Owner manual

3-30 Component Description
3.8 Needle Sensor
The Needle Sensor is factory-installed at the front of the dispensing chamber as shown in Figure 3-17.
The Needle Sensor includes a fiber-optic sensor that measures Dispensing Valve needle/nozzle position in
the X- and Y-axes and a tactile sensor that measures the Z-axis position of the needle/nozzle. The
Fluidmove software uses this information to automatically compensate for changes in the needle X, Y, or
Z-axis. This allows you to change needles/nozzles and continue production without reprogramming the
dispensing system.
During needle sensing, the XY location of the dispensing needle is determined when it is inserted into the
needle slot and passed in front of two beams from fiber optic LED sensors. When the needle breaks the
beams, location signals are sent to the system computer. The Fluidmove software uses the XY coordinates
to locate the center of the needle.
The Z-height of the needle tip in relation to the tip of the height sensor probe is determined when the
dispensing head lowers the probe tip until it contacts the cap of a tactile sensor load cell. Then, with the
probe retracted, the dispensing head lowers until the needle tip touches the cap of the tactile sensor. The
needle tip and probe tip height information is sent to the system computer to be used by the software.
The Needle Sensor is a part of an integrated Dispensing Calibration Module (DCM) that includes a
ceramic substrate, a Purge Station, and a Weigh Station (X-1020 only).
Refer to Section 7 – Specifications for needle sensor performance specifications.