Functionally safe sensors are the main business of us since years. To expand the customer base, we are exhibiting at several trade fairs this year. These include MODEX 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia (USA) from 11 to 14 March (Booth A13611) and LogiMAT 2024 in Stuttgart (Germany) from 19 to 21 March (Booth 3F30). The American exhibition MODEX in particular will be a debut for the safety encoder specialist from the Rhineland.
Autonomous vehicles are no longer a rarity in agriculture – e. g. tractors or cultivators. In addition to the actual task of tilling the soil, these machines employ modern sensor technology. The sensors must meet a particularly high level of safety. TWK offers the agricultural sector compact, robust components with a high degree of protection and a variety of interfaces - SIL2 and SIL3 certified, including incremental.
TWK will be exhibiting its new safety sensor range at the SPS in Nuremberg. The compact encoders and inclinometers will be on show from 14 to 16 November in Hall 7A I Stand 603. Their small size makes them ideal for autonomous vehicles in both the logistics and agricultural sectors. With SIL2 or SIL3 certification, the robust sensors meet the required safety standards.
Safety first! This applies to mobile vehicles, in particular automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). These are vehicles where there is no direct human supervision. In order to protect the environment, people and machines, and to minimise dangerous moments caused by malfunctions, the operation of these vehicles requires a range of sensor technology. TWK has the right sensors for this task.
Machines are only as safe as their sensors. Many measured quantities must be recorded precisely and reliably. TWK supplies the sensors that are required to ensure functional safety - in particular for automated transport systems. These include certified sensors for position, speed, inclination, and acceleration, as well as draw wire linear transducers and accessories. The safety specialist is also a supplier of individual solutions - electronic and mechanical, just the way you want it.
What makes a good angle, inclination, vibration and displacement sensor? Is it solid measurement acquisition or processing? A fast safety interface or a robust overall design with a few special features? Of course, all of these together represent the prerequisite for a good sensor concept. Especially when designing the firmware and software, good cooperation with the customer is important in order to achieve the best solution for the application.
TWK's inductive displacement transducers are now available with the standardised industrial interface IO-Link. These are combined with the IEIO25 module, which provides the digital interface for connecting to a master - the controller - to input and output data. These innovative sensors provide accurate, reliable position data in various applications.
Measuring speeds is an increasingly important requirement in machines and systems. They are used to reach certain positions quickly and safely. The drives are precisely controlled. It is usually possible to travel quickly between the end points - for example, in the case of a crane. When the target point is approaching, the speed is reduced. Servo drives with integrated sensors can perform this task. In many cases, however, a separate encoder must be used. Especially when it comes to safety-oriented applications in which additional position and speed detection by functionally safe sensors is required. It serves to protect the environment, people and machines.
Almost 10 years ago, TWK launched the functionally safe encoder with PROFIsafe via PROFINET interface. The TRT/S3 model was one of the first certified models of this type available at that time. Of course, extensions and improvements were made over time. Now, a new generation is coming onto the market that features a significant innovation boost.
What started as an idea between friends has today grown into a successful medium-sized family business. TWK was founded by Theo W. Kessler in 1962. His childhood friend Dr. Willi Steinebach supported him as an advisor in corporate law and tax matters. In 1992, his son Johannes W. Steinebach took over the company. Now in the third generation, Drs. Hannwelm and Felix Steinebach as well as their brothers Robert and David Steinebach are active in the company. The foursome focuses on management, product management and controlling.
TWK's new NOCIO/S3 with IO-Link interface is a sensor that is triple certified in terms of safety: according to IEC 61508 & ISO 13849 & UL 61010-1. This sensor - a backlash-free electronic cam controller - contains not only concentrated encoder know-how, but also a high degree of safety functionality - coupled with innovative new features in its two interfaces: IO-Link and safety switching outputs.
Sometimes it just has to be more. In this case, TWK's newly developed ABN encoder model has a resolution that divides the full circle of 360° into over 4 million steps. To be precise, in 222 steps - that's a resolution of 22 bits. High accuracy is equally important. This is impressive with better than ±10 arcsec. That is less than ±0.003°. Precise measurements of positions and speeds up to 10,000 rpm are thus possible. The ABN will be available from September 2022.
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