Omron F3C-AL DATASHEET

Distance setting laser photoelectric sensor

F3C-AL

• 700 mm max setting distance

• small visible Laser light spot for simple
adjustment

F3C-AL

Features

Clear red spot ensures easy setting.

With its wide setting range 170 to 700 mm, F3C-AL is compat­ible with standard conveyors. In the setting distance of 700
mm, the distance can be set easily with a 1.5x4 mm red spot.

700mm

Secure detection of shiny surface

Ensures stable detection of a 45-degree shiny surface. Detec­tion of pouches, laminated packages or like minimizes setup
change time.

170mm

Unaffected by a shiny background.

Insensitive to shiny objects in the background, the Sensor can
be installed in any place.

Small Black/White error:
2% (Setting distance 300 mm),
8% max. (Setting distance 500 mm)

A little black/white error saves adjustment time during setup
change.

Full hysteresis detection range 0.5% max.
(for white paper)

6-turn adjuster ensures ease of adjustment.

A-177F3C-AL

Application

yp

Detection of food being transferred

Detection of wafers through view port
(Reflective model)

F3C

The cup of yogurt

Detection of the object
between 150 to 700 mm max.
on the conveyor.

F3C

Since it is a reflection
type, a viewport is
OK with one place!

Wafer

Ordering Information

Sensors

Shape

Connection

method

Sensing/Setting range Operating mode

Pre-wired with
M12-connector

Accessories (Order Separately)

Mounting Brackets

Shape Model Quantity

E39-L40 1

120 170

Setting range

Sensing distance

120 to 700 mm

700 mm

Light-ON/Dark-ON cable
connection selectable

Sensor I/O Connectors

Cable spec-

ifications

Straight

e

Standard

t

cable

L type

Robot cable

(for vibra-

Straight
type

tion resis-

tance)

L type

Shape

NPN output PNP output

F3C-AL14-M1J

Cable type

2 m
5 m
2 m
5 m
2 m

4 con-

ductors

5 m
2 m
5 m

Model

F3C-AL44-M1J

XS2F-D421-D80-A
XS2F-D421-G80-A
XS2F-D422-D80-A
XS2F-D422-G80-A
XS2F-D421-D80-R
XS2F-D421-G80-R
XS2F-D422-D80-R
XS2F-D422-G80-R

Red light

Model

A-178 Standard Photoelectric Sensors

Rating/Performance

Item Model F3C-AL14-M1J F3C-AL44-M1J
Sensing 120 to 700 mm (White paper 100 x 100 mm) (Setting distance 700 mm)

Setting distance range

Black-/white-error 20% max. (of setting distance, 90%/6% remission)
Spot Diameter 1.5 x 4 mm (Setting distance 700 mm)

Light source

Power supply voltage 10 to 30 VDC [ripple (p-p) 10% included]
Current consumption 30 mA max.

Control output

Protective circuits Reverse polarity protection, output short-circuit protection, mutual interference prevention
Response time Operation and reset: 10 ms max.
Sensitivity adjustment 6-turn adjuster
Ambient illuminance Incandescent lamp/Sunlight: 5,000 lux max.
Ambient temperature Operating: 0°C to 50°C, Storage: -25°C to 60°C (with no icing or condensation)
Ambient humidity Operating/Storage: 35% to 85%RH (with no condensation)
Insulation resistance 20 M min. at 500 VDC
Vibration resistance 10 to 55 Hz double amplitude 1.5 mm or 300 m/s2 for 2 h in each of X, Y, Z directions
Shock resistance Destruction: 500 m/s2 for 3 times each in X, Y, and Z directions
Protective structure IEC Standard IP40
Connection method M12 connector joint type (standard cable length 200 mm) / 4 x 0.34 mm² (PVC)
Weight (packed state) Approx. 80 g

Material

Accessories Adjusting screwdriver, Laser warning label, instruction manual

Case
Lens Acrylics (PMMA)

