Turck, Inc.
yesterday showed off a compact magnetic field sensor for determining the
position of a piston magnet on any kind of pneumatic cylinder.
Known as the WIM45,
the new sensor is said to be more accurate than indirect analog monitoring with
potentiometers or linear positioning sensors. Applications include packaging
machinery and assembly systems.
"In a packaging machine, it can give you feedback to ensure
that the human operators moved the guide rail when they changed from a
standard-sized cereal box to a jumbo-sized," noted Peter McHugh, territory
manager for Turck.
The sensor works by sensing linear movement of a magnet and
producing an analog signal. It is available in cylinder-mount and
bracket-mounted versions.
The WIM45 is said to offer advantages over
potentiometer-based systems because it doesn't require the addition of special
mechanisms or linkages. Moreover, it reportedly offers advantages over
encoder-based systems because it employs a solid state design.
"Moving parts wear out faster than solid state parts,"
McHugh said. "And unlike an encoder, it has a water-tight seal against the
outside environment."
Turck demonstrated the new sensor at the Design & Manufacturing
Midwest Show in Rosemont,
IL, on Tuesday.
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