Sensor Sense: Metal-faced inductive sensors for durability

Nov. 6, 2012
Metal-faced sensors provide high durability without sacrificing sensing distance.

In quick review, an inductive sensor generates an electromagnetic wave at a specific tuned frequency. The tuned circuit inside the sensor has a high impedance at that frequency, creating a high ringing voltage. When any metal is brought near the output coil of the sensor, the coil becomes detuned. This shifts the oscillator frequency and, more importantly, reduces the ringing voltage in the sensor’s tuned oscillator circuit. The lower voltage triggers the output that indicates the presence of the metal target.

Most metal-detecting inductive sensors use plastic sensing faces. Plastic facings are inexpensive and do not interfere with the metal-sensing ability of the sensor. These products are an option when a sensing area is relatively benign. But plastic’s lack of durability may create problems in some situations.

Inductive sensors feature comparatively short sensing ranges, often under a half-inch. Such close proximity to the target means even slight variations in target clearances or vibration may subject the sensor to damaging physical abuse. The life span of a plastic-faced sensor is greatly reduced under these circumstances.

If an inductive sensor is to be used in abusive environments where impact and abrasion are commonplace, it’s now more common for the inductive sensor to have a metallic face — specifically, stainless steel.

The question arises, “How does the sensor detect the metal in the target, yet ignore the metal at the tip of its own housing?” To understand how requires a quick look into electrical physics. The trick hinges on the oscillator frequency and the wavelength of the signal it produces.

Metals such as copper, aluminum, and stainless steel tend to block or shield electromagnetic waves. The waves travel along and around the surface of the metal by a process known as skin effect. By reducing the frequency, the electromagnetic field no longer stops at the sensor’s metal surface, but extends beyond the surface into the surrounding space. Sensors with a stainless-steel face use such low-frequency alternating fields that their detection area extends well through the metal face of the sensor to detect metallic objects on the other side.

Laboratory tests compared the survivability of plastic and metal-face products to metal-brush abrasion and hammer impacts. The tests showed stainless versions withstood exposure levels more than 20× beyond their plastic-face counterparts. Considering stainless models cost only 25 to 30% more than plastic, they can be an economical replacement over an extended time with no trade-off in durability versus sensing distance.

Pepperl+Fuchs supplied information for this column.

© 2012 Penton Media, Inc.

Sponsored Recommendations

Altech's Liquid Tight Strain Relifs Catalog

March 13, 2024
With experienced Product Engineers and Customer Service personnel, Altech provides solutions to your most pressing application challenges. All with one thought in mind - to ensure...

Industrial Straight-Through Cable Gland

March 13, 2024
Learn more about Altech's cable glands and all they have to offer for your needs!

Smooth Sorting with SEW-EURODRIVE!

Feb. 22, 2024
Sorting systems are essential when it comes to warehouse automation, material handling, and distribution. SEW-EURODRIVE’s automated sorting solutions increase capacity, reliability...

Setting the Agricultural Industry in Motion

Feb. 22, 2024
Agricultural products go through specialized processes of harvesting, storing, conveying, cleaning, drying, sorting, and handling to ensure that seasonal products reach the processing...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!