MTS Develops Test Kit to Aid Cylinder Manufacturers, OEMs in Troubleshooting


CARY, NC - (October 23, 2008) -- MTS Systems Corp., Sensors Division has developed a portable test kit for its off-highway M-series sensors product line to assist cylinder manufacturers and OEMs in verifying the functionality of M-Series sensors through the cylinder assembly process and after they are installed on equipment. The accessory has a rechargeable battery that allows a technician in the field to completely isolate the sensor at the work site to determine sensor functionality which can save the time and expense that result when a fully functioning sensor is misidentified as faulty.

"MTS customers were spending time and money removing sensors and sending them back for analysis only to find that the sensor worked fine but some other aspect of the equipment was malfunctioning," said Brian Cox, technical marketing manager for mobile hydraulic sensors at MTS. "MTS has developed a portable test kit that will allow immediate on-site evaluation of the sensor so our customers can quickly identify the actual problem and keep their productivity on track."

The M-Series Tester will also allow cylinder manufacturers to verify the functionality of the sensors once they are installed in cylinders, prior to the cylinders being shipped to the equipment manufacturers. For OEMs, it will help determine if a faulty read on a controller is caused by a malfunctioning sensor or by other factors such as a mis-wired cable harness or the controller's software.

The test kit includes: the M-Series Analog / PWM Tester, an AC wall adapter and charger, a user manual, two cable assemblies for connection and a MTS logoed carry bag. The M-Series Analog / PWM Tester supports analog, 0-20mA and 0-10V, scaled Pulse Width Modulated (PWM), and PWM Time of Flight (TOF) sensor outputs. A cable designed to mate with MTS' M12 connector system is provided with the package. To utilize the tester, customers remove the vehicles' cable harness from the cylinder and attach the test cable directly to the M12 connector on the cylinder. The other end of the cable attaches to the tester with banana plugs. For customers not using M12 connectors an additional pigtail test cable is provided that can be modified to mate to their connection system of choice.

MTS' durable, non-contact Temposonics® off-highway sensors provide reliable operation under the most difficult conditions including high levels of shock and vibration, adverse climatic conditions and electrical magnetic interference. This makes them ideal solutions for many industries including agriculture, construction, mining, material handling, municipal vehicles, military and other off-highway and on-road applications.

MTS Systems Corporation is the world leader in magnetostrictive linear-position and liquid-level sensor technology. MTS Systems Corporation is a global operation, with facilities in the U.S., Germany and Japan. In the U.S., the MTS Sensors Division has an ISO 9001 facility manufacturing rugged and reliable liquid-level and linear position sensors based on patented MTS Temposonics® technology. With a strong commitment to research and development, product quality and customer service, the Sensors Division is constantly seeking ways to bring the highest value to customers.

For more information on the M-Series Analog / PWM Test Kit, please contact:
Brian Cox, MTS Sensors Division 3001 Sheldon Drive, Cary, NC 27513 call
(919) 677-0100 email: brian.cox@mts.com or visit www.mtssensors.com.

Patricia Staino
PR Account Manager
BtB Marketing Communications, Inc.
900 Ridgefield Drive, Suite 270
Raleigh, NC 27609
P: 919.872.8172
F: 919.872.8875
www.btbmarketing.com

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