Inductive and capacitive proximity sensors
Also available in: Català · Castellano
Capacitive
It generates an electric field in front of its sensing face. Any material that comes close (plastic, metal, wood…) changes its capacitance and the sensor switches. It detects every part.
Inductive
A coil creates an alternating magnetic field. When a metal comes close, currents are induced in it (eddy currents) that damp the internal oscillator, and the sensor switches. Non-metallic materials don’t affect it.
Combined: sorting by material
| S2 (capacitive) | S3 (inductive) | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Metallic part |
| 1 | 0 | Non-metallic part |
| 0 | 0 | No part |
Both are digital (0 or 1) and need no contact.
Other uses in the cell
- S6 (inductive) confirms each 90° turn of the rotary table.
- S10 (inductive) marks the zero of the manipulator’s X axis.
In the interactive guide
Open S2 and S3 in Phase 1 and change the part type to see which sensors trigger.
Interactive demo
Related concepts
Presence detectors and limit switches
To know whether a part or a piston is in place: contact limit switches, magnetic reed sensors on the cylinders and optical sensors that detect whether the part breaks a light beam.
Flexible manufacturing cell
An automated line in three phases: feeding and sorting, machining and storage. Two PLCs coordinate sensors, pneumatic cylinders and servomotors to handle each part according to its material and colour.