Linear Motion Sensor

Linear motion, or movement along a straight path, represents elementary movement used in almost every technically oriented sector - automotive, robotics, or industrial automation.

Different types of sensors on the market use various physical principles, e.g., electrical sensors that convert position change into recorded electrical signals. However, almost every available linear sensor has one disadvantage - electrical wiring.

~greenLead~RVmagnetics has developed a unique solution for linear motion monitoring - glass-coated MicroWire. MicroWire represents a sensor of micro-dimensions that can measure linear motion with a sensitivity of a few microns. Micro-dimensions do not support only sensitivity to motion, but also the incorporation of the sensor inside of the material, creating the possibility for any part/object to function as the sensor itself!

While the data is collected up to a few centimeters by a sensing head, the data can be sent via Bluetooth, wifi, cloud, or through a cable to a data evaluation device. This feature enables the user to process the data from anywhere.

The utilization of the MicroWire linear motion sensor is vast, for example, robotics for precise movement tracking, manufacturing for automated assembly, healthcare for precise instrument monitoring, and more. MicroWires have many admirable perks, but for linear motion, the best are high precision and accuracy, 24/7 real-time data monitoring, and resistance to any chemical environment thanks to the glass coating.

Precision Anywhere

Non-invasive motion sensing with Seamless Integration & Real-Time Monitoring

Application Parameters
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Passive sensing based on magnetic principles - contactless data acquisition.
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Continuous data monitoring.
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Sensitivity to micro-movements.

Scientific background

Linear position sensor using magnetically bistable microwire
P. Jacko, R. Jurč, L. Galdun, Ľ. Hvizdoš, D. Kováč, R. Varga

A linear position sensor based on the unique functionality of the magnetically bistable glass-coated microwire is presented. Despite the magnetic nature of the sensor, it is possible to separate the external magnetic field’s contribution, thus providing independence from parasitic external magnetic fields. With the presented unique approach, it is possible to transfer the linear position of the piston into the switching time and obtain high sensitivity down to 1 µm.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2022.114017

Measurement Principle

As the MicroWire moves through the magnetic field, its magnetic properties change, and these changes are detected wirelessly by the sensing system. Attaching the MicroWire to any object turns it into a sensor capable of measuring its linear motion.

~blueLead~Conclusion:

Magnetically bistable MicroWire is currently one of the most precise linear motion sensors, while all measurements are passive - without any electrical wiring to the sensor itself. Thanks to the magnetic nature, any non-magnetic objects in the vicinity are invisible, therefore the sensor can be incorporated directly into the monitored objects.

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