Electrical Sensors / Detectors / Transducers
Eddy Current/Capacitive Sensors feature embedded coil technology.
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Press Release Summary:
Manufactured with integrated electronics in sensor head and featuring Embedded Coil Technology, ultra-compact design, and inorganic materials, eddyNCDT ECT sensors can be adapted to suit virtually any application. They withstand high vibration, impact shocks, operating temperatures up to 350°C, and have temperature errors of less than 20 ppm/°K. CapaNCDT ECT capacitive displacement sensors, with height as low as 4 mm, withstand operating temperatures from -269 to +200°C.
Original Press Release:
Embedded Coil Technology Radically Improves Temperature Stability and Miniaturization of Displacement Sensors
Precision sensor manufacturer Micro-Epsilon has developed a unique technology for use with eddy current and capacitive displacement sensors. These new technologies and manufacturing methods enable a wide variety of custom sensors to be produced, which are not only capable of operating in higher temperatures, but which also benefit from low thermal expansion (thermal drift) and extremely compact conditioning electronics, making it ideal for the aerospace sector.
Micro-Epsilon's new Embedded Coil Technology (ECT) represents a technological breakthrough in eddy current sensor design and manufacture, enabling the previous limitations of using eddy current sensors to be overcome. Due to its ultra-compact design and by using new inorganic materials in its construction, the new eddyNCDT ECT sensors provide almost unlimited scope in terms of the external design and geometrical shape of the sensor. This means the sensors can be adapted to suit virtually any application requirements.
EddyNCDT ECT sensors offer extreme mechanical robustness, resulting in longer service intervals and higher temperature stability. In addition, the complete circuit electronics can now be integrated into the sensor itself, providing an even more compact measurement solution for OEMs and machine builders. The sensors are also suitable for harsh operating environments, including high vibration, impact shocks and high operating temperatures as high as 350 deg C.
Sensors have been produced with extremely low thermal drift and with temperature errors of less than 20ppm/K (parts per million per degree Kelvin).
Chris Jones, Managing Director at Micro-Epsilon (UK) Ltd comments: "Embedded coil technology has enabled us to produce custom-specific designs for OEMs. ECT eddy current sensors are already being used in a variety of applications, including the alignment of mirror segments on giant reflector telescopes; for use in ultra-high vacuums or clean rooms in semiconductor manufacturing; and for measuring the grinding gap on refiners used in paper mills. We are also developing specific solutions for the aerospace and defence sector."
"Using our electronics expertise from within the Micro-Epsilon Group, we were able to develop extremely compact electrical circuits, which allowed us to manufacture the sensor with integrated electronics in the sensor head. We are therefore able to produce a single or multiple sensor channel arrangement in one sensor body," he adds.
Custom capacitive sensors
As well as eddy current sensors, Micro-Epsilon has also designed capacitive displacement sensors that make use of ECT. The capaNCDT ECT sensors are manufactured using a new type of production process. Similar to the eddy current ECT method, by embedding the electronic components in an extremely stable carrier material, significantly better temperature stability can be achieved compared to conventional capacitive displacement sensors.
CapaNCDT ECT sensors can withstand operating temperatures as high as 200 deg C, as well as very low temperatures down to -269 deg C. Similar to eddyNCDT ECT sensors, the capacitive versions are extremely compact. Micro-Epsilon's capaNCDT CSH-FL, for example, has an installation height of just 4mm.
For more information on Micro-Epsilon's ECT eddyNCDT and capaNCDT ECT displacement sensors, please call the sales department on 0151 355 6070 or email: info@micro-epsilon.co.uk
Micro-Epsilon (www.micro-epsilon.co.uk) is a major global manufacturer of sensors, headquartered in Germany. The company's range of displacement sensors measure everything from to distance, position, vibration, dimensions and thickness, using both contact and non-contact measurement techniques. These techniques include 1D, 2D and even 3D laser-optical sensors and systems, eddy-current, capacitive, LVDT & inductive, potentiometric and draw-wire principles. Additionally Micro Epsilon has developed its own range of non-contact infrared temperature sensors that can measure virtually any target temperature from -40 to +3,300°C.
With more than 40 years' experience in the industry, Micro-Epsilon isn't just a sensor manufacturer. The company is highly innovative and understands the importance of providing complete solutions and support services for its customers. The firm is renowned for its expertise in consulting, development and application of industrial sensors to complex, customer-specific solutions for measurement, inspection and automation. The focus is on selling technical advantage to its customers.
