ECT radically improves temperature stability and miniaturisation of displacement sensors

Micro-Epsilon's Embedded Coil Technology (ECT) represents a technological breakthrough in eddy current sensor design and manufacture, enabling the previous limitations of using eddy current sensors to be overcome. Due to its ultra-compact design and by using new inorganic materials in its construction, the new eddyNCDT ECT sensors provide almost unlimited scope in terms of the external design and geometrical shape. This means the sensors can be adapted to suit virtually any application requirements. EddyNCDT ECT sensors offer extreme mechanical robustness, resulting in longer service intervals and higher temperature stability. The complete circuit electronics can be integrated into the sensor, providing an even more compact measurement solution for OEMs and machine builders. The sensors are also suitable for harsh operating environments, including high vibration, impact shocks and high operating temperatures as high as 350 deg C. Sensors have been produced with extremely low thermal drift and with temperature errors of less than 20 parts per million per degree Kelvin. ECT eddy current sensors are already being used in a variety of applications, including the alignment of mirror segments on giant reflector telescopes, in ultra-high vacuums or clean rooms in semiconductor manufacturing, and for measuring the grinding gap on refiners used in paper mills. Specific solutions are also being developed for the aerospace and defence sector. As well as eddy current sensors, Micro-Epsilon has also designed capacitive displacement sensors that make use of ECT. CapaNCDT ECT sensors can withstand operating temperatures as high as 200 deg C, as well as very low temperatures down to –269 deg C. Similar to eddyNCDT ECT sensors, the capacitive versions are extremely compact. Micro-Epsilon's capaNCDT CSH-FL, for example, has an installation height of just 4mm.