Contrinex is a leading manufacturer of inductive and photoelectric sensors as well as safety and RFID systems. The Swiss innovation company has a broad product range and is now represented in over 60 countries worldwide. In the field of miniature sensors, full-metal components, sensors with long switching distances and solutions for demanding environmental conditions, the company is a world market leader.
Contrinex is a trendsetter in innovation and is constantly setting new standards in the field of sensors. An example of this is the standard equipment of sensors and new RFID read/write modules with an IO-Link interface. This interface is an important prerequisite for the networking of processes (Industry 4.0), since it enables sensors to be integrated into the entire communication system via IO-Link. Reading and analyzing relevant process data is not the only advantage. It is also possible to set sensor response behavior and influence the output on or off-delay.
Users also have the option of remotely configuring the sensor via IO-Link, saving lengthy changeover time, especially in hard-to-reach installations.
Devices can be used either as binary sensors or as sensors with a data interface.
So the customer does not have to decide before buying, how any sensor will ultimately be used.
UV light sensors facilitate the control of transparent objects A major innovation is the photoelectric sensor TRU-C23, which Contrinex launched on the market in 2017.
This sensor is ideal for controlling the presence of transparent objects – a task that pushes conventional optical sensors to their limits.
The TRU-C23 uses polarized UV light and a reflex operating principle. Since even transparent materials such as plastic or glass readily absorb UV light, the threshold at which the sensor switches can be set very easily. This makes commissioning much easier. The housing, measuring just 30 x 20 x 10 mm, is compatible with the entire C23 series as well as comparable devices. Like all C23 sensors (diffuse, reflex, background suppression and through-beam types) the TRU-C23 includes an IO-Link interface at no extra cost, is Ecolab tested and approved, rated to IP67 and reliably withstands common industrial cleaning processes.
Typical applications for the TRU-C23 are packaging systems and filling systems for glass or plastic bottles.
Extremely robust: fullmetal sensors
With their robust stainless-steel housing and IP68/IP69K protection rating, the full-metal sensors of the Full Inox family are virtually indestructible. They withstand corrosion and salt water as well as pressures up to 80 bar. Operating distances are particularly long, with factor 1 on steel and aluminum. Thanks to the integrated ASIC, Contrinex can manufacture Full Inox sensors with diameters as small as 4 mm – making them the smallest inductive sensors with IO-Link in the world.
For applications in which sensors are exposed to aggressive chemicals, dirt particles or high temperatures, Full Inox Washdown sensors are ideal. These sensors in food-grade stainless steel V4A are Ecolab-certified for continuous use under harsh conditions with stringent hygiene standards. This makes them ideal for position and presence monitoring in the production of food, beverages and pharmaceuticals.
Metal drilling or grinding processes present a difficult challenge for inductive sensors. The presence of metal debris can cause false switching, especially when the sensing face is covered with a mixture of lubricant and metal chips. To avoid the need for frequent cleaning, Contrinex now offers a chip-immune series of Full Inox inductive sensors in M12, M18 or M30 housings. Even when covered with chips of iron, aluminum, stainless steel, brass, copper or titanium, they will reliably detect targets made of these metals. In practice, the use of these new inductive sensors can save time, money and even help protect the environment through the elimination of washing cycles.
Inductive sensors for welding-cell use must meet special electrical requirements.
Contrinex Full Inox Weld-Immune sensors, with resistance to medium frequency (up to 15 kA) and 50 Hz magnetic fields (up to 40 mT), more than fit the bill. In addition, they withstand direct contact with weld spatter and are easily cleaned, ensuring minimal down-time.
RFID tags for high temperature applications
Contrinex’s high- and low-frequency RFID systems both feature tags for high temperature use. For harsh hightemperature environments up to 180°C, the low-frequency system includes embeddable, salt-water-resistant, full-metal transponders in food-grade stainless steel V4A. For applications with even higher process temperatures, as found in the steel industry or paint shops, Contrinex offers HF-RFID tags that can withstand temperatures up to 250°C. These tags cope easily even with temperature cycles of more
than 1000 fluctuations between 25 and 250°C.
Safety covered
The high-performance safety portfolio comprises Type 4 and Type 2 light curtains in both slim and standard housing types.
In addition, magnetic and RFID-coded safety sensors are also available for precise position sensing of protective hoods, doors and flaps.
These sensors (type 4 according to ISO 14119) are immune to mutual interference and highly resistant to unauthorized manipulation on site. In the RFID-coded version, up to 30 sensors can be connected in series with just one relay or controller.
www.contrinex.com