Low-cost position sensor

Citation

(1998), "Low-cost position sensor", Industrial Robot, Vol. 25 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.1998.04925fad.001

Low-cost position sensor

Low-cost position sensor

Keywords Position sensing, Sensors

To meet customer demand for a low-cost, high-precision position sensor, BI Technologies has introduced the model 6143 7/8in single-turn, servo-mount conductive plastic potentiometer (see Plate 1). Cost reduction has been achieved by the use of a sintered bronze bearing instead of the ball bearing used in BI's model 6163, on which the new potentiometer is based. It is expected to gain rapid acceptance in robotics, instrumentation and industrial applications where reducing cost is important.

Incorporating the sintered bronze bearing has minimal effect on mechanical performance. Maximum start/run torque is 0.6oz-in., as opposed to 0.5oz-in. for the 6163, and the maximum values of pilot diameter runout and lateral runout are both increased from 0.003in. to just 0.005in.

The 6143 has exactly the same electrical specification as the 6163, with a resistance range of 1kohm to 100kohm, maximum input voltage 400Vdc and power rating 1.0W at 70°C. Standard resistance and linearity tolerances are ± 10 per cent and ± 1 per cent respectively, and the resolution is essentially infinite.

Furthermore, with a rotational life of up to 10 million shaft revolutions, the new conductive plastic potentiometer from BI Technologies combines accuracy with both economy and durability.

For further information contact BI Technologies Ltd, 7 Westleight Park, Blaby, Leicester LE8 4EZ. Tel: 0116 278 1133; Fax: 0116 278 1199.

Plate 1 BI Technologies' new model 6143 low-cost potentiometers