Instrumentation Monthly Test | Measurement | Control
In industrial applications – whether medical, automotive, energy, railway technology or robotics – the demands are very similar. This applies in particular to angle measurement, where features like safety, confined installation space, high price sensitivity and maximum accuracy are key requirements.
This can be illustrated by the example of an ambulance stretcher with an electronically controlled lift system. The stretcher can be positioned at almost ground level to allow patients to be placed on easily; and a power-operated lift then raises the stretcher to precisely the height of the ambulance floor. It is, however, important for the stretcher to move to and stop automatically at exactly the correct height to transfer the patient. Precision angle measurement is essential for this, and it is a function that must remain extremely accurate and safe even in hostile environmental conditions. Other important criteria include compact dimensions, the possibility of integral redundancy, convenient adjustment and good value for money.
The solution can be found with the compact yet high-precision Contelec Vert-X 16 industrial rotary encoder. With axial output leads, the rotary encoder satisfies users with 12 to 14-bit resolution, ±0.3% linearity of the measuring range, programmable angles and IP65 ingress protection. It is also optionally available with a range of interfaces, including ratiometric and PWM signal outputs. A digital SPI interface can also be integrated to provide a direct digital output of the absolute angle values in 14-bit resolution, eliminating the need for subsequent A/D signal conversion. This also ensures interference-free data transmission.
Contelec products are available in the UK from Variohm EuroSensor.