170 to 700 mm (White paper, 90% remission, 100 x 100 mm)
170 to 560 mm (White paper, 6% remission, 100 x 100 mm)

Pulsed red light semiconductor laser
Class II: < 1mWeff. / 670 nm / 5% duty cycle
(Impulse time 60 µs, Period time: 1.2 ms)

Load supply voltage 30 VDC max., load
current 150 mA max. (residual voltage: 2 V max.)
NPN open collector output type, Light-ON/Dark-ON
cable connection selectable

ABS

Load supply voltage 30 VDC max., load
current 150 mA max. (residual voltage: 2 V max.)
PNP open collector output type, Light-ON/Dark-ON
cable connection selectable

F3C-AL

A-179F3C-AL

Characteristic data (typical)

a

Parallel operating range Black/White error Short distance characteristic chart

4

3

2

Distance Y (mm)

1

0

100

-1

-2

-3

-4

Hysteresis

3.0
Sensing object

White paper: reflectivity 90 %
Black paper: reflectivity 5 %

Hysteresis (%)

2.0

150mm

400mm

200

300

400

700mm

500 600 700

Distance X (mm)

20

Sensing object
White paper: reflectivity 90 %
Black paper: reflectivity 5 %

15

10

Black and white error (%)

5

0

150 200 300 400 500 600 700

Setting distance (mm)

800

700

600

Distance (mm)

500

400

300

200

100

0

90

mm

50mm

Setting distance 700mm

170mm

185mm

70mm

White paper Black paper

Materi

1.0

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Black paper

White paper

Setting distance (mm)

A-180 Standard Photoelectric Sensors

Output Circuit Diagram

NPN output

Model

F3C-AL14-M1J

Operating status of
output transistor

Light ON

Dark ON

Interrupted

Light
indicator
(red)

Output
transistor

Load
(Relay)

Interrupted

Light
indicator
(red)

Output
transistor

Load
(Relay)

Timing chart

Incident

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

Operate

Reset

(Between 1 and 4)

Incident

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

Operate

Reset

(Between 1 and 4)

Mode

selection

Connect B
to

A

or dis-

connect

B

Connect B
to

C

.

Output circuit

Light
indicator
(red)

Stability
indicator
(green)

Main
circuit

.

1

4

Z

D

3

2

10 to 30 VDC

Load

(Relay)

150 mA
max.

0V

Operation selectable

F3C-AL

Connector Pin Arrangement

1

2

4

3

10 to 30 VDC

Load

(Relay)

150 mA
max.

0V

Operation selectable

10 to 30 VDC

Light
indicator
(red)

Stability
indicator
(green)

Main
circuit

Connector Pin Arrangement

1

2

4

3

1

4

Z

D

3

2

PNP output

Model

F3C-AL44-M1J

Operating status of
output transistor

Light ON

Dark ON

Interrupted

Light
indicator
(red)

Output
transistor

Load
(Relay)

Interrupted

Light
indicator
(red)

Output
transistor

Load
(Relay)

Timing chart

Incident

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

Operate

Reset

(Between 3 and 4)

Incident

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

Operate

Reset

(Between 3 and 4)

Mode

selection

Connect B
to

A

or dis-

connect

B

Connect B
to

C

.

Output circuit

Light
indicator
(red)

Stability
indicator
(green)

Main
circuit

.

1

Z

D

4

3

2

10 to 30 VDC

150 mA
max.

Operation selectable

Load

(Relay)

0V

Connector Pin Arrangement

1

2

4

3

10 to 30 VDC

150 mA

Load

max.

