Gefran Inc. has introduced its Twiist sensor to the market, a contactless linear position transducer capable of providing multiple measurements from a single unit.
Key features of the Twiist sensor include:
- helical magnetoelectronic design
- provides linear, angular and temperature measurements
- compact and air-tight unit
- analog and digital outputs
Unique Sensor Design Enables Multiple Measurements
The Gefran Twiist sensor features a unique helical magnetoelectronic design which enable it to take multiple measurements simultaneously. It can measure linear and angular movements, enabling it to provide real-time velocity, acceleration and tilt angle measurements. Temperature readings are also possible with the sensor.
Twiist offers a compact, air-tight design to enable use in a variety of industrial and mobile hydraulic applications. Its steel barrel has a diameter of 5/8 in. (16 mm) and is available with two types of connection points — ball joints for swivel connections and rod ends with eyes for pivot connections.
This compact design combined with the sensor's ability to provide multiple measurments benefits OEMs who are looking to create systems which are smaller in size — a growing trend within the fluid power industry, particularly mobile applications where space is at a premium.
Manufacturers can use a single, compact sensor unit to meet various measurement needs, eliminating the need for multiple sensors and the space claim they would require. This also helps to reduce costs associated with both purchasing multiple sensors and installing them.
Gefran also noted in its press release announcing the launch of the Twiist sensor that the ability to reduce the number of sensors used in a system means there are fewer failure points which could lead to maintenance issues.
A Durable, Flexible Sensor for Fluid Power Systems
The sensor is available in full-scale (FS) strokes from 50-900 mm with typical linearity of 0.15% FS and typical repeatability of 0.05% FS. Operating temperatures range from -40 to 185 F (-40 to 85 C).
To ensure durability in various applications, the sensor has an IP67 environmental rating which protects it against dust and airborne particles. It is also protected from ingress of water or other liquids if submerged in depths up to 39 in. (1 m). According to Gefran, this protection rating particularly benefits use of the sensor in fluid power applications.
Digital and analog outputs are available with Twiist. The company noted that both the CANbus and IO-Link capabilities enable digital transmission of measurements up to 1,000 times per second for fast processing of information. An integrated CPU allows data to be collected and analyzed for better optimization of system performance.
The sensor's magnetoelectronic signals can also monitor process information related to vibration peaks, hours of operation, distance traveled, and more.
