Position sensors integrate industrial Ethernet

MTS Sensor Technologie expands its Temposonics line of intelligent products with the R-Series EtherCAT sensor, a high-speed networking solution based on industrial Ethernet technology.

MTS Sensor Technologie expands its Temposonics line of intelligent products with the R-Series EtherCAT sensor, a high-speed networking solution based on industrial Ethernet technology.

The EtherCAT sensor, short for "Ethernet for control automation technology", is an innovative interface for industrial Ethernet that provides the fastest, most deterministic industrial networking possible using the base Ethernet physical layer.

The R-Series EtherCAT sensor is designed for fastest rates of data transmission and communication in industrial settings where high speeds are necessary for complete factory automation systems that require a networked solution.

It will allow machine builders to overcome bandwidth and node limitations found with other commercially available industrial networks.

Industrial Ethernet is based on traditional office-based networking, but is designed for greater durability and reliability required by the factory floor environment.

The EtherCAT sensor enables high-speed data transfer between the plant floor and office to assist with statistical process control and computer aided design automation.

The R-Series EtherCAT sensor can also synchronise to accurate clock signals, enabling high-speed deterministic control.

The EtherCAT sensor is available for use with one to five position magnets depending on the particular network and can be customised to document position, velocity, acceleration, as well as customer-specific "smart" functionality.

The position resolution is 1um, speed 0.2um and a maximum sensor update time of 10kHz.

The R-Series EtherCAT sensor also includes a built-in nonlinearity correction option for position accuracy as low as +/-0.02mm.

At the same time the world's smallest magnetostrictive EtherCat sensor in the market is designed to fit any application with housing dimensions of just 49 x 105mm (rod) or 49 x 100mm (profile).

It works with low current drain of 80mA.

Built-in diagnostic LEDs can indicate normal operation, programming mode, magnet not detected, missing external interface signals and insufficient or out-of-range input power.

As with conventional PC network devices, additional LEDs indicate active network connections as well as Ethernet activity.

The R-Series EtherCAT sensor comes standard with two integral communication line connections and a separate power supply input connection.

These allow the designer flexibility to use standard stub line or "daisychain" topology connections depending on their system layout.

R-Series EtherCAT sensors are available in the model RH ("rod style") application housing, capable of hydraulic or pneumatic in-cylinder operation (350bar continuous/700bar spike) and rated for IP67 operation for stroke lengths up to 7.6m.

It is also available in the model RP ("profile style") housing, convenient for mounting to machine surfaces via mounting brackets, and rated for IP65 operation at stroke lengths up to 5m.

Optional polyurethane cables are available in both configurations for increased flexibility and durability at extreme temperatures.

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