Electricity + Control May 2016

SENSORS, SWITCHES + TRANSDUCERS

• Sensor technology is entrenched in the emerging Fourth Industrial Revolution. • Essential to the process which will lead to an increased bottom line are Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication and enhanced Human Machine Interface (HMI). • Miniaturisation of sensors is significant in this… the smart era.

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These devices can be installed in areas and on machinery which would previously not have been considered suitable due to space constraints. An example of this is the Leuze 2 Series sensors which are considerably smaller than a matchbox at only 23 mm by 12 mm by 8 mm. These throughbeam photoelectric sen-

in packaging facilities where quality control monitoring is enabled by leveraging specialist sensor technology. RFID will also continue to play a vital role in point-of-sale applications where individual product items are identified by barcode and RFID systems, while sensing technology applied in warehouses will allow inventories to be managed more efficiently. Automated stocktaking and reordering processes will optimise stockholding and could lead to an overall reduction providing bottom line savings. Those companies that have already come to grips with the need to integrate IT and OT, and to embrace the role that sensing technology will play in manufacturing operations, will remain ahead of the curve as the Fourth Revolution takes hold on the world. Gerry Bryant is the managing director of Countapulse Controls, southern African supplier of sensing, measurement, counting, switching, monitoring and positioning instrumentation. In operation for many years, the company has the full backing of its German principals and offers a complete techni- cal advisory service for the most effective use of its products in automotive and other branches of engineering. Enquiries: Tel. 011 615 7556 or email Bryant@countapulse.co.za

sors, retro-reflective photoelectric sensors and diffuse reflection light scanners are capable of operating at ranges of up to 2 metres. Designed for the detec- tion of small parts these tiny yet powerful sensors are perfect for applications where the user has a confined space but needs a highly flexible solution and good performance.

Conclusion It is foreseeable that sensors will continue to play an important role across all manufacturing sectors and will remain a key component in all smart manufacturing facilities. Examples include the food and beverage where the devices will minimise the risk of hazardous or poor quality food products being sold for human consumption; the production of retail goods where sensors are used to monitor im- mediate environmental factors such as light, heat and moisture and

Sensing solutions from Leuze will ensure that safety comes first in the workplace.

Electricity+Control May ‘16

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