Proximity sensors offer choice of technologies
An
Assemtech Europe product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Jul 14, 2008
Assemtech Europe now offers proximity sensors with a choice of inductive and capacitive technologies.
The inductive sensors work by means of an induction loop.
Electric current generates a magnetic field, which collapses generating a current that falls asymptotically toward zero from its initial level when the input electricity ceases.
The inductance of the loop changes according to the material inside it and since metals are much more effective inductors than other materials the presence of metal increases the current flowing through the loop.
This change can be detected by sensing circuitry, which can signal to some other device whenever metal is detected.
Common applications of inductive sensors include metal detectors, traffic lights, car washes, and a host of automated industrial processes.
This is particularly useful for applications where access presents challenges or where dirt is prevalent because the sensor does not require physical contact.
However, the sensing range is rarely greater than 60mm, and it has no directionality.
Other applications for inductive sensors include: machine position processing sensing (such as robot arm positioning); and detection of processed metal parts in heavy industry.
In capacitive proximity sensors, the sensed object changes the dielectric constant between two plates.
The range of a proximity sensor is usually quoted relative to water.
Because changes in capacitance take a relatively long time to detect, the upper switching range of a proximity sensor is about 50Hz.
The proximity sensor is often found in bulk-handling machines, level detectors and package detection.
One advantage of capacitive proximity sensors is that they are unaffected by dust or opaque containers, allowing them to replace optical devices.
A typical capacitive proximity sensor has a 10mm sensing range and is 30mm in diameter.
The proximity sensor incorporates a potentiometer to allow fine tuning of the sensing range and can repetitively detect objects within 0.01mm of the set point.
Switching frequency is 10Hz, and operating temperature range is -25 to +70C.
Other applications for capacitive sensors include: detecting defective parts on a production line; parts counting; and liquid level detection.
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