Sensor Construction and Technology
The DX400
series of sensors consists of a solid stainless steel body, (as do
the previous award winning bokam sensors) but then contains a significantly
more elaborate and miniaturized network of imbeded strainsensitive
elements creating a full Whetstone Bridge in all three axes. This
newly redesigned sensor architecture virtually doubles the output
signal of the device with the same force applied. The artwork is applied
to a machined stainless steel surface as before using proprietary
methods for imbedding the strain sensitive materials onto the steel
surface without the use of organic materials. The construction of
the sensor is such that it is by its design sealed from the environments
and the only surface that comes in contact with the outside world
is the stainless steel surface.
The strainsensitive materials on the back of the sensor are capable of detecting even
microscopic strain in the sensor base, and resolve the applied force into two distinct outputs proportional to the X, Y and Z component of the force vector.
The elastic nature of the steel surface and the absence of a bond or glue line between the strainsensitive materials and stainless steel surface combine with the full bridge architecture
to yield a significantly higher output than that of ceramic or discrete strain gage on metal devices and even the standard high output steel sensors produced by Bokam. The sensor
portion of all DX400 sensors consists of a monolithic stainless steel element with machined mounting ring, sensing circular plate. The force is applied to the sensor of the circular plate
either via a perpendicular post machined into the sensor or through an internal ring. The resulting signal is proportional and linear to the applied force. The System and Signal Conditioning Electronics
The signal conditioning electronics that complete the system provide amplification to the sensor signal and produce a 05V output with a 5V power input. Since the sensor provide a
linear proportional signal with input force the electronics must only magnify the output. The new electronics however provide additional features that offer great flexibility by allowing the
applications engineer to actively modify the sensitivity of the system by dialing in the gain right on the electronics board with infinite resolution. In addition the customer can also readjust the no-load output
of the electronics to offset any initial load on the sensor. These
adjustments mean that the OEM design engineer can dial in the capabilities of the device without having to change the physical sensor used in the system. This is made possible in
part by the increased output sensitivity and signal stability of the sensor itself. System Advantages The DX400 series comes with all of the technological innovations of Bokam's DX300 product line and much more:
- Super ruggedized construction with overload capabilities
- MultiAxis force resolution with full whetstone bridge in each axis of measurement
- Water sealed package for use underwater or in harsh environments
- Adjustable mechanical interface with any post height capability.
- Actively adjustable sensitivity
- Stainless steel body allows operation of the sensor even when submerged in boiling water or exposed to temperature extremes or corrosive chemicals
- Solid monolithic construction no moving or rubbing parts ensure a virtually unlimited life span, at least as long as the steel itself.
- No bond or glue lines between the strainsensitive materials and the steel strainsensitive materials are embedded into the steel, creating an interface that does
not creep or change with time, eliminating the need to ever recalibrate.
- Dropin and use mechanical design easy fourbolt circle for mounting and single tapped hole force input enable the sensor to be inserted into virtually any application with minimal system redesign.
Cost
With competitive systems ranging in from $1,500 to $6,000 in volume, the aggressively priced DX400 systems with costs under $500 and superb performance characteristics (exceeding
that of its higher priced competition) make this device the more costeffective solution for all OEM multiaxis force measurement applications. DX400 SERIES SPEC SUMMARY Parameter Capabilities
Number of Sensing Axes 1, 2, and 3
Maximum Force for Nominal Post Height Depending on Model
Sensor Outside Diameters 1 to 2 inches standard
Nominal Sensor Output in Each Axis 2.5V+/ 0.02V (Adjustable by electronics)
System Repeatability 0.25%
Linearity 0.5%
Minimum System Resolution 0.25%
Temperature Range:
May be submerged Submergibility in up to 4 feet of water
Operational Life X,07 cycles
Part Numbers:
DX-460-XYZ-C00
Mechanical Configuration -- Internal
Number of Axis and Configuration
XYZ – three axis (X,Y,Z)
XYO – two axis (X,Y)
XOZ – two axis (X,Z)
OOZ – one axis (Z)
Customization Index
Electronics Options
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