First mini-sensor with 3mm switching distance

Extremely small inductive sensors are in high demand especially in areas of automation including handling, assembly, electronics manufacturing and micro-technology. There they handle controlling, regulating, positioning monitoring tasks reliably and without wear. But anyone who has tried to integrate a sensor having just 0.6mm of switching distance into a machine knows the problem: Installation and setup are time- and work-intensive. Users want greater switching distances in their inductive mini-sensors. As early as 2001 Balluff brought a 3mm inductive sensor having 1mm of switching distance to market, which has a great number of needs. Greater switching distances were generally considered impossible.

This assessment now needs to be revised, because for the first time Balluff GmbH is introducing a 3mm inductive sensor with 3mm of switching distance for non-flush installation, the BES 516-3048. The first of its kind in the world, whose advantages include not only the extended switching distance and non-contact sensing principle, but also its resistance to external influences and its extremely light weight. The new mini-sensor weighs in at less than 0.7 g not including the cable, even with its stainless steel housing containing the coil, processing circuitry and LED indicator. This is a distinct benefit in moving parts such as PCB board populating heads or pick-and-place machines. After all, the less weight, the greater the dynamics of the system.

The series BES mini-sensors from Balluff are built tough: A stainless steel housing protects the sensors from shock, vibration and electromagnetic fields. This means they can be used with no problem in harsh industrial environments. Their highly compact size is the result of years of experience on the part of Balluff developers in the field of ASICs and flip-chip technology. These manufacturing technologies are specifically promoted at Balluff. This guarantees not only reliable processing of the electronic components, but also enables the development of mini-housings in which the processing circuitry is fully integrated. The operating voltage for the BES 516-3048 is 24 V. The active surface of the sensor is made of tough polyoxymethylene (POM), noted for use as a direct replacement for metals due to its stiffness, dimensional stability and corrosion resistance. The temperature range is 0...+70°C. The mini-BES is available with integrated cable, but also with an M5 connector, the smallest sensor connector on the market.