Contrinex is renowned for the performance and reliability of its sensors. Still, another benefit is that the large size of its sensor portfolio can often provide engineers with a choice of sensor sizes, shapes, and sometimes different sensing technologies.
An example is a CNC machining centre, where three different sensing technologies could be offered to monitor the position of the machine’s spindle collet’s drawbar. The sensor must reliably confirm the drawbar’s position to protect against damage from the tool being incorrectly engaged.
Customer application
CNC machining centres are flexible because they can automatically change their cutting tools. The tool is held by a spring-loaded collet, actuated by a central drawbar that runs the length of the spindle. Once the tool to be changed is moved to its designated position in the machine’s tool-storage magazine, an actuator pushes the drawbar forward to disengage the collet and release the tool. The spindle then moves to the location of the new tool in the magazine, and the process is reversed.
Occasionally, the collet may fail to retract fully, preventing the new tool from engaging thoroughly. Failing to detect and rectify the problem could cause expensive damage to the tool, the workpiece and possibly the spindle. Using Continex inductive sensors, three different solutions were offered to detect incomplete tool engagement in a tightly packed assembly robustly.
Solutions
Three different inductive sensor technologies were offered for the application, allowing the customer to choose what best suited their current and future machine designs.
Inductive Sensor Array
With inductive sensors as small as Ø3mm, Contrinex is well placed to propose using an array of three inductive sensors to detect the position of a flange on the spindle’s drawbar. Packaging and space constraints can also be addressed using cubic-bodied sensors, where detection is perpendicular to the sensor body rather than coaxial with a conventional cylindrical sensor.
Larger-sized inductive sensors, like the M8 sensors of the ‘500 Series’, offer very low prices and are renowned for high performance and reliability, enabling low-cost solutions.
Contrinex’s uniquely robust ‘700 Series’ inductives can be used for demanding applications, with their 3x sensing range complementing their robust stainless-steel housing and the ability to survive impact, shock and abrasions. These robust sensors are available from as small as Ø4mm.
Analogue Inductive Sensor
The precision of Contrinex’s analogue inductive sensors can measure the distance to a longitudinally inclined face so that a PLC can interpret the spindle’s position. As the drawbar moves forward, the distance to the slope of the inclined faces changes in direct proportion to the distance the drawbar moves. The sensor, which can measure to an accuracy of 2µm (micrometres), provides a precise measure of the spindle’s position, in real-time, over its entire travel zone.
Despite their high precision, Contrinex’s analogue inductive sensors are robust and are, for example, used to measure the long-term wear of seals in hostile environments.
SMART Inductive Sensor
Contrinex SMART sensors are available as Digital Measurement Sensors (DMS) or very high precision Analog Measurement Sensors (AMS). The digital version of the sensor is proposed for this application, measuring the distance to the inclined face at the end of the drawbar.
Whilst the sensor can provide a dynamic resolution of ±5.5µm (micrometres) across a sensing distance of up to 6 mm via a 16-bit digital output, this application utilises the sensor’s onboard microcontroller to present using two switched outputs, a 2-bit code, of four predetermined spindle positions.
IO-Link offers the PLC the ability to reconfigure the sensor’s switching points, if required, for example, to allow different designs of spindle tooling. The customer also has the option of utilising the SMART sensor measurement data on subsequent machine designs.
The unique robustness of Contrinex’s ‘700 Series’ of inductive sensors is also offered on these SMART sensors for challenging environments.
PRODUCT ADVANTAGES
• Reliable & fast detection
• High-precision measurement
• Long sensing ranges
• Wide choice of sizes, shapes and technologies
• EMC resilient
• Robust & reliable in demanding conditions
• Wide temperature range
• IO-Link – Ideal for Industry 4
PocketCodr – The Simple Tool & App to Monitor & Configure any Brand of IO-Link Sensor or Quickly Develop Contrinex Smart Sensors
The innovative PocketCodr sensor connection unit and its companion app for Apple & Android devices, enables live monitoring and configuring of any brand of IO-Link sensor. PocketCodr removes the need to use a PLC or a dodgy USB dongle with a laptop, putting control of any brand of IO-Link sensors into the hands of the maintenance team or application engineers.
PocketCodr enables users to save and share settings by sending a code to another Pocketcodr user anywhere in the world, via email, Whatsapp, SMS text, etc.
The power and flexibility of PocketCodr is enhanced by its ‘Action Widgets’, which make the configuration of Contrinex’s SMART sensors faster and easier. They provide easy-to-understand, step-by-step intuitive, graphics-based screens, with simple controls, like sliders, buttons and checkboxes with helpful hints to help create innovative solutions
PocketCodr ADVANTAGES
• Configure & Monitor any brand of IO-Link sensor on your phone
• Program SMART & IO-Link sensors without the need for a PLC or coding
• Share configuration settings via email, messager, text, etc.
• Action widgets guide the configuration of Contrinex sensors
• Sensor’s IODD file automatically loaded when publicly available
• LED status indicators
• Long-lasting Lithium rechargeable battery with USB C charging
• Simple & Fast Bluetooth connection, without the need for passwords
• Download from the AppStore or Google Play
Click to download Contrinex’s Product Overview brochure to find out more about PocketCodr or sensors.
Call PLUS Automation on T: 0121 58 222 58 or email Sales@PLUSAutomation.co.uk to discuss how they can help you #MakeSenseofSensors using Inductive, Machine Safety, Photoelectric, Pressure, Process, RFID & Ultrasonic sensors from Contrinex, ReeR & Satron.
