Material Handling: Sensing Challenges & Solutions

Sept. 3, 2007
This paper shows OEMs' concerns when choosing a sensor manufacturer and specifying sensors.

By Thomas Corbett, Product Manager and Gary Frigyes, Product Marketing Manager. Pepperl+Fuchs

In today’s material handling market, OEMs are faced with a number of concerns when choosing a sensor manufacturer and specifying sensors.  What makes one sensor manufacturer more attractive than another?  What sensor features are the most important to me?  How do I protect my company from specifying a sensor that will be obsolete in the next 12 months bringing my production to its knees?  What are the current trends in the sensor market?  With the growing trend to reduce inventory, how can I limit the number of unique models my machine needs?  What electrical standards and optical features are important?