Balluff Increases Welding Productivity with New Weld Select Products
Florence, KY, June 2007: Balluff has introduced a family of products that significantly increases the life expectancy of sensors and connector components in harsh weld cell environments. The Weld Select family consists of Weld Field Immune sensors, SteelFace(TM) sensors, SlagMaster(TM) slag resistant laminate coatings, improved mounting hardware, connector components, and Weld Repel(TM) products designed to protect sensor connector components from damage in welding cells. A complete catalog is available by going to http://www.balluff.com/welding.
The harsh environment present in weld cells presents multiple challenges to the effective use of sensors. The electromagnetic fields generated in the cell can cause conventional sensors to false trip. Balluff weld field immune sensors are specifically designed to operate within these fields without false tripping.
Loading impact also causes many issues with premature sensor failure. Armed with a one-piece gun drilled stainless steel housing, SteelFace sensors can take multiple hits and still function properly. For protection from more intense physical damage, Balluff Bunker Blocks(TM) combined with Balluff Prox Mounts will offer further protection.
Sensor failure due to high ambient heat and slag can be dramatically reduced by using Balluff SlagMaster(TM) coated sensors. This proprietary coating, developed by Balluff, can be applied to inductive proximity sensors with virtually no sensor performance degradation, allowing the sensor to resist weld slag buildup, high heat, and mechanical damage.
An often overlooked problem in weld cells is the accepted high failure rate of connector cables. TPE jacketed cables have shown to have excellent life in weld cells; however, there have been recent advancements that extend the life of cables even further. Balluff's new Weld Repel(TM) silicone jackets and wrap shed slag with ease and protect cabling from ambient heat up to 500o C. By coupling a TPE cable with Balluff's new Weld Repel(TM) jackets and wrap, you can dramatically expand the life of your connectivity products.
Balluff Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Balluff GmbH, Neuhausen, Germany, is a leading manufacturer of a wide range of inductive, optical, capacitive and magnetic sensors as well as linear position transducers and ID systems. Balluff products for OEM and factory floor solutions are used to control, regulate, automate, assemble, position, and monitor manufacturing, assembly, and packaging sequences for industries including metalworking, automotive, plastics, material handling, wood processing, aerospace, electrical, and electronics.
Please contact Tom Draper, (1 800 543-8390) for clarifications and additional information, or e-mail to Tom.Draper@Balluff.com
