Balluff’s new Micropulse BIW transducer is a first in linear positioning technology - offering superior non-contact positioning accuracy in a form factor matching a linear pot, with a price that’s comparable. The Micropulse BIW uses all-new, patented, pulsed-inductive technology to provide superior performance and reliability with a non-contact design that allows drop-in-fit replacement pots. The BIW’s wear-free, non-contact design completely eliminates performance degradation over time, the principal cause of downtime and loss of accuracy in pots. The new design is ideal for any application were old-style linear pots are used, such as plastic injection moulding machines, blow moulding machines, stamping presses, woodworking machinery and hydraulic motion bases – anywhere linear motion must be monitored and/or controlled.
“Wear-prone linear pots have been trouble spots in terms of reliability, accuracy and performances” says Balluff’s Product Specialist Adrian Sorsby. “Their popularity is driven by simplicity and low-cost. Wear-free, non-contact transducers have been available for linear position feedback, but higher cost and different form factor have impeded widespread adoption. The BIW solves these problems by providing clearly superior performance, drop-in mechanical compatibility, and a price comparable to resistive linear pots. It’s a breakthrough new product that will solve many application problems”.
The Micropulse BIW is available with an analog 0 to 10V or 10 to +10V output. It has a super-fast > 20 kHz update rate, non-linearity or +/-0.02%, and resolution down to 5 microns. It is immune to external EMI and available in stroke lengths from 75mm to 750mm.