Posted to News on 3rd Sep 2026, 10:00
Robust inductive sensors for demanding applications
With a critical piece of road infrastructure repeatedly failing, the engineers suspected the inductive sensors. Rather than just swapping from one manufacturer to another, the distributor was able to offer Contrinex's EXTREME 700-Series inductive sensors, replacing the installed plastic-faced inductive sensors with units whose front face and sides are machined from a single solid piece of AISI 304 (V2A) stainless steel.
(See PLUS Automation at MachineBuilding.Live, 14 October 2026, on stand 123)
The additional cost of these 'special' sensors is less than 50 each on a 10m project, but it is more typical to talk about one '700-Series' inductive sensor costing about twice the price of a 'cheap' lower performance sensor, or, importantly, a lot less than the cost of the labour of swapping a broken sensor, let alone the cost of lost production or scrap.
Contrinex's robust 700-Series inductive sensors benefit from being well-proven, playing a key part in ensuring machines work reliably across the UK and around the world.
Contrinex's EXTREME '700-Series' inductive sensors are built for the toughest operating conditions. They are built to resist corrosion, withstand exposure to oils and chemicals, and tolerate pressures of up to 100 bar. They are trusted to provide exceptional durability, precision, and long-term performance in environments from factory floors to maritime and infrastructure.
Manufactured with a one-piece AISI 304 (V2A) stainless steel housing, Contrinex's 700-Series sensors feature a hermetically sealed cable, vacuum-encapsulated electronics, and are IP68 and IP69K-rated. Designed to withstand harsh washdowns, dust, moisture, and high-pressure cleaning, their rugged construction minimises maintenance requirements and reduces costly downtime, making them a true "fit-and-forget" solution.
The sensors are also abrasion- and impact-resistant and are somewhat famous for being demonstrated to customers with a 700-Series sensor mounted into a rubber mallet, being used to hammer nails into wood, using the face of the inductive. The appearance of a very dented sensor, still working after many years of abuse, is perfect for proving the claim of its outstanding robustness.
Consistent detection of steel and aluminium
Contrinex 700-Series sensors feature 'Factor 1' technology, providing the same sensing distance on both steel and aluminium. This eliminates the need to compensate for different target materials, simplifying sensor selection and installation while ensuring reliable and accurate detection across a wide range of industrial applications.
With sensing distances of up to 40 mm, three-times typical switching distances, the 700-Series range is available in M8, M12, M18, M30 sizes, plus a cubic 20 x 30 x 8mm, C23 housing.
