SICK-STEGMANN has supplemented its programme for position and path determination with the BKS absolute wire-draw encoder and the PKS incremental wire-draw encoder. Both devices offer an extremely compact and robust aluminium housing, and are available for measurement lengths of 2 m and 5 m. A highly accurate measurement drum within the encoders and the high resolution of 0.05 mm provide extremely precise and reproducible measurement results. The interfaces of the wire-draw encoders – SSI for the BKS absolute system and TTL for the incremental encoder – meet the demands of industrial automation technology.
The compact wire-draw encoders were specially developed for applications in which mounting space is limited, a robust complete unit is necessary, and short to medium measurement lengths are the rule. With dimensions of 90 x 90 x 90 mmі, the robust housing and the stable steel-wire return spring, as well as the 2 m and 5 m measurement length variants, the BKS and PKS wire-draw encoders meet these demands. Typical areas of use of these devices are presses, stamping and spraying machines, timber and metal processing machines, apparatus construction or medical technology.
BTF and PRF – when the paths are long
The "large" BTF and PRF wire-draw encoders from SICK-STEGMANN offer tailor-made opportunities for precise path measurement and position determination for large measurement distances of up to 50 m and in particularly harsh operating environments. Elevating platforms; platform lifts; horizontal platforms in the automotive industry; construction machines; cranes; high-bay warehouses; theatre stages; as well as locks and weir systems, are typical areas of use.
Why path measurement with wire-draw?
Wire-draw encoders are used wherever positions require determination or paths must be measured but because of, for example, jointed or hinged mechanisms, the measurement paths pass around a corner. In these situations, the integrated wire-draw mechanism allows the determination of exact position and path data even without precise linear guidance. For this purpose, the integrated encoder determines the number of rotations of the wire-draw drum and converts it to a measurement signal proportional to length. This then provides high-resolution position or path information on the linear distance measured.
