Quick tip for speedier prox switch setups

Close examination of sensor housing specs can help speed setup of tubular inductive proxes. A typical prox sensor housing spec reads ‘M12 x 1.’ The ’12’ indicates housing diameter (12mm), the ‘M’ indicates that the housing is threaded, and the ‘x 1’ means the thread pitch is 1mm. The last spec means that one sensor revolution creates 1mm of linear travel, which is very handy setup information when installing both shielded and unshielded sensors.

Let’s say the maximum sensing distance of the sensor is 4mm. If the sensor is screwed into its mounting bracket until the face touches the target, four CCW revolutions will position the sensor exactly 4mm from the target. To be well within the maximum sensing distance, the sensor could be turned only 3.5 revolutions, leaving it 3.5mm from the target. For a sensor model M30x1.5 with maximum sensing distance of 15mm, ten CCW turns are all that is needed for proper adjustment.

Craig Brandenburg, Product Manager, Balluff (Florence, Ky.) Comments? E-mailgmintchell@cahners.com

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