Sensors

Sensor Technology has continued to develop its product range, offering users new options for measuring power in drive shafts and other rotating machine elements.

With its simplistic design and interfaces, the MR380-0 OEM Controller from Micronor provides a low cost, turn-key solution for OEM manufacturers and control system providers integrating any of the Micronor MR38X series ZapFREE Fiber Optic Signaling Sensors into their product. The sensor range includes Emergency Stop, E-Actuator, U-Beam, Key Switch, Push Button, Foot Switch and Microswitch sensors.

The recently launched LP series low profile encoders from BEI Sensors are designed for high reliability position and speed feedback in harsh and challenging environments. Available from BEI’s UK distributor, Variohm EuroSensor, the IP66 rated encoder utilises innovative sensing technology with a choice of incremental or absolute single-turn output that allows for accurate position and speed feedback for demanding applications in industrial manufacturing, processing industries, agriculture, oil & gas and building automation. The impressive environmental specification includes temperature extremes of – 40 to +100⁰C, and thanks to encapsulated electronics, shock is rated to 3000 m/s2 (5 ms 1/2 sine) with vibration to 200 m/s2 (55 to 2000 Hz).

The µBright infrared sources, the latest of Cambridge CMOS Sensors’ gas sensor components for low-power, long life optical gas sensing solutions was launched at SENSOR+TEST in Nuremberg. Designed to operate across the wideband IR range (2 to 14µm) the µBright sensors can be used to continually sense gases, such as carbon dioxide, and ethanol vapours in NDIR (nondispersive infrared) systems at low power.

ezPyro is claimed to be the world’s smallest pyro-electric sensor with a digital interface by Pyreos. It was launched at at the SENSOR+TEST exhibition in Nuremburg. The ezPyro has a broad range of applications, including in the detection of flames, gases, movements and gestures, opening up a whole variety of uses, including the $25bn (£18bn, €22bn) wearable technology market.

Pyroelectric detectors are used in gas analysis. Each gas can be detected using a very specific wavelength – the so-called absorption wavelength. Moisture is often tested at the wavelengths 1.94 µm and 2.9 µm; however, in this case, the absorption wavelengths of CO2 overlap the signal: with these wavelengths, the moisture of the gas mixtures can actually only be determined using complex measurement equipment.

Digital output versions of HO and HLSR open-loop Hall effect current transducers with analogue to digital (A/D) conversion performed by an on-board sigma-delta modulator, giving a 1-bit serial bitstream output have been launched by LEM. These new components for nominal current measurements of 10, 32, 50, 80, 100, 120, 150, 200, 250 ARMS in 3 different mechanical designs (PCB and panel mounting) provide up to 12 bit resolution with 20kHz bandwidth.

Tsubaki has introduced a wear indicator for large pitch chain drive sprockets which provides a clear indication of wear, allowing the sprocket to be replaced before it fails. 

ACHIEVING instantly reliable proximity sensing is simple with the single-click installation of the SICK IQG sensor.  With its one-second mount and 40 x 40mm cubic construction, the IQG is an all-purpose and cost-effective inductive sensor that is easy-to-switch in countless automation, conveying and materials handling applications.

A complete series of innovative Ultra Low Power NDIR-sensors for the reliable measurement of small concentrations of methane  (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrocarbons  (HC) will be shown by Unitronic at SENSOR+TEST 2016 in Nuremberg (May 10-12). The sensors  possess a power consumption below  3.5mW, which is 50 times less than conventional gas sensors based on semiconductor or thermocatalytic technologies.