Specialist Smart-Measurement Sensors from Contrinex now available in compact miniature versions and robust ActivStone® coated variants

Double-Sheet Detection Using Contrinex’s Smart Double-Sheet Sensors Solves a Persistent Problem for Manufacturers of Formed Metal Parts

New additions: ActivStone® coated versions and full compatibility with any IO-Link Master

Configured via a dedicated no-code app or now directly with any IO-Link Master, Contrinex Smart Double-Sheet Detection Sensors distinguish with exceptional accuracy between single- and double-sheet conditions, in real time.

At SPS in Nuremberg, Germany (Hall 7A, Stand 430), Contrinex unveils its latest non-contact double-sheet detection solution—addressing one of the most persistent challenges for manufacturers of formed metal parts in automotive and related industries. Earlier versions offered fast, no-code configuration via the PocketCodr configurator—ideal when consistently detecting double sheets of the same material. Now, a new alternative version is available that enables direct configuration via any IO-Link Master, giving customers the flexibility to adapt detection parameters for different materials, such as switching seamlessly between steel and aluminum in automated lines. Both versions remain available, so users can choose the best fit for their application.

Meeting the challenge of modern metal-forming

In the automotive industry, where sheet-metal presses handle an ever-increasing variety of steel and aluminum thicknesses, double-sheet errors are harder to detect but potentially more damaging. Contrinex Smart-Measurement Sensors, featured live at Stand 430 in Hall 7A, not only detect the presence of a sheet but also identify when two sheets adhere together, in real time and without interrupting the production process.

The Benefits of Contrinex Sensors for Robot Grippers at a Glance
Robot grippers used in pick-and-place applications or precision assembly must operate with the highest precision. Contrinex’s miniature inductive and photoelectric sensors have been specifically designed for these applications. The sensors not only offer high switching frequencies and highly accurate red LED light sources, but are also very compact.
In many industrial sectors, highly sensitive components must be handled safely by robotic grippers. One example is the solar industry: Here, grippers move fragile wafers from one processing station to the next. If the gripper jaws are not fully open when they move toward the wafer, they can damage or even destroy the fragile components.

Contrinex’s miniature inductive sensors reliably prevent this: They detect the opening angle and the exact position of the gripper jaws. The sensors offer switching frequencies up to 8,000 Hz and high temperature stability (−25 °C to +70 °C or +85 °C). With dimensions of 3 mm x 12 mm, they fit easily even into tight installation spaces. Contrinex manufactures the miniature inductive sensors in three versions: as Minimini with increased sensing distances of up to 1 mm, as Full Inox in a robust, one-piece stainless steel housing (V2A/pressure-resistant up to 120 bar), and as Extra Distance with up to four times the standard sensing distance.
Contrinex’s miniature photoelectric sensors ensure the safe operation of robotic grippers in other applications as well: They detect obstacles and thus prevent collisions. The MINIDIST photoelectric sensors feature an analog output (0.1 to 2.6 VDC) as well as an adjustable PNP light output and are fully flush-mountable. A pinpoint red LED light source with a 5-mm spot size enables precise distance measurement for both metallic and non-metallic targets. Contrinex’s miniature photoelectric sensors are equipped with state-of-the-art optical and ASIC technology and are available both with and without a housing.

• High switching frequencies and switching distances (up to 8,000 Hz/40 mm)
• Very compact design
• Robust stainless steel housing (V2A)
• State-of-the-art optical and ASIC technology
• Temperature resistance (−25°C to +70°C or +85°C)
• Integrated collision protection for gripper systems
• Smallest sensors with IO-Link
• IIoT-compatible
• Also suitable for use in robotic arms

Rugged Sensors from Contrinex for Maritime Applications

Port and offshore applications are exposed to harsh environmental conditions. Contrinex offers a wide range of rugged sensors that are ideally suited for use in these areas. The Full-Inox Maritime series is particularly noteworthy: These sensors offer high protection ratings (IP68/69K), are corrosion- and saltwater-resistant, and have been certified by the classification society DNV.

The Full-Inox-Maritime sensors are housed in a one-piece stainless steel enclosure (V4A/AISI 316L) and are considered the most durable on the market. A key feature of these sensors is their EMC protection, which also meets specific maritime requirements—particularly with regard to power supply fluctuations and low-frequency immunity.

