Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings

Extend Your Range

By Design World Staff | February 11, 2009

Share

Need to position a target far away?  Looking for a means to sense a target from outside of your process?  Do you want to measure the dimensions of a large product?  Long distance measurement photoelectric sensors are the answer to your needs.

feb-sn-1.jpg
feb-sn-1b.jpg
Applications involving roll diameter measurements, part contouring, and thickness measures often require sensors with the ability to sense these measurements from a distance.  Newer versions of photoelectric sensors can accommodate this requirement.

Photoelectric sensors today come in a greater variety than ever.  Advances in emitters, receivers, lenses, and processing circuits have led to products with longer ranges, better resolution and higher switching frequencies.  The two most common photoelectric sensor measurement technologies — Triangulation and Time-of-Flight — let you implement solutions that are both robust and affordable.

Distance sensors using Triangulation technology use the laws of geometry to assess how far a target is from the sensor.  The emitter sends light towards the target through its outgoing lens.  The target reflects light back to the receiver, and as its position changes, so does the angle at which the light comes back through the receiving lens.  This returned light is then converted to highly accurate position information.

feb-sn-1d.jpg
Photoelectric sensors with Time-of-Flight features are recent introductions to the market. They work similarly to the principle of RADAR, emiting a light waveform with specific characteristics that can be marked.

A newer technology available in the market is called Time-of-Flight sensing.  Working similarly to the principle of RADAR, these laser sensors emit a light waveform with specific characteristics that can be marked.  The light travels from the sensor, reflects off of the target, and returns.  The amount of time it takes for the light to make this trip is recorded from the marked waveform, and thus the position of the target is recorded.

feb-sn-1c.jpg
Distance sensors often use Triangulation technology, which use the laws of geometry to assess how far a target is from the sensor. 
 
Typical features for long range sensors include one analog output, a discrete output and a sensitivity adjustment for the discrete output.  With sensing ranges of up to 10 m, these features help maximize productivity in complex control schemes. 

Common applications for these technologies include roll diameter measurement, positioning of assemblies, bin level measurement, part contouring and thickness detection.  In all, today’s industrial measurement photoelectric sensor has branched out into many new markets where customers have the need extend their sensing range.

By Roger Altendorf at [email protected]
www.balluff.com/bod

::Design World::


Filed Under: Sensors (position + other), Test + measurement • test equipment

 

Tell Us What You Think!

Related Articles Read More >

mti
Portable signal simulator works with jet engine vibration measurement/balancing systems
MTI
Portable engine balancing system for business and regional jets
moog
Test controller features compact footprint, 5 kHz loop rate
SAKOR Technologies’ new dynamometer line to meet international environmental standards

DESIGN GUIDE LIBRARY

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Global supply needs drive increased manufacturing footprint development
  • How to Increase Rotational Capacity for a Retaining Ring
  • Cordis high resolution electronic proportional pressure controls
  • WAGO’s custom designed interface wiring system making industrial applications easier
  • 10 Reasons to Specify Valve Manifolds
  • Case study: How a 3D-printed tool saved thousands of hours and dollars

Design World Podcasts

May 17, 2022
Another view on additive and the aerospace industry
See More >
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP AWARDS

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings