Rugged sensor solution replaces expensive optical testing procedure in sheet metal working

Turck's new sensor for the detection of weld nuts and spacer sleeves offers a industrial safe and inexpensive alternative to previously used optical testing procedures. The sensor is surrounded by a stainless steel centering sleeve that offers mechanical protection whilst holding the nuts and sleeves at the same time. The detection can detect ferromagnetic material right through the non ferromagnetic stainless steel sleeve. As the weld nuts are made from steel, they are an excellent target for the new Turck sensors.

A teach adapter is used to program the sensor easily via pin 2 of the M12x1 manufacturers of connector. At the push of a button, the sensor “learns” the state with sheet metal and the state with sheet metal and weld nut, so that it can reliably diagnose their presence. Once taught, the sensor retains its programming until the next teach procedure. The extreme temperature changes caused by splicer are cancelled out by a temperature compensation function.
The welding nut sensors have a brass housing and meet the requirements of protection degree IP67. LEDs reliably indicate the current professional switch state, as well as the presence of the target and also any faults. In order to detect components with very different material properties and diameters, Turck is offering two different versions with different sensor signal strengths and diameters.

Spacer sleeves and weld nuts ensure that vehicle parts such as frames, U-profiles, car seats or tanks are jointed together according to the design. If individual nuts or sleeves are missing at the required location, production comes to a standstill and the workpiece becomes a reject. Considerable costs are incurred if the faults are not detected, and unsuitable parts are processed further. Even complete car bodies can become unsuitable for further processing if the stabilising elements were not welded.