CZ-V21 RGB Digital Color Sensor
8-channel color sorting that still works where color sensors usually give up: glossy, plated, foil-wrapped and textured surfaces.
- Discriminates over 3,000 colors — subtle shades included
- 8 channels; judge 4 or 8 colors simultaneously
- CZ-C37 luster-cancellation head kills specular glare
- CZ-C35 large-spot head averages out texture and pattern
- 200 μs to 8 ms response, per-channel 1–1000 ms timers
Color Sorting on the Surfaces That Break Ordinary Sensors
The failure mode of most color sensors is not the color — it is the surface. Specular glare off a plated or film-wrapped part swamps the receiver; wood grain and printed texture make every reading different from the last. The CZ-V21 attacks both problems with two purpose-built interchangeable heads: the CZ-C37 luster-cancellation head reads the true color underneath the shine at 11–20 mm, while the CZ-C35 large-spot head averages a 4.5 mm spot over textured material at 28–52 mm.
Behind either head sits an amplifier that decomposes reflected RGB light with triple 16-bit processing and discriminates over 3,000 colors across 8 independent channels — so one unit can sort a multi-variant line that would otherwise need a bank of single-color sensors. Four response modes from 200 μs to 8 ms trade speed against stability, and each of the 4 open-collector outputs carries its own 1–1000 ms timer so the pulse arriving at your PLC is already shaped. NPN (CZ-V21) and PNP (CZ-V21P) versions run on 24 VDC, with an Eco mode that trims consumption to 1 W.
Two Heads, Two Surface Problems Solved
Left: the CZ-C37 geometry rejects the specular component so plating and film gloss cannot mask the target color. Right: the CZ-C35 projects a large spot whose reading is the average of the texture, not whichever stripe happens to pass the beam.
Technical Specifications
| Amplifier model | CZ-V21 (NPN, max 40 VDC) / CZ-V21P (PNP, max 30 VDC) |
|---|---|
| Output | Open-collector × 4 channels; 100 mA/channel, 200 mA total; residual voltage ≤ 1.0 V |
| Channels | 8 independent detection channels (4 or 8 colors simultaneously) |
| Color discrimination | 3,000+ colors incl. subtle shade differences |
| Data processing | Triple 16-bit computation (16-bit per color) |
| Response time | 200 μs (HSP) / 1 ms (FINE) / 4 ms (TURBO) / 8 ms (SUPER) |
| Timer function | OFF / on-delay / off-delay / one-shot, 1–1000 ms per channel |
| Ambient light immunity | Incandescent ≤ 10,000 lux; sunlight ≤ 20,000 lux |
| Power supply | 24 VDC (ripple ≤ 10% P-P); 1.5 W normal / 1 W Eco mode |
| Protection circuits | Reverse-polarity + overcurrent + overvoltage |
| External calibration input | Min. 20 ms |
| Operating temperature | −10 °C to +55 °C, non-condensing |
| Vibration | 10–55 Hz, 1.5 mm double amplitude, X/Y/Z, 2 h each |
| Housing / weight | PC housing; amplifier approx. 150 g with 2 m cable; dual digital display |
| Head protection rating | IP40 |
Model Selection
| Part | Type | Key figures |
|---|---|---|
| CZ-V21 | Amplifier, NPN × 4 ch | Max 40 VDC, 100 mA/ch |
| CZ-V21P | Amplifier, PNP × 4 ch | Max 30 VDC, 100 mA/ch |
| CZ-C35 | Head — large spot, long range | 28–52 mm; ~4.5 mm spot @ 40 mm; bend radius 25 mm; ~40 g |
| CZ-C37 | Head — luster-cancellation, small spot | 11–20 mm; ~1 mm spot @ 16 mm; bend radius 15 mm; ~45 g; 304 SS metal parts |
The CZ-V21 is a general-purpose detection sensor, not an IEC 61496 certified safety component, and must not be used on its own for personnel protection.
Typical Sorting & Verification Duties
Plated & Glossy Part Sorting
Read true color through chrome shine, foil wrap or glossy paint with the CZ-C37 anti-glare head.
Wood-Grain & Textile Panels
Grade or verify patterned material by its average color with the CZ-C35 large-spot head.
8-Variant Mixed-Model Lines
Judge up to 8 colors at once — one amplifier replaces a rail of single-color sensors on multi-variant assembly.
Subtle Shade QC
Catch batch-to-batch shade drift with 3,000+ color discrimination that separates near-identical tones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the CZ-V21 read colors correctly on glossy or plated parts?
Pair it with the CZ-C37 sensor head: a luster-cancellation, small-beam-spot design (11–20 mm detection distance, ~1 mm spot at 16 mm) that suppresses the specular glare which fools ordinary color sensors on chrome-plated, foil-wrapped or glossy plastic targets, so the amplifier evaluates the underlying color rather than the reflection.
And on wood-grain, textile or printed textured surfaces?
Use the CZ-C35 head instead: a large-spot, longer-range design (28–52 mm detection distance, ~4.5 mm spot at 40 mm) whose bigger spot averages out texture and pattern variation to give a stable representative color reading.
How many color variants can one amplifier sort?
The CZ-V21 has 8 independent detection channels and can be set to judge 4 or 8 colors simultaneously, discriminating over 3,000 colors including subtle shade differences — one amplifier where a line previously stacked several single-color sensors.
What outputs does it give my PLC?
Four open-collector channel outputs, 100 mA per channel / 200 mA total, residual voltage ≤ 1.0 V. Order CZ-V21 for NPN (max 40 VDC) or CZ-V21P for PNP (max 30 VDC). Each channel also has an independent timer: OFF, on-delay, off-delay or one-shot, adjustable 1–1000 ms.
How fast can it judge a color?
Four selectable response modes: HSP 200 μs, FINE 1 ms, TURBO 4 ms and SUPER 8 ms. Use the faster modes for high-speed lines with easy targets and the slower modes to buy stability on difficult ones.
Will strong factory lighting cause false readings?
The sensor is rated to hold its reading under incandescent light up to 10,000 lux and sunlight up to 20,000 lux. It operates from −10 °C to +55 °C (non-condensing) and passes 10–55 Hz / 1.5 mm double-amplitude vibration testing in three axes.
Is the CZ-V21 suitable for washdown areas or personnel safety functions?
The sensor head is rated IP40, so it is not a washdown device — ask us to confirm an alternative for wet areas. It is a detection sensor, not an IEC 61496 certified safety component, and must never be used alone for personnel protection.
How do I order — MOQ, lead time, documents?
Specify amplifier (CZ-V21 or CZ-V21P) plus head (CZ-C35 or CZ-C37). Trial quantities are accepted for evaluation; contact the factory with your target volume for a firm quotation and lead time. Certification documents and the latest datasheet are available on request.
Specs reviewed by Engineer Cai, Senior Application Engineer. See certificates.
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