Balluff’s new digital position guide simplifies format change and minimizes errors and downtime. The easy-to-use position indicator was designed to simplify format change to more easily meet the ever-decreasing lot sizes resulting from individualized packaging and special formats. It allows users to quickly configure machinery to adapt to varying materials, weights and package counts while […]
Matrox Imaging’s basic MIL-Lite X SDK is now available
Matrox Imaging is pleased to announce that its MIL-Lite X software development kit is now available as a free download for all interested users. A subset of the powerful Matrox Imaging Library (MIL) X, MIL-Lite X delivers a range of programming functions for performing image capture, annotation, display, and archiving. Licensed for both application development […]
Using optical fibers for temperature measurement, Part 3: Variations
Among the many ways to sense temperature, combinations of advanced optical principles used with optical fibers offer very different approaches, with application advantages and implementation limitations. The previous part of this article looked at two approaches to using optical fibers for temperature sensing based on the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and the Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI). […]
Using optical fibers for temperature measurement, Part 2: Principles
Among the many ways to sense temperature, combinations of advanced optical principles used with optical fibers offer very different approaches, with application advantages but also implementation limitations. The first part of this article discussed general issues of sensing of physical parameters, especially temperature, and total internal reflection in optical fibers. This section will look at […]
Using optical fibers for temperature measurement, Part 1: Context
Among the many ways to sense temperature, combinations of advanced optical principles used with optical fibers offer very different approaches, with application advantages and implementation limitations. Temperature is the most widely sensed physical parameter; it’s that simple. What’s not simple is the many ways we have of measuring it through the use of sensors such […]
ProSense inductive proximity sensors from AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has added a variety of new ProSense inductive proximity sensors to their portfolio. Added are 8mm triple-sensing inductive proximity sensors in flush and non-flush mounting options, which can detect ferrous metals up to a distance of 6mm. Also new are inductive proximity sensors with a metal face to provide more durable protection, with environmental […]
Differential pressure transmitter subsystems target HVAC, industrial air handling uses
Superior Sensor Technology announced the HS Series, an advanced family of differential pressure transmitter (DPT) subsystems that offer engineers a flexible, accurate, and easily configurable DPT design solution for HVAC and industrial air handling systems. The HS Series is a DPT subsystem that includes the already popular performance features of the HV Series with additional […]
Camera-based cap control with artificial intelligence from IDS
Strong price pressure combined with high-quality requirements – the beverage and bottle industry faces the classic dilemma of many industries. This is also the case in the quality control department of a French manufacturer of plastic caps. Reliably detecting cracks and micro-cracks on plastic caps in 40 different colors and shades running at high speed […]
How can CO2 sensing help overcome COVID-19?
One sensing tool that has played an important role since the beginning of COVID-19 is data loggers. Data loggers use a wide variety of sensors to measure everything from temperature to illuminance. One specific type of data logger equipped with a CO2 sensor has been used since the beginning of the pandemic to monitor and […]
Differential pressure transmitters are quickly configurable, require no calibration
Superior Sensor Technology today announced the HS Series, an advanced family of differential pressure transmitter (DPT) subsystems that offer engineers a flexible, accurate and easily configurable DPT design solution for HVAC and industrial air handling systems. The HS Series is a DPT subsystem which includes the already popular performance features of the HV Series with additional […]
What is the difference between a pressure sensor and a load cell?
A load cell is a type of force sensor and it has a direct relationship to pressure, since: pressure = force/area Eq. 1 The load cell’s electrical output is proportional to the mechanical force applied to it. The force can be hydraulic or pneumatic and the transducer is normally based on strain gauges. Other types […]
Balluff photoelectric sensors provide condition monitoring data
The new photoelectric sensors with condition monitoring from Balluff deliver capabilities not yet seen before in the market. In addition to providing solid photoelectric sensing, they deliver the condition monitoring and advanced IO-Link features of the Smart Automation and Monitoring System (SAMS) portfolio, meant to eliminate downtime by simplifying troubleshooting, changeover, and setup of machines. […]
How have drone sensors advanced?
