New product group: mainSENSOR

A completely new measurement method has been incorporated in the product range with the new mainSENSOR. These magnetic sensors are very flexibly designed. The standard industrial version, the MDS-40 M30, has a 40mm measuring range and comes in a cylindrical M30 stainless steel housing. The alternative, the MDS-40 MK is for medium-to-high volume applications and comes in a miniature four-sided plastic housing. The sensor also provides a measuring range of 40mm.  Standout benefits of these sensors are their ultra compact design relative to their measuring range and the extremely attractive price-performance ratio. Currently, around 60mm measuring range is achievable using the mainSENSOR.

Extremely fast and high resolution measurements can be achieved using the mainSENSOR. These sensors have extremely high basic sensitivity and temperature stability. A small permanent magnet on the measurement object is used as the target. The signal output provides 4–20mA or 2–10V DC.

Unlike the widely used Hall Effect principle, the MDS sensor is based on a measuring method patented by Micro-Epsilon. Due to the high vertical manufacturing range, the entire sensor and electronics are produced within the Micro-Epsilon Group, since no semiconductor manufacturing is required. Customer requirements can therefore be accommodated very easily. The sensor is very flexible and can be adapted according to the application and for high volume production. There is already an existing mainSENSOR version custom designed for load detection in washing machines. Here, the sensor is located on the damper of the drum and measures the displacement (lowering) of the drum during loading. The optimum detergent and water quantities are also determined using this sensor.