP

Diffuse, 880 nm infrared SME312D 380 mm (15 in)

Diffuse, 650 nm visible red SME312DV 1100 mm (43 in)

Divergent Diffuse, 880 nm infrared SME312W 130 mm (5 in)

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10 to 30V dc

Bipolar

NPN/PNP

Yellow output
indicator LED

Bi-color green/red
indicator LED

MINI-BEAM SME312 Expert Series

Convergent Models

Sensing Mode Model * Range or Focus Supply Voltage Output Type

16 mm (0.65 in)

SME312CV

Spot Size at Focus: 1.3 mm
(0.05 in)

Convergent, 650 nm visible red

43 mm (1.7 in)

SME312CV2

Convergent, 525 nm visible green SME312CVG

Spot Size at Focus: 3.0 mm
(0.12 in)

16 mm (0.65 in)
Spot Size at Focus: 1.0 mm

10 to 30V dc

Bipolar

NPN/PNP

(0.04 in)

Convergent, 475 nm visible blue SME312CVB 16 mm (0.65 in)

Spot Size at Focus: 1.8 mm

Convergent, 450-650 nm visible white SME312CVW

(0.07 in)

Glass Fiber Optic Models

Sensing Mode Model * Range or Focus Supply Voltage Output Type

Glass Fiber Optic, 880 nm infrared SME312F

Glass Fiber Optic, 650 nm visible red SME312FV

Glass Fiber Optic, 525 nm visible green SME312FVG

Range varies by sensing
mode and fiber optics used

10 to 30V dc

Bipolar

NPN/PNP

Glass Fiber Optic, 475 nm visible blue SME312FVB

Glass Fiber Optic, 450-650 nm visible white SME312FVW

Plastic Fiber Optic Models

Sensing Mode Model * Range or Focus Supply Voltage Output Type

Plastic Fiber Optic, 650 nm visible red SME312FP

Plastic Fiber Optic, 525 nm visible green SME312FPG

Plastic Fiber Optic, 475 nm visible blue SME312FPB

Range varies by sensing
mode and fiber optics used

10 to 30V dc

Bipolar

NPN/PNP

Plastic Fiber Optic, 450-650 nm visible white SME312FPW

* Standard 2 m (6.5 ft) cable models are listed. To order the 9 m (30 ft) cable model, add suffix “W/30” to the model number (e.g.,
SME312LV W/30.) To order the 5-pin Euro-style QD models, add suffix “QD” (e.g., SME312LVQD). Models with a QD connector require
a mating cable.

Overview

MINI-BEAM® Expert™ is a complete family of sensors, all housed in the popular, ro­bust and compact rectangular housing. Their large push button and easy-to-see indi­cators provide easy configuration, alignment, and monitoring during use.

Retroreflective and Polarized Retroreflective Mode models are excellent for sens­ing relatively small items where opposed-mode sensing is not possible. They are rec­ommended for relatively clean environments where high excess gain is not required.
Polarized models filter out unwanted reflections.

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Polarized Retroreflective Mode – Clear Object Detection models reliably detect the
presence of clear objects.

MINI-BEAM SME312 Expert Series

Diffuse Mode models are excellent for sensing objects of adequate size and reflectivity at short range. Divergent models are useful for
sensing small items and translucent or transparent materials at close range. The SME312DV sensors effectively sense specular surfaces
like semi-conductor wafers, disk drive media, glass and machined surfaces. The collimated optics of the SME312DV also permits the
sensor to be mounted against clear container walls, view ports and other types of optical “feed-throughs.”

Convergent Mode models are a good choice for counting adjacent radiused objects and for accurate position sensing. Blue, green and
white beam models are recommended for color mark sensing.

Glass Fiber Optic models are an excellent option for sensing in tight or otherwise inaccessible areas. Fibers withstand vibration and
shock and are immune to electrical noise. Glass fibers withstand high temperatures, extreme moisture and corrosive materials. Glass
fibers are not recommended for applications requiring bending or repeated flexing (see plastic fiber models). Visible beam models are
recommended for color mark sensing.

Plastic Fiber Optic models are an excellent option for sensing in tight or otherwise inaccessible areas. Fibers withstand vibration and
shock and are immune to electrical noise. Plastic fibers function well at temperatures from –30° to +70° C (–20° F to +158° F), and stand
up to repeated flexing. Most are easy to shorten in the field, for custom installations. Plastic fibers are not recommended for severe
environments (see glass fiber models). Plastic fiber optic sensors are recommended for color mark sensing.

