Contrinex developed compact, inductive and photoelectric sensors specifically for embedding into press tools. Most makes of flush-mountable, inductive sensors cannot be recess-mounted because they tend to detect the metal that surrounds the device. The Contrinex press-tool range, however, can be set back into a tool block by as much as the nominal sensing distance of each sensor. The range covers miniature M4, M5 and M8 sizes, all built into short, tough, V2A stainless-steel housings. One version of the M8 sensor is only 16mm long. Sensing distances range from 0.6 to 2mm. The hardened and ground sapphire lens of the Contrinex 1050 diffused photoelectric sensors projects a highly focussed narrow cylindrical light beam with a diameter of less than 4mm. Sensing distance for these sensors is up to 10mm, enabling them to be recess-mounted and making them less vulnerable to accidental damage. Withstanding high-shock and -vibration conditions, these sensors are well-suited for ejection-monitoring for dies and stamping tools as well as the detection of sheet-metal residue on tools.
