Contrinex’s C23 flat inductive sensors are flush-mountable, fast, exceptionally robust, stainless-steel IP68 / IP69K rated, and at only 20mm x 32mm x 8mm with a 7mm sensing range for aluminium or steel, they excel in assembly machines, robot grippers and fixtures. Find out more at www.tiny.cc/CTXC23Assy
The rugged C23 inductive sensors ensure fault-free assembly and minimise downtime in automated assembly machines and fixtures. They detect the presence and position of equipment or components, to ensure that parts are correctly aligned and ready for the next operation.
Typical applications include presence detection to initiate the cassette-change cycle in a stack feeder; position control for a rotary indexing table; pick-and-place gripper control; and presence monitoring on a conveyor system.
In this application, conveyors deliver a continuous stream of parts to a rotary indexing table, which transports them in sequence to each assembly station. As the table rotates, sensors located at precise intervals around its periphery detect its exact angular position, bringing it to a halt once parts are correctly positioned for the next operation. With its best-in-class switching frequency of 180Hz, the C23 inductive sensor is capable of high detection speeds, ensuring maximum production throughput.
At each assembly station, automated pick-and-place equipment adds components to the assembly. Dedicated transport mechanisms – including vacuum lifters, electromagnetic clamps and mechanical grippers – insert items swiftly and accurately in their designated positions. Embeddable inductive sensors play a key role in confirming the secure closure of custom-designed grippers before fragile, high-value parts are lifted.
On completion of the final assembly stage, finished units are discharged to a linear conveyor system. They travel to subsequent processing stages, including testing and packing. C23 Full Inox sensors, mounted directly above these conveyors, detect each unit as it passes below. This check not only confirms the presence of the assembled item at the expected height above the conveyor, but also measures throughput by activating a counting circuit in the customer’s control system.
Continuous operation is the norm in automated assembly plants. However, minor adjustments or tool changes may be required from time to time. In non-safety-critical areas, access hatches allow maintenance technicians to carry out these tasks without needing to interrupt production across an entire plant. Multiple sensors, mounted at intervals around the periphery of a hatch, ensure that appropriate warning signals are activated whenever the opening is not fully secured.
The Contrinex C23 series of Full Inox inductive sensors has the capability to communicate remotely with a plant-wide control system, thanks to implementation of the IO-Link protocol. In a typical automated plant, each assembly line runs continuously throughout the day, with remote diagnostics eliminating the need for manual intervention in almost every situation.
Designed to simplify integration, IO-Link sensors are compatible with all IO-Link master versions, allowing set-up and diagnostics to be conducted centrally. Interrogating a device returns its manufacturer ID and product ID, allowing systems integrators to determine remotely that the right sensor is in the correct location. Contrinex C23 inductive sensors additionally feature an on-demand self-test function that confirms its full capability at all times.
For the C23 inductive series, alternating between normally open and normally closed functionality via remote output-mode configuration is a standard feature of the IO-Link protocol. Systems designers also have the capability to modify the output signal. Delaying the switching pulse accommodates any travel time between a sensor and its corresponding actuation point, while stretching the pulse ensures that slave devices with lengthy response times trigger reliably, even at high throughput rates.
Finally, each sensor provides an output-status check derived from its factory calibration data. If the output signal from a sensor falls outside a range that corresponds to a sensing distance between 80% and 100% of its nominal value, an alarm flag is triggered, highlighting the need for investigation. For plant managers under pressure, peace-of-mind is a valuable benefit.
The no-cost option of the industry-standard IO-Link protocol ensures that best-in-class performance is coupled with ultimate ease of use in even the most demanding circumstances.
Overview:
- Extremely robust, small and slim stainless-steel housing (20 x 32 x 8 mm), V4A/AISI 316L
- Corrosion resistant, food-compatible sensors
- Long operating distance: 7 mm
- Factor 1 on steel and aluminium
- Robust stainless-steel housing, with protection rating IP68 and IP69K
- Maritime approved versions - DNVGL-CG-0339: 2016
- IO-Link
Download the brochure:
Click for C23 inductive brochure
Click for 24 page Product Overview brochure
Click for 504 page Main Product Catalogue
Download the datasheets:
Click for C23 Inductive sensor datasheet - DW-Ax-70x-C23
Click for Maritime approved C23 inductive sensor datasheet - DW-Mx-70x-C23
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