Micro-Epsilon demonstrates its latest eddy current sensor at Manufacturing & Engineering North East

24 June, 2015

Visitors were encouraged to stop by the stand to share their application challenges with experts from Micro-Epsilon, who were available to offer their advice and guidance. The stand featured five interactive product demonstrations:

Eddy current sensor with integrated electronics

The eddyNCDT 3001 is a new high performance eddy current sensor in a very compact package. Although it is a similar size to typical proximity and inductive sensors, the measuring performance is much greater.

All conditioning electronics are completely integrated into the sensor housing. However, the compact dimensions do not mean lower performance; the temperature-compensated electronics provides measurement stability even in fluctuating ambient temperatures.

Combined with an extremely competitive pricing structure, this is an ideal OEM solution. The device can be supplied in single quantities for evaluation and can be modified if required for higher volume applications.

The sensor is factory-calibrated with both ferrous and non-ferromagnetic materials, which eliminates the need for onsite calibration of the sensor. The robust construction, combined with true eddy current measurement principle, enables measurements in harsh industrial environments (oil, pressure, dirt). Additionally, the eddyNCDT 3001 is also suitable for offshore and marine applications (saltwater resistant).

Measuring to nanometre resolution

The capabilities of the high precision, integrated capacitive displacement measuring system – the capaNCDT 6200 – will be demonstrated on the stand by measuring the deflection of granite stone to nanometre accuracy (resolution is down to 0.002µm). The capaNCDT 6200 comprises a control unit, demodulator and Ethernet interface that supports fast and easy configuration through a web browser. The system allows up to four additional measurement channels to be added (or removed) to the base controller unit without any loss of performance or disruption. Any Micro-Epsilon capacitive displacement sensor can be connected to the controller without any additional calibration required.

Auto calibration eddy current system

The eddyNCDT 3100 represents a world first in eddy current displacement measurement. With its Smart Sensor Auto Calibration system, visitors can see how easily and quickly the sensor connects to the 3100 controller. All calibration data is then automatically uploaded from the sensor to the controller, with no need for any lengthy calibration. All calibration data required for both ferrous (St37) and non-ferrous (aluminium) target materials is stored in the sensor before it is shipped. User-specific target materials can also be measured accurately using Micro-Epsilon’s push-button, 3-point linearisation.

The eddyNCDT 3100 controller is also equipped with many new features, including Ethernet connection for output signal and configuration. The configuration of the controller can be performed from the user’s web browser by simply typing in the controller IP address – no additional software needs to be downloaded. All controllers are supplied with a default IP address that the user can amend later to a specific IP address.

Smart 2D/3D laser profile analysis

The scanCONTROL 2610-25 SMART series of 2D/3D laser profile sensors offer a plug-and-play solution on the integrated sensor controller for simple measurement tasks such as step, angle, seam and groove inspection. SMART sensors are configured for these tasks using software and operate in standalone mode. Pre-programmed measurement applications include, for example, the recognition and tracking of angles, steps and positions, as well as the detection of adhesive beads, weld seams or grooves with dynamic tracking. In addition to measurement output via Ethernet (Modbus TCP) and RS422 (Modbus RTU or ASCII data format), switching outputs and analogue outputs are available via an optional Output unit. The multi-function port can be used for power supply, sensor control, switching parameters, or as a trigger input for synchronising multiple scanCONTROL sensors or for measurement value output via RS422.

Small and lightweight thermal imager

The VGA-resolution infrared camera, the thermoIMAGER TIM 640 has dimensions of just 45x56x90mm and weighs just 320g. The TIM 640 enables the recording of radiometric video images at 32Hz and a VGA resolution of 640x480 pixels. The camera can detect very small temperature differences (thermal sensitivity: 75mK) and can measure object temperatures from -20degC to +900degC. For easy process integration, the camera’s TIM Connect software enables users to document measurements and to edit infrared video images. The software provides quick and easy set up together with a range of tools that enable the cameras to be used in R&D tasks as well as process control.