Variohm EuroSensors Ltd

The recently launched 9970 series Hall Effect rotary position sensor from BEI Sensors builds on a wide range of non-contacting sensors that are designed to provide long-life and high reliability in harsh and challenging environments. Available in the UK from Variohm EuroSensor, the 6 mm shaft-driven sensor features a choice of 0 - 5 V ratiometric or 4…20 mA output with 2-bit resolution and electrical angle ranges from 30⁰ (+/- 15⁰) up to 360⁰ (+/- 180⁰)  in 30 degree increments. Full endless rotation is included for maximum installation versatility. Accuracy is specified at +/- 0.6% of active electrical angle. Input voltage is 5V DC +/- 5% for ratiometric, or 9 - 30V DC for current output.

Further expanding Variohm EuroSensor’s range of precision positon sensors, the new RSX-7900 angle sensor from German manufacturer Novotechnik provides IP69K protection, extremely long life and ISO13849 PL-d safety compliance in a very robust non-contacting design that suits continuous duty in mobile construction and agricultural machinery, and other extreme environment applications.

Variohm EuroSensor has recently supplied World Magnetics DesignFlex pressure switches for a customised Sip-and-Puff pressure switch system that allows quadriplegic World Champion sailor Melvin Kinnear increased control of his servo-assisted Hansa Liberty sailing dinghy. Developed by Paul Bennett – a volunteer for the charity Tideway Sailability - the single-crew dinghy features servomotor driven winches for its main and jib sails which are normally reeled out and fine-tuned by a combination of joystick control and separate hand operated switches.

Recently announced by the German sensor specialist Novotechnilk, and available from Variohm EuroSensor - its exclusive UK distributor, the long-range TP1 and TH1 absolute linear sensors now have a CANopen interfacing option. Both of these models feature Novotechnik’s magnetostrictive technology which provides touchless and wear-free linear position measurement with up to 1 micron resolution over the entire travel range up to 4250 mm. As a more robust alternative for long range optical encoders, the TP1 has an enclosed housing and touchless position detector that can be either fixed or floating, whilst the TH1 comprises separate rod and ring-shaped position marker components that allow integration into fluid power cylinders or mobile machinery.

Variohm EuroSensor has increased its range of high capacity load cells with the new HM9J series from its exclusive distribution partner ZEMIC. The OIML approved load cell has a rated capacity of 15T 20t and 30T for C2.5 accuracy and has been specially developed as a force sensor for train scales and weighbridge use. Its IP68 protection class and hermetically sealed nickel plated alloy steel construction provides maximum durability for harsh outdoor conditions and the generous specification includes a Y value of 15,000 for exceptionally high reliability. The HM9J has been nominated for Best Train Scales/Weighbridges Award for the 2015 Weighing Review Awards.

Variohm EuroSensor’s new SST300 series single or dual axis inclinometers offer extremely high precision performance with a combined absolute accuracy to +/- 0.01º, and linearity of +/- 0.06% F.S., over a +/- 5º range. The robust and durable sensor is available in six measurement ranges up to +/- 60º and offers optional temperature drift accuracy to +/- 0.05º at ambient temperatures between -40 and +85 ºC. The SST300 series also boasts exceptional precision for other important measurement parameters including cross-axis sensitivity, offset, repeatability and hysteresis. 

Available exclusively in the UK from Variohm EuroSensor, Contelec’s recently announced Vert-X 88 rotary encoder is specifically developed for ultra-heavy duty angular measurement in lifting, positioning and compacting mechanisms for waste disposal equipment, industrial waste presses, agricultural machines, construction vehicles and similar demanding applications. 

The recently announced WAL200 potentiometric sensor from Contelec is available exclusively in the UK from Variohm EuroSensor.

Novotechnik, the German sensor designer and manufacturer represented exclusively in the UK by Variohm EuroSensor, has recently announced that two of its non-contacting sensor models have gained E1 approval according to the UN/ECE R10 environmental compatibility category for interference emission and immunity. The approval, by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), permits the RSC-2800 and RSC-3200 sensors to be used throughout Europe on vehicles such as cars or buses, and also extends to mobile machinery such as agricultural machines, diggers or cranes that may run on roads reaching speeds or more than 25 km/h.

Contelec has announced two new multi-turn versions of its highly robust Vert-X series contactless Hall-Effect angle sensors. Available exclusively in the UK from Variohm EuroSensor, the sensors are the Vert-X 37MT CANopen which has a gearless 16-bit multi-turn and 16-bit single-turn resolution and the low cost Vert-X 24MT, which may be programmed for up to 10 turns and has a 12-bit single-turn resolution. 

Variohm EuroSensor has launched a new range of durable Hall Effect rotary position sensors with an extensive selection of configuration options that make them ideal for a wide range of harsh environment angle measurement applications. Aimed at manufacture and test in automotive, marine and agricultural equipment as well as industrial machine building and material handling, these long life non-contacting sensors have a full turn capability of 360° and can be specified for standard electrical angles from 15° to 360° in 15° increments with programmable single and dual output angles available with some I/O options.

Peterborough based Garford Farm Machinery designs and manufactures advanced environmentally sustainable agricultural equipment that solves large scale weed control and crop cultivation for farming worldwide. Its ‘Robocrop’ range employs a specially developed precision guided vision system – for weeding, hoeing or spraying - that uses real-time digital image analysis in conjunction with a hydraulic servo ‘sideshift’ assembly that laterally positions various multiple tools  exactly on or within the crop rows as the tractor mounted equipment is driven forwards. The precision guided tools are used for mechanical weed control; to remove individual unwanted plants, hoe between rows of plants, or spray rows of plants – with impressive lateral positional accuracies of better than 10 mm at average tractor speeds of 12 km/hr.

A new range of competitively priced 22 mm diameter piezo resistive pressure sensors has been launched by Variohm EuroSensor. The EPT 9100 series is aimed at industrial and automotive gauge and vacuum pressure measurement from 4 to 1000 bar in 14 standard range versions.

Following its release last year, BEI has added even more input/output options and expanded the operational environmental capabilities of its 9960 series Hall Effect rotary position sensor. Available in the UK from Variohm EuroSensor, the new options include validation to key aspects of ISO-7637-2 for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, and compatibility with the harsh transients found in vehicle battery systems.

As the exclusive UK distributor for Contelec, Variohm EuroSensor presents the following application note on joystick solutions:

Variohm EuroSensor presents the following application note on motor speed measurement: The challenge Motor speed is usually measured by means of an internal sensor bearing or an optical encoder with fixed pulse counts, whereby a separate sensor or code disc is required for each pulse count. This has a negative effect on flexibility and storage.

Available from Variohm EuroSensor, the new generation MS45xxHRD series PCB mountable integrated pressure/temperature sensors feature high resolution 24-bit analogue to digital output and a wide choice of pressure ranges.

Variohm Holdings has acquired Herga. Herga, based in Bury St. Edmunds, was established over 60 years ago and has developed a comprehensive range of electric and pneumatic actuated foot and hand switching controls that meet a wide range of international approvals including IEC/UL 60601.

Variohm EuroSensor has expanded its range of inclinometers with the new IS-120 single-axis tilt alert switch for simple yet effective slope indication - where in-range and out-of-range inclination or level position needs to be safely monitored. The reliable reed switch technology switch with SPST (Form A) action is designed for vertical axis installation, operating a contact closure at

Pressure sensors specified for railway applications require a particularly focused approach in both development and manufacture. Applications range from monitoring brake servo control circuits through to air conditioning controls inside carriages. Common requirements across all applications are durability and robustness in design, higher and tighter specification requirements as well as the need for elevated levels of reliability.