Whenever you need to detect the proximity of metallic objects, inductive proximity sensors are a compact and accurate means of doing so. Once you place them in position, they are very reliable and are very insensitive to dirt, oil and other contaminants. They are also one of the most cost-effective technologies available for detecting the proximity of metal objects or, in the case of the ring-style sensor, fluids or foods.

Inductive proximity pensors are a great choice in many applications because they require no maintenance, are very reliable, operate very fast, have no moving parts and function well under extreme environmental conditions. They can also interface with PLCs and with computers and can control solenoids, relays and valves. When searching the wares of inductive proximity sensor manufacturers and distributors, follow this blueprint:

1. When compactness is important, shop cylindrical inductive proximity sensors.

2. Where it's practical to detect metal passing through a ring, consider using ring style inductive proximity sensors.

3. In applications where metals need to be detected from inches away, consider block style electrical inductance sensors.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use cylindrical inductive proximity sensors when compact size is required

Cylindrical inductive proximity sensors are a great choice when you are trying to fit the sensor into a tight place. This is often the situation when building automated test equipment and in robotics. Machine tools, counting and sorting equipment will also call for such smaller-footprint inductive proximity sensors. For this type of sensor, see the following inductive proximity sensor distributors.

I recommend: MachineDesign has tubular inductive proximity sensors, including options include both two-wire ac/dc, three-wire dc with normally open or normally closed outputs and cable or connectors versions. Fargo Controls also carries a number of cylindrical inductive proximity sensors of various sizes.

Try ring style inductive proximity sensors for punching and stamping equipment

When buying inductive proximity sensors for identification of metallic contamination in bulk materials or for stamping/punching equipment, ring style inductive proximity sensors are well suited for these types of applications, as they're designed to sense metals passing through the ring.

I recommend: Clearwater Technologies is an inductive proximity sensor manufacturer that makes ring sensors (among other types), which are used primarily in assembly operations, detecting metal parts passing through feeder tubes and detecting trace metals in foods. HTM Sensors, another supplier of inductive proximity sensors, has inductive proximity ring sensors in a variety of sizes and including both AC and DC types.

Consider block inductive proximity sensors for maximum sensing range

Block inductive proximity sensors can typically sense metal to nearly three inches, with the block getting to around 4 inches in width.

I recommend: Inductive proximity sensor suppliers AutomationDirect and Omegamation both carry a range of block inductive proximity sensors. See the following suppliers of inductive proximity sensors for block-style sensors.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It is also possible to find smaller-sized magnetic proximity sensors, in which the sensor head and the amplifier are separated by a wire. These sensors come in handy when you the component placement is in a very tight area. They also facilitate adjustment better.