The feeling and experience one gets from using any given machine control highly depends on the sensors. Their functions, precision and durability are necessary to make the integrated system work properly.
Sensors are an essential part of the Swedish company Caldaro’s business. Their underlying mission is to deliver tailor-made quality, to get the specific sensor that meets their customers’ particular demands.
”We have sold sensors from the beginning of Caldaro’s history,” says sales engineer Fredrik Lundin. ”It started with potentiometers, a mechanic sensor with a small needle that runs on a circular electrical track, showing the position of a movement. The significant disadvantage is that the needle will wear out the surface after a certain number of operations. That’s why a contactless sensor using a Hall-effect chip is a better solution in most applications.”
Sensors for many applications
Sensors play a critical role in giving the operator control in any vehicle. Analog knobs are not so sensitive, while electronics and touch displays are made to be sensitive. The digital networks rely on all signals being correct.
Dump trucks use waist steering, meaning the vehicle folds when you turn it instead of turning the wheels. Here, a sensor needs to report the folding angle to adjust the speed.
Forest machines use sensors to measure the diameter and length of each log while the harvester head grabs hold and cuts a tree. This gives accurate data about how much timber you have harvested. They often use a position sensor with friction to adjust the RPM of the lift motor in proportion to the weight of the timber they want to lift.
Oil-filled potentiometers have high reliability and long life expectancy. They are used unaffected in harsh environments with, for example, harmful salt, moisture, organic gas, and vibrations. Machines used in maritime environments work better with potentiometers that aren’t affected by magnetism.
Giant oil tankers depend on the signals from their rudders. In case one sensor malfunctions, they need redundancy. Therefore they use multi-ganged sensors doing the same job on the same axis.
The tiny S11 sensor
Quality sensors for safe and precise machines
The more surveillance systems our vehicles depend on, the more and better sensors they need. Only high-quality sensors can make our vehicles safer to operate.
”Everyone knows how frustrating it is to get an error code when there is no error. This will happen if the sensor is broken,” explains Fredrik. ”That’s why it’s important that the sensors last — most of our sensors can do more than 100 million cycles.”
”Many of our sensors are based on contactless Hall-effect technology,” says Fredrik. ”Sometimes, one of our sensors needs a minor adjustment to be perfect for the customer.”