Sensors collect motion information then pass it to the signal processing part to generate an

automatic process for the system. For electro-pneumatic system, sensors are used primarily, to
detect the alternate motion (expand and retract) of the piston, to detect presence and position of a
work piece, and to measure pressure flow.

One of the most used sensors in electro-pneumatic is the limit switch, this sensor interlocks
mechanical motion or assembled with electrical circuit. Limit switch is actuated when assigned
sensor part of a machine part, usually the cylinder where it is in certain position caused by
motion. Limit switches are usually transition contacts and there are three type of connection
forms as it functions

 Normally closed contact

 Normally open contact
 Transition contact

Sensors collect motion information then pass it to the signal processing part to generate an
automatic process for the system. For electro-pneumatic system, sensors are used primarily, to
detect the alternate motion (expand and retract) of the piston, to detect presence and position of a
work piece, and to measure pressure flow.

Proximity sensor is also called non-contact limit switch, for the reason that it functions as the
limit switch plus it also realize non-contact detection. Making it able to detect part sizes, speed,
frequency, and other non-contact factors. Proximity sensors have the ability to respond
continuous detection usually called “response frequency” and respond in a maximum distance
which its unit is called the “detection distance”. The maximum frequency and the distance of a
proximity sensor differs from its type.

According with the non-contact object detection method, the five common types of proximity
sensor are;

1. Inductive Proximity Sensor.

2. Optical Proximity Sensor.
3. Capacitive Proximity Sensor.
4. Magnetic Proximity Sensor.
5. Ultrasonic proximity Sensor.