Capacitive Sensors for a Reliable Detection

Leuze proposes its capacitive sensors, that are ideal even in an extremely dusty or dirty environment. They can be used in many sectors, from material flow monitoring to overflow protection and leak detection

by Vittoria Ascari

More than 50 years of experience made Leuze a great expert in sensor solutions for industrial automation. In this sector, capacitive sensors make reliable detection of almost all materials possible. The company proposes its solutions: the fill levels of liquids or bulk materials can also be detected in direct contact with the medium or through a non-metallic container wall, for example.

Solutions that can be used in many industrial sectors

In addition to object positioning, material flow monitoring, overflow protection and leak detection are therefore also important areas of application, for example in intralogistics or lab automation. Content monitoring during product packaging and the monitoring of stack heights, including with reflective printing, are valuable application possibilities for example in the packaging industry. In the area of presence monitoring, capacitive sensors detect nearly all materials, whereby even reflective surfaces can be detected error-free. With these sensors, highly structured and non-dimensionally stable objects for example the fill levels of liquids or bulk materials can also be detected in direct contact with the medium or through a non-metallic container wall, and are also suitable for completeness inspections. These sensors also function reliably in an extremely dusty or dirty environment. An array of different designs and large operating ranges complement Leuze’s product line to practically all areas of application in industrial automation. Together with its overall portfolio of optoelectronic, inductive and ultrasonic sensors, you can therefore find solutions for all detection requirements from a single source.

Cylindrical, cubic, PTFE and IO-Link capacitive sensors

Let’s introduce in detail the Leuze’s offer. The compact cylindrical construction can be universally used for a wide range of detection tasks. The selection covers plastic housing, stainless steel and metal housing. PTFE (teflon) is also available to meet higher chemical requirements. The adjustability of the detection range makes these models extremely flexible in use. There is a selection of plastic cubic sensors in several formats with a high degree of protection for example for leakage or for placing on pipes. The adjustability of the sensor’s operating range allows it to operate optimally despite material dependency. PTFE Capacitive sensors are particularly robust sensors in teflon housing (PTFE). They are suitable for high chemical stress for example caused by cleaning agents. Finally, IO-Link sensors: high process transparency requires more than switching state and current data from the sensor. The sensor has an IO-Link interface, which makes process optimization possible, in particular with respect to Industry 4.0.