Expanded range of strain gauge displacement sensors now available

The AML/SGD Series of strain gauge displacement transducers from Applied Measurements Ltd produces a linearly proportional voltage output relative to the movement of a captive and guided spindle arrangement.

Compared to LVDTs, measuring displacement using strain gauges is generally more consistent and accurate. The unique internal construction of the AML/SGD transducer ensures a smooth, frictionless movement of the inner core, resulting in minimal resistance and providing consistent, high overall accuracy of <±0.1%.

Due to its virtually frictionless movement, the AML/SGD displacement transducer is less intrusive to the application, particularly if the customer is trying to measure the displacement of soft, pliable materials. Also, being strain gauge-based, the AML/SGD Series utilises simple DC electronics and so is compatible with a very broad range of standard analogue and digital instrumentation. With LVDT displacement sensors, often the instrumentation tends to be more specialised.

The design of the AML/SGD series is based on a four-arm active Wheatstone Bridge, with a nominal impedance of 350ohms. This design ensures excellent non-linearity, low current consumption and good temperature stability.

The AML/SGD is compact, rugged and easy-to-install and offers a high output signal. The transducers are used by a variety of industry sectors, including R&D, industrial, aerospace, civil engineering, automotive and marine/shipbuilding applications.

Peter Lewis, Managing Director at Applied Measurements Limited comments: “Several of our customers asked us to extend our SGD range of transducers because they were receiving a poor service from their existing suppliers. With the expanded SGD range, we can now meet these companies’ delivery and quality expectations. Similarly, companies currently using LVDT sensors to measure displacement may consider using strain gauge based versions in the future.”