Aluminum

[Feeop]

So I know the quick answer but looking for something more technical.

What kind of Aluminum won't trigger a wired in probe?

 

[David]

Like an inductive proximity switch?
If yes, I had to epoxy steel washers onto the 6061 aluminum plate that forms the Z axis of my router. Otherwise the inductive sensor didn't trigger on the plate.

 

[phaxtris]

My z axis plate is i believe 6061 and it triggers the inductive probe no problem, so maybe it depends on the type of inductive sensor ?

 

[David]

Odd I replaced the kit sensors with ones from Automation Direct.

 

[phaxtris]

yea i didnt think it would work, figuring i would need to put a washer or a tapped bolt there

the markings are long gone off the chunk of flat bar i used, but normally that shape is 6061 so its a good bet thats what it is

 

[Mike R]

Be careful of hard anodized aluminum, the anodizing is not conductive if you are using a probe that needs conductivity to trigger.

 

[David]

You're running the DDCS controller right?

 

[Susquatch]

So I know the quick answer but looking for something more technical.

What kind of Aluminum won't trigger a wired in probe?

If you want something more technical, I think you will need to tell us a bit more about what you are doing and what your sensor system is.

 

[ChazzC]

Can’t remember the specs of the proximity sensors we used at the bakery, but they didn’t have any problem sensing Aluminum pans (layer cake/cheese cake hard pans & foil pie pans).

 

[phaxtris]

You're running the DDCS controller right?

me ? yes, the ddcs 4.1

looking back at my AliExpress orders the sensors i used appear to be autwell LJ12A3 dc 2 wire normally closed

where they trigger is raw aluminum (cut then milled), no anodizing, and about 5/8 thick, i didnt know anodizing was a factor, i just tried it and to my surprise it triggered just fine

 

[Feeop]

OK sorry, to elaborate, it's the aluminum off AliExpress that doesn't trigger the probe. My probe and puck are fine and work off the local $$$ stuff i found.

 

[ChazzC]

OK sorry, to elaborate, it's the aluminum off AliExpress that doesn't trigger the probe. My probe and puck are fine and work off the local $$$ stuff i found.

Who knows what’s in that stuff.

Have you tried moving the sensor closer? One source I saw said you may need to be within 4 - 6mm.

 

[gerritv]

anodized aluminum is an insulator, regardless of where you buy it.

 

[phaxtris]

OK sorry, to elaborate, it's the aluminum off AliExpress that doesn't trigger the probe. My probe and puck are fine and work off the local $$$ stuff i found.

you can sand/grind/mill the anodized layer off, its normally only a few microns thick

 

[ChazzC]

anodized aluminum is an insulator, regardless of where you buy it.

https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/606623/can-inductive-sensors-work-on-anodized-aluminum