Position Sensor Preforming Machine Tool

Position sensors – what are they?

The position sensor is a sensor that reacts to magnetic fields. This allows it to distinguish between movement and position. These contactless detection solutions require other external components and are resistant to extreme environments for automotive applications, for example. Position sensors are often used to detect multipolar magnets for speed detection, motor switching or position coding. More information on Hall effect position sensors.

It is worth noting that some position sensors are generally considered velocity or speed sensors if velocity or speed can be defined as the rate of change in position. In fact, any position sensor with a frequently updated position is also a speed sensor.

The main types of position sensors

Potentiometers

The most common sensors remain potentiometers, although non-contact sensors are becoming increasingly popular. These types of sensors are used to measure a voltage drop when one or more electrical contacts slide along a resistive track. The position and the voltage output are therefore proportional. Potentiometers can take several forms: rotary, curvilinear or linear.

Optical position sensors

In general, optical sensors are called encoders. They are a common form of position sensors. Their fundamental principle is the same for the following systems: a light beam passes over or through a diffraction grid, a photodetector is used to measure the resulting light, and a position signal is then generated.

Magnetic position sensors

All magnetic sensors share a similar measurement principle: when a magnet moves relative to a magnetic detector, the magnetic field varies in proportion to its relative displacement. The Hall effect sensor is a common form, often found as an electronic chip. It is widely used in electric motors, which require limited measurement performance, as well as in automotive applications.

Magnetostrictive position sensors

These types of sensors use an uncommon phenomenon called magnetostriction, which occurs in certain materials. When a magnet approaches the material, it causes a reflection of the energy travelling along it. The position can therefore be measured according to the time required for the energy pulse to travel back and forth along a thin strip or wire of magnetostrictive material.

Capacitive position sensors

A capacitor generally consists of two conductive plates separated by an insulator. It is an electrical device that stores charge. The amount of charge that can be stored varies depending on the size of the plates, their separation, their degree of overlap, and the permeability of the material between them. More simply, a capacitive position sensor measures the separation between the plates. For load, pressure and strain measurements, displacements are typically no greater than 1 mm.

Traditional inductive position sensors

These types of position sensors are based on transformer or induction principles and have been used for more than a hundred years. They have an excellent reputation for their reliability in harsh conditions and for their safety. Many safety-related applications choose them almost automatically.

New-generation inductive position sensors

Often called ‘incoders’ or inductive encoders, new-generation inductive position sensors operate on the same principles as traditional inductive sensors. In difficult environments, they provide high-performance, contactless measurement. However, instead of bulky wire coils, they use printed circuits on rigid or flexible substrates.

What is a hall effect sensor?

A Hall effect sensor is used to measure the variation of a magnetic field. The sensor is an active sensor i.e., it can process a digital as well as an analog signal. It is usually equipped with three pins. However, this is not a distinguishing feature of the sensor.

A Hall effect sensor is the most common sensor for measuring strong magnetic fields. It is also used in brushless motors as a contactless position sensor. It detects the change in magnetic field when a magnetic part passes through, arranged in such a way that it represents the image of the poles of a machine or the poles of the rotor.

In mechanics, Hall effect sensors also allow the speed or position of a part to be detected. Electronic musical instrument keyboards and keys are equipped with hall effect sensors so that the dynamics of the press can be taken into account.

Some tablets and smartphones or even different models of laptops are equipped with a Hall effect sensor to detect the closing or opening of a flap cover.

Preforming machine – how does it work?

The preforming machine is used to cut and bend these position sensors to weld them on electronic modules and circuits. Automated or not, these machine tools are most often used by automotive suppliers where we can find more than a hundred of these sensors in one vehicle.

MGA Technologies cutting and preforming machine

The preforming machine from MGA Technologies has been specially designed to meet the cutting and bending requirements of position/speed/counting sensors prior to welding. Fully automated, it can preform numerous sensors on an assembly line while ensuring consistent cutting and forming. Now in its third version, MGA Technologies, a Lyon-based SME specialising in customised specialised machinery for the pharmaceutical, biotech and automotive industries, offers a proven machine that is easy to use with modular, scalable and fully interchangeable tools.

The position sensor preforming machine developed by MGA Technologies allows companies that want to bring a clear improvement to their production processes. Preforming and calibrated cutting on line are guaranteed by the use of this machine.

The particularity of this machine is to be very compact. Its integration in a fully robotized or semi-automatic assembly line is therefore easier. This allows companies to save time.

It is also possible for companies to interconnect it with their existing machines. The machine also offers many configuration possibilities: shuttle, seals, or simple belt conveyor.

Technical characteristics of the preforming machine:

• Modular preforming up to 3 positions
• Preforming from 0 to 90 degrees
• Magnetic components of 3 and 5 legs
• Compact: H, L, W – 640 mm, 625 mm, 600 mm
• Cadence: 900 cut and preformed position sensors per hour
• Noise level: less than 70 dB
• Preforming accuracy: less than 2 °
• Cutting accuracy: +- 0.1 mm

The preforming types of the machine:

• K, KA, KB and KT form
• SE, SG, SH and SJ form
• UA form

Why to choose the MGA Technologies preforming machine?

The automatic cutting and preforming machine of MGA Technologies can meet most of your needs. It is fully modular and it allows you to automate and limit position sensor bending waste.

Moreover, this machine tool can be used by all your employees in the world because it has a multi-language interface. It has also a one-year warranty (manufacturer warranty) with a technical team that can easily be reached from the website or by phone.

Download the brochure for the MGA Technologies Position Sensor Preforming Machine Tool or ask for a free quote directly to our technical team.

About MGA Technologies

In addition to the position sensor preforming machine, MGA Technologies also designs special machines such as the sterile disconnector and connector for flexible hoses dedicated to the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industry.

The company also designs and builds various types of clean room equipment such as medical carts, laboratory dynamizers or pharmaceutical service.

MGA Technologies also specializes in mechanical design, mechanical assembly and development, prototyping, automation and robotics. It supports its customers throughout their projects by making it its mission to design and build the best means of control in clean environments and assembly.

The company’s ambition is to produce better, safer, faster, more flexibly and more reliably. It mobilizes teams made up of people with all the skills in mechanical studies, robotization, automation, IT, mechanical adjustment and assembly in order to guarantee the success of its customers’ projects in compliance with the specifications, schedules and agreed budgets.

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