SENSORS & SENSING SYSTEMS FEATURE


Piezoceramics: At the heart of modern sensing technology


Charles Dowling, sales director at CeramTec, looks at what is driving the uptake of sophisticated sensing technology and why piezoceramics are key for Industry 4.0


N


ot only is sensing becoming more and more important in everyday applications, but it


is also growing in Industry 4.0 where the use of advanced sensors and increased computational power enable new ways to analyse data and gain insights to improve various areas of operations. The properties of piezoelectric ceramic


components and ultrasonic sensors play a critical role in precision applications such as ultrasonic flow metering, level sensing and bubble detection where they are being used to deliver reliable and processable signals. And, in domestic installations, with remotely installed and battery powered equipment, smart meters are one of the most interesting applications for piezoceramics.


SMART METERS As part of a nationwide roll-out, every home in Britain should be offered a smart meter from their energy supplier by 2024. Gas and water smart meters are now battery operated, and static meters now demand longer life times than ever with industry standards trending towards 20 years. This is where piezoceramic components can make all the difference. Sensitive materials lead to a higher overall efficiency of conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy and vice versa. The more efficient the materials, the less power is needed to drive the piezoceramic. This reduction in power output that we can achieve with our materials prolongs battery life to, in the case of smart meters, more than 25 years.


ULTRASONIC LEAK DETECTION Another interesting area which has seen an uptake in piezoceramics is ultrasonic leak detection. According to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), around three billion litres of water are lost every day in England and Wales from leakage; and the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) has started to implement fines for leakage. Piezoceramics can be used as acoustic microphones and hydrophones, both clamped on externally to pipes and also within water to detect and listen to potential leakages. Again, the described battery conservation


element comes into play here but, moreover, it is key that the piezoceramic component is as sensitive as possible because this allows for longer range leak detection and more accurate location of leaks. As a result, these modern-day low powered acoustic applications require a high coupling efficient to maximise the received signal and minimise the power consumption. At CeramTec we have focussed on optimising


the coupling coefficient which is, essentially, the secret to high performing sensors manufactured in our materials. This parameter is key as a lot of what is driving the uptake of more sensing technology is related to IoT applications, where electronics and microprocessors are now much more sensitive and able to handle much lower signals. Combine this with piezoceramic components,


which are equally becoming more sensitive to process lower signals, and there is increased scope for applications. For example, it becomes much easier to integrate a sensor in your watch or phone because it does not require a huge amplifier.


STABILITY OVER TEMPERATURE RANGES Alongside the coupling coefficient, the ability to provide stability over critical temperature ranges to ensure linear performance when


permittivity changes is also increasingly critical for piezoceramic components. Smart water and heat meters are interesting


areas of growth. If hot water is piped directly into houses, as is the case in Germany, Scandinavian countries and Canada, the ultrasonic response and piezoelectric properties need to be extremely stable to guarantee accurate measurements. In particular, there is demand for higher temperatures (for instance 130˚C and 150˚C), and as our piezoceramic materials exhibit a very linear performance over temperature, this contributes significantly to end use accuracy.


CeramTec www.ceramtec.com


SICK GOES THE DISTANCE WITH ITS MINIATURE POWERPROX SENSOR


New from SICK is the WTT4SL PowerProx Mini, a photoelectric sensor that measures just 12.2 x 41.8 x 17.3mm yet can detect objects up to 1.3m away. This can be integrated into tight machine spaces such as the grippers of picking robots or for materials handling duties in AGVs, as well as for empty bay and clearance detection in high-bay warehouses. The new sensor offers reliable high-speed detection, with outstanding


repeatability even in challenging ambient conditions and without cross- talk interference from other sensors. Precise even at high-process speeds, it can detect targets reliably through small holes, for example for quality control inspection of automotive parts assemblies. “The SICK Powerprox Mini can replace through beam, background suppression or reflex


sensors, so machine builders and production teams can streamline their inventories while still guaranteeing high-performance sensing,” said David Hannaby, SICK’s UK product manager for Presence Detection. “The Powerprox Minis can be set up in an instant using the on-board teach-in function,


or via IO-Link. It’s all the reliability, repeatability and versatility you expect from SICK, packed into a sensor no larger than a packet of sugar cubes.” With the option of IO-Link and up to eight variable switching outputs, the all-seeing SICK


Powerprox Mini can easily be configured for multi-task applications. Its 100% background suppression ensures only the target is detected without any interference from high-viz jackets or shiny metal objects behind it. The SICK WTT4SL Powerprox mini is offered in speed or distance variants for optimum


performance. Excellent repeatability ensures reliable counting, quality control and sorting applications in high-speed FMCG production packaging processes, even with products with varying surfaces. Its red-light Class 1 (eye-safe) laser, small light spot size and wide angle of incidence with switching frequencies up to 1 kHz ensure highly-competitive performance across a broad range of applications.


SICK / DESIGNSOLUTIONS www.sick.co.uk DESIGN SOLUTIONS | SEPTEMBER 2020 25


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