Capacitive measurement range

Citation

(2008), "Capacitive measurement range", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 80 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2008.12780bad.011

Capacitive measurement range

Article Type: Equipment From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 80, Issue 2.

A new range of non-contact capacitive measurement equipment that is said to provide exceptional levels of accuracy and repeatability has been launched in the UK by positioning and measurement solutions specialist, IBS Precision Engineering.

Developed by US-based Lion Precision a major company in the design, manufacture and application of non-contact displacement sensing systems the comprehensive new range of modules, enclosures and sensors provides distance, digital, indexing and temperature measurement capabilities to meet the most demanding application requirements.

Providing sub-nanometre resolution if required, and with probe targets as small as 0.5mm, Elite series systems from IBS Precision Engineering are characterised by their high bandwidth, low noise, fast response, extreme linearity and thermal stability. The factory-calibrated, non-contact equipment is also reported to avoid heat generation at the sensing point, ensuring maximum accuracy and consistency of results.

Suitable for any conductive target material, the modular units are considered ideal for semi-conductor, silicon wafer and disk drive inspection operations, as well as precision measurement applications within the defence, aerospace, automotive, process and instrumentation sectors (Figures 2 and 3).

Figure 2 Capacitive measurement

Figure 3 Wafer measurement

Sensor probes are fitted with low-noise cables and incorporate compensation to minimise thermal drift. They can be manufactured in vacuum compatible materials and are offered in four stock calibration options. “Standard” “fine” and “ultrafine” variants provide increasingly high-resolution capabilities, while “extended” models deliver the maximum measurement range. In addition, probes can be calibrated to customer specification or developed to meet individual application requirements.

The systems' range of output drivers provides linear responses within specific probe calibration ranges. Elite CPL drivers set an industry standard for their combination of bandwidth, accuracy and resolution being capable of measuring at up to 15kHz with a signal to noise ratio low enough for sub-nanometre resolution. They are complemented by a range of 1, 2, 3, 6 and 8 slot Eurocard enclosures, enabling simple set-up and operation using front panel controls, as well as BNC analogue output and differential output via an industry-standard National Instruments 68-pin connector at the back plane. In addition, signal processing and five-digit display modules with two channel summing and peak capture functionality are available, along with an indexing and temperature measurement module.

“Lion precision measurement systems are acknowledged as some of the most sophisticated and accurate on the market today,” says IBS Precision Engineering's European Sales Manager, Hans Ott. “The company mirrors our own philosophy of solving new problems by applying state-of-the-art equipment and pushing back the technology boundaries if necessary to develop solutions that exceed the sum of the parts.”

We have a close relationship with Lion that stretches back more than ten years. As the company's master distributor for Europe, we can draw on a wealth of experience and our long track record of success to provide UK customers with more and better precision measurement and positioning solutions right down to the picometre level.”

Details available from: IBS Precision Engineering, Tel:+31 (0) 40 290 1270, web site: www.ibspe.com