Full-Inox-Maritime sensors offer large switching distances on metals such as steel and aluminum (factor 1) and are pressure-resistant up to 500 bar (peak: 800 bar). All variants (M10, M12, M18, M30, P12G, and C23) feature an IO-Link interface that not only allows sensor data to be read but also enables flexible parameter adjustment. This includes selecting the function as a normally open or normally closed contact, as well as programming a switch-on or switch-off delay. The use of IO-Link drastically reduces the effort required for commissioning and maintenance in hard-to-reach environments such as port or offshore facilities.

Contrinex’s all-stainless-steel maritime sensors are used in ships, on offshore platforms, and in port facilities, among other applications. They are also suitable for military applications. On ships, these robust sensors confirm, for example, that doors have closed. In the maritime sector, the inductive sensors of Contrinex’s Basic series are also widely used: For example, on port cranes, they detect the position of the trolley relative to the crane structure. This prevents it from moving outside the specified limits.

Inductive sensors from Contrinex’s Extra-Distance family measure wear on heavily loaded components of straddle carriers in container ports. The operator is informed in real time about the condition of the components and can thus optimally plan maintenance cycles.

The advantages of Full Inox Maritime sensors at a glance

• IP68/69K protection rating
• One-piece housing made of V4A/AISI 316L
• DNV-GL certification
• EMC compliance
• Corrosion- and saltwater-resistant
• IO-Link for easy commissioning in hard-to-reach locations

Discover the Contrinex 3D Smart Camera at SPS , Hall 7A Stand 430 — real-time 3D measurement, embedded intelligence, and effortless configuration for modern industrial vision applications.

Application-ready 3D vision — Simple setup, embedded intelligence, instant results

At SPS in Nuremberg, Germany (Hall 7A, Stand 430), Contrinex introduces its 3D Smart Camera, a compact and affordable solution for real-time depth measurement with embedded image processing. Designed for medium to large-sized objects, the camera captures and evaluates 3D images instantly, delivering clear pass/fail results without requiring an external PC or illumination.

The 3D Smart Camera comes with preloaded use cases for common industrial tasks such as multi-zone distance measurement, completeness checks, and object sizing. Using the intuitive Smart Vision configuration app, operators can configure and adjust use cases without programming, while saving and reloading settings via IO-Link to ensure uninterrupted production workflows.

Advantages at a glance

• Plug & Play Setup – Configure in minutes with a no-code app on any device.
• Smart Vision – Embedded intelligence delivers instant pass/fail results without a PC.
• Ready-to-Use Applications – Preloaded embedded use cases for measurement, completeness, and sizing.
• Affordable Connectivity – First 3D smart camera with IO-Link output and standard cabling.
• Built for Industry – Reliable ±5 mm precision in industrial environments.
• Seamless Production Integration – Save and reload configurations via IO-Link for uninterrupted workflows

Double-Sheet Detection Using Contrinex’s Smart Double-Sheet Sensors Solves a Persistent Problem for Manufacturers of Formed Metal Parts

New additions: ActivStone® coated versions and full compatibility with any IO-Link Master

Configured via a dedicated no-code app or now directly with any IO-Link Master, Contrinex Smart Double-Sheet Detection Sensors distinguish with exceptional accuracy between single- and double-sheet conditions, in real time.

At SPS in Nuremberg, Germany (Hall 7A, Stand 430), Contrinex unveils its latest non-contact double-sheet detection solution—addressing one of the most persistent challenges for manufacturers of formed metal parts in automotive and related industries. Earlier versions offered fast, no-code configuration via the PocketCodr configurator—ideal when consistently detecting double sheets of the same material. Now, a new alternative version is available that enables direct configuration via any IO-Link Master, giving customers the flexibility to adapt detection parameters for different materials, such as switching seamlessly between steel and aluminum in automated lines. Both versions remain available, so users can choose the best fit for their application.

Meeting the challenge of modern metal-forming

In the automotive industry, where sheet-metal presses handle an ever-increasing variety of steel and aluminum thicknesses, double-sheet errors are harder to detect but potentially more damaging. Contrinex Smart-Measurement Sensors, featured live at Stand 430 in Hall 7A, not only detect the presence of a sheet but also identify when two sheets adhere together, in real time and without interrupting the production process.

