Sensors - The winners - Computer&AUTOMATION

Products of the year 2024

Andrea Gillhuber, 08.04.2024, 07:00

Sensors - The winners

Detect objects at 80 meters? Developed according to cybersecurity standard IEC 62443-4-2? Thinner than a bar of chocolate? No problem for the winners in the sensor technology category.

Images

The winners of the 'Sensors' category: Holger Thissen and Silvio Sprenger (Baumer), Theresa Donner (Sick).

3rd place - Vega: Vegapuls 6X radar sensor

3rd place - Vega

In January 2023,Vega delivered what is probably the world's first level sensor with integrated cybersecurity. The manufacturer of level, point level and pressure measurement technology wants to set an example against the increasing threat from cyber criminals. The Vegapuls 6X radar sensor is unremarkable on the outside. But what the customer receives is something different from the level sensors previously available on the market. For the first time, the sensor comes with additional integrated system protection. It was developed in accordance with the cyber security standard IEC 62443-4-2 and therefore meets the highest standards currently available in the process industry. Vega does not want to rest on its laurels with the first IEC 62443-compliant device. With the certification as a guideline, the company will develop future products in accordance with all existing safety requirements right from the start.

2nd place in the sensor technology category

2nd place - Sick: DT80 optical distance sensor

2nd place - Sick

The DT80 optical distance sensor from Sick achieves a measuring accuracy of ±2 mm, with a maximum resolution of 0.1 mm. The time-of-flight sensor can reliably detect natural objects with around 90 % reflection at a distance of up to 80 m and measure their distance to the sensor. The laser class 2 sensor also achieves a range of 14 m on deep black surfaces with only 6 % reflection. According to the manufacturer, 'Icons inside' and user-friendly menu navigation ensure intuitive setting and operation of the distance sensor via the TFT color display. Alternatively, the sensor can also be adjusted to the respective application via IO-Link or with the help of the 'Sopas' software.

Theresa Donner from Sick with the award for second place in the "Products of the Year 2024" readers' poll.

Four LEDs visualize operating and switching statuses. Thanks to its dimensions of 65 mm × 33 mm × 57 mm (H×W×D), the sensor is space-saving. The die-cast zinc metal housing, PMMA viewing window, IP65 and IP67 protection ratings and high specified shock and vibration resistance allow the sensor to be used even under harsh operating and environmental conditions.

1st place in the sensor technology category

1st place - Baumer: IF250 inductive sensor

1st place - Baumer

With the IF250, Baumer presents a flat inductive sensor with a height of just 6 mm that can detect objects at a distance of up to 12 mm. The inductive sensor complements the company's portfolio of inductive sensors in a compact design, which ranges from cylindrical subminiature sensors (from a diameter of 3 mm) up to size M30 with a switching distance of up to 24 mm. According to the manufacturer, one advantage of the flat housing is the increased safety reserve: the inductive sensor can be mounted at a greater safety distance from the object and is optimally protected even in critical applications.

Baumer was voted first place in the 'Sensors' category by Computer&Automation readers. The picture shows Holger Thissen and Silvio Sprenger (from left) with the trophy and certificate.

Holger Thissen and Silvio Sprenger (from left) with trophy and certificate.

Thanks to its compact size, the sensor is suitable for new machines and for retrofitting where no sensor was originally planned. Metal sleeves instead of fragile plastic holes and a mounting kit for easy attachment to pipes ensure secure and robust mounting. The sensor is available as a proximity switch with PNP or NPN output or as a measuring version with a digital IO-Link interface. Simple parameterization options are also available via IO-Link, as well as comprehensive diagnostic data such as histograms, temperature or switching cycles.

Back to topic page

You might also be interested in

Vega

Level measurement under extreme temperatures

Vega's high-temperature version of the 'Vegapuls 6X' radar sensor is suitable for processes at temperatures of up to +450 °C, such as iron briquetting, in which porous sponge iron mass passes through heat-resistant roller presses at temperatures of...

Sick

Positioning hoeing tools when weeding

Mechanical weed control in the crop row by humans is laborious - and mechanical alternatives have so far been slow. The use of pesticides against weeds is also not a sustainable alternative. Modern agricultural machinery is proving to be helpful.

Vodafone

Digital twins provide data for irrigation

Digital twins are normally used on factory floors. A digital copy of a machine or an entire production line is created - in Erlangen, digital twins of trees are now available for the first time.

Sick

Growth course continued

Sensor company Sick continued its growth trajectory in the challenging 2023 financial year and increased its sales by a mid-single-digit percentage compared to the previous year.

Products of the year 2024

Software & IT - The winners

For the first time, an IT company has been voted among the top 3 in the 'Software & IT' category. An indication that OT and IT are truly growing together.

Products of the year 2024

Robotics & Handling - The winners

They ensure fast and safe handling of components and get them reliably from A to B: the winning products in the 'Robotics & Handling' category.

Products of the year 2024

Measurement technology - The winners

The winners in the 'Measurement technology' category could not be more different: a handheld device for force measurement, a current collector system and a pressure transducer impressed the readers.