FEATURE u Sensors & Sensing Systems


Pressure-rated inductives pack a punch C


old-forming is a popular low-cost method for joining sheet metal using a punch- riveting press. To ensure reliable and fast


bonding, a high-pressure rated Contrinex inductive sensor is trusted to control the press. It is mounted directly in the wall of a small pneumo-hydraulic cylinder where it detects the hydraulic ram’s position to ensure that the operating cycle only starts when the ram is retracted.


CUSTOMER APPLICATION An automotive manufacturer uses punch-riveting in its prototyping area, assembling vehicle bodies using manual punch-riveting tools to join the individual sheet-metal parts. Several thousand joints are required per vehicle, and the tools must be small since space is often limited. If the technician does not set the tool correctly,


the resultant bad joint can be very costly to repair. The tool-head can often be partly hidden from view on some joints and so a sensing system was designed to ensure that the operating ram is fully retracted. It prevents the tool from operating if the ram is not in the correct position. Whilst the small size of the press tool limits the sensor’s size, embedding it into the pneumo- hydraulic cylinder means that the sensing face is exposed to the high-pressure side of the hydraulic circuit. Fortunately, Contrinex’s high-pressure inductive sensors work for 50 times longer under pressure than the standard. They can withstand continuous pressures up to 500 bar (7,250 psi) and pressure spikes of 1,000 bar (14,500 psi)


Irish Manufacturing July/August 2022


CUSTOMER SOLUTION The robust inductive sensors from the Contrinex’s High-Pressure range easily withstand the high operating pressure of this application, offering world-class reliability. They also benefit from Contrinex’s patented Condist long-distance sensing technology, which allows the use of thick, hermetically sealed ceramic discs on the sensing face, without compromising the sensors’ performance. These lightweight M5 and M8-diameter


embeddable sensors are only 27 and 30mm in length, respectively and therefore their mounting directly into the wall of the cylinder does not interfere with the normal operation of the tool. Their sensing distances of 1 and 1.5mm eliminate


Product advantages •


• •


• •


•


• •


the risk of internal mechanical damage through contact with the ram. The sensors feature an industry-standard PNP


normally-open output and a flexible PUR-sheathed cable. Their vacuum-encapsulated electronics ensure excellent resistance to shock and vibration, and no additional electrical or mechanical protection is required. They also feature the industry-standard IO-Link protocol, which ensures their best-in-class performance is coupled with ultimate ease of use, plug-and-play swap-out, and easy Industry 4 implementation, in even the most demanding circumstances.


Contrinex PLUS Automation Ltd www.plusautomation.co.uk


Reliable, continuous tool operation in time-sensitive production environments


Continuous pressure range up to 500 bar and 1,000 bar peak


50 times longer lifetime under pressure than the market standard


Long sensing ranges up to 3mm


Reliability in miniature packages as small as ø3mm


Operating temperatures up to 100 degrees


Mechanically and chemically rugged Suitable for high vacuum applications


• • •


Gas-tight sensing face Excellent price-performance ratio


IO-Link – Ideal for Industry 4 and offering Plug and Play swap-out


PLUS Automation Ltd is the importer of Contrinex sensors into the UK and Ireland, and can help you #MakeSenseofSensors to improve your automation and machine performance using Concentration, Inductive, Machine Safety, Photoelectric, Pressure, Ultrasonic and RFID sensors from Contrinex, ReeR and Satron.


21


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40