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The evolution of inductive sensor technology
The sensor species with the longest history
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Inconspicuous and reliable
Did you know that platypuses glow blue-green when ultraviolet radiation hits them? Platypuses: The amazing glow of egg-laying mammals | National Geographic. This reduces the platypuses' risk of attracting attention. Inductive sensors exhibit similar behavior: they perform their tasks day and night for years without really being noticed. Whether in mechanical engineering, on conveyor belts or for speed monitoring, they are always installed and then perform their task for years without maintenance or adjustment - inconspicuously and reliably.
Another analogy to platypuses is the electrical/inductive sensor principle. Platypuses sense movement and electricity to detect prey - Biological strategy - AskNature. This enables them to localize and track their prey without contact.
The great advantage of contactless detection with inductive sensors is that there is no damage to the target object. The sensor itself is also not damaged, which ensures long operating times and maintenance-free operation.
Adaptability and resilience as a success factor
Just as platypuses were and are one of the first mammal species on earth, "inductive" sensors are among the sensor species with the longest history in the variety of sensor principles. Extremely robust, even under harsh conditions such as dirt and moisture. While platypuses have their niche on only one continent of the world, inductive sensors are present worldwide.
One might think that the restrained behavior of the "Inis" (inductive initiators) was a hindrance to their evolution, but far from it, in the last 60 years many offspring have developed from their family (designs from 3 mm to 30 mm in diameter, cuboid shapes 5 x 5 mm to
80 x 80 mm or more, sensors for dry standard applications or even specialists for challenging applications in the food industry (with protection class IP69K), in hydraulics (with 500 bar pressure resistance) or in explosion-proof environments.
Balluff's sensor range for automation
In a whole world of applications, the Balluff portfolio contains sensors suitable for the respective ecosystem: Inductive sensors for a wide range of applications | Balluff
The main branch of the inductive sensor family has established itself in the field of factory automation, in the temperate climate zone of industry (from -25°C to +70°C).
Balluff inductive sensors are ideally equipped for any environmental conditions: they are tested far beyond the sensor standard, including tests for resistance to cooling lubricants and temperature stability tests. Nobody wants the sensor to react just because the temperature changes. Even mechanical tolerances on the machines are absorbed, as all inductive sensors have a hysteresis. This prevents an unwanted switching signal just because a mechanical machine component might have a little play. It can therefore be said that they easily cope with their specific way of life in changing environments and challenges.
For standard applications, the large family of inductive sensors now has a new member:
Inductive sensor portfolio for standard applications | Balluff
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Keywords
- inductive sensors
- inductive sensing
- Industrial Automation
- Industry 4.0
Author
Martin Kurz has been involved in industrial automation technology for many years. He occasionally publishes his product and application knowledge in the field of metalworking and life sciences in blog posts.
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