Faster cycle times, better process control, reduced downtimes: these days system and machine management that ensures the optimal use of resources plays a critical role in the economic success of a business. Sensors, too, are an indispensable part of this success in automation technology. The comprehensive portfolio of sensors from Festo combines optimum performance and maximum reliability and ensures smooth and efficient production sequences, including cylinder end position sensors for pneumatic drives.
A sensor converts a physical variable to be measured into an electrical one. This allows the electrical signals to be easily transmitted and further processed. The sensor can provide information on whether ...
The range of sensors from Festo includes, among others, cylinder sensors (limit switches for pneumatic cylinders), pressure and vacuum sensors, flow sensors, opto-electrical and inductive sensors, as well as designs for special applications such as acids, food, cooling lubricants and much more.
Cylinder sensors are used to provide binary feedback on the piston position for pneumatic drives and are often used as pneumatic actuator limit switches or a cylinder limit switch in automated sequences. They are sensors that detect the magnetic field of the piston magnet via a magnetic field sensor or reed contact (reed switch for pneumatic cylinder). They are mounted in the required switching position in the cylinder slot and output a standardized 24 V switching signal when the magnetic field of the piston is detected, supporting reliable pneumatic cylinder end-of-stroke sensors functionality.
Festo proximity sensors are specially designed and optimized for Festo drives. They detect the magnetic field of permanent magnets built into the piston of the cylinder, thus indirectly indicating the position of the piston rod.
The available range covers freely configurable proximity sensors, modular systems, and solutions for special applications such as explosion protection, acids, food, cooling lubricants, weld field, etc.
An inductive proximity sensor is a sensor that operates contactless, i.e. it does not have any direct contact when responding to an approaching metal or galvanic object.
Benefits:
Position transmitters provide an analogue output signal in the sensing range. The contactless measuring principle ensures wear-resistant sensing, which is a particular advantage in harsh environments. As a further development of the binary cylinder sensor, position transmitters enable a range of new application areas when combined with pneumatic cylinders:
Pressure and vacuum sensors expand the application range of systems, provide greater process reliability and offer reliable monitoring. They are also easy and quick to use thanks to the standardised control and display concept of the Festo pressure sensors.
Pressure and vacuum sensors measure the pressure applied at the pressure input of the sensor. A pressure measuring cell integrated in the sensor compares the excess pressure or low pressure applied to the sensor with the prevailing ambient pressure (relative pressure measuring cell) and outputs it as an electrical signal.
Pick & place machines are ready-to-install functional modules for repositioning, feeding and removing small parts in extremely confined spaces. The vacuum sensor uses a configurable threshold to detect whether the workpiece is being gripped securely so it can be moved reliably. The movement is force-guided via a linkage and enables very short cycle times. The assembly machines are designed to be used with electric, servo-pneumatic or pneumatic drives.
By monitoring the flow, a simplified diagnostic and condition monitoring process can be implemented: a change in the flow rate is often an indication that problems are likely to occur.
Application areas for Festo flow sensors:
Cylinder sensors for pneumatic drives form the starting point for the sensor range from Festo: they are tailor-made for Festo drives and the comprehensive portfolio covers solutions for all industry segments. From the position transmitter SDAT to pressure sensing with the pressure sensor SPAN and flow sensing with the flow sensor SFAH, the product portfolio from Festo covers the full range of classic sensor tasks for pneumatics.
All kinds of industries rely on sensors from Festo. This leads to a first-class partnership and the creation of application-optimized products in line with the needs and tasks of customers. These products help to increase productivity, improve process reliability, and enable Festo to offer many industries, such as the automotive industry or food industry, everything from a single source.
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A sensor is a component that converts a measured physical variable or a chemical effect into an analogue electrical output signal. The physical variable is an input signal that is not electrical, such as pressure, weight, temperature, radiation, magnetic flow, speed or another physical variable.
There are different types of sensor, such as:
Festo sensors are used in a wide range of industries and help to increase productivity and process reliability. They enable Festo to offer many industries, such as the automotive industry or food industry, everything from a single source.