It is now known that most motion sequences for mobile machines use hydraulic cylinders.
It is a crucial measurement task for sensor technology where it must precisely determine the stroke of the cylinder.
This ensures the measurement and monitoring of motions is carried out. Now an innovation has been introduced.
Instrotech is offering SIKO and unique SGH10. It’s a measuring system for direct stroke measurement in hydraulic cylinders. The cylinder stroke is measured precisely thanks to Bowden cable sensor technology installed directly in the cylinder. The plug ensures the system fulfills protection class IP69K.
A minor technical revolution
Technologically speaking, the SGH10 cylinder stroke measuring system pursues an entirely different approach than measuring systems commonly found in the market, which are based on magneto-restrictive, inductive, or hall based technology.
The cable of the Bowden cable mechanism is mounted in the piston head. If the cylinder is extended, the cable, which is wound up in a cable drum, is pulled out. The rotation of the cable drum that is thereby created is detected without contact by the sensor electronics and used to calculate the linear travel.
This makes it possible to always detect the position of the cylinder precisely and completely. The magnets that are used to detect the rotation are scanned by the electronics through the pressure-resistant base plate of the SGH10.
The electronics are fully encapsulated on the unpressurized side of the system. This means the entire measuring system is built into the cylinder and is optimally protected from external environmental conditions. This means the sensor system cannot be influenced or damaged by loose parts or by environmental influences.
No more piston drilling
This also reduces cost. This is because in previous measuring systems, the sensor rods had to be integrated into the piston over the measuring path which would be followed; this usually required long and highly precise bore holes in the piston.
This is not only expensive, but also weakens the structure of the piston. In the SGH10 stroke measuring system, just a small thread is needed in the piston to mount the cable. This allows the system to offer potential cost savings, which affects production times and, ultimately, overall costs for hydraulic cylinders.
