Space-Saving Laser Sensor from Banner Engineering Offers 3-Meter Range Without the Premium Price Tag
Banner Engineering has just launched a surprisingly compact infrared laser sensor that manages to punch well above its weight class when it comes to range and flexibility. Dubbed the Q20-2, this new addition to their lineup handles distance measurements up to three meters away, using time-of-flight (TOF) technology to keep reads highly accurate. What makes it interesting for factory floors is how much functionality is packed into such a tiny footprint, giving engineers a single, cost-effective tool that can handle a bunch of different detection jobs that used to require specialized, bulkier hardware.
Fitting precise measuring gear into tight machine corners is a common headache on automated assembly and packaging lines. Banner designed the Q20-2 with a tiny housing that utilizes the industry-standard 25.4 mm mounting hole spacing, meaning it can drop right into existing brackets without a hassle. It runs on standard 10-30 V DC power, so integrating it into new setups or retrofitting older machines is straightforward. Despite its small profile, its long-range time-of-flight capability lets it monitor wide conveyor belts or deep storage bins from a safe distance, keeping the sensor body out of the way of moving machinery.
On the data side, the inclusion of integrated IO-Link communication means the sensor does a lot more than just output a basic on/off signal. It passes continuous distance values and diagnostic health data straight to the control system, which is incredibly useful for maintenance crews trying to spot process drift before a machine jams. If you are setting up a smaller, isolated cell without a big PLC network, the sensor also features Banner’s PulsePro I/O. This lets it talk directly to multi-color indicator lights for instant visual feedback on the line—like showing a forklift driver how full a parts bin is. For setup, they have also included a handy, bright red alignment LED. Since the actual measuring laser is invisible infrared, you can turn this red guide light on to see exactly where the sensor is pointing during installation, then shut it off during normal operation so it doesn't mess with other optical gear nearby.
Because it comes with multiple programmable teach modes, the Q20-2 can switch roles easily depending on what a factory needs on any given day. In fulfillment centers or warehouse hubs, it is a great fit for tracking packages of varying shapes and heights coming down a fast conveyor. Instead of installing an expensive, complicated machine vision camera system, a robot arm can use the distance data fed from the Q20-2 to figure out exactly how high to position its gripper to grab a box. Between its ability to handle erratic target surfaces, its solid three-meter reach, and an introductory price that won't break the bank, it is a highly practical, flexible tool for modern, data-driven manufacturing setups.
Written by: Arthur Pendelton, an expert in industrial process automation and field sensor deployment with more than 12 years of specialized experience designing edge-to-cloud data ingestion systems and smart manufacturing networks.