Status Indicators

Normal sensor operation is called RUN mode. Sensor configuration (setting the sensitivity threshold and selecting output ON and OFF
conditions) is performed in TEACH mode. The two LED indicators (bi-color green/red and yellow) have distinct roles in the two operation
modes. If contrast is marginal, the bi-color indicator will flash green to indicate instability. If this occurs, reconfigure or realign the sensor,
or clean the sensor or fiber lenses.

The Signal Strength indicator is Banner’s exclusive AID™ (Alignment Indicating Device). Its pulse rate increases as the received light
signal strength increases (during programming). This feature simplifies accurate alignment during TEACH mode, and gives a relative
indication of sensing contrast between the light and dark conditions.

LED RUN Mode TEACH Mode

Solid green Power is on

Flashing green Sensed light level is approaching sensing threshold*

Solid red Sensor “sees” its own modulated light source; pulse rate is

proportional to the received light signal strength**

Yellow on Outputs conducting Ready to TEACH output ON condition

Yellow off Outputs not conducting Ready to TEACH output OFF condition

* This is the Stability indicator, which signals when maintenance, realignment, or reconfiguration is needed during RUN mode.

** The faster the pulse rate, the stronger the light signal.

Remote Configuration

The remote function may be used to configure the sensor remotely or to disable the push button for security. Connect the gray wire of the
sensor to ground (0V dc), with a remote programming switch connected between them. Pulse the remote line according to the diagrams
in the configuration procedures. The length of the individual programming pulses is equal to the value T where: 0.04 seconds ≤ “T” ≤ 0.8
seconds

Troubleshooting

If the MINI-BEAM Expert’s Power LED alternately flashes red/green, this indicates a microprocessor memory error. To clear the error, re­teach the sensor or cycle the power ON and OFF and re-teach the sensor. If this does not solve the problem, or if it occurs frequently,
replace the sensor.

Static Teach

The two sensing conditions may be presented in either order. The condition presented first is the condition for which the output will ener­gize (the “Output ON” target).

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Sensor positions
threshold between
taught conditions

Output OFF Output ON

2nd Taught

Condition

1st Taught

Condition

MINI-BEAM SME312 Expert Series

Sensitivity is automatically set (and optimized) when teaching the sensor the ON and
OFF conditions. When the push button is clicked, the sensor samples each sensing
condition and registers it into memory. After the second sensing condition is regis­tered, the MINI-BEAM Expert automatically sets the sensitivity to the optimum value
for the application, and then returns to RUN mode.

Push button (0.04 seconds ≤ “Click” ≤ 0.8 seconds); Remote line (0.04 seconds ≤ “T”
≤ 0.8 seconds)

1. Access TEACH mode.

Method Action

Via push button Press and hold push button until the bi-color (green/red) indicator begins to flash red, or turns OFF.

Via remote line No action required; sensor is ready for 1st sensing condition.

Push button method only: The yellow LED is on. The red LED pulses to indicate relative received signal strength. The sensor is ready
for the output ON condition.

2. Teach the first sensing condition.

Method Action

Via push button Present the first sensing condition and click the push button.

Via remote line Present the first sensing condition and single-pulse the remote line.

The yellow LED is off. The red LED pulses to indicate relative signal strength. The sensor registers the output ON condition and is
ready for the output OFF condition.

3. Teach the second sensing condition and return to RUN mode.

Method Action

Via push button Present the second sensing condition and click the push button.

Via remote line Present the second sensing condition and single-pulse the remote line.

If the teach is accepted the green LED is on (or flashes if the signal is close to the switching threshold) and the yellow LED is off until
the sensing condition changes; the sensor registers the output OFF condition, positions the threshold, and returns to RUN mode.

If the teach is not accepted, the yellow LED is on and the red LED pulses to indicate the relative received signal strength. The sensor
returns to its wait state and is ready for the first sensing condition.

NOTE: The sensor returns to RUN mode if the first TEACH condition is not registered within 90 seconds. TEACH mode may be cancelled
before either the first or second condition by holding the push button depressed for more than two seconds.

Enabling or Disabling the Push Button

In addition to its programming function, the remote line may be used to disable the push buttons for security. Disabling the push buttons
prevents undesired tampering with the sensor configuration settings.

1. Connect the sensor’s gray wire.

2. Four-pulse the remote line to enable or disable the push button.
The sensor toggles between enable and disable settings and returns to RUN mode.

Specifications

General Outputs

Supply Voltage and Current

10 to 30V dc (10% maximum ripple) at less than 45
mA, exclusive of load

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Output Configuration

Bipolar: One current sourcing (PNP) and one current
sinking (NPN) open-collector transistor