Positive Contact Sensors’ simple PCS-100 monitoring solution

The PCS-100 is a mechanically adjustable sensor system that enables the user to set or change the sensing needle sweep from 0° to 180° in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. It consists of a uni-body design with a gearbox-free construction and V-cup cap seal that makes the units capable of operating under coolant streams, severe swarf and heat contact that is commonplace in congested machining envelopes. The standard sensing needle is 140 mm long with a 200 mm needle available as an option. The needles can also be bent into configurations to suit the needs of the end user. The sensors can be easily installed, requiring only a 24V DC power supply and a spare machine M function or an existing sensor/alarm circuit for the corresponding SCU-100 control unit. Using their magnetic bases, or bespoke brackets, the sensors can be mounted horizontally or vertically and can be installed on a vast range of machining and turning centres. The PCS-100 can monitor problematic tools regardless of diameter changes on vertical and horizontal machining centres. On single and multi-spindle lathes and drilling machines the positive contact sensors are a popular choice due to their small size that fits into compact work envelopes. The tool monitoring system can also check for breakages on cylindrical tools such as drills, taps, reamers, milling cutters and special form tools. For free space and object monitoring, the PCS system can check misfeeds on barfeeders, provide cut-off confirmation on lathes and monitor part pick-up on sub spindle turning and component ejection.