Miniaturized Smart Measurement Sensors for Real-Time Monitoring

Contrinex has expanded its "Smart Measurement" sensor range to include miniaturized designs and highly resistant variants featuring ActivStone^® coating. The new models, including a miniature flat-pack sensor (2 mm sensing distance) and a non-flush M30 sensor (up to 40 mm sensing distance), are housed in one-piece stainless steel enclosures. These sensors enable real-time process control for tasks such as double-sheet detection or monitoring tool changes in machine tools without interrupting the production flow.

Integration and Connectivity
The new sensors are fully compatible with all common IO-Link masters. Commissioning is performed via a dedicated no-code app, which allows configuration in a matter of minutes. For use in harsh environments—particularly in welding cells with high heat and spatter exposure—Contrinex offers flexible connection options with PTFE protective hoses. These are designed for continuous operating temperatures of up to 200 °C or 260 °C and provide high resistance to magnetic interference fields.




Expansion to Industrial Image Processing
The portfolio has also been supplemented by a travel sensor for high-precision displacement measurements and a compact 3D smart camera. This camera integrates a depth measurement function and a pre-processing unit that generates pass/fail assessments directly on the device, eliminating the need for an external industrial PC. The camera supports pre-installed use cases and can be seamlessly integrated into assembly and logistics lines via IO-Link, enabling cost-effective implementation of image processing solutions.




Additional Context: This section details technical specifications not included in the original announcement.
Contrinex's Smart Measurement sensors are primarily inductive sensors based on the change of an electromagnetic alternating field. While standard inductive switches only provide a binary signal (presence/absence), smart sensors use high-resolution oscillators to calculate the analog distance to the target object in the micrometer range. The implementation of IO-Link (according to IEC 61131-9) allows the transmission of cyclic process data and acyclic diagnostic data (e.g., internal sensor temperature or signal quality) via the standard communication cable. For depth measurement, the 3D smart camera uses the principle of active triangulation (Time-of-Flight or structured light), with integrated pre-processing ("edge computing") converting raw data into a simple pass/fail signal using local algorithms (e.g., pattern matching or edge inspection). This relieves the load on the higher-level PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and reduces latency between detection and actuation, which is essential for use in high-speed logistics lines.

Edited by Lekshman Ramdas, Induportals editor – adapted by AI.

www.contrinex.com