New position transmitters an inexpensive alternative to positional transducers

There’s a new addition in Festo Canada’s lineup of position sensors. The Mississauga, Ont.-based company has introduced new programmable analog feedback position sensors — the SDAT-MHS series — to bridge the gap between simple cylinder switches and costly positional transducers or mechanical potentiometers.

Designed for pairing with any Festo T-slot pneumatic drive, the easy-to-install and program SDAT-MHS transmitters provide consistently reliable positioning data that assures high repetition accuracy in applications such as pressing, screwing, riveting, ultrasonic welding and adhesive bonding. And, the company says, the transmitters require no extra equipment to do the job. 

Each SDAT-MHS transmitter emits a path-proportional output signal. They are available with sensing ranges of 50, 80, 100, 125 and 160 mm to match the most commonly used strokes of Festo cylinders. This produces accurate feedback across the entire stroke length, including discharge, without the need for the sensors to project beyond the end of the cylinder. The SDAT’s 4-20 mA analog output can be connected directly to analog inputs. An IO-Link operating mode provides an additional interface. The switching output can be programmed by means of a “teach” button on the transmitter, while the IO-Link mode can be programmed using a simple graphical user interface. 

Programming options in both operating modes are: cylinder switch function, window comparator or hysteresis comparator. The IO-Link mode is a universal interface for setting up standard functions without having to program the analog output of a PLC.

Festo is a global leader in automation technology, and the world market leader in industrial training and education. In 2015, the company will celebrate the 90th anniversary of its founding, and the 40th anniversary of the opening of Festo Canada.

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