Recommandations for a specific distance sensor?

[AgnicoEagle]

Hi,

I was wondering if somebody knew a good quality/price boolean sensor (2 outputs, on/off) that is "pot" adjustable in terms of distance.

For example, if I want to know if something is at the right place or not: The sensors' switch is closed if distance == 3,50 meters and the sensors' switch is open if distance !== 3,50 meters.

That would be in an ideal world but in the real world it should be something like: closed if 3,45m <= distance >= 3,55m and open if distance == anything else. (It doesn't need to be in the metric realm).

I found some of those sensors, but I would like to know what you, engineer brothers, know about those kind of sensors.

Xavier

 

[benta]

Reverse engineer a FLuke or Leica laser distance measuring device.

http://www.professionalequipment.com/laser-measuring/

Benta.

 

[AgnicoEagle]

Thank you very much for your reply, but I really don't have time to get into reverse engineering. I need something like that:

http://www.schneider-electric.ca/ca...unction_id=16&p_family_id=300&p_range_id=511#

But I just want to know if someone has some feedback to give about those kind of sensors.

Xavier

 

[ScottyUK]

Erwin Sick make a good range of optical sensors. Worth a look at their range - it's a while since I used their products but shouold be something suitable.

http://www.sick.com/group/EN/home/p...sensors/Pages/distance_sensors_mid_range.aspx

What is the object you're sensing? Some surfaces are easier to deal with than others.


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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[controlsdude]

sick makes a sensor that has two outputs used them on asrs cranes for load checking distances. I believe it was a cheap laser that gave two outputs that were teachable. Easy to set up.

Teachable just push the button of the distance that is needed to check, it learns this distance and configure for an output.

I am sure if you called your sick rep he would be happy to get you the part number. It has been years ago, I am sure its gotten better quality and more features and cheaper.

 

[jraef]

Although they are by no means unique, Sick are probably the best industrial grade distance measuring sensors available. But there are many technologies to chose from: laser, infrared, visible light, ultrasonic, radar, etc. To determine which technology to use, you have to consider numerous factors such as distance, material to be sensed, ambient environmental conditions, power levels available, etc. etc. Can you be a little more specific?

"Dear future generations: Please accept our apologies. We were rolling drunk on petroleum."
— Kilgore Trout (via Kurt Vonnegut)
For the best use of Eng-Tips, please click here -> faq731-376

 

[AgnicoEagle]

Hi,

First thank you all for youre replies.

Indeed I should have been more specific about what I want to sense, where and how.

I have to sense a wagon full of "muck" (dynamited rock) on a railway so that it unloads by itself at the right place. Of course it is made of metal (yellow paint). And this railway is situated more than a kilometer below the surface in a gold mine. The temperature average is 22 celsius so that wont be a problem.

It also has to be tough and easily cleanable.

I have heard about those teachable push buttons. If I have understood correctly, I think if we push that button the sensor will remember the current distance and will have the ouput that I want only at that distance. Right?

I think this is the best way to solve my problem.

I also have to find a good/tough beam break switch so that I know exactly the position of that mine wagon.

Any suggestions?

Xavier

 

[AgnicoEagle]

Here is the basic sketch of what kind of sensor I want.

See attachment.

 

[IRstuff]

I have heard about those teachable push buttons. If I have understood correctly, I think if we push that button the sensor will remember the current distance and will have the ouput that I want only at that distance. Right?I think this is the best way to solve my problem.I also have to find a good/tough beam break switch so that I know exactly the position of that mine wagon.

The Sick sensors do both:

https://www.mysick.com/partnerPortal/ProductCatalog/DataSheet.aspx?ProductID=43051

has switch outputs as well as serial range outputs with sub-millimeter resolution.

TTFN

FAQ731-376
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[ScottyUK]

You just gotta wonder about a company whose website is '

http://www.mysick.com',

much as I love their products.



----------------------------------

If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[AgnicoEagle]

I found some pretty good stuff from Allen Bradley

http://www.ab.com

And I am pretty sure I am gonna find what I am searching for.

 

[jraef]

AgnicoEagle,
You still didn't state the distance. But it looks like you want something fairly far, I would do that with a Sick DME3000 distance measuring unit. It can go up to 10m in proximity mode (no reflector).

You just gotta wonder about a company whose website is '

http://www.mysick.com',

much as I love their products.

Founded by Dr. Erwin Sick, the inventor of the Light Curtain. With a name like that, he couldn't exactly go into medicine!

Patient: "Hello Doctor, I'm sick".

Erwin: "Nein, I'M Sick, you are ill!"

Patient: "No, I'm Franz, but you are sick? I'm going elsewhere, I'm already sick enough..."





"Dear future generations: Please accept our apologies. We were rolling drunk on petroleum."
— Kilgore Trout (via Kurt Vonnegut)
For the best use of Eng-Tips, please click here -> faq731-376