Contrinex Robust?? M5 Inductives Stop High-speed Spindles ‘Getting in a Spin’?? – www.Mini-Ind.PLUSAx.co.uk

Contrinex Robust?? M5 Inductives Stop High-speed Spindles ‘Getting in a Spin’???– www.Mini-Ind.PLUSAx.co.uk

To maximise their efficiency and productivity, high-speed machining centres often include automated tool changers. A drive-motor manufacturer needed a reliable and robust sensor to detect the position of a machine’s main spindle before initiating the tool-change sequence.

Contrinex’s miniature inductive sensors were selected to detect the position of a slotted centring disc mounted on the motor shaft because of their exceptional repeatability and positional accuracy better than 0.01 mm.

CUSTOMER APPLICATION

Modern machining centres execute multiple metal-cutting operations within a single machine, often deploying a separate tool for each operation. Automated tool changes remove labour and reduce the non-productive time needed to change tools, improve efficiency and machine utilisation,

After completing a machining operation, the main spindle of the machine comes to rest and a sensor confirms that it has reached the null position. This is the point at which the tool can be disengaged completely and is safe to initiate the tool-change sequence.

Exceptional accuracy and repeatability are required to sense the position of a shaft previously rotating at up to 14,000rpm. ?A robust and reliable solution to detect the null position is needed to prevent damage from occurring.

Space constraints require the sensor to be no larger than ?5mm, but capable of withstanding mechanical shock, and high levels of vibration. The sensor is also likely to be covered in oil due to its location detecting the position of a slotted centring-disc mounted on the drive motor shaft.

CUSTOMER SOLUTION

Contrinex inductive sensors are renowned for exceptional long-term reliability and repeatability in demanding environments and this is also true of the sensors from their extensive Miniature range. An M5 embeddable inductive sensor, constructed from V2A / AISI 303 stainless steel with a PPE sensing face and hermetically sealed cable entry was selected.

The 25mm-long sensor is embedded directly in the wall of a rotary-encoder housing fitted to the drive-motor shaft. Its sensing distance of 0.8mm eliminates the risk of accidental collision with the spinning disc. The required angular resolution translates to a positional accuracy of better than 0.01mm.

The sensor’s vacuum-encapsulated electronics ensure excellent resistance to shock and vibration, and no additional electrical or mechanical protection is required. Fit-and-forget operation keeps maintenance requirements to a minimum, overcoming the mechanical fragility of alternative optical-sensing encoder technology. The sensors are configured with an industry-standard PNP normally-open interface, connected to the customer’s control system via a flexible, oil-resistant PUR sheathed cable.

Contrinex Miniature inductive sensors, therefore, provide a highly effective, reliable and affordable solution.

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 Inductive??, Machine Safety??, Photoelectric??, Pressure???, Process??, RFID?? and Ultrasonic?? sensors from Contrinex, ReeR & Satron.

?PRODUCT ADVANTAGES

?? Extended sensing range - Up to 4x standard distance, eg 2.5mm from M5 sensor, ?? Ideal for position-sensing and presence-sensing applications, ?? Ideal for robots and robot grippers, ???? Fast, accurate, exceptional reliable detection with excellent accuracy and exceptional reliability, ?? Exceptional Price/Performance ratio, ?? Miniature inductive sensors from ?3 to M5 and 5mm square-section, ?? Robust & reliable in demanding conditions, ??? IO-Link interface makes integration to Industry 4.0 easier and more powerful.

Click to download a flyer to find out more about the sensors, or Click to download Contrinex’s Product Overview brochure