Large Predator B drones, built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and first flown in 2001, are used by the military to perform multi-mission Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions over land or sea. Sensing payloads in the MQ-9A Predator B remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), include: Multi-Spectral Targeting System Model B (MTS-B) Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR), Lynx multi-mode […]
Analyzing different proximity sensor technologies
Utilized as a no-touch method to provide either precise distance measurement to an object or simple “there/not there” logic, proximity sensors span a wide range of technologies, each offering their own set of operating principles, advantages, and drawbacks. Some of the most commonly found technologies in portable or small embedded systems include ultrasonic, photoelectric, laser […]
MEMs device integrated with MCU-based measuring electronics in compact PCB assembly
Posifa Technologies introduced its new PVC4000 series MEMS Pirani vacuum transducer. Designed for cost-effective OEM integration, the device consists of a surface-mount MEMS Pirani sensor and microcontroller-based measuring electronics — all packaged in an ultra-compact PCB assembly featuring a connector-terminated wire harness. The PVC4000’s sensor element is based on Posifa’s second-generation MEMS thermal conduction chip, […]
Laser distance sensor for large measurement distances in industrial applications
The high-performance optoNCDT ILR2250 laser distance sensor is used whenever large measuring ranges and high accuracy are required. The optoNCDT ILR2250 can be installed at distances up to 100 m, and up to 150 m with a reflector film. This powerful sensor impresses when measuring dark, structured, and poorly reflecting surfaces while providing stable measurement […]
Thin film haptic actuators create high-fidelity in a localized way
While piezoelectric haptic solutions are found in many applications, they are often large and heavy, thus shaking the entire device. KEMET’s new piezoelectric polymer film haptic actuators are thin (150 µm), flexible and conformable devices made from a proprietary, patent-protected paper-thin material, an electro-active polymer film, that enables piezoelectric effects to mimic the sense of […]
Undersea optical-fiber cables do double-duty as seismic sensors, Part 2: Application
A research team has devised and tested a scheme based on advanced optical-physics principles, which uses active submarine optical-fiber data cables also to sense ocean-floor earthquakes and ocean-surface swells. The previous part of this article established the context for “piggybacking” seismic-sensing capabilities onto an existing undersea fiber-optic cable. This part looks in more detail at […]
New Balluff inductive washdown sensors
Like the other inductive sensors in our portfolio, these provide wear-resistant, non-contact position detection of metallic objects. These, however, are members of Balluff’s Smart Automation and Monitoring System (SAMS) portfolio—SAMS. That means they’re packed with additional features. First, they include condition monitoring which reports the sensor’s internal temperature, relative humidity, and inclination, plus vibration monitoring in […]
Undersea optical-fiber cables do double-duty as seismic sensors, Part 1: Context
A research team has devised and tested a scheme based on advanced optical-physics principles which uses active submarine optical-fiber data cables to also sense ocean-floor earthquakes and ocean-surface swells. Sensing of physical parameters such as temperature, pressure, force, and velocity often brings a “split personality” analysis. On one hand, getting a reading of the basic […]
Non-contact reflective object sensor targets industrial automation applications
TT Electronics announced its new OPB735 series Reflective Object Sensors for the most challenging industrial automation and safety applications. This reflective sensor features hermetically sealed components offering designers a wide operating temperature range of -55°C to 100°C to suit almost any factory setting. Designed to produce extremely low cross-talk or noise signals, this product provides users with reliable and […]
LZ-19 Series LVIT linear position sensor
The LZ-19 Series of LVIT (Linear Variable Inductance Transducer) position sensors are contactless devices designed for use in factory automation or assembly machinery applications where space is a premium, as well as for external mounting on pneumatic cylinders to sense rod position. The LVIT is offered in nominal full scale ranges from 2.5 to 750 […]
Signal conditioner handles digital/analog comm for AC-LVDTs, RVDT, or LVRT half-bridge sensors
The NewTek NTC-6000 Qwik-Cal LVDT Signal Conditioner completes the measurement system for AC-operated LVDTs by providing the excitation and digital output required by many of today’s laboratory, industrial automation, and process control applications. Without internal electronics, AC-LVDTs can operate in extreme environments but require the NTC-6000 Signal Conditioner to convert position feedback into readable output […]
Hall effects ensor optimized for low-field environments, normal ambient temps
Paragraf announces a new graphene Hall Effect sensor ideally suited to battery applications, such as the electric vehicle (EV) sector. The graphene GHS01AT Hall Effect sensor is optimized for use in relatively low field environments and normal ambient temperatures. Bringing the magnetic field measurement resolution towards that of more complex magnetic sensors, yet with the […]
MTE EFFICIENCY Pressure Transmitter Platform for precision applications
– Modular platform for customized changes in a very short space of time – High accuracy and stability at a low price With the new MTE EFFICIENCY modular pressure transmitter platform, First Sensor AG, a developer and manufacturer of standard products and customer-specific sensor solutions in the growth market of sensor technology, is offering high […]