If I had a Hammer…

Let’s start with a question:  Could a pair of slip-joint pliers be used to drive a nail into a 2 x 4?  Sure it could.  It requires persistence, and there’s often a great deal of profanity involved, but it can be done.  Don’t ask me how I know this.  The pliers get the job done,  but quite obviously, they’re not the right tool for the job.

But this isn’t a DIY carpentry blog, it’s a blog about industrial sensors.  So what does any of this have to do with industrial sensors?  Just as it’s important to select the right tool to pound a nail into a piece of wood, it’s also important to choose the right sensor when faced with a sensing task.

For example, let’s say you have an application that requires a position sensor that is going to be subjected to regular, high-pressure wash down.  Could you use a standard, IP67-rated sensor?  Sure you could, it would work just fine…For a while.  And then the profanity would begin again.  Fortunately, there are purpose-built sensors designed for just such applications.  Or, let’s say you use sensors as part of a welding process, and the weld slag build-up is murdering your sensors.  Rather than trying to drive nails with pliers, why not select a hammer right from the start?  The right tool for the job.

Most applications for industrial sensors can be solved with standard, general-duty products.  But if you have an application that falls outside the “most” category, you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches and frustration by selecting the right tool for the job upfront.

So, whether your “nail” is actually an area with explosive gases, a confined space, tank of sterile liquid, or a welding application, put away those pliers, and get yourself a hammer.