AutomationDirect has added ProSense miniature rectangular photoelectric sensors to their inventory of almost 4,000 sensors and encoders. The new ProSense RW mini photoelectric sensors provide an affordable solution for small applications with very limited space. Available in diffuse, diffuse with adjustable background suppression, retroreflective, and through-beam models, their compact light spot provides accurate detection over […]
Sensor Tips
Module adapts IEPE sensors to oscilloscopes
Pico Technology has launched a new solution that allows the use of IEPE sensors on all data acquisition devices with a 1 MΩ BNC interface. The TA487 IEPE Signal Conditioner is a simple adaptor that allows any oscilloscope to capture and measure signals from a large selection of piezo-electric IEPE sensors. Integrated Electronics Piezo-Electric (IEPE) is […]
What’s in the ball?
On August 20, in the third round of the BMW Championship golf tournament, an attendee put a remote-controlled golf ball on the 15th green where professional golfers Rory McIlroy and Scott Stallings were putting and tried to navigate it into the hole. After two failed attempts from McIlroy to knock the ball away with his […]
Who’s back in the office?
In the COVID 20s, this is among the critical questions that organizations must answer as employees can return to work. The answer allows the organization to reconfigure and right-size their office space for better space efficiency, improve employee experience, and reduce costs for energy and cleaning services. One company’s solution uses small, affordable occupancy sensors […]
What metrics can bioelectrical impedance analysis provide? Pt 2.
With biosensing analog front end (AFE) ICs available from several major suppliers, researchers have a variety of options to investigate more sophisticated health measurement and monitoring techniques for healthcare professionals as well as users. Some of the applications currently under active investigation include identifying acute tissue injury and skeletal muscle fatigue, assessing neuromuscular disorders, tracking […]
What metrics can bioelectrical impedance analysis provide?
Healthcare and fitness are increasingly important to many people. The ease of making measurements or showing improvement metrics and the amount of data that can be provided by a minimal, non-invasive process makes the ongoing effort sustainable. Bioelectrical impedance (or bioimpedance) analysis (BIA) provides users with a technique that is easily integrated into smart watches […]
What is 3D scanning?
Since 3D scanners have become more affordable, 3D scanning has changed the world of custom 3D printing. Once, 3D scanning was only used in military equipment and spacecraft parts production. With desktop and handheld 3D printers available for a few hundred dollars, 3D scanning has found a place in home fun and hobby projects. You […]
Hybrid sensors for connected vehicles
The dependence of smart vehicle features on sensing technology has manufacturers thinking about how to field devices that combine functions in economical ways. Estimates are that today’s vehicles can have between 60 and 100 sensors onboard. And over the next decade the number of sensors is expected to double. No wonder, then, there are efforts […]
How are wearable systems improving?
At the Wear 2022 Conference in Scottsdale, AZ, presenters from several companies described wearable products that used textile-based sensors. The end products included socks, boots, pants, shirts, leggings, wristbands, headbands and more. Textile-based sensing capabilities range from temperature and pressure to biosensors and more. Primary wearable end markets include healthcare and fitness/training. “We design 100% […]
Metal line switch combines tactile and optical feedback features
SCHURTER extends its Metal Line switch series MSM to include a modern ring illuminated dead-front display. With its fresh look, the new MSM combines the familiar and intuitive features of tactile and optical feedback. The new MSM ring illuminated dead-front series uses a housing of high-quality black anodized aluminum and a unique black translucent plastic […]