(Relay)

0V

Operation selectable

Light
indicator
(red)

Stability
indicator
(green)

Main
circuit

1

D

Z

4

3

2

Connector Pin Arrangement

1

2

4

3

Connectors (Sensor I/O connectors)

Terminal No. Cable core

2

13

4

1
2
3
4

XS2F-D42

#

-D80-#

#

-D80-#

XS2F-D42

wire jacket color

Brown
White
Blue
Black

Wire, outer Connector

Class

Brown A Power supply (+V)

For
DC

White B Operation switching

Blue C Power supply (0 V)

Black D Output

Application

A-181F3C-AL

Sensitivity Adjustment

Item Position A Position B and C Setting

Adjustment
procedure

Detecting
condition

Place the detected object at the de­sired location and turn the LIGHT indi­cator (red) lights. This is position A

Photoelectric
sensor

Detected object

A

Background object
Remove the detected object and turn
the adjustment knob clockwise until the
LIGHT indicator(red) lights. This is the
position B.
Then turn the adjustment knob coun­terclockwise until the LIGHT indicator
(red) goes out. This is position C.
No Background object
The maximum adjustment setting is
used as position C.

Photoelectric
sensor

Detected object

Background

B

C

Set the adjustment to halfway between
A and C. Confirm that the STAB indica­tor (green) remains lit both with the de­tected object present and not present.
If the STAB indicator does not remain
lit, review the detection method to en­able stable operation.

object

Status of dis­tance

A

setting
knob

Indicators

OFF ON

STABILITY
(green)

LIGHT
(red)

OFF OFF

Special hints

Recommended adjustment

To assure stable working conditions the green stability LED should
be always turned on.

The green LED displays two stability conditions:

1. Output stable ON (red LED on)

2. Output stable OFF (red LED off)

Best performance can be achieved if the sensing object is located
closer than -10 % of the setting distance or the shiny background is
fixed +10 % behind the switching position.

STABILITY
(green)

A

C

B

ON OFF

LIGHT
(red)

STABILITY
(green)

C

LIGHT
(red)

A-182 Standard Photoelectric Sensors

Precautions

Safety Precaution

Laser beam!

Laser protection class 2
Do not look into the laser beam.
Pay attention to the accident prevention regulations and the
laser protection class.

Visible laser emission!

Avoid any indirect or direct radiation of
reflected or emitted laser light!

Laser safety

The laser safeguards have been stipulated for laser equip­ment in and outside Japan. The following gives brief descrip­tion for use in Japan.
The JIS C6802 Standard stipulates safety preventives that
must be taken by the user according to the laser product
class. (The outline is given in the following table.)
User's Requirements

Class

Item 3B*

Using remote
interlock

Key control Not required

Beam breaker
or attenuator

Warning sign Not required

Beam path

Mirror
reflection

Eye protect Not required

Protection
clothes

Training Not required

* 5 mW or less in the visible range

Class 1 Class 2

The laser beam must be terminated and, as a rule,

Not re-

must be enclosed. If the laser beam is exposed,

quired

the vertical height of the beam must not be the
same as that of the eyes.

Not required

Not required

Class

3A

Not required

Not required

Wear protection clothes if exposure of
the skin to the laser beam may exceed
the MPE of the skin.

The laser system must be operated by
only properly trained people.

Classification of F3C

Class 2

Handle laser equipment in accordance with the following pre-

cautions.

• Do not look into the beam.

• Do not disassemble the product. Doing so will release the
laser beam to wander around.

Please obtain or prepare the "Laser product safety standards"
on your own responsibility.

Class 3B

Connect the re­mote interlock of
the laser beam to
the emergency
main interlock, the
interlock of the
room, or the inter­lock of the door.

Do not keep the
key in the lock
when the laser
beam is not used.

Used to protect
people from acci­dental radiation by
the laser beam.

Post a proper warning sign on
the door to the room where
laser beam equipment is in­stalled.

Appropriate optical elements
must be securely attached
and you must be able to con­trol the optical elements dur­ing laser radiation.

Use eye protectors
except in special,
specified locations.

3B

Class 4

Labels related to laser
The following warning label is applied to the side face of the
photoelectric sensor.

DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE BEAM!

