A sensor manufacturer unlike any other
Products
Production
Quality
Customer service
Visions
 When Contrinex was founded in 1972 to manufacture
inductive and photoelectric proximity switches, there were
already more than 100 competitors worldwide fighting for
market share. The strategic plan was therefore to look for
niche markets, and not just to produce sensors identical
to those available at the time. Especially since customer
demand was for higher performance devices for use in
ever more demanding situations.

Contrinex therefore spent a great deal of research effort to
develop switches whose detection capabilities approach
the physical limits. As a result, we have secured a
leading position worldwide for several families of exclusive
hi-tech devices. Amongst these, now the core products of
Contrinex’s range, are:

- The world’s smallest switches
- Switches with the longest operating distances
available from any manufacturer
- Switches which withstand the severest operating
conditions (high pressure, extreme temperatures,
aggressive media)
- Mechanically robust switches with all-metal housings

Contrinex’s pioneering work has led to products and
solutions which were previously thought impossible, and
a number of them have since become market
standards.The decision to specialize has proved to be the
right one. Starting as a one-man enterprise, the company
now employs over 250 people occupied exclusively in the
development, manufacture and commercialization of
industrial proximity switches. The search for products to give
even more customer benefits is the company’s continuing
objective, which will also guarantee its long-term survival in
an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Products
Contrinex produces a wide range of proximity switches,
including virtually all the common standardized inductive and
photoelectric types. However, our specialty is high-
performance devices. Advanced high performance developed
using innovative techniques. That’s why the Contrinex
product range stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Subminiature devices with no compromise on electrical
specifications

- The world’s smallest self-contained inductive proximity
switch,
only 3 mm in diameter and 22 mm long
- The world’s smallest self-contained photoelectric
proximity switch,
only 4 mm in diameter and 35 mm long
- A complete range of other miniature devices to cover all
needs

Devices with very long operating distances

The pioneer of devices with very long operating distances,
Contrinex has been producing inductive proximity switches
for over 20 years. It is the undisputed market leader in this
field, as confirmed by its two patented technologies Condist
and Condet.

Devices made using Condist technology have operating
distances 2.2 to 4 times greater than the standard requires.
These are the longest operating distances available on the
market and far exceed anything the competition can offer.

The use of the recently introduced Condet technology
permits long operating distances even on non-ferrous
metals. In the case of aluminum for instance, they are up to
eight times greater than with standard devices.

Severe operating conditions
(high pressure, extreme temperatures, aggressive media)

Two new ranges of proximity switches, one completely
sealed and the other pressure-resistant, have recently been
made available. Both exhibit outstanding behavior under the
most severe operating conditions. Not only that, but they
also resist extreme pressure and temperature cycles .

The secret? A new technology from Contrinex which allows
perfect seals to be made between metals and ceramics.
Highly effective, low cost, and above all, uniform and lasting
quality..

Extreme physical robustness, all-metal housings

The most sensitive part of a conventional proximity switch is
its sensing face. Unfortunately, it is also where it is the
most vulnerable to mechanical damage from moving objects.
Even more unfortunately, because it usually needs to be
electro-magnetically transparent in order for the magnetic
field to pass through, it is generally made of plastic, an
inherently weak material. This problem is entirely overcome
by using devices made using Contrinex’s Condet
technology. They have a one-piece stainless steel housing,
sensing face included. Not only does this give greater
mechanical resistance, but the seam-free housing also
eliminates permeability problems. Two birds killed with one
stone!
Production
It’s one thing to design high-performance proximity
switches, but it’s another thing to produce them. The
quality must be impeccable, but production costs must be
kept within reason.

Automation is used wherever possible, but highly trained
employees with good eyesight, steady hands,
concentration, and strong nerves are irreplaceable. For
example, the assembly of miniature devices demands
extraordinary dexterity, which not everybody possesses.
Another example is the assembly of proximity switches with
long operating distances, where high process reliability and
uniformity is a prerequisite for consistent parameters of the
final product. Thus, the selection and training of suitable
employees is already extremely costly and time-consuming.

Only the most recent production technology can be used in
assembling Contrinex’s high-tech products. Our techniques
include printed circuit boards using fine pitch technology,
SMD assembly, die and wire bonding of semi-conductor
chips, laser trimming, plasma surface treatment, vacuum
potting, and ultrasonic welding. And these are just a few of
the key words. It’s hardly surprising therefore that during a
visit round our factory visitors, especially the experts, never
fail to be astonished.

The old saying, “If you want a job done well, do it
yourself”, is particularly true where perfection is concerned.
In order to ensure constant quality of critical production
processes therefore, Contrinex has chosen to have a high
degree of self-sufficiency. To this end, our factory is set up
to operate the major part of the currently used production
processes.
Quality
If Contrinex’s proximity switches are held in high regard by
its worldwide demanding clientele, it is not only because of
their technical superiority, but also because of their
uncompromising quality and reliability. This is achieved by
involving all departments and all management levels in our
ISO 9001:2000 certified management system.
- Download in the ISO 9001:2000 certificate in Acrobat format: SQSE.PDF -
The strictest quality standards are applied to the
manufacture of every Contrinex proximity switch. Nothing is
left to chance. Only suppliers who also manufacture to the
highest quality standards are qualified to deliver
components. Before each component is released into
production, it must pass our rigorous incoming inspection.
At each production stage, intermediate testing is carried
out. And before packing, highly developed automatic
systems perform a comprehensive test on every switch,
where all the important parameters are checked,
documented and statistically analyzed. In addition, the
entire manufacturing process is set up for full traceability
using the most up-to-date computer technology. The
consistent high quality of Contrinex proximity switches is
certainly not just the result of pure coincidence!
- Download the full list of test steps for Inductive Proximity
Switches or for Photoelectric Proximity Switches. Contrinex
readiliy provides individual parameter sets for specific
devices.
- For every piece, results are printed out, and analyzed
statistically. If necessary, corrective actions are taken.
- Visual inspection: Before packing, all products are
checked individually by our well-trained staff.
Customer service
However much they sometimes resemble them, proximity
switches are not screws! They are complex electronic-
mechanical systems. However, their use in most cases is
absolutely trouble-free. Nevertheless, it is advisable to be in
close contact with our customer service department for the
more difficult cases. Such contact is even highly
recommended for those Contrinex products that have been
specially developed for difficult applications.

Wherever you are in the world, Contrinex is present, with its
own subsidiaries and qualified sales representatives in over
30 countries, who form the links between the customer and
us. At our headquarters, experienced application and
development engineers are there to help you by providing
optimum solutions to all your problems.
Visions
Our most important aim is to consolidate and extend our
technological lead in those areas which form our core
business – high-tech proximity switches. This lead,
together with providing increased customer benefits, will
guarantee the continuing success of our worldwide clientele,
and therefore ultimately of Contrinex itself.

To help achieve this ambitious aim, we will continue to
develop an appropriate company management and culture.
We will ensure that our employees are highly motivated, and
that they remain so. We will persevere with our efforts to
provide an environment that stimulates teamwork. We will
emphasize the need for creativity and innovation at all levels.
Above all, we will ensure that quality remains a top priority.
Throughout the company, from top to bottom, we must
understand that our business means the manufacture of
difficult-to-make,high-technology products. This is the key to
the company’s sustained growth and success.


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