Sensors tune themselves to their environment

Schneider has unveiled a new generation of sensors designed to be simpler to select, set up and maintain. The Osiconcept devices span a variety of technologies — photoelectric, proximity, limit and pressure — and, in some cases, can tune themselves for an application at the push of a button.

For example, the Osiris photoelectric sensors can be used for any type of detection — through-beam, reflex, diffuse or background suppression. When a button is pushed, they work out the correct sensing distance and optimise themselves for the operating conditions. Light/dark switching is no longer required when activating or deactivating the sensor`s output because this happens automatically when an object is detected.

Similarly, the Osiprox inductive proximity sensors incorporate microprocessors which tune them automatically to the environment in which they are used. Pushing a button adapts them to flush- or non-flush-mounting, and sets the object. The sensors are available in nine standard case formats, as well as special versions for duties such as rotation monitoring. They can be used in any metallic environment and are unaffected by transient changes, according to Schneider.

Another member of the Osiconcept family is the Osiswitch range of modular limit switches which consists of more than 40 interchangeable operating heads in five different cases, with six cable entries and numerous contact blocks. By choosing the right combination of parts, the required configuration can be assembled quickly, says Schneider. Moreover, it adds, wiring time is cut by around 40% by using removable cable glands.