A German startup company has developed a contactless optoelectronic
sensing technology that, it claims, will lead to new levels of precision
and robustness in industrial applications. Munich-based Konux says that
its patented technology can be used to measure at least nine different
types of variable, including position, pressure, acceleration, angle,
level and force.
The wear-free sensors
incorporate LEDs pointing at photodiodes that convert their light into a
current. Between the LED and the receiver is a converter (light
filter), that moves in response to a physical input force. This movement
changes the amount of light transmitted which, in turn, modifies the
diode’s output. The current is proportional to the movement of the
converter, allowing the smallest changes in force to be measured
accurately.
One of the first applications for the technology is in
a torque sensor that has less than 1µV of noise, even in low-torque
applications, and a two-digit microsecond response time, allowing it to
be used in real-time control. The sensors can self-calibrate
“intelligently” and will measure to an accuracy of up to 0.01%. The
contactless operating principle means that the sensors are insensitive
to vibration and resistant to wear. They are robust enough to be used
reliably in extreme conditions.
One potential application for the
torque sensors is to ensure the safe operation of the new generation of
“collaborative” robots. The sensors can be incorporated into the joints
of robotic arms to sense if the arm makes contact with anything or
anyone. Konux says that its sensors have the reliability, real-time
response and accuracy to allow collaborative robots to operate safely
near humans.
The company predicts that its sensors will also lead
to faster operation of production lines. They can store their output
signals, ensuring that absolute measurements are preserved in the event
of a power supply failure or machine downtime. After the system has been
restarted, the sensors resume measurements immediately. Any changes
during the downtime can be detected. The self-calibrating devices can
adapt to changing conditions and do not need to be removed from the
system for maintenance.
Konux says that the custom-made sensors
can be scaled and integrated into various applications. They can be
networked and are optimised for use with Ethernet and industrial Wi-Fi,
leading to fast, efficient production, as well as facilitating
autonomous machine-to-machine communications.
“We are already
developing sensors which meet the high demands of Industry 4.0,” says
chief technology officer, Vlad Lata. “As a young company, we profit from
the fact that we don’t have to change existing systems. Right from the
start, we are manufacturing the products our clients need to tackle the
upcoming challenges in manufacturing.”
Konux was founded in 2014
by four students from the Munich Technical University. It now employs
about 30 people. In October 2014, it embarked on a project with Siemens
to look for potential applications for its technology.
If you want to get more about gas sensor,gas transmitter, humidity sensors suppliers,
humidity sensors manufacturers, infrared sensors manufactuers, infrared
sensors suppliers,gas sensor manufactures,gas sensor suppliers from
en.ofweek.com, please follow http://en.ofweek.com/manufacturer/sensor.
Source: http://global.ofweek.com/news/Precise-non-contact-sensors-could-open-up-new-applications-32074
沒有留言:
張貼留言