Machine Design
  • Resources
  • Members
  • Directory
  • Webinars
  • WISE
  • CAD Models
  • Advertise
    • Search
  • 3D Printing & CAD
  • AUTOMATION & IIOT
  • Robotics
  • Motion Systems
  • Materials
  • Video
  • Data Sheets
  • Topics
    Industry Markets3D Printing & CADAutomation & IIoTFastening & JoiningMaterialsMechanical & Motion Systems Medical DesignRobotics
    Resources
    Machine Design ResourcesWISE (Workers in Science & Engineering)Company DirectorySearch Data SheetsContributeDigital Edition ArchivesCSIA Exchange
    Members
    ContentBenefitsSubscribe
    Advertise
    https://www.facebook.com/MachineDesignMagazine/
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/10998894
    https://twitter.com/MachineDesign
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXKEiQ9dob20rIqTA7ONfJg
    1. Archive

    Sensor Sense: Metal-faced sensors

    July 13, 2006
    sensors suit 80% of sensing applications today; but plastic-face sensors are not designed to stand up to the harsh conditions of severe industrial environments.
    Robert Repas

     

    Abrasion tests on plastic and metal-faced sensors show how well they withstand metal-to-metal contact. The metal-face sensor shows wear, but still functions. The plastic-face sensor is totally destroyed. The test involved 20 hr of abrasion with a wire brush, visible at the top of the image.


    Traditional plastic-face and metal-barreled inductive proximity In those situations, sensors last longer if they have a metal face.

    Almost a novelty just a few years ago, metal-faced products are now considered mainstream in the proximity-sensor world. They've found homes in industries such as metalforming, where metal-on-plastic abrasion quickly sends traditional sensors to the scrap. Metal-face products today come in various industrystandard housings with ac or dc outputs at a cost competitive with traditional models.

    Just how much longer do metal-face proximity sensors last compared to plastic-face sensors? Abrasion testing at Pepperl+Fuchs determined that a stainless-steel sensing face that was 0.4-mm thick prolonged sensor life over 20 that of an equivalent plastic-face model.

    It's wise to note that not all metal-faced sensors are created equal. The metal covering must be thick enough to protect against wear. On some sensors the metal is hardly thicker than a foil. Obviously, the protection there isn't much better than the regular plastic face. Pepperl+Fuchs recommends that a stainless-steel metal cover be at least 0.4-mm thick. That thickness of metal requires special oscillator-and-coil circuit designs to "see through" the metal cover to detect the target metal beyond.

    Another problem: The addition of metal faces to inductive proximity sensors narrows the gap over which the sensors can detect their targets. Typical sensing lengths for metalface sensors range from 2 to 8 mm, the same distance for embeddable-shielded sensors. However, it's only half the usual 4 to 15-mm distance for standard plastic-face sensors.

    Pepperl+Fuchs (am.pepperlfuchs.com) provided information for this column.

    Sponsored Recommendations

    Smart Factory Solutions that Connect and Protect from Amphenol RF

    Nov. 28, 2023

    Stay Connected and In Control of Your Future Factories with Littelfuse

    Nov. 28, 2023

    Turn to NKK Switches for the Widest Range of Industrial-Savvy Electromechanical Switches

    Nov. 28, 2023

    Unlocking Operational Flexibility in Manufacturing with Industria IoT

    Nov. 28, 2023

    Voice your opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!

    I already have an account

    New

    EXAIR Introduces PEEK ½ NPT Super Air Nozzle

    Using Natural Language Understanding to Power Productivity

    Intelligent Assistant Platforms Improve Conversations with Industrial Robots

    Most Read

    Universal Robots Unveils UR30: Relief for Heavy Lifting

    AI: Unleashing the Power in Manufacturing

    How Much Should a Bolted Joint be Tightened?

    Machine Design
    https://www.facebook.com/MachineDesignMagazine/
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/10998894
    https://twitter.com/MachineDesign
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXKEiQ9dob20rIqTA7ONfJg
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Do Not Sell or Share
    • Privacy & Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Service
    © 2023 Endeavor Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
    Endeavor Business Media Logo