The Sensors Division of MTS systems has introduced a novel technology for the company’s Temposonics sensors which includes an absolute output and an incremental interface that includes a synchronous serial interface in a single sensor enclosure.
The new technology will permit increased precise positioning and linear speed control by giving feedback to both the motion controller and drive. The company is planning to launch this new technology in first half of the year 2012.
A Temposonics sensor with an incremental SSI interface and absolute output
Matt Hankinson, Marketing Manager in the Technical Division of MTS Sensors systems said that the company’s clients are in need of dual-functioning sensors by for use in magnetostrictive linear motion positioning devices. Hankinson added that in the current design, the designers should add an additional linear encoder or a proprietary interface along with the use of an incremental encoder to obtain absolute positioning feedback. Hankinson went on to say that the novel technology of dual sensors will ensure an absolute position feedback in linear motion and incremental quadrature signals for the motion control and drive respectively with one sensor.
A linear motor, used in a potential applications, will basically employ an incremental linear encoder for switching current in phases to drive the motor speed and position it. A single two-channel sensor may have an incremental signal to drive the motor position and also provide an absolute feedback for linear positioning to the motion controller.
The Temposonics sensor with the new technology will be working at two different levels. The incremental interface of the sensor measures the position change and the SSI output provides feedback of the absolute sensor position without any calibrations. The new technology combined with the technology of non-contact sensors can rapidly reduce the expenses of installation and maintenance and increase the productivity.