CUI’s Motion Group announced the addition of a new series to its innovative AMT incremental encoder family to support larger motor shaft sizes from 9 mm to 15.875 mm (5/8 inch). The AMT13 series, based on CUI’s proprietary capacitive ASIC technology, brings the same high levels of durability, accuracy, and immunity to environmental particulates as […]
Sensors and the future of food tech
Scientists and research engineers are developing technologies to boost food yield economically and efficiently in order to feed the world’s growing population. New ideas continue to emerge as the scientific community devotes time and energy in solving this problem. One futuristic approach involves creating an ideal environment for growing food in the air without soil, […]
Flowline non-contact reflective ultrasonic level sensors from AutomationDirect
Non-contact EchoPod and EchoTouch reflective ultrasonic liquid level sensors feature Flowline’s proprietary Reflective Technology that delivers reliable level measurement in condensing environments. Condensation is the most commonly encountered variable in liquid level applications and attenuates the acoustic signal of non-reflective ultrasonic sensors, weakening signal strength and reducing measurement reliability. These reflective level sensors replace ultrasonic […]
How does sensor fusion improve an alarm system?
At Sensors Expo 2019, Tanja Hofner, a Principal Hardware Engineer for RF and Sensors in Infineon’s Power Management and Multimarket segment explains the operation of the company’s Integrated Alarm System demo. The demo uses two Infineon sensors: the digital XENSIV IM69D130 microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone and a DPS310 digital barometric pressure sensor as well as […]
AutomationDirect adds ProSense vibration fork liquid level switches
ProSense VFL Series Vibration Fork Level Switches from AutomationDirect are designed using tuning fork technology for reliable liquid point level detection for monitoring, alarming, and control applications. The switch tuning forks vibrate at their natural frequency. When the forks contact a liquid, the fork vibration frequency changes and triggers the switch output. Suitable for use […]
Contactless touch sensing for safer interactions
by Richard Berglind, Sr. Optical Engineer, Neonode Inc. Smartphones and other portable products have made touch the human machine interface (HMI) of choice for many other products. Touch sensing is easy to implement, easy to use, reliable and cost-effective. However, there are many applications and situations where physically touching a device is not desired and, […]
What sensors can be used in an AC system?
At Sensors Expo 2019, Devin Brock, Manager of Product Knowledge and Training for Sensors Solutions at TE Connectivity, explains the numerous opportunities for a variety of sensors in an air conditioning (AC) system. The working table top heating ventilating and AC (HVAC) system from New Product Innovations has wired and wireless sensors from TE Connectivity […]
Virtual sensor from B&R
Virtual sensor reads safe speed B&R has developed a virtual sensor for its ACOPOS P3 servo drive: the Safe Speed Observer. It determines speed in accordance with SIL 2 / PL d / CAT 3 requirements, reducing the cost of implementing the Safely Limited Speed safety function by eliminating the need for a safe encoder. […]
Balluff launches new machine vision system configurator tool
With Balluff’s new online Machine Vision configurator tool, users can confidently and efficiently select the product combinations required for configuring a complete vision system to meet their application needs. Users start by inputting basic physical parameters including working distance and image size and the configurator filters selections of cameras, lenses, filters, lighting devices and accessories […]
How can solar provide power to the IoT?
At Sensors Expo 2019, Ben Lanail, Director of Business Development at Alta Devices, explains how his company’s thin-film solar voltaic cells can provide power for a variety of devices and applications, including the Internet of Things (IoT). Made from wide band gap (WBG) gallium arsenide (GaAs), the cells have very good light to electricity conversion […]
What are cryogenic temperature measurements? Part 2
Part 1 of this article looked at sensing and sensors for ultracold and cryogenic temperatures; Part 2 advances the story to more esoteric situations. Q: What’s the fundamental difference between measuring extremely high temperatures versus cryogenic ones? A: When things get really hot, extending into thousands of degrees, the sensor options are limited. Usually, it […]
How can an RTC feature stabilize an image sensor’s output?
At Sensors Expo 2019 in San Jose, CA, Sahil Choudhary, a product marketing manager at InvenSense, demonstrates how the real-time clock (RTC) feature in his company’s 6-axis (accelerometer and gyroscope) sensors provides accuracy and stabilization for critical imaging applications. For a specific device frequency, say 10 Hz, the RTC input ensures that the 10 Hz […]
What are cryogenic temperature measurements? Part 1
Cryogenic temperatures may seem only of limited interest, but they are actually critical in many instrumentation and other systems. Measuring these ultralow temperatures is both easy and difficult, depending on temperature, material, and mass. Temperature is the most commonly measured physical variable, whether it’s just to assess the local weather to manage the performance of […]
What makes a winning sensor?
