Schneider Electric has developed a patented unified range of industrial detectors under the Osiconcept name with the goals of simplifying selection, stocking, installation, set-up and maintenance, while serving as a one-stop shop. The Osi prefix stands for Offering Simplicity through Innovation.
Osiconcept falls within the ambit of Schneider’s Global Detection product universe which addresses:
* Simplicity.
* Availability.
* Adaptability.
* Globalisation.
* Aestheticism.
Importantly, all Schneider Global Detection products are designed for intercommunication and can be connected to the AS-i cabling system. Thanks to this AS-i link they are compatible with the Transparent Factory automation platform – an open platform based on Internet technology using Ethernet TCP/IP.
Meet the family
The members of the Osiconcept family are:
* Osiris – photo-electric sensors.
* Osiprox – inductive proximity sensors.
* Osisonic – ultrasonic sensors.
* Osiswitch – limit switches.
* Osicoder – rotary encoders.
* Nautilus – electronic sensors for pressure control.
Inductive sensing
Conventional inductive proximity sensors can be the source of many types of difficulties. Apart from their size, one of the problems is their sensitivity to metal environments, which means that some are flush mountable, others are not and their performance when partially flush mounted is uncertain. Setting and fitting can be difficult and time consuming.
The Osiprox range has been designed to be free of these difficulties. The sensors are flat and compact, and integrate simply into the machine. Thanks to its microprocessor, the product automatically adjusts to give maximum sensing distance whatever the mounting environment. The product uses a pushbutton ‘teach’ mode to set the maximum sensing distance. With the quick attachment fixing brackets, the sensors can be quickly fitted or replaced. Once in place, there is no need to adjust their position, as the tuning or precise detection is integral to the sensor. Efficiency, performance, mounting time and flexibility, have all been taken into consideration in the design of the product to ensure maximum productivity.
Photo-electric sensing
Photo-electric sensors have never been easy to select. Correct selection has required knowledge of the materials to be detected: whether matt or reflective surfaces, light or dark colours. Environmental factors also complicated selection: ambient light conditions, the need for a reflector. It is therefore easy to select the wrong product first time. And when it is time to install, the positioning and definition of the detection zone may not be easy to determine; in particular, the adjustment in three dimensions requires special mountings and protection, which increase the installation costs.
To address these difficulties Schneider has developed Osiris, the Osiconcept photo-electric sensor. This single sensor can be taught to operate in direct detection mode, direct detection with background suppression, reflective or thru-beam mode. The idea of light or dark switching is no longer relevant. The object has only to be detected in order to activate the output. The customer decides whether switching should be NO or NC. Using the teach mode the sensor can be set up for accurate and reliable detection, unaffected by interference from the surrounding environment.
For more information contact Derain Pillay, Schneider Electric South Africa, +27 (0)11 254 6400, [email protected], www.schneider-electric.co.za
| Tel: | +27 11 254 6400 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
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