"With our new wireless sensor technology and wireless signal transmission, users are creating the basis for unmanned shifts," emphasizes Erik Laubengeiger, Sales Manager at Andreas Maier. The AMF wireless sensor system is a wireless communication technology for production environments that can be operated fully automatically and unmanned. The set consisting of gateway, transmitter units and microswitches as well as WLAN router and other accessories transmits queried positions wirelessly, interference-free and energy-saving via Bluetooth Low Energy 4.0 technology to the machine controller or tablets.

Complete set for a wide range of queries
interface is a gateway that wirelessly receives, monitors and visualizes the radio signals from the transmitter units and forwards them to the machine control system. It has eight wireless inputs and eight potential-free relay outputs. The radio signal is transmitted at 2.4 gigahertz via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE 4.0) without interference and in an energy-saving manner. The range is at least ten meters, antenna extensions extend the transmission distance.

AMF wireless sensors for wireless communication technology in manufacturing environments. © Andreas Maier

The transmitter units are available in two sizes with batteries for up to 1.5 or up to five years. The input receives wired signals from the sensors, which are available up to protection class IP 67 for harsh environments. These can be microswitches in plastic housings with mini stroke switches or reed switches as cylinder sensors for T-slot cylinders. The sensors detect ring magnets in cylinder pistons, for example, determine the grip positions of robot grippers, detect the positions of workpieces or determine the closing positions of clamping systems. AMF also offers wireless radio pressure switches for monitoring the pressure of hydraulic clamping circuits. The signals are transmitted wirelessly to the gateway.

Gateway in the control cabinet, connected to the machine control system. © Andreas Maier

Basis for fully automated, unmanned production
With AMF wireless sensors, users create the basis for fully automated, unmanned production. Suitable accessories expand the possibilities. For example, a WLAN router can be connected to access the gateway's web-based user interface via a tablet. A pairing stick activates the connection mode of the transmitter units, and antenna extensions and replacement batteries with flat seals are also included in the manufacturer's range. as