Application Spotlight

Cylinder Sensor Stay-Put Brackets

Using magnetic sensors for detecting a cylinders extended and retracted positions is common place on automated assembly machines. Unfortunately, also common is the unnecessary loss of production due to lengthy time of repair for sensor adjustment. In a perfect world, solid-state magnetic sensors would never fail. However, reality shows us otherwise. Whether failures are from physical damage, hostile environments, or just exceeding the flexing limitations of copper wire, cylinder stroke position sensors may occasionally need replacement. While their replacement is a relatively simple process, it can cause lengthy Time to Repair as replacing the sensors undoubtedly entails trial and error when it comes to adjusting the switch point.
Benefits of using Balluff BMF Sensors w/Stay-Put Brackets:

n Adjustment-free replacement n Universal sensors for various style/brands of cylinders n Solid-state = no double switch points n Lifetime Warranty
Stay-Put Bracket and Sensor Installed in T-Slot Stay-Put Bracket and Sensor Installed on Tubular Cylinder

Balluffs Stay-Put brackets maintain the switch point position of the cylinder sensors, yet allow the sensors to be placed on and off the cylinder without changing the switch point position. One screw holds the sensor to the Stay-Put bracket, another holds the bracket to the cylinder. A new sensor can be put in place of the old sensor without the need for adjustment, saving precious time in bringing the automation back on line.

Ordercode Part Number BMF005L BCC050Y BMF 305K-PS-C-2-SA2-S49-00,3 BCC M313-0000-10-001-VX43T2-020

Description PNP, NO, 300 mm pigtail w/M8 connector Stay-put bracket for T-Slot, SMC, FESTO Singled-ended, M8, PVC, cordset, 2m
1 2 3

BAM00LH BMF 305-HW-17

www.balluff.com/BMF
Balluff, Inc. n 8125 Holton Drive Florence, KY 41042 n 1-800-543-8390 n www.balluff.com

PS_064 Cylinder Sensor Stay-Put Brackets 2012-05

Safety practices require the machine to be Locked Out and therefore, all motion causing energy must be removed. This includes the air pressure. So while in some cases, sensor inputs can still be active when adjusting the switch point of the replacement sensor, the cylinder cannot be cycled under pressure. Instead, it must be moved by hand to verify the sensors are adjusted properly. As a result, when the service person puts the machine back in service, most cylinders under pressure, and the dynamics of the machine inertia, will likely cause the timing and the position of the switch point to occur slightly different, with possible tooling crashing being the result. In most cases, the service personnel will have to perform repeated adjustments, each time putting the machine in a lock-out condition during these adjustments, thereby wasting considerable production time.