Pricing Concerns for Proximity Sensors? Check This Out.
February 21, 2011 by Randy Frank
Filed under Capacitive, Featured, Proximity
Should sensor manufacturers proactively develop more cost-effective sensors? Balluff thinks so. Its announcement of a line of economical proximity sensors probably won’t start a price war but it should be good news to users for a variety of applications. The company’s Global.CProx line of capacitive sensors offers many of the same features of it existing sensors including reverse polarity and short circuit protection with enhanced EMC protection. The broad range of tubular M12, M18 and M30 sensors with either M12 connectors or pre-wired cables are available in flush-mount and non-flush mount packages.
For more information about Balluff’s Global.CProx sensors, click here.
BIM-UNR Dual Sensor For C-Groove Cylinders
Minneapolis, MN — TURCK’s BIM-UNR line of compact magnetic cylinder position sensors now includes a dual sensor designed for detecting short and long stroke C-groove cylinders. BIM-UNR dual sensors provide a distinct advantage by combining two sensors through one cable connection to speed installation, as well as lessen wire costs and connection points. This design makes the sensor particularly beneficial in areas where multiple cylinders are used, as it only requires a single cable. With dimensions of 2.9 x 4.6 x 18 mm, BIM-UNR features one of the lowest profiles on the market.
Delivering reliable performance and high EMC immunity, TURCK’s BIM-UNR dual sensor provides an exceptional alternative to ordinary cylinder position sensors. The sensor mounts within C-groove cylinders with no accessories required. Plus, it can be inserted into a C-groove from the top rather than from the side, further simplifying installation. On the sensor’s side is a built-in tab that keeps the sensor in place to facilitate one-handed mounting. As the mounting screw is located near the cable exit, the sensor remains fastened even if the cable is pulled.
TURCK
www.turck.us
Mini-Photoelectric Sensor Has Many Installation Options
The new W15 from SICK is a special kind of miniature photoelectric sensor. The latest sensor and evaluation technologies from SICK meet a highly installation-friendly housing design that is common in the US market. Small wonder that the “transatlantic sensor concept” goes down well in Europe, too.
Due to its “USA design,” the series is interesting both for machine constructors active on the American market and for end customers that operate facilities “made in the USA” and are, if required, able to switch quickly to the W15, which is compatible with respect to mounting and connecting. However, for “European-oriented” clients, too, the W15 is very interesting, considering the elegant mounting options that offer benefits specifically in warehousing and handling systems.
The BGS photoelectric proximity sensor is the star of the series
The W15 is a complete production series. All of the devices share an IP67 enclosure rating. The remarkable thing is that besides the usual complementary output configuration, a bipolar output configuration, i.e. PNP and NPN function in one device, is possible as well. The WSE15 through-beam photoelectric sensor and the WL15 photoelectric reflex sensor alike offer ranges of up to 5 m. Both devices generate a sharp light spot that facilitates alignment of the sensor considerably. The energetic photoelectric proximity sensor convinces with a scanning distance of 350 mm.
The highlight of the series, however, is the WTB15 BGS photoelectric proximity sensor. The sensor combines PinPoint technology with innovative chip technology that involves more than a dozen receiving elements, allowing not only precise and stable background suppression and suppression of extraneous light but also electronic and drift-free adjustment of the scanning range. Object detection occurs independent of color and surface properties, which means that no sensor readjustments are necessary.
Maximum possibilities for installation
Featuring three different installation options, the W15 series leaves hardly anything to be desired. On the one hand, the sensors can be mounted by means of side mounting using the lateral through holes in the housing. In addition, the sensors’ M18 threads offer the possibility of front mounting by means of plastic nut or – particularly elegant – by means of snap-ring. The latter option permits the sensor to be installed flush and blind zone-free, for example, on the lateral guide rail of a roller conveyor, thus allowing object detection at close range without the sensor impeding the material flow on the conveyor system.
Unobstructed view of the sensor status
Independent of the respective installation situation, the W15 sensors provide an unobstructed view of the power and status display: on the one hand, from above directly on to the indicator LEDs; on the other hand, from behind through the transparent back cover of the device.
iWallet Requires Fingerprint & Has Bluetooth Proximity Sensor
Putting aside the rather hokey promotional video created for the iWallet, the product looks like it will find its place in the pockets of the paranoid and those living in urban environments where pick pockets are never too far.
The iWallet comes in two version: carbon fiber or carbon fiber with Kevlar. This should make it not only durable and virtually indestructible, but incredibly uncomfortable to sit on. But that’s a moot point, seeing as you shouldn’t be sitting on your wallet any way. But what truly makes the iWallet unique is the biometric fingerprint reader. Once your finger print has been associated with the iWallet, only you can open the device by swiping your finger trip across the sensor. But wait there’s more! The iWallet can also pair with your cell phone over Bluetooth. In the event that your iWallet is stolen or travels 10-15 feet beyond its proximity, your cell phone will emit an alarm.
The iWallet will begin shipping December 11th and will start at $299.
TURCK Q08 Proximity Sensors
Minneapolis, MN — TURCK announces that the company’s rugged Q08 uprox®+ factor 1 sensor—designed to detect steel, stainless steel, copper, brass and aluminum at the same rated sensing distance—now offers an extended range of 8 mm. With no reduction factor, uprox+ factor 1 sensors save significant time and labor costs over standard ferrite core proximity sensors, which must be adjusted and reinstalled to detect different metal types. Along with its extended range, the Q08 sensor features a compact rectangular housing that makes it well suited for applications where mounting space is limited.
The Q08 sensor family comes equipped with internal shielding that effectively eliminates pre-damping, allowing users to employ the sensor’s full switching distance without hindrance—even when the device is mounted on metal surfaces. An IP 68 protection rating affords greater application flexibility, as the Q08 sensor can resist dust, debris and moisture ingress in challenging manufacturing environments. Two LEDs additionally provide clear visual indication of the sensor’s switching status.
TURCK
www.turck.us
Extended Range Inductive Proximity Sensors
TWINSBURG, OH – Pepperl+Fuchs introduces X-Series Pile Driver™ Extended Range Inductive Sensors. These robust sensors are available in 12mm, 18mm and 30mm diameters to deliver sensing ranges of 5mm, 10mm or 15mm – up to 2.5 times longer range than traditional inductive sensors. 100% stainless steel housings deliver durability more than 20 times that of the competition’s brass and plastic housings. Black Armor™ coated weld-immune models are also available.
X-Series Pile Driver’s extended sensing field is a big benefit in automotive manufacturing applications, as it enables reliable detection of irregularly shaped contours, and increased sensor-to-target distances help eliminate contact-related scuffing of “Class A” hood, door and trunk surfaces. Weld-immune models are uniquely capable of providing long range part detection with full immunity to both AC and DC weld fields, and repelling weld splatter.
X-Series Pile Driver’s can detect all metals. Advanced circuitry enables restriction-free mounting while delivering the highest available immunity to the effects of industrial noise and temperature extremes. Unlike traditional inductive sensors that are limited to IP67/68 protection, X-Series Pile Driver sensors are IP69k-rated to withstand high pressure washdown cleaning.
Pepperl+Fuchs
www.pepperl-fuchs.com
