17: SENSORS 216-535-4848

Photo Eyes Cables & Connectors Sensor Reference Charts Modular Sensor Box Inductive Sensors Mini Photo Eyes Vacuum Monitor Switches Sensor Switch Basics

A sensor switch is an electrical switch that is actuated when it passes through a magnetic field. The magnetic field is created by a magnet typically on the piston of a gripper, cylinder, or slide. In some cases, like many sprue grippers, either a magnet or some other target is embedded in the jaw or in a trigger connected to the jaw that will be picked up by a properly positioned sensor. Magnetoresistive sensor switches (also called Solidstate) are electronic switches with no moving parts. They give a very repeatable signal, have long life expectancy, and they operate on low DC supply voltage. They are designated as NPN* "sinking" if the switch is between ground [-] and the load or PNP "sourcing" if the switch is between positive [+] and the load. Unless a relay is used-as they are in the SB series Sensor Box on page 988. Magnetoresistive sensor switches cannot be connected in series with each other. Reed sensor switches are electromechanical switches which will operate on either AC or DC voltage. They are subject to current 'spikes' which can occur with capacitive, reactive, or inductive loads. Reed switches can be connected in series, but will experience cumulative voltage drops across each unless relays are used like in the SB series Sensor Box. This style of switch is not as commonly used on robot EOAT as magnetoresistive.

* Typically, Japanese and American robots use NPN signaling and European robots use PNP signaling.

Sensor Overview

Sensor Boxes

p.976 p.984 p.1002 p.994 p.1004 p.974 p.986 p.988

Teachable Sensors Fiber Optic Sensors Capacitive Sensors

p.978 p.966 p.987

Simple Contact Sensors

p.983

965