December 12, 2013, Cleveland, USA - EMX Industries Inc., one of the world's leading innovators of specialty colour and light intensity sensors for factory floor, process automation and other industrial applications, has announced the global market introduction of its LEX-1000 colour light measurement sensor. The LEX-1000 is used within industrial automation and factory assembly related applications, providing fast, high-resolution comparative measurements of the colour characteristics of a variety of light sources and illuminated objects.

The introduction of colour light sensing technologies within industrial automation environments allows personnel to conduct real-time verifications of colour accuracy, quality and consistency for manufactured light sources and illuminated products, with increased throughput and improved sorting and production efficiencies.

In contrast to traditional optical colour sensors that measure the light reflected from a target, the LEX-1000 proprietary optics focus the light emitted by the product onto a sensitive RGB photodiode, where it is then read and analysed for its respective red, green and blue (RGB) composition. The RGB reading is then automatically compared to pre-programmed parameters. If readings of all three colours fall within these parameters, the LEX-1000 sensor issues a discrete signal to indicate a colour proper match. Supplied PC-based ColorMax Windows application software provides comprehensive sensor configuration capabilities, file management and real-time analysis and evaluation, displaying the measured values as bar graphs (for absolute values) or pie-charts (for relative value). The sensor is supplied with the software, mounting hardware, interface cables, 12-30 VDC power supply, and an I/O board with status indicators.

The LEX-1000 works with a variety of user-supplied light sources and provides four unique programmable colour recognition channels; three 0-5 V analog outputs for red, green and blue (RGB); four discrete outputs; and USB or RS-232C serial data output. Tolerance is programmable from 0.5% to 50%, high-speed sampling frequency is 20 kHz, and the recommended operating distance is from 50 to 600 mm, depending upon source intensity. The sensor offers a fast response time, programmable averaging for 1 to 64 readings, a teach function for RGB values from 1%-100%, and external triggering. Operator lockout prevents unauthorized changes. Additional features include reverse polarity and overcurrent protection, an operating temperature range of -10? to +55?C, and an IP67-rated M30 (110 mm by 30 mm dia) 316 stainless steel housing with a 12-pin IP67-rated connector and glass lens/window for enhanced survivability within demanding environments.

The LEX-1000 is ideal for performing comparative quality measurements on light-emitting devices, or any processes that require a comparative light measurement, such as automotive lighting verification; relative colour measurement of LEDs; assessing the display quality of LCD and LED displays; factory automation production line quality control; and evaluations of all visible light sources.