SENSORS
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Sensors
Faster cycle times, better process control, and reduced downtime: Today, managing plants and machines to optimize resource utilization plays a crucial role in a company’s economic success. Sensor technology also makes an indispensable contribution to automation technology. The comprehensive portfolio of sensors from Festo combines optimal performance with maximum reliability, thereby ensuring smooth and efficient production processes.
How Sensors Work
A sensor converts the physical variable to be measured into an electrical signal. This makes it easy to transmit and process electrical signals. A sensor can indicate whether…
…an object exists or not (binary)
…a measured value has been reached (analog or digital)
High-quality sensors from Festo
The range of sensors from Festo includes, among other things, pneumatic cylinder position switches, pressure and vacuum sensors, flow sensors, optical and inductive sensors, as well as versions for special applications such as acids, food products, cooling lubricants, and much more.
Non-contact switches
Non-contact switches are used for binary position feedback of the piston in pneumatic actuators. These are sensors that detect the magnetic field of the piston magnet via a magnetic field sensor or a reed switch. They are installed in the correct switching position in the slot of the pneumatic cylinder and output a standardized 24 V switching signal when the piston’s magnetic field is detected.
Proximity sensor
Inductive proximity sensors
An inductive non-contact sensor is a sensor that responds non-contact—that is, without direct contact—to the approach of a metallic or galvanized object.
Advantages:
• No mechanical wear, ensuring a longer service life
• No downtime due to contaminated or broken contacts
• No contact bounce and, therefore, no switching errors
• High switching frequency
• High degree of protection thanks to a fully enclosed housing
• Any mounting orientation
Inductive Sensors
Position Sensor
Position sensors provide an analog output signal within the detection range. The non-contact measurement principle ensures wear-free detection, which demonstrates its advantages, especially in harsh environments. As a further development of the binary non-contact pneumatic cylinder switch, position sensors, when combined with pneumatic cylinders, open up a range of new applications:
• Quality control
• Ultrasonic welding
• Process control (sheet metal production / wear monitoring)
• Object detection (pressing / clamping)
• Object recognition (position detection
Position sensors
Sensors for industrial automation: pressure sensors
Pressure and vacuum sensors expand the range of system applications, ensure greater process reliability, and provide reliable monitoring. Easy and fast to operate thanks to a unified control and display concept for pressure sensors from Festo. Pressure and vacuum transducers measure the pressure at the transducer inlet. Using a pressure-measuring diaphragm installed in the sensor, the positive or negative pressure applied to the sensor is compared to the prevailing ambient pressure (relative pressure measuring diaphragm) and output as an electrical signal.
Pick-and-place machines
Pick-and-place machines are ready-to-install functional modules for moving, feeding, and removing small parts in extremely confined spaces. When the adjustable threshold is exceeded, the vacuum sensor determines whether the part is securely gripped so that it can be moved reliably. The motion is forcibly guided along the path, ensuring very short cycle times. Assembly modules are designed for use with electric, servo-pneumatic, or pneumatic actuators.
Sensors for industrial automation: flow sensors
Flow monitoring enables simpler diagnostic and condition monitoring processes: a change in flow rate is often an indicator of impending problems.
Applications for Festo flow sensors:
• Measuring air flow and consumption to track energy efficiency
• Leak monitoring
• Measuring very small components (the smallest vacuum ejectors)
• Presence detection
• Leak testing
Festo sensors—for smooth processes
Non-contact switches for pneumatic actuators form the foundation of the Festo sensor portfolio: They are optimally designed for Festo actuators, and the broad portfolio includes solutions for all industrial segments. From the SDAT position sensor to pressure measurement using the SPAN pressure sensor and flow measurement using the SFAH flow sensor—the Festo portfolio covers all segments of classic sensors in pneumatics.
Industry-Specific Sensors
Festo sensors are relied upon across a wide range of industries. The result: an exemplary partnership in which customer requests and challenges are transformed into products optimized to meet their specific requirements. These products help increase productivity, enhance process reliability, and enable many sectors—such as the automotive and food industries—to source everything from a single provider.