SICK’s new robust inductive sensor: the IMG

With machinery manufacturers and system integrators increasingly being called out to sites to carry out minor maintenance and repairs, the reliability, robustness, and repeatability of components is crucial.

As rising skills and labour shortages continue to affect the manufacturing industry, particularly among maintenance technicians, OEMs and equipment suppliers are receiving more requests for site visits from field service engineers. Ensuring parts are robust and reliable can reduce the burden on equipment suppliers, as well as enhancing their reputation by preventing costly stoppages.

SICK’s IMG inductive proximity sensor for metal detection is designed specifically for industrial machines that require precise switching points and a high level of repeatability in harsh environments. For example, IMG sensors are perfect for the machine tooling industry, where they can be used for detection of tool turret position, tool detection on the turret or to determine the lock/unlock position of the turret.

SICK’s sensor range provides reliability, robustness, and repeatability

Part of SICK’s wide range of industrial sensors, the robust mechanical design of the IMG family of sensors features innovative SICK technology to deliver stable and repeatable detection at a highly competitive price point. In addition, SICK sensors come with fast order times and can be customised to suit customers’ specific design requirements.

Suitable for end position and home position detection, as well as simple speed detection tasks, the robust device is impervious to shocks, vibration, oil, cooling lubricants, and weather effects such as rain, snow, mud, and frost.

Machine manufacturers looking for the highest levels of consistency, longevity, and reliability from their components can benefit from sensors across SICK’s extensive range, which includes inductive, capacitive and magnetic sensors designed specifically for use in harsh environments.

SICK sensor technology experts are always on hand to work with design teams and engineers to ensure they identify the right sensor to meet customers’ specific needs. Machinery manufacturers can also work with SICK sensor specialists to customise or modify sensors to suit their specific machine.

SICK UK Market Product Manager - Presence Detection, David Hannaby, says: “IMG combines robustness and stable detection in a great value product. We know that industrial machinery manufacturers are experiencing added pressures as a result of labour and skills shortages in manufacturing, including additional callouts. The tough IMG sensor family is designed for machines operating in harsh environments where reliability and stable detection is critical.

“IMG is already available in countless variations, but at SICK we want our customers to achieve the optimal performance from our products. That’s why, rather than designing to fit our sensors, our experts can work with your engineering and design teams to provide you with samples and help you select and modify the best-possible sensors for your needs.”