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Robot Provides Virtual Presence at 2012 CES (Pt 1)

Ned Semonite, vice president of products at VGo Communications explains the company’s robotic telepresence product at the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. Freescale’s pressure sensors and accelerometers are used in the design of the robot as well as proximity sensors to detect stairs or potential collisions and a camera to view the surroundings in the remote location.

To watch the video, click here.

For more information about VGo products and services, click here.

For more information about Freescale Semiconductor’s acceleration sensors, click here

and pressure sensors, click here.

Sensing in the 2012 Fisker Karma

At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, Russell Datz from Fisker Automotive explains how sensing improves the driving experience in the Fisker Karma extended-range electric vehicle to Sensor Tips’ Randy Frank. In addition to the temperature and current sensing in the 20.1 kWh Lithium-Ion battery pack, sensors are found in many other places inside and outside of the vehicle.

To watch the video, click here.

For more information about all the other attributes of the Fisker Karma, click here.

Spindle Error Analyzer Addresses Micro Measurement

Lion Precision has been measuring machine-tool spindle thermal growth and error motions in multiple axes for over ten years. To address the increasingly stringent requirements for micro-machining in precision tools, the company adapted its technology to target smaller scale measurements.

The micromachining Spindle Error Analyzer (SEA) uses smaller versions of the noncontact probes, probe mounts, and masterball targets in the earlier design.  Using standard SEA software, the new version can perform ANSI and ISO standard tests of spindle performance. The new SEA system measures spindles at operational speeds up to 300,000 RPM with resolutions less than one nanometer.

For more information about Lion Precision’s micromachining Spindle Error Analyzer click here.

MEMS Thermal IR Sensor Detects Occupancy

Donna Sandfox, MEMS product manager with Omron Electronic Components discusses the company’s thermal IR Sensor at Sensors Expo 2011. With eight microelectromechanical system (MEMS) chips in the sensor, the D6T-8L can determine occupancy for several building automation, commercial and consumer applications.

The sensor is in development so for more information consult Omron Electronic Components.

To watch the video, click here.

Inductive Proximity Sensor for Extreme Radiation & Temperatures

Eco-Friendly Sensors: Good for the Environment and Applications

Recycled corn by-product – it’s not the first design aspect I look for in a sensor. However, Carlo Gavazzi’s engineers used a potting material made of a recycled corn by-product to obtain higher resistance to mechanical stress and increase the reliability, improve the stability and provide a longer sensor lifetime for its ICB Series inductive proximity sensors.

The Eco-Friendly Inductive Proximity Sensors have air-core sensing coils that replace traditional ferrites and coils. This design provides two application advantages. For one, it has a higher immunity to magnetic fields than traditional coils. Secondly, because the sensor has no ferrite coil that could crack, it can withstand higher vibration levels and impacts than older inductive proximity sensors.

Additional information on the ICB Series includes a brochure and data sheet.

Limited Space? Not a Problem for Short Proximity Sensor

With its 6-mm package, Balluff claims to deliver the shortest self-contained inductive proximity sensors in the world. The fully integrated SuperShorty sensors do not require additional amplification and include reverse polarity and short circuit protection.

The sensors have a 1.5 mm sensing range with PNP and NPN and normally open and normally closed versions. 

 Three housing styles in metal, stainless steel and plastic, smooth or knurled plastic housings that can be press fit or glued into place and 90º cable add to sensor ability to mount in extremely small spaces.

For more information about Balluff’s SupertShorty proximity sensors, click here.

High-resolution Capacitive Sensor has User-adjustable Setpoint

Need high precision in proximity sensing?The setpoint of Lion Precision’s CPA100 capacitive sensor can be adjusted to detect presence/absence with 15 nm RMS (150 nm p-p) resolution. Industrial processing applications of the analog ouptut sensor include: production line part sorting, double sheet detection in printers or related processes and monitoring of processes involving nonconductive materials.

The sensor’s front panel has a range indicator to alert the operator to out-of-range conditions, DIN railmount electronics, and user adjustments for Offset (Zero) and Gain. Sensor probes are available in standard measurement ranges from 0.05 to 6 mm.

For more information about Lion Precision’s CPA100 capacitive sensor, click here.

Pricing Concerns for Proximity Sensors? Check This Out.

Should sensor manufacturers proactively develop more cost-effective sensors? Balluff thinks so. Its announcement of a line of economical proximity sensors probably won’t start a price war but it should be good news to users for a variety of applications. The company’s Global.CProx line of capacitive sensors offers many of the same features of it existing sensors including reverse polarity and short circuit protection with enhanced EMC protection. The broad range of tubular M12, M18 and M30 sensors with either M12 connectors or pre-wired cables are available in flush-mount and non-flush mount packages.

For more information about Balluff’s Global.CProx sensors, click here.

Motion Sensing Demoed in Visteon Concept Vehicle

The center console (dashboard) could change dramatically in future vehicles with controls located closer to driver. This frees up space for other options. Visteon demonstrates one possibility using motion sensing to Sensor Tips senior editor Randy Frank at CES 2011.

To view the video, click here.

To find out more about instrument panel technologies from Visteon, click here.

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