Sensor technology sets a new benchmark performance standard for optical rotary torque sensors

     Sensor technology sets a new benchmark performance standard for optical rotary torque sensors. The Digital ORT 230/240 series is ideal for applications requiring low torque and/or high bandwidth. It provides accurate, dynamic measurement of rotational and static torques from 10mNm to 100Nm and bandwidths up to 50kHz.

     Thanks to electronics, this family of devices offers significant improvements in resolution and frequency response, reduced sensor current consumption, and faster digital data throughput. The high-speed capability comes from inherently low inertia because the electronics are not fixed to the shaft. Contactless operation guarantees a long and reliable service life (company lifetime warranty) with high accuracy. The optical operating principle also guarantees excellent noise resistance.

     The TorqSense ORT 230 series sensors provide fixed voltage or current analog outputs - one for torque and one for speed or power. The TorqSense ORT 240 offers two user-selectable analog outputs for voltage or current - one for torque and the other for speed, power or peak torque - plus digital outputs, including RS232, CANbus and USB, for interconnecting with modern instruments and laptops. ORT 240 allows users to connect up to ten transducers via USB, and transducer configuration software allows users to make changes to transducer variables.

     These devices have self-diagnostic capabilities and report if the sensor's torque, rated speed, or calibration date has been exceeded. Built-in sensors monitor shaft temperature for better compensation and accuracy. The device also provides a simple "sensor status" output.

     Complementing these offerings is the company's TorqView software, which provides Windows PCS with an easy-to-use, advanced torque monitoring package to assist with data display and recording. It provides real-time charting and is compatible with Matlab and Excel. In addition, users can use LabVIEW VIs to design their own process control applications, and can use DLLS to write their own custom software.