SENSORS


❱❱ The OptoNCDT distance and displacement measurement sensor from Micro-Epsilon has been designed for use in manufacturing automation applications


Displacement sensor meets needs of industrial automation


Sensor for measuring position and displacement gains higher accuracy to meet the increasing demands of industrial automation systems


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recision sensor manufacturer Micro- Epsilon is now producing laser triangulation sensors with suitable accuracy, robustness and speed for use with industrial automation products. The result


is the extremely compact and accurate optoNCDT 1220 sensor with an adjustable measuring rate of up to 1kHz for high precision displacement, distance and position measurements. According to the supplier, the sensor sets new


standards in displacement and distance measurements for industrial automation applications, since the powerful device features the most important basic settings and functions as well as an analogue data output. Keeping the list of features down to only those that are necessary for the task enables Micro-Epsilon to keep the cost of the sensor low, making it particularly attractive for OEM projects where high sensor volumes are required, and where fast integration, ease of use and space-saving are important requirements.


EASE OF INTEGRATION The sensor features an auto target compensation (ATC) function, which provides reliable control of the distance signal regardless of the target colour or brightness. This makes it robust in operation over a wide range of environments without having to


perform complex set-up tasks. Ready to use as produced by the manufacturer, the sensor is easily integrated without having to make any further settings. There is also an intuitive web interface, which enables easy set up and configuration. In addition to its ease of setup, the compact


design of the optoNCDT 1220 with integral controller also makes it easy to integrate with other systems and instruments as part of wider plant, equipment or machine installations, where space can sometimes be severely restricted.


APPLICATIONS According to Micro-Epsilon, the primary areas in which the OptoNCDT 1220 finds application include automation technologies where high accelerations occur, such as electronics manufacturing, robotics and 3D printing, as well as machine building and renewable energies. With increased use of robotic factory cells in


Industry 4.0 enabled digital factories, there is a particular need for high accuracy distance and displacement sensors which can operate accurately with high rates of distance change with speed. As robotic applications reach into more intricate areas of assembly and other tasks, the sensors used perform an increasingly important role. The optoNCDT 1220 is available with a range of


values, which includes multiple measurements from 10mm to 200mm to support different factory automation applications without additional setting up. A range of accessories are available including power supplies, interface cards, USB converters and controller units for conversion and evaluation of up to two sensor signals. Speaking about the release of the new


displacement sensor, Micro-Epsilon UK managing director, Chris Jones, explains that with the increased usage of laser triangulation sensors in factory automation, the market for these devices is becoming more competitive, particularly in terms of the purchase price. “Although it’s possible to obtain laser triangulation


sensors in a wide range of prices, the ones at the lower end of the price spectrum tend to lack the necessary measurement performance required by precision automation applications,” he says. Looking at the measurement performance alone


can also lead to misleading results, as the measurement achieved can often be based on operational restrictions such as large averaging, or the requirement of ideal surface types. “The optoNCDT 1220 is the ideal alternative that


offers precise measurement values at a similar price level to those with sub-optimal performance,” concludes Jones. T&TH


16 /// Testing & Test Houses /// December 2019


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