During automated production of solar cells, compact two-finger robot edge-grippers transport trays of silicon wafers between operations. To avoid impacts on the wafers surfaces, process engineers require reliable confirmation that gripper jaws are fully open before the gripper descends to pick up a tray. Ultraminiature inductive proximity sensors, mounted directly above the top faces of…

Heavy-duty industrial presses can cause serious injury without adequate safety precautions. The use of safety light-curtains (AOPDs) for hand protection allows unobstructed access without increasing the operating cycle-time. YBES Extended Slim Type 4 light-curtains are unobtrusive and maximize the available obstruction-free working area; open-fronted presses are now the norm. Wireless configuration and monitoring via Bluetooth®…