Balluff has developed a new family of exceptionally short inductive proximity sensors that open up new frontiers for machine designers. Intended primarily for OEM applications, these ultra-short sensors will help fuel the drive toward more compact machinery. Balluff SuperShorty® sensors can be installed into cramped places where inductive sensors simply couldn’t fit before. These ultra small inductive proximity sensors are designed for high-speed, pick-and-place equipment; miniature grippers, linear slides and valves; compact actuators; and most other highly compact, precision mechanisms.

The shortest fully-integrated inductive sensors on the market, SuperShorty sensors are specifically designed for high speed pick-and-place equipment, miniature grippers, linear slides, miniature valves, compact actuators, and most other highly compact, precision mechanisms. Their extremely low mass enables abrupt acceleration and deceleration on highly dynamic, fast-moving equipment without adding excessive inertial load. SuperShorty inductive proximity sensors have such small dimensions and low mass that they can be placed directly into a gripper finger without adversely impacting its size or weight. As rugged inductive sensors, they can survive in close proximity to industrial processes where shock, vibration, and liquid or particulate contamination would quickly take optical sensors out of action. With stainless steel bodies and a protection rating of IP67, we’re really breaking new ground here for sensor miniaturization. The new sensors can be installed into cramped places where inductive sensors couldn’t fit before.

SuperShorty proximity sensors are available in Ø6-mm smooth and M08 threaded housings, and prewired cable models are just 6 mm long, while connectorized models are only 18 mm long. All have a nominal 1.5-mm sensing range. The sensing electronics are fully integrated into the housings, so no bulky external amplifiers are required. Despite the small size, their electrical outputs are fully protected against short circuits and polarity reversal. The sensors have exceptionally low mass at 0.7 g and are ideal for applications in which rapid acceleration and deceleration is required. SuperShorties provide simplified installation, and can be glued or threaded directly into the machine components quickly. Alternatively, a range of optional mounting accessories is available, including vertical and right angle brackets.

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