Rotary position sensors

In the sphere of precision engineering, where accuracy reigns supreme, rotary position sensors emerge as indispensable tools. At Althen Sensors & Controls, we take pride in offering a diverse array of rotary position sensors that redefine measurement excellence. Let's delve into the essence of these remarkable devices, exploring their unique selling points (USPs) and varied applications.

The essence of Rotary position sensors

Rotary position sensors, also known as angle sensors or potentiometers, are pivotal in translating rotational motion into an electrical signal. These sensors meticulously track angular displacement across various applications, ensuring precision, accuracy, and reliability. Compact and easy to design in, our rotary position sensors (potentiometers) provide you with a simple and cost-effective rotational sensing solution. Utilizing advanced sensing technologies such as Hall Effect, optical, or magnetic encoders, these sensors deliver accuracy down to fractions of degrees. They are ready to use and include the sensor, a back-biasing magnet and an advanced signal conditioning IC, all housed in a special multi-chip package.

Different types of Rotary position sensors

Althen offers a great variety in types such as Single-turn potentiometers, Multi-turn potentiometers, specials such as Sinus/ cosinus Potentiometers, Oil-filled potentiometers, Motorised potentiometers and a number of Turns-counting dials Potentiometers. Of course we offer many opportunities for customising of nearly all types, both electrically and mechanically, already for small series.

Applications across industries

• Industrial Automation: Rotary position sensors play a crucial role in precision motion control, ensuring accurate positioning of robotic arms, conveyor systems, and CNC machinery.
• Automotive Engineering: From throttle position sensing to steering angle measurement, rotary position sensors enhance vehicle safety and performance.
• Aerospace and Defense: These sensors enable precise control of aircraft flight surfaces, weapon systems, and navigation equipment, ensuring mission-critical functionality.
• Renewable Energy: Rotary position sensors facilitate precise alignment and tracking in wind turbines and solar tracking systems, optimizing energy capture efficiency.
• Medical Devices: These sensors contribute to the precision and reliability of critical medical devices, safeguarding patient health and well-being.

Choosing your Rotary position sensor

As you navigate through our comprehensive range of rotary position sensors, here are some tips and tricks for engineers to consider, ensuring optimal selection and integration for their specific needs:

• Define application requirements: Before selecting a rotary position sensor, thoroughly understand the application requirements, including operating environment, desired accuracy, resolution, and interface compatibility. Consider factors such as temperature range, vibration levels, and mechanical constraints to choose a sensor that can withstand the application's demands.
• Choose the right sensing technology: Evaluate different sensing technologies such as Hall Effect, optical, or magnetic encoders based on your application's requirements. Consider factors like resolution, linearity, repeatability, and response time to select the most suitable technology for precise angular measurement.
• Consider environmental factors: Ensure that the rotary position sensor is designed to withstand the environmental conditions of your application. Choose sensors with robust housing materials, IP ratings for ingress protection against dust and moisture, and resistance to temperature fluctuations and corrosive substances for reliable performance in harsh environments.
• Evaluate mounting options: Assess the available mounting space and mounting methods in your application. Choose rotary position sensors with flexible mounting options such as flanges, shaft couplings, or direct mounting to accommodate space constraints and facilitate easy installation.
• Review output interface and compatibility: Determine the required output signal and interface compatibility with existing control systems or protocols in your application. Whether it's analog voltage, current, PWM, or digital interfaces like CAN bus or Ethernet/IP, ensure that the sensor's output meets the requirements for seamless integration and data communication.
• Consider redundancy and diagnostic features: For mission-critical applications where reliability is paramount, consider rotary position sensors with redundancy features and built-in diagnostics for fault detection and predictive maintenance. Redundant sensor arrays and diagnostic capabilities enhance system reliability and minimize downtime.
• Explore customization options: Take advantage of our customization capabilities offered to tailor the sensor to your specific application needs. From customized mechanical dimensions to specialized electrical outputs and communication protocols, collaborate with sensor experts to design a bespoke solution that meets your requirements precisely.
• Test and validate performance: Before full-scale deployment, conduct thorough testing and validation of the selected rotary position sensor in real-world conditions. Verify accuracy, repeatability, and response time under various operating scenarios to ensure reliable performance and optimal functionality in your application.

Explore our comprehensive range of rotary position sensors at Althen Sensors & Controls and unlock the potential for unparalleled precision and reliability today. At Althen Controls, we take pride in our commitment to exceptional customer support. Our team of experts is ready to assist you in selecting the ideal foot pedal solution tailored to your unique requirements. From product selection to technical guidance, we are dedicated to ensuring your utmost satisfaction.