The Benefits of Contrinex Sensors for Robot Grippers at a Glance
Robot grippers used in pick-and-place applications or precision assembly must operate with the highest precision. Contrinex’s miniature inductive and photoelectric sensors have been specifically designed for these applications. The sensors not only offer high switching frequencies and highly accurate red LED light sources, but are also very compact.
In many industrial sectors, highly sensitive components must be handled safely by robotic grippers. One example is the solar industry: Here, grippers move fragile wafers from one processing station to the next. If the gripper jaws are not fully open when they move toward the wafer, they can damage or even destroy the fragile components.

Contrinex’s miniature inductive sensors reliably prevent this: They detect the opening angle and the exact position of the gripper jaws. The sensors offer switching frequencies up to 8,000 Hz and high temperature stability (−25 °C to +70 °C or +85 °C). With dimensions of 3 mm x 12 mm, they fit easily even into tight installation spaces. Contrinex manufactures the miniature inductive sensors in three versions: as Minimini with increased sensing distances of up to 1 mm, as Full Inox in a robust, one-piece stainless steel housing (V2A/pressure-resistant up to 120 bar), and as Extra Distance with up to four times the standard sensing distance.
Contrinex’s miniature photoelectric sensors ensure the safe operation of robotic grippers in other applications as well: They detect obstacles and thus prevent collisions. The MINIDIST photoelectric sensors feature an analog output (0.1 to 2.6 VDC) as well as an adjustable PNP light output and are fully flush-mountable. A pinpoint red LED light source with a 5-mm spot size enables precise distance measurement for both metallic and non-metallic targets. Contrinex’s miniature photoelectric sensors are equipped with state-of-the-art optical and ASIC technology and are available both with and without a housing.

• High switching frequencies and switching distances (up to 8,000 Hz/40 mm)
• Very compact design
• Robust stainless steel housing (V2A)
• State-of-the-art optical and ASIC technology
• Temperature resistance (−25°C to +70°C or +85°C)
• Integrated collision protection for gripper systems
• Smallest sensors with IO-Link
• IIoT-compatible
• Also suitable for use in robotic arms

Rugged Sensors from Contrinex for Maritime Applications

Port and offshore applications are exposed to harsh environmental conditions. Contrinex offers a wide range of rugged sensors that are ideally suited for use in these areas. The Full-Inox Maritime series is particularly noteworthy: These sensors offer high protection ratings (IP68/69K), are corrosion- and saltwater-resistant, and have been certified by the classification society DNV.

The Full-Inox-Maritime sensors are housed in a one-piece stainless steel enclosure (V4A/AISI 316L) and are considered the most durable on the market. A key feature of these sensors is their EMC protection, which also meets specific maritime requirements—particularly with regard to power supply fluctuations and low-frequency immunity.

Full-Inox-Maritime sensors offer large switching distances on metals such as steel and aluminum (factor 1) and are pressure-resistant up to 500 bar (peak: 800 bar). All variants (M10, M12, M18, M30, P12G, and C23) feature an IO-Link interface that not only allows sensor data to be read but also enables flexible parameter adjustment. This includes selecting the function as a normally open or normally closed contact, as well as programming a switch-on or switch-off delay. The use of IO-Link drastically reduces the effort required for commissioning and maintenance in hard-to-reach environments such as port or offshore facilities.

Contrinex’s all-stainless-steel maritime sensors are used in ships, on offshore platforms, and in port facilities, among other applications. They are also suitable for military applications. On ships, these robust sensors confirm, for example, that doors have closed. In the maritime sector, the inductive sensors of Contrinex’s Basic series are also widely used: For example, on port cranes, they detect the position of the trolley relative to the crane structure. This prevents it from moving outside the specified limits.

Inductive sensors from Contrinex’s Extra-Distance family measure wear on heavily loaded components of straddle carriers in container ports. The operator is informed in real time about the condition of the components and can thus optimally plan maintenance cycles.

The advantages of Full Inox Maritime sensors at a glance

• IP68/69K protection rating
• One-piece housing made of V4A/AISI 316L
• DNV-GL certification
• EMC compliance
• Corrosion- and saltwater-resistant
• IO-Link for easy commissioning in hard-to-reach locations