Capacitive Part Present Sensor

[mmervenne 0]

I have an application where I need a Part Present Sensor that will not be able to be activated by someones hand. I have a machine with no light curtain and two operators in the same area. Does anyone know of a Capacitive Prox that will only pick up plastic?. Any other ideas?. Thanks Mike

[paulengr 44]

By nature, capacitive sensors pretty much detect anything. Inductive ones pick up only metal objects (best for ferrous). You've got to find some other attribute that is different such as temperature, color, polarizability, etc. Capacitive simply isn't going to get the job done alone. Even a light curtain could work if the physical dimensions of your object are different from "fingers". Check out IFM Efector or Keyence. Both offer some fairly creative sensors that rely on properties other than capacitive or inductive.

[panic mode 246]

what is the danger or possible damage in case someone's hand is recognized as part? would you mind risking your own hand?