The news of SIKO GmbH

The new SGH25 wire-actuated encoder from SIKO is characterized by a measurement range up to 2.5m and an extremely long service life. The variety of interfaces meets the very highest requirements, even in applications that are critical for safety. With this performance profile, the wire-based position sensor is suitable for applications in mobile machines such as dumper trucks, excavators and agricultural machinery, where it measures the position of hydraulic and telescopic cylinders and communicates it to the machine control system via integrated communication protocols.   Extended measurement ranges In comparison to the SGH10 basic model with a measurement range of up to 1m, the SGH25 has an extended measurement range up to 2.5m, while its big brother, the SGH50, covers large measurement ranges up to 5m. The SGH series can be integrated directly into hydraulic cylinders. A newly developed plastic provides a strong design and extends the fluid temperature range from 85°C previously to 105°C now.    Robust in every respect As far as shock and vibration resistance is concerned, SGH sensors set the standards. The SGH25 has been tested to the toughest vibration standards, which are otherwise used for helicopter drives, and easily withstands individual shocks of up to 100 times the force of gravity. Its flexible cable cushions the hardest impacts. The hydraulic medium also dampens any vibrations that come about.   Teach-in measurement lengths and IP69K With the integrated teach-in function, the measurement length of the sensor can be set individually. The SGH25 can cover a multitude of measurement lengths (0-2.5m). Both the number of variants and the stock requirements for any spare parts therefore fall. Another feature of the position sensor is a KV1H plug connection. This modular plug connection system has the high protection rating of IP69K.   The SGH25 was developed specially for extreme conditions in mobile hydraulics that are mainly used in agricultural machinery or construction machines. The resilience required for this has been designed and tested both electronically and mechanically for the service life of a cylinder.   Safety first The SGH25 is available with analog interfaces and with CANopen or SAE J1939 protocols for transmitting data between the SGH sensor and the machine control system. Redundant versions with CAT3, performance level D -PLd meet the highest requirements for safety-critical applications in accordance with EN13849. There is a choice with safety variants between a redundant or analog interface, redundant CANopen, redundant SAE J1939 or CANopen-safety.    Piston boring is a thing of the past  For cylinder manufacturers, the use of SGH position sensors offers large potential for savings, as the cable-based design concept makes hollow boring of the piston superfluous. The SGH wire-actuated encoder can also be installed in telescopic cylinders, which provides a significant competitive advantage in comparison to traditional measurement systems.   Author:  Mathias Roth, Mobile Automation Sector Manager at SIKO GmbH

SIKO GmbH, the measurement equipment manufacturer from Buchenbach, took an unusual step at exhibition stand 300 in hall 4a of sps ipc drives 2017 in presenting the disguised prototype of a sensor for motor feedback applications that is still under development. The courage to reveal in advance what is intended to be launched as a product innovation in the next few months paid off. Everyone was soon talking about the sensor camouflaged with foil, which will bear the name MSAC506, and there were plenty of visitors curious to find out what was going on. Mysterious and clever at the same time - a product disguised with foil so that it stands out from the many other sensors at the sps ipc drives trade fair.   Development objective: motor feedback for torque motors Absolute speed and position detection for industrial robots, cutting heads, drive units for elevators and round and rotary swivel tables. Torque motors, for which the sensor is being developed, are enjoying ever greater popularity. They impress with significantly higher acceleration and speed values than conventional motor-gear combinations. However, torque motors make higher demands of the sensors that monitor speed and position. Truly absolute, dynamic, robust, wear-free and adjustable – these are the characteristics that the sensor system must have if it is to go into series production in the course of 2018.    Truly absolute and dynamic This much is certain – the new MSAC506 sensor from SIKO works with an SSI interface for position detection of the motor and an additional analog 1Vss interface for control. Both interfaces are integrated into the sensor as standard and work in parallel. Absolute position information is provided with this combination at all times and exact commutation is possible even in dynamic operation. In particular, the drive can be started easily from any position with the aid of the absolute SSI data. By contrast, a system that “only” uses incremental sensors would tend to start jerkily or suddenly, or “stumble”. Development objective: At a maximum rotational speed of 6,000 rpm, the sensor should be able to record data up to a circumferential speed of 32 m/s.    Robust and wear-free It should be possible to use the sensor and an associated ring (MRAC506) without problem in a working temperature range of -20…+85°C, meaning that the measurement solution will also be suitable for outdoor use.  Like all of the magnetic sensors manufactured by SIKO, the combination of the MSA506C magnetic sensor and the MRAC506 magnetic ring will be resistant to dust, chips, oils, grease, and moisture.    Adaptable to small diameters The new MSAC506 magnetic sensor is intended to provide truly absolute scanning of even small radii down to approx. 50mm. This is to be made possible by a curved bottom to the housing which is adapted to the scale of the MRAC506. This solution will also offer the customer the advantage that a reading distance of up to 1.0 mm is achievable.    Development profile of prototype MSAC506 & MRAC506:   • Magnetic single-turn absolute encoder • SSI interface (others available on request) • 12-16 bit resolution • Additional sine/cosine analog signals (1 Vss) • Reading distance up to 1.0 mm  • Diagnostic LED  • External diameter scale MRAC506 ~ 100mm • Hollow shaft diameter 50H7 • Rotational speed up to 6,000 rpm • Working temperature -20…85°C   Would you like more information? Take a look at our detailed product page on our website, which is available in six languages: MSAC506: http://www.siko-global.com/p/msac506