LASER LIGHT

NOT EVEN THROUGH OPTICAL

INSTRUMENTS.

LASER PROTECTION CLASS 2

Pout < 1mW 670nm

For use in Japan, change the above label for the one that
meets the JIS Standards.

Handling Instructions
F3C radiates a visible-light laser. Do not look into it directly.
Use F3C so that the light path of the laser beam is terminated.
If there is a mirror-smooth reflector in the light path, confine
the beam away from the reflected light path. If F3C must be
used with the light path open, avoid placing the light path on
the eye level.

Correct Use

Design

Power Reset Time

The Photoelectric Sensor is ready to sense an object in 300
ms after power-on. Therefore, use it 300 ms after power-on. If
the load and Sensor are connected to different power sup­plies, always switch on power for the Sensor first.

Wiring Considerations

Load short-circuit protection

• The F3C-AL has load short-circuit protection. If a load short­circuit or like has occurred, the output turns OFF. Therefore,
recheck the wiring and switch power on again. This resets
the short-circuit protection circuit. Load short-circuit protec­tion is activated when a current of 1.8 times or more of the
rated load current flows. When using an L load, use the one
the inrush current of which is less than 1.8 times of the rated
load current.

• Do not use the input power exceeding the rated voltage.
Doing so can cause damage.

• Do not shorten the load with the open collector output. Oth­erwise, damage might be caused.

• Run the wiring of F3C separately from the high voltage and
power cables.

F3C-AL

A-183F3C-AL

• Avoid wiring them together or running them within the same



duct. Doing so may get them induced, causing a malfunc­tion or damage.

2

• For extension of the cable, use a 0.3-mm

or more cable

and run it within 50 m.

Mounting

• Install the photoelectric sensor so that the sun, fluorescent
lamp, incandescent lamp or any other strong light will not
enter the directional angle range of the sensor.

• If Sensors are installed face-to-face, ensure that no optical
axes cross each other. Otherwise, mutual interference may
result.

• Use M4 screws to mount the unit.

• When mounting the case tighten it to the torque of 1.2 Nm
max.

• Depending on their material and/or shape, some objects
may not be detected or may be detected with low accuracy.
(Mirror-smooth material, transparent material, material of
extremely low reflectivity, object smaller than spot diameter)

Correct operation
The moving direction of the sensor or object should be prefer-

ably along the optical axis of the light beam. Lateral approach
is also possible. Movement from the top to the bottom or op­posite can cause malfunction and should be avoided.

Green LED (stability)

Red LED (light received)

Movement of object

Light beam

Miscellaneous

Operating Environment

• Avoid using the Sensor in a strong disturbance light (e.g. la­ser beam or arc welding beam) or strong electromagnetic
field.

Dimensions (Unit: mm)

Sensors

F3C-AL14-M1J
F3C-AL44-M1J

Emitter

8

4.7

(55)

90

Receiver

Stability indicator (green)

Light indicator (red)

Distance adjuster

32

Three,

42

4.2 dia.

4

4

18

37

45

Sensing distance

adjustor

Termi-

nal No.

1+V

Terminal No.

2

1+V
2

30V

30V

4 Output

4 Output

Note: Connection 1 to 2 is L-ON

Note. L-ON when 1-2 are connected

inyl-insulated round cable of 4 dia.
4 cores conductorStandard length:
200 mm

Specifications

Specifications

L-ON/D-ON

selection

L-ON/D-ON selectable

Connection 2 to 3 is D-ON

D-ON when 2-3 are connected

M12 x 1

4

1

3

2

Accessories (Order Separately)

Mounting Brackets

H-5

ALL DIMENSIONS SHOWN ARE IN MILLIMETERS.
To convert millimeters into inches, multiply by 0.03937. To convert grams into ounces, multiply by 0.03527.

Cat. No. E510-E2-01-X

In the interest of product improvement, specifications are subject to change without notice.

A-184 Standard Photoelectric Sensors