C&K has launched an IP67-rated anti-vandal pushbutton switch with a short-body. Designed for spaced-constrained applications, the ATPS19 Series pushbutton switch offers a nearly 40% reduction on the body length as compared to the standard ATP19 version. Rated to more than 200K electrical life cycles, the ATPS19 Series is commonly used in alarm, safety & security […]
Balluff sensor detects magnetic field interference, stops false triggering
Balluff’s latest magnetic field sensor was designed specifically to withstand the magnetic fields of weld applications. The BMF 415 weld-immune magnetic field sensor can detect interference of magnetic fields caused by high weld currents and stop the sensor from false triggering by using a higher level of circuitry and filtration. It’s IP67 rating and protective […]
How do you track an elephant?
Very carefully might be your first response but there is a technical answer as well. The technical answer involves a design challenge called ElephantEdge to create the world’s most advanced tracker to protect elephants in their natural habitats from poachers, trophy hunters and habitat destruction. Supported by Hackster.io, an Avnet community, and Smart Parks, a […]
LVDT electronics, Part 2: Interface circuitry
The interface electronics for the LVDT must excite the primary-side winding with a sine wave and then demodulate the two resultant secondary-side waveforms; modern ICs make this analog-signal process fairly straightforward. Part 1 of this FAQ looked at the basics of LVDT excitation, demodulation, and waveforms. This part looks at two standard ICs which implement […]
LVDT electronics, Part 1: Excitation and demodulation
The interface electronics for the LVDT must excite the primary-side winding with a sine wave and then demodulate the two resultant secondary-side waveforms; modern ICs make this analog-signal process fairly straightforward. The first two parts of this LVDT article (see References) looked at the LVDT transducer itself, along with its attributes and history. This second […]
What is the Air Quality Index? Pt 3
AirNow and PurpleAir report the Air Quality Index (AQI) using different methodologies. With two different techniques to measure air quality (See Pt1), how does the data from the two approaches correlate? While AirNow’s monitors cost tens of thousands of dollars and require significant infrastructure and trained personnel to operate, PurpleAir’s sensors may only cost a […]
What is the Air Quality Index? Pt 2
With over 90 forest fires raging along the West Coast, you may feel safe and think you do not need to check the air quality index (AQI) if you don’t live in that region. Think again! A recent satellite image shows that the smoke already extends all the way to Michigan. Don’t smell any smoke? […]
WAGO managed switches for network security
WAGO introduces two new Media Access Control Security (MACSec) industrial managed switches, offering innovative solutions for network security. These new switches allow users to easily implement network encryption in their building or on their plant floor. The 852-1322 switch comes with eight RJ45- 1GB ports. Six of the ports are not encrypted for local communication […]
Sensata Technologies’ New Rotary Sensors Enable Industry 4.0 & Industrial IoT Environments
Sensata Technologies (NYSE:ST), an industrial technology company and a leading provider of sensors, today announced the availability of two new Rotary Hall Effect Sensors with IO-Link– the ACW4 single turn and the TCW4 multi-turn modular rotary Hall effect sensors. IO-Link integration standardizes the sensors’ outputs so that they can communicate in any IO-Link enabled fieldbus […]
Effective tool change cleverly designed with inductive miniature sensors
In modern processing centers, inductive sensors are the components of choice for monitoring the motor spindle clamping process. Integrated into the spindle, they must be exceptionally small and offer high repeatability to ensure smooth tool changing at all times. Baumer offers a high-performance portfolio of miniature sensors for the intelligent design of effective spindle solutions. […]
Automate image-based inspection with artificial intelligence
High demands on products, as well as high time and cost pressure, are decisive competitive factors across all industries and sectors. Whether in the food or automotive industry – quality, safety and speed are today more than ever before factors that determine the success of a company. Zero-defect production is the goal. But how can […]
SICK launches new PeopleCounter (PeCo) SensorApp
In reaction to new developments to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, SICK has launched its new PeopleCounter (PeCo) SensorApp. Using 3D LiDAR sensors, people can easily maintain recommended occupancy levels in public spaces and in manufacturing settings. Unlike the use of camera technology, the PeCo LiDAR sensor solution does not process personal information. […]
Eaton’s new GFX machine dynamics sensor delivers motion, position and navigational sensing from one compact device
Power management company Eaton today announced the launch of its GFX machine dynamics sensor, a two-in-one device combining the functionality of a global positioning system (GPS) and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) in one compact package. With the ability to monitor machine location, speed, acceleration, direction, tilt, pitch and roll, the GFX device can help…