At Sensor Expo 2019 in San Jose, CA, Travis Taylor, an Associate MTS at Maxim Integrated, demonstrates the Health Sensor Platform 2.0 that won the Sensors Expo 2019 Innovative Product of the Year Award. It can measure electrocardiogram (ECG), optical heart rate and temperature. In addition to its wrist-worn display, the measured information can be […]
High-precision displacement sensors and systems ideal for rocket engine validation testing
The Measuring Division of Kaman Precision Products, Inc. announces the availability of its line of Extreme Environment high-precision displacement sensors and systems. With their proven design and rugged all-welded and hermetic construction, the sensors and systems are ideal for rocket and turbine engine validation testing. They are also an excellent choice for other applications that […]
Pressure sensors feature highly accurate ceramic capacitive technology
Heilind Electronics, an authorized distributor for Sensata Technologies, has expanded its sensor portfolio with the manufacturer’s 116CP Series pressure sensors. Highly accurate with 100 percent automated calibration, the sensors utilize field-proven ceramic capacitive technology designed for high-volume applications. 116CP Series pressure sensors are also manufactured to REACH, RoHS and CE standards. Adding to the sensors’ […]
How can you achieve a low power sensor node?
At Sensors Expo 2019 in San Jose, CA, Chet Jewan, Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Eta Compute, describes the demos in his booth. The sensor node consists of the Eta Compute ECM3531 application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a ROHM Semiconductor RF device and sensors – all running off of a small solar […]
OMEGA digital thermal imaging cameras allow smartphone integration
The TI-120 and TI-400 are OMEGA’s next generation of Thermal Imaging Cameras. Featuring a mobile app for data capturing and continuous analysis, both models have a fully-radiometric short thermal video stream and the ability to instantly share thermal images and videos through your favorite channels. These cameras are suitable for equipment diagnostic tasks, R&D users, […]
OMEGA introduces its most powerful temperature and process meter
The new DP400TP High Speed Meter stands out in the panel meter segment due to its bright OLED display and its innovative multilingual interface. It also comes with the dedicated Omega Google Play App – “Direct Link” that provides seamless wireless NFC programming from Android devices. The analog input can be configured by parameter for […]
Alliance Sensors Group unveils CyberSecure smart ac-LVDT signal conditioner
H.G. Schaevitz LLC dba Alliance Sensors Group has introduced its latest LVDT signal conditioner, the highly advanced SC-200. This LVDT signal Conditioner offers smart and fast LVDT/RVDT setup and has been engineered to work with the widest range of industrial LVDTs, RVDTs, and inductive half-bridge sensors including 3-wire LVRTs. The signal conditioning module has cyber security […]
Balluff’s inductive Factor 1 sensors
Balluff’s new generation of high-precision inductive factor 1 sensors accurately detect ferrous (iron-based) metals like steel and non-ferrous metals like aluminum and brass at the same rated switching distance. Typical inductive sensors have a reduced range for non-ferrous metal, requiring a correcting factor to calculate their switching distance. Not so with Factor 1 sensors; they […]
What’s missing from many smart homes today?
In the home of the future, many different types of sensors will allow the owner and authorized users to activate several functions remotely. To avoid unauthorized users from accessing these systems and even gaining entry into the home, security must be designed in. At Sensors Expo 2019 in San Jose, Steve Hanna from Infineon who […]
What information does a proximal flow sensor provide?
At Sensors Expo 2019 in San Jose, CA, Lucas Tschuor, Head of Field Application Engineering at Sensirion, explains how his company’s proximal flow sensor is used in respiratory applications with the help of a teddy bear. With a very sensitive device, breathing cycles can be detected and help the patient breathe providing an ideal sensor […]
AutomationDirect’s Metrol precision limit switches
Metrol limit switches provide precision, repeatability and a long service life. Four new types of Metrol precision limit switches are now available from AutomationDirect. The actuator of new sliding/angled offset limit switches detects objects traveling straight on or sliding into the actuator from an angle with 5-micron repeat accuracy. Metrol low contact-force limit switches are […]
CMOS image sensors target harsh industrial apps
SmartSens Technology, a global supplier of high-performance CMOS image sensors, today announced two new CMOS Image Sensors SC2310T and SC4210T. These newly launched image sensors leverage SmartSens’ unique pixel architecture to deliver superior ultra-low-light sensitivity, and high dynamic range (HDR) of 100db, on top of their industrial high-temperature grade operation making them a perfect match […]