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Datalogic / Datasensing TL46 contrast sensor family machine vision sensor
Datalogic / DatasensingContrast and color sensors
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Datasensing TL46 Contrast Sensor Family

TL46

The TL46 family detects color registration marks using a fixed-focus 9 ±3 mm spot (1.5 x 5 mm minimum, configurable lenses to 40 mm) with selectable RGB, white or red LED emission. It spans seven models (basic TL46-W, standard TL46-WL with bargraph, enhanced TL46-WLF, color-mode TL46-WE, low-jitter TL46-WJ, basic IO-Link TL46-W...PZ and ultra-fast IO-Link TL46-WH...PZ, plus the trimmer-set TL46-A), with switching frequencies of 10/15/20/30/50/70 kHz and jitter as low as 3 us. Outputs include PNP, NPN, push-pull, a 0-5 V analog output (A/W/WL models) and IO-Link V1.1.2; the aluminium IP67 housing uses an M12 5-pole connector rotatable to 5 positions. It is powered from 10-30 VDC and rated for -10 to +55 C operation.

Brand
Datalogic / Datasensing
Sensor type
Contrast / registration-mark sensor
Sensing method
Diffuse contrast detection (fixed-focus reflective spot)
Light source
RGB LED (blue 465 nm / green 520 nm / red 630 nm), white LED 400-700 nm, or red LED 630 nm depending on model
Range / distance
9 ±3 mm standard focus (18 / 22 / 28 / 40 mm with optional glass lenses)
Response time
33 us (TL46-W); down to 6 us (TL46-WH...PZ), 10 us (TL46-WJ), 16 us (TL46-WLF/WE), 25 us (TL46-A/WL)
Switching frequency
15 kHz (TL46-W); up to 70 kHz (TL46-WH...PZ), 50 kHz (TL46-WJ), 30 kHz (TL46-WLF/WE), 20 kHz (TL46-A/WL), 10 kHz (TL46-WE color mode)
Output type
PNP / NPN / push-pull (PP) by part number; 0-5 V analog output on TL46-A/W/WL
Communication
IO-Link V1.1.2 Smart Sensor Profile (TL46-W...PZ, TL46-WH...PZ); plus digital switching outputs
Supply voltage
10-30 VDC (limit values), ripple 2 Vpp max
Connection
M12 5-pole connector, rotatable to 5 positions
Housing material
Aluminium housing; lens PMMA (A/W) or glass (W-815G/WL/WLF/WJ/WE)
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Technical overview

The Datasensing TL46 is a contrast (registration-mark) sensor family from Datalogic, working on the diffuse principle: it projects a fixed-focus reflective spot onto a moving web and reads the difference in remitted light between a printed mark and its background. The standard focus sits at 9 +/-3 mm with a 1.5 x 5 mm minimum spot, and optional glass lenses extend the working distance to 18, 22, 28 or 40 mm so the head can be set back from the material plane when guards or web flutter demand it. Emission is chosen by model: selectable RGB (blue 465 nm, green 520 nm, red 630 nm), white LED across 400-700 nm, or a fixed red 630 nm LED. That multi-color emission is the heart of a contrast sensor, because it lets the device pick the wavelength that maximizes the gray-scale delta between a specific ink color and its substrate, which is exactly what a single-color photoelectric sensor cannot do reliably on colored print.

Speed is what separates the seven models and is the spec that matters most for print and packaging lines. Switching frequency runs 10/15/20/30 kHz on the standard models, 50 kHz on the low-jitter TL46-WJ and 70 kHz on the ultra-fast IO-Link TL46-WH...PZ, with response time falling from 33 us on the basic TL46-W down to 6 us on the WH. The family's jitter as low as 3 us is the quietly critical number: on a registration-mark application the controller acts on the edge of the mark, so timing scatter translates directly into print-to-cut or print-to-fill positional error. For a high-line-speed bag-maker or label press, the WJ or WH models hold the cut window tight; for slower indexing equipment the W or WL is sufficient and lower cost.