Pressure sensor with IO-Link wins the Innovations Showcase Award
At the Process Expo in Chicago, a panel of experts from the food processing industry selected the PP20H pressure sensor as the winner of the Innovations Showcase Award in the dairy product category. The pressure sensor prevailed among the 17 finalists due to its condensate-resistant silicon measuring cell, exceptional precision across the entire temperature range, […]
PP20H pressure sensor with IO-Link wins Innovations Showcase Award
At the Process Expo in Chicago, a panel of experts from the food processing industry selected the PP20H pressure sensor as the winner of the Innovations Showcase Award in the dairy product category. The pressure sensor prevailed among the 17 finalists due to its condensate-resistant silicon measuring cell, exceptional precision across the entire temperature range, and […]
Omron releases new PC-based camera system
New PC-based FJ2 cameras from global automation leader Omron Automation Americas makes it easy for manufacturers to incorporate machine vision into their existing systems while continuing to use their own PC or industrial PC. Industrial automation solutions provider Omron Automation Americas has recently launched a complete machine vision solutions package that can be easily installed […]
Smart sensors advancements bring new possibilities to industrial automation
By Cliff Ortmeyer, Global Head of Technical Marketing at Newark Sensors are one of the most critical elements of electronic design for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications as, without them, devices have no input (beyond manual human intervention). The good news is that design engineers can now access state-of-the-art sensors that can radically transform […]
What is the Air Quality Index? Pt 1
Depending on where you live, your age, sensitivity to airborne constituents and other factors, the air quality index (AQI) could be something that you monitor frequently. In the U.S., the AQI developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a nationally uniform color-coded index for reporting air quality. Air agencies use the AQI report and […]
IR digital readout ICs now available as quarter-wafer lot
The Oxygen RD0092 digital readout IC (DROIC) is now available as a quarter-wafer, allowing developers to acquire a reduced minimum order quantity of ICs at lower-cost for evaluation and prototyping. Each fully tested quarter wafer is supplied with a minimum number of guaranteed good die. A full data pack that includes a GUI-based clickable wafer […]
What is the MEMS report card for 2019?
Input for the 21st Annual MEMS Industry Commercialization Report Card Study (for 2019) is currently being requested. Compiled by Roger Grace, President of Roger Grace Associates, the purpose of the Report Card is to provide microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) industry participants with an objective assessment of the critical success factors over time for MEMS and to […]
Lining up the right linear position sensing solution
Linear position sensing is a specific and common industrial automation need — with many options for solving application challenges. By Andrew Waugh, AutomationDirect Industrial equipment and machinery usually involve a good amount of rotating and actuating parts. Effective automation of these elements calls for sensors to reliably detect the position of actuators and associated mechanisms.…
New sensor from Ibeo Automotive Systems detects environment in four dimensions
The Hamburg-based LiDAR sensor specialist Ibeo Automotive Systems GmbH will begin worldwide delivery of its new ibeoNEXT LiDAR sensor to partners and customers starting in October 2020. The sensor is based on a completely new type of photon laser measurement technology and works completely without moving parts (real solid-state). It generates an additional black-and-white image, […]
NewTek spring-loaded LVDTs
NewTek Spring-Loaded LVDTs are used for surface measurement of paper, rubber, paneling, and other materials as part of quality control processes in sawmill, wood processing, paneling, rubber, and automotive production plants. Outfitted with precision wheels and other accessories for active monitoring of materials along a line or conveyor, the Spring-Loaded Gage Heads are mounted at […]
What are inertial sensors?
Inertial sensors are used to transduce inertial force into measurable electrical signals to measure acceleration, inclination, and vibration of an object. Micromachining technology has made it possible to produce MEMS (Micro Electromechanical System) inertial sensors using single-crystal silicon sensor elements. These micron-sized sensors meet all major system design drivers like low-cost, high performance, high precision, […]
What is a Sensor HAT?
HAT is a three-letter acronym (TLA) for hardware attached on top: the terminology used for a hardware specification for add-on modules for the Raspberry Pi model B+. With a HAT, no soldering required, the module simply plugs onto the Raspberry Pi. Taking advantage of this design concept and the popularity of the Raspberry Pi, Avnet has introduced and […]