Photoelectric sensors provide non-contact accurate detection of targets. They emit infrared, red or laser light and the target breaks the light beam or reflects the beam back to the sensor to activate the sensor output. Photoelectric sensing modes are divided into three primary types, those being through-beam, retro-reflective and diffuse.

Photoelectric sensors can check for presence, color, distance, size, shape, and many more targets attributes. They can perform these functions at longer distances than other sensing methods while providing numerous mounting options and flexibility.

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