Contrinex Inductives🧲 Ensure Safe Automation of Press-Tool Change-overs🤖 – www.Press.PLUSAx.co.uk

May 20, 2021 Editor

An automated tool-change process reduces setup times and improves machine efficiency, but introduces the risk of damage if the tool-press is not completely closed before its moulding tools are changed.

Therefore a Contrinex inductive sensor is trusted to ensure that the tool-press is completely closed, so that the moulding tools can be changed safely and efficiently.

CUSTOMER APPLICATION

Hydraulic presses that are used to mould automotive body parts have had their tool change automated.

The down-acting hydraulic presses which are common in many industries, feature rams that hold the upper tool half in position as they press down on the lower half.

To change tooling requires the detachment of the upper tool half from the ram, putting it into the lower half, and sliding both out of the press. Before the ram releases the top half for any tool change, the tool pair must be in the closed position. This ensures that both tool halves are perfectly aligned when the automatic tool-change process starts, avoiding damage to either tool or press and any consequent downtime.

CUSTOMER SOLUTION

The Contrinex DW-AS-603-M18-002 inductive sensor meets the requirements of this application, due to its robust industrial construction and the proven reliability of its sensing capabilities – There is also the benefit that it is from Contrinex’s lowest priced, ‘Basic’ ‘600’ series of inductive sensors.

A single sensor is mounted using an angle bracket on the lower tool housing. Directly above it, a matching bracket on the upper housing serves as the reference surface. Before enabling tool release, this sensor is checked. Since the target does not enter the switching range until the tool is fully closed, premature tool release is prevented.

The accuracy in switching distance of these sensors means that the upper tool half is only released when the tool is fully and correctly closed. The checking process is quick and reliable and prevents the press from proceeding to the tool-change process with incorrectly closed tools, to avoid downtime and damage to tools and the press.

PLUS Automation aims to help you #MakeSenseofSensors, helping solve applications, improve machine performance and reliability, and reduce costs using Contrinex’s exceptional Inductive🧲, Photoelectric🔦, Ultrasonic🦇, RFID📻 & Machine Safety👷 sensors. Find more information and read other application examples go to www.PLUSAx.co.uk