In fast-paced manufacturing environments, CNC mills and lathes are often used to machine industrial-grade products out of solid blocks of material. These computer-driven machines use precision cutting tools to make everything from automotive parts to aerospace equipment and more. To achieve optimal efficiency, the machines are typically equipped with automatic tool changers that swap out different cutting tools as needed. It might take a number of cutting tools to make a complex part like a cylinder head, for example. But how do these automatic tool changers manage to seamlessly exchange tools on a high-speed spindle without skipping a beat or causing damage to the machine?
This precise, reliable action is made possible thanks to miniature inductive sensors.
Inductive sensors are used to detect the position of the centering-disc mounted on the spindle’s motor shaft. These sensors are small enough to be mounted on a variety of machines, and precise enough to maintain positional accuracy better than 0.01 mm. They’re also capable of resisting the frequent shocks and vibrations associated with high-speed machining processes. Thanks to their hermetically-sealed design, they can even operate reliably when exposed to cutting fluids that are used as coolants in the machining process.
At Locon Sensor Systems, we offer a number of inductive sensor options that are ideal for automated machining operations such as these. To learn more about our inductive proximity sensors or any of the other sensor products we carry, feel free to give us a call or contact us online today!