The new SIKO AP20 position indicator is ideally equipped to detect the position of spindle adjustments in machines. It displays the corresponding positional data to the operator and passes it on to the machine control system. Simple system integration in combination with modern interfaces is all that is required. On the one hand, this ensures the shortest possible downtimes, on the other the interfaces provide loss-free data communication between the position indicator and the machine control system.    The compact system is particularly suitable for flexible manufacturing with production machines such as packing machines, woodworking machines, printing machines and machines for further processing of printed products. Wherever manual adjustment is carried out on production machines, bus-compatible SIKO position indicators are able to optimize the production process in such a way that costly refitting times during product changeovers are kept to a minimum. Once installed, position indicators provide 100% process reliability. During product and size changeovers, incorrect machine settings and the associated risk of damage to tools or batches with defects can be eliminated consistently with the AP20.   Wide range of control system integration options In addition to the SIKONET5 and CAN interfaces already on offer, SIKO is now extending its AP series position indicators to include the most common industrial Ethernet-Fieldbus interfaces, namely Profinet, Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT and Powerlink. In this way, the company is meeting requirements for easy integration into almost any current control system from a wide range of manufacturers without any other accessories. Compared to a converter solution, the variety of components is reduced, as is the space required in the machine. This significant gain in flexibility ensures loss-free communication between the machine control system and position indicator at all times, in particular for systems that run a complex production process and for which, as a result, a large number of sensors or long cable lengths are required. Two M12-D coded bus connections for a bus line design that protects the cable mean that star-shaped wiring to the control system is no longer essential.    Industry 4.0 and smart factory ready The AP20 must achieve a certain level of connectivity to satisfy the requirements of Industry 4.0. For the smart factory of the future, pure exchange of operational process data is no longer adequate. Comprehensive diagnostic options extend evaluation of the device status in this connection and convert position indicators such as the AP20 into intelligent automation systems. The latest network technologies and the electronic type plate take care of this. The latter serves to identify the device type, serial number and current software version. Additional integration aids, function modules, libraries and add-on instructions make installation and commissioning easier and provide maximum efficiency in application and job set-up.   Compact format of a credit card  The performance features of the AP20 combine the functionality of a high-precision multi-turn absolute value encoder with a position indicator, but still in an extremely compact form with dimensions of 48 x 88 x 61mm. It can be installed in the machine in an area roughly the size of a credit card. In view of its dimensions, the AP20 is therefore particularly suitable for size changeovers on machines that are operated in limited space.   Extreme convenience and intuitive usability for operators The AP20 also has numerous advantages from the perspective of the operator. The option of displaying the target and actual position directly on the adjusting spindle significantly increases convenience and usability for the machine operator. The inverted backlit display plays a part in this, as it makes the information displayed easy to read even under the most unfavorable lighting conditions. Two-colored status LEDs also aid intuitive user guidance. In addition to the positioner status (InPos or OutPos), the LEDs indicate the direction of rotation required to reach the intended target position. Product and size changeovers can therefore be carried out very quickly and without much work.   Installation compatibility and modular concept All SIKO position indicators feature a hollow shaft, which facilitates the easiest assembly possible. The basic configuration of the AP20 comes with a hollow shaft with a diameter of 20 mm. Hollow shaft diameters up to 25.4 mm are also possible without changing the compact dimensions of the product.    But the AP20 is not only characterized by its excellent installation compatibility with other system solutions in the AP series. Thanks to the clearance of the torque support, DA04 and DA09S mechanical SIKO position indicators can also be integrated with AP systems to create a solution with a modular format. The modular principle makes it easier to complete product and size changeovers that require manual monitoring and means that the AP20 is an attractive automation solution for production machines which have to be refitted relatively frequently, because of small batch sizes, for example. Changes affecting the design of the machine frame or the entire system are not necessary when fitting the AP20. The entire system and machine design can be retained.    Also for pharmaceuticals, food and beverages The hollow shaft of the AP20 is made of stainless steel. In conjunction with the protection rating of IP65, the position indicator is also suitable for applications in the food industry, drinks manufacturing and the pharmaceutical sector.   Profile • Electronic position indicator • Integrated industrial Ethernet Fieldbus • Two-line LCD with backlighting • Target and actual value display with integrated comparison • Stainless steel hollow shaft ø20 mm, optionally up to ø25.4 mm • Durable sensors thanks to magnetic scanning • User guidance by status LEDs • Compatible with DA09S and AP10 position indicators • Protection rating IP53, optionally IP65