Datalogic Colour Mark & Contrast Sensors: How to Pick TL46, TL50 or TLµ
Registration-mark sensors for film, labels and cartons — compared, explained and in stock in India.
A Datalogic colour mark sensor tells a packaging machine exactly where to cut, seal or print by spotting the small printed mark on the film. Pick the wrong model and you get drifting cut positions and wasted material; pick the right one and the machine runs at full speed without a single missed pouch. This guide compares the three Datalogic families we supply — TL46, TL50 and TLµ — and shows how to set them up on real production lines.
How a Contrast Sensor Reads a Print Mark
The sensor projects a small light spot onto the moving material and measures how much light comes back.
Light spot
A tightly focused spot (for example 1.5 × 5 mm on the TLµ-011) lands on the film. Its orientation — vertical or horizontal — should match the long side of the mark.
RGB emission
Red, green and blue LEDs let the sensor choose the colour with the strongest contrast. A red mark on white film is easiest seen with green light, a yellow mark with blue light.
Threshold
During teach-in the sensor stores the mark and background values and places the switching point between them, giving a clean output pulse on every mark.
Switching frequency
The faster the machine, the more marks pass per second. Frequency in kHz tells you how many mark changes the sensor can follow each second.
TL46 vs TL50 vs TLµ at a Glance
| Feature | TL46 | TL50 | TLµ (TLµ-011) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positioning | High-performance midi sensor | Cost-effective alternative | Compact metal cubic sensor |
| Emission | RGB | RGB | Red/green (white on other versions) |
| Speed | 15 kHz standard, 30 kHz on TL46-WLF | 15 kHz | 10 kHz |
| Setup | Teach-in, remote; display on WL/WLF | Teach-in | Teach-in + remote |
| Output | NPN/PNP, analog, IO-Link on some | NPN/PNP selectable | NPN, light/dark selectable |
| Best for | Fast pouch, flow-wrap and printing lines | Standard packaging at a lower price | Tight spaces and rugged mounting |
Figures from Datalogic catalogue data; confirm the exact version on the product datasheet before ordering.
Datalogic Colour Mark Sensors We Stock
Datalogic TLµ-011
9 mm, red/green, metal IP67
Rs. 9,500
Datalogic TL46-W-815
RGB, NPN/PNP + analog, M12
Rs. 9,500
Datalogic TL46-WL-815
RGB with bar-graph display
Rs. 29,000
Datalogic TL46-A-425
Contrast sensor, M12
Rs. 25,000
Datalogic TL50-W-815
RGB, 15 kHz, value choice
Rs. 9,000
Datalogic TLU-015
TLµ series contrast sensor
Rs. 18,500
Setting Up a TL46 or TLµ in 4 Steps
- Mount at the right distance. Fix the sensor at its nominal sensing distance on a rigid bracket where the film runs flat and does not flutter.
- Align the spot with the mark. Rotate the sensor (or choose a vertical/horizontal spot version) so the long side of the light spot follows the mark.
- Teach mark and background. Press the teach button with the mark under the spot, then with plain background. On remote-teach models this can be done from the PLC.
- Run a test roll. Watch the output LED at production speed. If it flickers on the background, re-teach or tilt the sensor slightly to remove glare.
Common Problems and Quick Fixes
Glare on glossy film
Tilt the sensor a few degrees so the mirror reflection leaves the receiver, then teach again.
Low-contrast colours
Yellow-on-white or light-blue marks need RGB emission — use a TL46 or TL50 instead of a single-colour sensor.
Missed marks at high speed
Move to a faster model such as the TL46-WLF (30 kHz) and check that the mark is longer than the spot.
Cut position drifts
Tighten the bracket and keep the film path steady — vibration changes the distance and the switching point.
Colour Mark Sensor FAQs
What is the difference between a colour mark sensor and a contrast sensor?
A contrast sensor switches on the difference in brightness between a printed mark and its background. A colour mark (RGB) sensor adds red, green and blue light and automatically uses the colour that gives the biggest difference, so it also works on marks that look similar in grey level, such as yellow on white.
Which Datalogic model is best for a high-speed pouch machine?
Choose a TL46 with a high switching frequency. The standard TL46 versions switch at up to 15 kHz and the TL46-WLF enhanced version reaches 30 kHz with low jitter, which keeps the cut position steady at high film speeds.
How far from the film should a TL46 or TLµ be mounted?
Mount it at the nominal sensing distance printed on the datasheet — around 9 mm for the TLµ-011 and roughly 9–12 mm for TL46 models. The sensor has a small depth of field, so a steady film path matters more than the exact figure.
Why does my sensor miss marks on shiny or metallised film?
Direct reflections from a glossy surface can blind the receiver. Tilt the sensor a few degrees from perpendicular so the mirror-like reflection bounces away, then teach the mark and background again.
Do Datalogic contrast sensors need a PC for setup?
No. TL46, TL50 and TLµ sensors are set with a teach-in button or a remote teach wire. Present the mark, then the background, and the sensor stores the switching threshold.
Send Us Your Film Sample Details
Tell us the film material, mark colour, mark size and machine speed — our engineers will recommend the right Datalogic contrast sensor and quote from stock.
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