Micro-Epsilon sensors and sensor systems measure displacement, distance, position, vibration, dimensions and thickness, and temperature, using both contact and non-contact techniques, including 2D/3D laser optical, confocal chromatic, eddy current, capacitive, inductive, draw-wire, time-of-flight and non-contact infra-red thermometers.
Micro-Epsilon isn't just a sensor manufacturer. The company has more than 35 years' experience in the industry and therefore understands the importance of providing complete solutions and support services for its customers. Renowned for its expertise in consulting, development and application of industrial sensors to complex, customer-specific solutions for measurement, inspection and automation, Micro-Epsilon's focus is on selling technical advantage to its clients.
In the UK, Micro-Epsilon has seen consistent, year-on-year sales growth over the last 10 years. The UK operation recently moved premises to Ellesmere Port in Cheshire, where a new test facility and video conferencing technical support centre have been set up. Customers are now able to quickly test and prove different sensor solutions before they purchase and any technical or application queries can be resolved quickly via the new conferencing service.
The new facilities in the UK are particularly useful when it comes to discussions about modified or custom designed sensor solutions. Using the video conference system, discussions can now take place directly between the customer and Micro-Epsilon's design engineers in Germany quickly, with the correct information being provided first time. This can then be simulated in the UK test facility before the product is installed at the customer's site.
Technical issues, application problems and custom OEM sensor designs can be discussed and resolved quickly and efficiently. A two-way information flow is created between customer and Micro-Epsilon engineers, where technical drawings and measurement results can be shared and viewed on screen simultaneously, as well as technical data and information about the customer's application. This greatly enhances and speeds up the complete technical support service.
Renowned as a leader in both optical sensor technology and sensor miniaturisation, Micro-Epsilon recently launched a range of miniature confocal displacement measurement sensors in the UK. The sensors have a diameter of just 4mm (standard sensor diameters are 27mm) and are therefore ideal for measuring inside confined spaces such as narrow cavities, drilled holes and bores. As well as axial measurement, the sensor range also includes a 90-degree version, which enables the user to measure (radially) the inner surfaces of small components. The sensor head can be rotated inside the bore, enabling the user to measure surface defects inside and to check the concentricity or roundness of a bore or drilled hole.
The company has also launched the scanCONTROL 2700, a non-contact laser profile displacement sensor, which unlike conventional laser line scanners on the market, provides an integrated controller in the sensing head. Despite this, the sensor is still incredibly compact. The user requires no other components to evaluate the measurement data and the unit is also easy to set up, configure and adapt for different applications.
The compact design of the sensor and integrated controller makes the unit ideal for industrial automation tasks, robotics and machine building applications, where space is often restricted. Typical applications include the measurement of angles, channels, gaps, edges and clearance; weld seam inspection; detection of beads (bulges or bumps) of adhesive; door edge detection; robot guidance and positioning; groove width and depth measurement. The sensor is available with measuring ranges from 25mm to 100mm. A small output module for DIN rail mounting is also available to convert the sensor output data into common fieldbus systems, including CANbus, Profibus DP, Ethercat and IEEE.
The scanCONTROL 2700 is the first high accuracy profile sensor with integrated electronics in a compact footprint. Other competing profile sensors with integrated controllers are either very bulky, often two to three times larger, or their measurement performance is reduced due to the restriction in space for the processing electronics.