What would the smart factory of today and tomorrow be without sensors? Sensors are indispensable as the basis of every industrial production system. Computer&AUTOMATION summarizes current trends from spring 2016 in a series of images.
© Novotechnik
Novotechnik offers the TF1 inductive linear sensor in standard lengths from 100 to 1000 mm. Thanks to the non-contact 'Novopad' method, the sensor is insensitive to magnetic fields generated by large motors, hydraulic valves or frequency converters, for example, as the position is not detected via a magnetic but via an inductive position sensor. The update rate of the measuring system reaches 10 kHz with a low tracking error. According to the manufacturer, there is no overshoot even with rapid changes in movement thanks to optimized control dynamics. The sensor operates with a resolution of <1 µm. The measurement signal is output as an analog current/voltage signal, digitally via SSI or IO-Link or via CANopen interface; an Ethernet interface is planned. In the analog version, a teach function enables the start and end positions to be adjusted and the direction reversed. The sensor is insensitive to shock and vibration and covers a temperature range between -40 and +85 °C.
