The latest addition to Balluff’s machine position feedback portfolio is a new continuous linear position sensor, the Balluff Inductive Rapid Position System (BIR). The BIR uses oscillating inductive technology with a moving carriage with a target that provides accurate positioning data with an extremely fast transmission rate of more than 10 KHz. These speeds are five to ten times faster than other continuous linear positioning systems.
With high speed and accuracy ratings, the sensor is viable in a range of high-speed applications such as stamping, packaging lines, factory automation systems, filling injection molds, and robotic loading processes.
Balluff’s new Inductive Rapid Positioning System sensor. Image used courtesy of Balluff
How Does The Inductive Positioning System Work?
For those unfamiliar with inductive positioning systems, the sensor uses the principle of electromagnetism to determine the position of metallic objects. The sensor uses an inductor to create a magnetic field, and once a metallic object enters the field, it creates a disturbance. The sensor then measures this disturbance and relates it to a position on the linear rail.
The very nature of the sensor is advantageous for automation systems. Inductive positioning systems are non-contact sensors, meaning less wear and tear on the sensor leading to a longer lifespan. Inductive positioning sensors can function well in harsh environments.
What are the Configurations Options for the BIR Positioning Systems?
The BIR product family currently has 16 different versions with measuring lengths of 200, 300, 500, and 600 millimeters, and each length has four different configurations. The four different communication configurations with industry-standard M12 ports. These options include a pure IO-Link interface, an analog 0-10 V with IO-Link interface, an analog 4-20 mA also with IO-link interface, and finally, a Synchronal Serial Interface (SSI), once again with IO-Link interface.
The different configurations using IO-Link allow for continuous condition monitoring of internal device temperature, signal quality, inclination, vibration hours, hours of operation, and much more as a part of Balluff’s Smart Automation and Manufacturing System (SAMS). Balluff also plans to release future versions with measurement lengths of up to 1500 millimeters in increments of 100 millimeters.
Balluff’s Inductive Rapid Positioning System 300 mm measuring length configurations. Image used courtesy of Balluff
With the IO-Link interface, the BIR systems can provide customers with ease of installation and changeover from being able to save the configurations, parameterizations, and data storage associated with IO-Link thus reducing unnecessary downtime. The rail was designed with grooves for the carriage to follow, enabling easy installation and removal of tooling. Each configuration also boasts a repeatable accuracy of <1 µm on positioning and a linear deviation of ≤±100 µm.
In addition to the condition monitoring, the BIR system boasts a compact design and some unique features making integration simple. The relatively compact and flat design allows for minimal blind zones in the measurement window. With all the measurement lengths available, the rapid inductive positioning system has anmodel to suit a wide range of needs across many motion industries.
