Providing the Ultimate Solutions in Precision Displacement Sensors
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Providing the Ultimate Solutions in Precision Displacement Sensors
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Position Measurement & Control - February 2002 (S050C) |
Contents
Series D60, D61 & D62 High-Resolution Position TransducersFor Applications Requiring Quadrature Output (Optical Encoder)Adding to its line of miniature position transducers, Firstmark Controls now offers the Series D60, D61, and D62 family of digital-output position transducers that offer measurement ranges of up to 43 inches (1092 mm) and resolutions up to 3638 pulses/in (143 pulses/mm). The products deliver extended-life, high-reliability linear position measurement with digital output and a variety of resolutions. These units are the highest-resolution string encoders available in the world. Initial applications for the products include machine control, medical device feedback, and robotic control.
Key features include:
Application CornerThe Application Corner is dedicated to answering your questions about using position transducers in specific applications. If you have an application question you would like answered, please let us know by phone, fax, e-mail, or mail. CalibrationsQ. How do you calculate the non-linearity of your position transducers? A. We use independent non-linearity as the basis for our linearity calculations. Our new Position Transducer Linearity (Calibration) Calculator allows you to input your calibration data to obtain linearity and sensitivity values. This Calculator also provides information on linearity definitions and calculation methods. Ball Stop Versus Mushroom StopQ. I noticed your Series 16_ position transducers are now provided with a ball-type cable stop instead of the mushroom-type cable stop provided previously. Why the change? A. The mushroom cable stop was not commonly available and required a custom tool to properly crimp (swage) it to the displacement cable. In addition, the crimp on the ball cable stop is more reliable and secure.
Pull Ring/Copper Sleeve Versus Swivel/Eyelet Q. Your Series 16_ position transducers now come with a pull ring and copper sleeve in addition to the swivel and eyelet. Why the change? A. Some users perceived the swivel as not being robust enough (even though it has proven its reliability for over 30 years). Hence, we made the change to the pull ring to provide a more solid-looking attachment method. The copper sleeve is easier to crimp than the eyelet, is more readily available, and provides a more secure crimping method. We will continue to provide both options of cable attachment and cable crimping for the foreseeable future to meet varied user requirements.
In ActionEvery month we see numerous fascinating applications of our position transducers. Here are a few recent ones: Micro Position Transducer for Parkinsons Microsurgery A Spanish medical product manufacturer is using the Model 173-0241 position transducer in an XYZ micropositioner for locating microelectrodes in Parkinson disease neurosurgery. The unit was installed in the Z axis. The effective resolution was 0.0004 inch (0.01 mm), representing 0.02% of the application's full scale (2 inches (51 mm)). Measured linearity over 50 mm was ± 0.3%.  Photo credit: Alava Ingenieros (http://www.alava-ing.es/) Hogs Like Position Transducers Next generation touring and racing motorcycles use Series 173 and 174 position transducers to evaluate suspension movement and component interactions.  Walking Robot Walks With Position Transducer "Canes" Series 150 position transducer are used to monitor the leg deflection of this next-generation walking robot produced by MIT's world-renowned Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.  Photo credit: Ben Krupp (http://www.ai.mit.edu/people/benkrupp/benkrupp.html)  Photo credit: Ben Krupp (http://www.ai.mit.edu/people/benkrupp/benkrupp.html) News You Can UseHere are some updates and reminders regarding Firstmark Controls. 97.9% On-Time Shipping, One-Week Lead Time Firstmark Controls has always been committed to delivering products on schedule. In 2001, we began tracking our shipment performance. The result? We shipped on time 97.9% of the time. This shipment performance was achieved with customers spread over 40 countries and included both standard and custom products. More remarkable was this performance was achieved with a 50% increase in shipment levels over 2000! Note that we are also committed to shipping our standard position transducers one week or less after receipt of order. If required, we can also ship the next or same day. Yes, They Are Repairable! Firstmark Controls position transducers are built to survive rugged conditions and long operating cycles. However, on occasion displacement cables get released accidentally or an installation is less than optimal, causing the position transducer to be damaged. If you are confronted with a damaged position transducer, simply complete our online RMA Number Request form (reqrmano.htm) and return the item to us shipping prepaid. We will perform a repair analysis and only perform the repair after approval from you.
Series 16_ Products: Sensor Cover Capable Housings We will soon be shipping all Series 16_ position transducers such that a sensor cover can be added at a later date without requiring the unit be returned to our facility for retrofitting. For details on the sensor cover, see the Mounting Bases and Accessories data sheet.
Standard Potentiometer Resistance: 5000 Ohms Unless otherwise noted in our data sheet or sales acknowledgement, our standard analog position transducers come with 5K ohm resistance potentiometers. If you have a requirement for a different resistance potentiometer, please contact us. CAGE Code? Wire Instructions? D&B Number? Need more information on Firstmark Controls such as our CAGE code, D&B number, or wire instructions? Head to our About Us page to get this and other company information. ISSN 1527-5108 |
