Paquin and Sensor Instruments are Showcasing at the 2025 AMI Plastics World Expos in Cleveland, OH in Halls A-C, Booth R2119
Paquin and Sensor Instruments will present together at the Plastics Recycling World Expo (AMI Plastics World Expos) in Cleveland, Ohio on November 12–13, 2025. The collaboration brings Sensor Instruments optical sensor portfolio to the show floor and demonstrates how Paquin, as the company’s exclusive USA sales partner, supports deployment and integration for US plastics processors. Visit our booth to see practical demonstrations of true color sensing, NIR material identification, laser triangulation and gloss inspection applied to real production tasks.
Proprietary Optical Sensors Overview
Sensor Instruments develops laser and optoelectronic sensors across visible, infrared and ultraviolet ranges. Product families address color control and measurement, distance measurement and positioning, counting and triggering, surface inspection and gloss measurement, product marking and tracking, and fiber‑optic front ends. Series you will encounter include SPECTRO‑3 color sensors, SPECTRO‑T hybrid visible plus NIR systems, L‑LAS triangulation and line sensors, GLAST and GLOSS sensors, LUMI series marker detectors, and SPECTRO‑M sensors for MIR oil film analysis.
How True Color Sensors Work
SPECTRO‑3 true color sensors use an internal white LED and receiver filters aligned with CIE 1931 color matching functions to deliver human‑vision‑like color evaluation. They acquire at high speed and output measurements as L*a*b* derived values (CIELAB) or RGB proxies via analog or digital signals. Configuration is handled through Windows software that supports teach‑in of multiple colors and evaluation modes for best‑hit or first‑hit decisions, which is useful for rapid sorting or inspection.
Hybrid Visible Plus NIR For Material Identity
Color alone does not tell you polymer identity. SPECTRO‑T hybrid systems extend measurement into the near infrared and pair visible L*a*b* data with NIR responses that correlate to polymer type. A cost‑efficient “three‑range” approach uses three NIR LED bands and a broadband receiver to classify materials without a full hyperspectral camera, suitable for pellets or flakes where spatial resolution is less important than throughput. Mobile, lab and inline variants share the same sensor core, so data is comparable across incoming inspection, quality labs and production lines.
Laser Triangulation and Line Sensors
For distance and profile tasks, L‑LAS triangulation sensors project a laser spot and detect its position on a receiver at a known geometry. The shift in the spot corresponds to distance, enabling precise thickness, position and edge measurements even at high speed. Edge detectors use a dual‑receiver normalized signal to make robust counts independent of surface brightness. Line versions in reflected‑light or through‑beam geometries add coverage for strip, web and film applications.
Gloss and Surface Assessment
Gloss sensors evaluate the direct component of reflected light at defined angles. Standard geometries include 20 degrees for high‑gloss, 60 degrees for general purpose and 85 degrees for matte surfaces. Calibration is typically to black glass or, in special variants, to a silver mirror. This approach supports consistent gloss unit readings on films, molded parts and coated substrates.
Luminescence and Marker Detection
Where product authentication or stream segregation is required, luminescence methods detect doped taggants or rare‑earth pigments. Photoluminescence follows Stokes or anti‑Stokes processes where emitted light appears at longer or shorter wavelengths than the excitation. Paquin provides direct access to Sensor Instruments’ LUMI detectors for mobile, inline and lab use along with TAGTEC concepts for process marking and automated readout.
Mid Infrared for Oil Film Control
MIR sensors in the SPECTRO‑M family quantify thin organic layers on metal using absorption spectroscopy. A wideband MIR source and two measuring windows provide a standardized signal that correlates with layer thickness or residual oil, supporting process steps such as de‑oiling, lubrication control and monitoring of evaporation behavior during finishing.
Use Cases in Plastics Production and Recycling
Inline color control stabilizes pellet or flake color before extrusion, while NIR‑based plastic type detection helps maintain grade purity when dosing recyclate with virgin material. Hybrid visible‑plus‑NIR sensors support closed‑loop dosing decisions. Triangulation sensors address thickness or position on webs and profiles. Gloss sensors quantify surface finish on films and molded parts. Luminescence detectors read markers to distinguish visually similar items in the same color and polymer family. Together these tools move quality checks from the lab to real time on the line.
How Paquin Supports Adopters
Paquin provides national engineering, stocking and integration support for Sensor Instruments in the United States, helping teams select sensing geometry, optics and software for lab, inline or mobile setups. Our optics and optical sensor offerings include solutions for gloss, color, contrast, surface inspection, distance and triggering, with practical guidance for implementation in demanding factory environments.
See Us in Cleveland
The Plastics Recycling World Expo runs November 12–13 at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. If you are evaluating optical sensors for color, gloss, polymer identification, triangulation or marker detection, visit our joint presence to review application examples and discuss integration paths with our engineering team.
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