Festo’s SDBT-MSX proximity switch revolutionizes efficiency for Ontario manufacturer

The Festo SDBT-MSX, affixed here to a compact rectangular cylinder, is unique technology: its auto teach-in feature sets the switching point the first time and never needs follow-up adjusting like legacy proximity switches.

An equipment manufacturer in Woodbridge, Ont. recently benefited from using the SDBT-MSX by Festo Canada – the world’s first proximity switch with auto teach-in. This innovative solution eliminated a formerly crucial step in achieving final operational readiness of the customer’s automated CNC fabrication systems for making windows and doors.

As an eager early adopter of new technologies that make operations more efficient, Pro-Line Automation Systems Ltd. is already North America’s largest user of the SDBT-MSX.

No manual tuning required

Unlike legacy proximity switches that require follow-up, manual tuning after commissioning, the auto teach-in feature of the SDBT-MSX automatically learns and sets the correct final switching point when the machine is turned on for the first time. Pro-Line installs many proximity switches on each machine, so the elimination of follow-up adjustment results in ample time savings. Since adopting this Festo solution, Pro-Line has seen its sales almost double in the Canadian market – and expects to see similar success in its upcoming expansion into the United States.

The SDBT-MSX is one example of the advances Festo is making in designing next-generation components. Aside from its performance enhancements, this feature-rich proximity switch simplifies installation, commissioning, and configuration. As the most advanced of magnetic proximity switches in its class, the SDBT-MSX is notable for its compact size – as small as a baby’s pinky finger.

This proximity switch does not need a power supply: the user can affix it to the actuator at a work bench before installation, and once the actuator is in place, the SDBT-MSX is plugged into the controller. When the machine is powered on for commissioning and has finished four cycles, the switch’s auto-teach feature immediately sets the correct final switching point without affecting the application. This is a huge advantage over standard proximity switches that require fine tuning for every unit after commissioning.

As a solid-state device, the SDBT-MSX is set-it-and-forget-it technology rated for hundreds of millions of cycles that will likely outlast any actuator on which users mount it. It is perfect for new equipment, like Pro-Line’s, and for replacing legacy switches on older machines.

For more information, contact Festo.

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