✨ Groundbreaking Solutions from Contrinex in Industrial Automation! ✨

[Elif Özaksu]

🚀 Advanced Sensor and Smart 3D Imaging Technologies Introduced at SPS 2026​

Contrinex showcased its innovative solutions designed to enhance the efficiency of industrial automation at SPS – Smart Production Solutions, held in Nuremberg, Germany, from November 24-26. These technologies, developed for metal forming, discrete assembly, and logistics operations, include groundbreaking double sheet detection, precise laser sensors, and smart 3D imaging systems.

🔍 Core Technology and System Architecture​

At the heart of Contrinex's technical presentation are contactless sensing and edge processing imaging architectures. The Smart Double Sheet Detection system, designed for sheet metal processing lines, offers contactless inspection capable of storing up to 15 material profiles. This system is integrated via an IO-Link interface and an internal configurator, allowing for parameter setting without the need for external software.

For component assembly, the Smart Nut Detection system verifies thread presence and dimensional positioning for metric sizes from M5 to M12 with a single inductive sensing unit, eliminating the need for specialized mechanical fixtures. The Smart C23 Laser Sensor offers a smaller optical spot size, higher optical resolution, and extended operating distance for detecting small parts in high-density installations. The advanced 3D Smart Camera, developed for dimensional verification and process monitoring, includes direct fill level measurement algorithms and point cloud export via a standardized REST API. This enables the exchange of edge data with higher-level supervisory control architectures.

⚙️ Ease of Application and Integration​

Contrinex solutions focus on backward compatibility and rapid commissioning in automated work cells. Sensor parameter setting and diagnostic routines are integrated without PLC program interruption via the PocketCodr tool and digital IO-Link masters. For harsh operating conditions, sensors with ActivStone ceramic-based coatings can be directly embedded into robotic welding cells to prevent spatter accumulation and mechanical wear.

🏭 Industrial Application Areas​

Target sectors include automotive manufacturing, machine tool fabrication, packaging, and high-speed robotic material handling. In metal stamping operations, double sheet verification prevents double blank feeding errors that lead to die breakage and press downtime. In automated welding and fastening cells, single-sensor nut inspection from M5 to M12 ensures correct fastening sequences before subsequent joining. In continuous process and bulk material environments, REST-enabled 3D imaging cameras track volumetric fill levels in containers and transfer stations without mechanical contact.

📈 Operational Impact and Performance Metrics​

The architectural shift towards IO-Link parameter storage and REST-based imaging networking provides measurable operational gains in line availability. Storing up to 15 material configurations in sensor memory eliminates manual mechanical recalibration during sheet coil changeovers, shortening batch change times. Multi-diameter sensing from M5 to M12 reduces active sensor inventory and sensor head change cycles in production tooling. At the cell level, real-time 3D point cloud streaming via the REST API eliminates the need for dedicated secondary processing computers, reducing integration latency and standardizing diagnostic telemetry to existing plant execution systems.