Industry Application
Machine Automation
Proximity sensors and stepper motors for automated production machinery
Detection and motion are the two jobs on an automated machine that a panel cannot do on its own. Inductive and capacitive proximity sensors report position and presence without touching the part and hybrid stepper motors move an axis to a repeatable position without a feedback loop.
What Makes This Application Hard
- Mechanical limit switches wear out and drift on a high cycle machine
- Non metal targets cannot be detected by an inductive sensor
- An axis has to return to the same position every cycle
- Retrofit work has to fit the mounting that is already on the machine
How These Components Answer It
- Inductive sensors in LM and CM series for metal targets
- Capacitive sensors for conductive and non metal bodies
- PNP and NPN output types to match the PLC input card
- Hybrid stepper motors in standard frame sizes
Recommended Products
Components For This Application
Sensors
All 12 Models →
DC Motors
All 6 Models →
FAQ
Machine Automation Questions
What is the difference between the LM and CM sensors
The model coding on the product pages uses LM for the inductance type and CM for the capacitance type. The inductive versions detect iron and metal targets and the capacitive versions are listed for conductive and electric bodies.
Are PNP and NPN outputs both available
The sensor product pages list PNP and NPN as available output types. Confirm the type you need on the order.
How is the detection distance specified
Each sensor page lists its detection distance. On the capacitive versions the achievable distance for a non metal target depends on the dielectric constant of the material as the product text explains.
Talk Through Your Application
Describe the voltage current and cycle count and we will point you at the models that fit.