Electricity + Control May 2015

SENSORS, SWITCHES + TRANSDUCERS

ROUND UP

Touch sensor – start, stop, acknowledge

ifm ’s KT capacitive touch sensors can be used, for example, as a start and stop func- tion on machines or as an enable switch for opening and closing gates. Compared to mechanical switches the sensors oper- ate without wear. Dynamic touch sensors can detect an approaching human hand and suppress interference such as water, layers of ice or foreign bodies to a large extent. Even a gloved hand will still trigger them. Static touch sensors detect hands and objects through glass for as long as the sensing face is covered which provides, for example, protection against vandalism. Comtest has introduced Fluke’s new Expert Series thermal imagers – the TiX560 and TiX520 to the southernAfrican market. Users of infrared devices need maximum flexibility with an ergonomic de- sign that allows for easy navigation over, under and around hard-to-reach objects. With an articulating lens that rotates a full 180 ° with the FlexCam lens, and the largest 5,7 inch touchscreen LCD, Fluke’s newTiX560 andTiX520 can aim and focus from a comfortable angle and easily capture the target that was once impossible to see. They also feature the largest LCD touchscreen and leading spatial resolution for a 320 x 240 in- frared camera in its class – meaning 150 % more viewing area, making it easier to annotate, edit and analyse images. Getting in-focus images can be painstaking with manual focus systems, and some autofocus sys- tems may not be exactly what is required for the task. Fluke Professional and Expert Series cameras include some of the most innovative focus tech- nologies available, such as Fluke’s LaserSharpAuto Focus. Image Sharpening allows for premium im- age output in high temp applications by combining

since the clip showing the symbol for the sensing face is snapped in as the last step. Wiring is done via the tried-and-tested 3- or 4-wire technology. Enquiries:Tel. 012 450 0370 or email info.za@ifm.com

With the latching operating principle it is possible to switch the sensor on by touching briefly and to switch it off again by touching briefly.The housing is resistant to oils and it is also impact and scratch resistant. Sym- bols on the sensing face can be selected separately.The sensor offers the protection rating IP 69Kand a wide temperature range from -40 to 85 °C. LEDs for optical feedback signal that the sensor has been activated. The green LEDs can be controlled separate- ly and, for example, be used to indicate the status of plant and machinery. Installation alignment of the sensor is not necessary

Launching ergonomic design thermal imagers

multiple sequential frames of data into one (TiX560 only). Fluke uses only 100 % diamond-turned ger- manium lenses covered with a specialty coating. The best spatial resolution has the largest num- ber of detector pixels within the smallest field of view. This combination is measured in mRads, and the smaller the number, the more detailed the image. Fluke thermal imagers’ mRads range from 0,6 mRad (best) to 56 mRad, while competitive models range up to 10,3 mRad. Enquiries:Tel. 010 595 1821

FLUKE IR TiX500 precise focused images.

FLUKE IR TiX500 expert series.

Speed sensors for drives and axes The high switching frequency of 15 000 Hz, as well as the extended temperature range of – 32 to125 °C, make the new MX5 magnetic speed sensors from ifm the perfect partner for the detection of rotational speed and direction of rotation on axes, drives and shafts.The detection of both direction of rotation and rotational speed is integrated into one housing.With fully electronicmagneticmeasuring cells, the sensors function reliably without contact, even in the case of heavy soiling.They are ‘magnetically biased’ with an integrated permanent magnet.The ferromagnetic teeth on a toothed wheel alter the existingmagnetic field so that a corresponding switching signal can be generated.The sophisticated housing concept of- fers different combinations of housing lengths and connections, such as straight or angled cable outlets and AMP connectors.Toothed wheel modules made of metal are standardised and have a defined tooth width and distance.The flanged housing offers quick mounting and accurate adjustment of the sensor with only one screw.This reduces phase shift and guarantees precise detection of the toothed wheel. Enquiries:Tel. 012 450 0370 or email info.za@ifm.com

May ‘15 Electricity+Control

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