The new ESR digital strain sensor monitors structural health on equipment, couples with an encoder using the digital interface EnDat, and offers high signal quality, accuracy and robustness. Users mount the ESR sensor on any flat surface where load or mechanical forces apply to a body. Applications include cranes, conveyor belts, bridges, or other equipment or structures where a load or force needs to be monitored on a mechanical structure.
Suitable for use in exposed conditions and harsh environments, the ESR series is a fatigue-free measurement concept providing high-resolution digital input into a system of choice. It is based on an optical encoder attached on a mechanical measuring arm, which connects to the body being monitored. The applied force on the structure is calculated by the subsequent system measured as a position difference by the encoder.
The material in the measuring arm of the sensor unit can be adapted to match the material of the measured body. The purpose is to create a passive temperature compensation and further increase the overall measurement accuracy for those installations where ambient temperatures are fluctuating. Simplicity during installation and commissioning was one of the driving factors during the product development, and therefore different mounting accessories are available. The sensor can be tailored for a permanent installation or used in temporary measurement conditions. — Heidenhain Corp., Schaumburg, Ill., 847/519-4218; www.heidenhain.us