A magnetostrictive linear position sensor measures the absolute position of a moving position magnet along a measuring rod or profile without mechanical contact. Because nothing touches or wears, the sensor keeps its accuracy over millions of cycles in oil, dust and vibration. It is used on hydraulic cylinders, presses, injection moulding machines, sawmills and packaging machines. SCN supplies magnetostrictive linear position sensors from Opkon.<\/p>\n
The range covers stroke lengths from 50 to 5,000 mm, profile and rod housings in aluminium or stainless steel, IP65 or IP67 protection and a 24 VDC supply. The analogue series MSW, MST, MSS, MSR and MSP give 4\u201320 mA or 0\u201310 V, while the DMSW, DMST and DMSS series output SSI, CANopen, CANbus, Modbus, Profibus, Profinet or EtherCAT. Versions for vehicles and mobile hydraulics are under linear position sensors for mobile applications<\/a>. For long travel with a magnetic tape, see incremental linear position sensors<\/a>; all sensor types are under Sensors<\/a>.<\/p>\n How to choose:<\/strong> start with the stroke length and whether the sensor sits inside a hydraulic cylinder (rod) or outside on the machine (profile). Then choose the output your controller reads, the accuracy you need and the connection: M8, M12 or cable.<\/p>\n The electronics send a current pulse along a magnetostrictive waveguide. Where the pulse meets the field of the position magnet, a torsional strain wave is created that travels back to the sensor head at a known speed. The time of flight gives the absolute position, so no reference run is needed after power-up and nothing in the measurement wears.<\/p><\/details>\nFrequently asked questions<\/h3>\n
How does a magnetostrictive linear position sensor work?<\/summary>