Balluff Q40 multi-metal inductive proximity sensor

The Balluff Q40 inductive proximity sensor provides sensing ranges up to 40 mm in a small housing, with weld field immunity and the ability to sense aluminium and steel at the same distance. Each sensor head can be mounted in five positions and has highly visible corner LEDs. The connector outlet is also adjustable within a 270° range.

The company’s Factor 1 Q40 block sensors have been designed with multi-metal functionality. An example of an application would be a packaging line where cans of various sizes or materials are being run on the same line. Aluminium cans are a difficult target to detect due to their thin walls and low inductance. The sensor not only detects the cans as they back up in the accumulator, but it also detects the cans at a distance much greater than a standard tubular proximity sensor. Additionally the switching and operating state of the sensor can be identified far away due to the highly visible LED.