New UK and Ireland source for magnetic rotary encoders

Avtron's Wide-Gap magnetic sensing technology is said to provide extremely durable, highly safe and exceptionally reliability for rotary position sensing in oil and gas, wind turbines, cranes, mining and many other 'heavy' engineering applications.

As an alternative to optical encoders - which can be fragile and damaged by contamination - the wide-gap magnetic technology can 'see through' dust, dirt, water, oil and grease. The non-contacting technology uses a rotor system with radial north and south pole inserts and a stationary, magnetoresistive sensor. Version are available as separate rotor/stator units without bearings or as fully housed and sealed assemblies for severe-duty use, complete with support bearings. Diagnostics can be built into the assembly so users can remotely identify problems before a costly shutdown is required.

Avtron's recently introduced XT45 hollow-shaft magnetic encoder is aimed at offshore oil-rig position sensing applications. It has a 5000ppr resolution with full quadrature A,B and Z channel output - and boasts a severe-duty specification that includes a shock rating to 300 'g', vibration to 20 'g' in any direction, and an operational temperature range of -40 to +100degC. A labyrinth seal helps the encoder achieve an IP67 protection rating, and a polyurethane enamel paint finish shrugs off dirt, oil, mild acid and salt water contamination. It has universal 5-24V operation, a self-diagnostic alarm output and is fully protected from wiring problems and surges.

Contact Variohm-EuroSensor for more information about Avtron Industrial Automation magnetic rotary encoders.