The Datasensing FC8 Ultrasonic Fork Sensor detects transparent and opaque labels on backing material in labelling machines, packaging lines and print-and-apply systems. Its ultrasonic sensing, compact aluminium housing and teach-in setup support label-gap detection where optical contrast between the label and liner is insufficient.
The FC8 distinguishes the label-and-liner combination from the liner alone by sensing changes in ultrasonic transmission. Detection therefore depends on the material’s acoustic properties rather than its colour or printed contrast, making the sensor useful for clear labels and production runs with changing artwork.
Installed around the moving label web, it sends switching signals to the machine controller for feed timing, counting or label positioning. Suitability should be checked with the actual label, adhesive and liner combination, particularly when changing materials.
The FC8 has a 3 mm sensing slot and 69 mm slot depth. The published minimum label length and minimum gap between labels are both 2 mm; these are separate requirements, so check both dimensions along the direction of travel.
The maximum switching frequency is 1,500 Hz. This figure alone does not establish the allowable production speed: label pitch, gap duration, material response and controller input timing also affect detection. Validate the smallest label and gap at the intended operating speed.
The painted aluminium body has an approximately 85.2 × 47.3 mm footprint, excluding the connector. Allow additional space for the mating cable, mounting hardware and access to the adjustment buttons, and guide the web consistently through the sensing position.
The operating temperature range is +5°C to +55°C, with IP65 protection. Applications involving colder conditions or demanding cleaning processes need a separate suitability assessment.
For additional object-presence, measurement or machine-safety tasks elsewhere on the line, explore MarvelTech’s industrial sensors.
Dynamic teach-in sets the detection threshold using the moving label material. Repeat setup when the label or liner changes, then check switching across representative sections of the roll. LO/DO, or light-operate/dark-operate selection, changes the output logic; confirm which state corresponds to a label and which corresponds to a gap during commissioning.
Remote teaching depends on the selected model. The single-output versions provide a dedicated teach input, while the combined PNP/NPN version uses that connector pin for its second output.
Select the output arrangement to match the PLC or machine-controller input. PNP outputs supply current to the input; NPN outputs sink current from it.
| Model | Output | Pin 2 function |
|---|---|---|
| FC8U/0P-M307-1F | PNP | Remote teach input |
| FC8U/0N-M307-1F | NPN | Remote teach input |
| FC8U/0B-M307-1F | PNP and NPN | NPN output |
The sensor requires a 12–24 V DC supply and an M8 four-pin connection, with a specified output load current of 100 mA. Check the complete model code and wiring diagram before replacing an existing sensor; matching connector sizes do not establish electrical interchangeability.
Illustrative configuration: On a bottle-labelling machine with clear labels and a PLC input accepting PNP signals, the FC8U/0P-M307-1F provides a switching output and a separate remote-teach input. Mount the fork upstream of the label dispensing point, teach the loaded material and use the detected transition as the controller’s timing reference.
Check the application offset and input filtering at production speed. The FC8 detects labels on the web; confirming that a label is correctly attached to the bottle requires inspection after application.
If the label and liner provide sufficient optical contrast, consider the Datalogic SR21 Fork Sensor. Its SR21-IR version detects labels, while SR21-RG detects printed register marks on transparent films. The series has a 2 mm slot, 50 mm slot depth and a maximum switching frequency of 25 kHz, compared with the FC8’s 3 mm slot, 69 mm depth and 1.5 kHz maximum.
These are published sensor ratings, not equivalent production-speed test results. Choose according to material response, mounting geometry and required timing; a higher switching frequency does not compensate for insufficient optical contrast.
MarvelTech can review your label material, mounting arrangement and controller requirements to help select an FC8 model. Include the following details with your enquiry:
Request a quote identifying the sensor model, cables, mounting accessories and any agreed integration work separately. Ask MarvelTech to confirm availability, lead time, warranty terms and the support scope for your installation.
Yes. The FC8 uses ultrasonic sensing to distinguish a label on its backing liner from the liner alone, supporting transparent and opaque label detection. Colour and printed artwork are not the primary detection criteria. For material selection, assess the complete label, adhesive and liner combination, particularly when introducing a different label construction.
Choose FC8 when insufficient optical contrast between the label and liner makes optical detection difficult, particularly with clear labels. An optical fork sensor remains worth considering when the materials provide a distinct optical signal. Compare Marveltech’s ultrasonic and photoelectric label sensors against your material samples, available mounting space and required switching speed.
Datasensing specifies a minimum label length of 2 mm and a minimum gap between labels of 2 mm. These are separate dimensions measured along the direction of travel. Check the smallest values across your label formats, including production tolerances. These detection limits do not describe label-positioning accuracy or the precision of the complete labelling machine.
No. The 1,500 Hz rating describes sensor switching capability; usable web speed also depends on label length, gap size, material response and controller timing. Short gaps produce brief signals that the controller must capture. Validate the smallest gap at your intended speed and check PLC input filtering before treating the sensor rating as a production-rate limit.
The 3 mm slot provides clearance between the fork arms, while the 69 mm depth determines how far the material can enter the fork. Neither figure specifies the overall permitted web width. Position the label path through the sensing point, allow clearance for material movement, and retain access to the adjustment buttons and M8 cable connection.
No. FC8 detects labels and gaps while the material passes through its fork, providing a timing or counting signal to the machine controller. Successful detection does not confirm label transfer, final position or print content. Those checks require inspection after application; machine vision inspection systems provide options for assessing the finished product.
Choose FC8U/0P-M307-1F for a PNP output or FC8U/0N-M307-1F for an NPN output; both provide a dedicated remote-teach input on pin 2. FC8U/0B-M307-1F provides PNP and NPN outputs, using pin 2 for the NPN output instead. Match the model to the controller input and whether teaching must be triggered electrically from the machine.
FC8 setup uses onboard buttons or the remote-teach input on compatible models, without PC configuration software. Dynamic teach-in learns the moving label material; the installation manual specifies a teaching web speed below 2.5 m/s. Repeat teaching when the label or liner construction changes, then verify detection and the selected LO/DO output logic before returning to production speed.
Replacement requires an electrical and mechanical compatibility check. FC8 uses a 12–24 V DC supply, an M8 four-pin connector and a specified output load current of 100 mA. Compare pin assignments, PNP/NPN compatibility, output logic, mounting dimensions and controller timing. A matching connector does not establish compatibility, particularly because pin 2 has different functions across FC8 models.
FC8 has an operating temperature range of +5°C to +55°C and IP65 protection, so installations below +5°C fall outside its stated operating range. IP65 alone does not establish suitability for a cleaning process. The installation manual excludes exposure to water above 50°C, steam, acids and solvents, and specifies cleaning the sensing face with a damp cloth followed by drying.
Provide label and liner samples or specifications, minimum label length and gap, maximum web speed, PLC input type and remote-teach requirements. Include mounting photos, cable length, operating conditions, quantity and delivery location. Ask for the sensor, mating cable and mounting accessories to be identified separately, and specify any installation and maintenance support you want included in the quotation.
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See DetailsThe Datalogic SR23 Fork Sensor is a photoelectric label sensor for label-edge and gap detection in labelling machines, packaging lines and print-and-apply systems. Its 5 mm fork slot accommodates booklet and multilayer label formats, while a switching frequency of up to 12 kHz supports fast label-feed control.
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