Electrically the family is built for direct PLC integration. Outputs are PNP, NPN or push-pull by part number, with a 0-5 V analog output offered on the A, W and WL models for diagnostics or to drive a controller's analog input, and IO-Link V1.1.2 (Smart Sensor Profile) on the W...PZ and WH...PZ variants for remote teach, parameter cloning and switch-point monitoring alongside the digital switching outputs. Wiring is via an M12 5-pole connector that rotates to five positions, which simplifies cable routing in tight machine frames. The aluminium IP67 housing (approx. 31 x 81 x 58 mm, up to 170 g) and 10-30 VDC supply over a -10 to +55 C range make it a wash-down-tolerant, panel-edge-mountable device rather than a clean-room-only instrument. Note the lens material differs by model: PMMA on the A/W and glass on the WL/WLF/WJ/WE, which is a durability consideration where abrasive dust or cleaning chemicals are present.

Best for

  • Detecting printed registration marks on packaging film or label stock to trigger cut, fill or seal stations at high web speed (WJ at 50 kHz / WH at 70 kHz for fast presses)
  • Color-difference detection where a single-color sensor fails, using selectable RGB emission to maximize contrast between a specific ink and its substrate
  • Print-to-cut and print-to-fill synchronization on bag-makers and form-fill-seal machines where jitter as low as 3 us keeps the cut window tight
  • Verifying presence and position of colored print marks in food, beverage and pharma packaging lines requiring IP67 wash-down tolerance
  • IO-Link-managed installations needing remote teach, parameter cloning across identical heads and switch-point monitoring (W...PZ / WH...PZ variants)

Selection notes

  • Pick the model by speed first: TL46-W (15 kHz / 33 us) and WL (20 kHz / 25 us) for indexing or slow webs; WJ (50 kHz / 10 us) or WH...PZ (70 kHz / 6 us) for high-speed presses where mark timing drives a cut or fill.
  • Confirm the mounting standoff before ordering optics: standard focus is 9 +/-3 mm with a 1.5 x 5 mm spot; if the sensor must sit farther back, specify the optional glass lens for 18, 22, 28 or 40 mm working distance.
  • Match the output to the receiving device: PNP, NPN or push-pull are fixed by part number, the 0-5 V analog output exists only on A/W/WL, and IO-Link V1.1.2 is limited to the W...PZ and WH...PZ models.
  • Account for lens material in harsh environments: PMMA on A/W versus glass on WL/WLF/WJ/WE, the latter being more resistant to abrasion and cleaning chemicals.
  • Verify the environment envelope: IP67 aluminium housing rated -10 to +55 C operation on a 10-30 VDC supply (2 Vpp ripple max), with the M12 5-pole connector rotatable to five positions for cable routing.

Specifications: General
BrandDatalogic / Datasensing
Sensor typeContrast / registration-mark sensor

Specifications: Performance
Range / distance9 ±3 mm standard focus (18 / 22 / 28 / 40 mm with optional glass lenses)
Response time33 us (TL46-W); down to 6 us (TL46-WH...PZ), 10 us (TL46-WJ), 16 us (TL46-WLF/WE), 25 us (TL46-A/WL)
Switching frequency15 kHz (TL46-W); up to 70 kHz (TL46-WH...PZ), 50 kHz (TL46-WJ), 30 kHz (TL46-WLF/WE), 20 kHz (TL46-A/WL), 10 kHz (TL46-WE color mode)

Specifications: Interface
CommunicationIO-Link V1.1.2 Smart Sensor Profile (TL46-W...PZ, TL46-WH...PZ); plus digital switching outputs
ConnectionM12 5-pole connector, rotatable to 5 positions

Specifications: Electrical
Supply voltage10-30 VDC (limit values), ripple 2 Vpp max

Specifications: Environment
Operating temperature-10 to +55 C (storage -20 to +70 C)
IP ratingIP67

Specifications: Sensing
Sensing methodDiffuse contrast detection (fixed-focus reflective spot)
Light sourceRGB LED (blue 465 nm / green 520 nm / red 630 nm), white LED 400-700 nm, or red LED 630 nm depending on model

Specifications: Output
Output typePNP / NPN / push-pull (PP) by part number; 0-5 V analog output on TL46-A/W/WL

Specifications: Mechanical
Housing materialAluminium housing; lens PMMA (A/W) or glass (W-815G/WL/WLF/WJ/WE)
Dimensionsapprox. 31 x 81 x 58 mm
Weight170 g max

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