Whether in industrial environments or for harsh outdoor use, quality components are often the keys to reliable equipment. Components, such as encoders, must meet many different requirements and ensure maximum resistance — while being efficient and economic.
Baumer’s new MAGRES series of encoders offer high angular accuracy (up to ±0.15°), which can provide precise and efficient pitch control for wind-turbine blades. Check out this video to learn more.
The robust MAGRES series magnetic absolute encoders by Baumer are proven under the harshest conditions, globally. The new encoder generations EAM580 and EAM360 open up versatile application opportunities by combining proven durability with cutting-edge communication technology.
Now with EN 13849 compliant firmware, it is possible to integrate the encoders into safety functions up to PLd.
Efficient process control at a high level of flexibility
With a high-angular accuracy of ±0.15°, EAM580 and EAM360 absolute encoders ensure efficient process control and simplify application design. These magnetic encoders demonstrate their robustness in applications which, up until now, required optical sensing.
Thanks to their innovative design and compensation procedure, their magnetic sensing precision excels by measuring stability and accuracy over temperature, speed, and change in direction of rotation.
The broad product family with several mechanical designs (including many mounting and interface options — both in 58 and 36 mm design), offers an outstanding selection with maximum flexibility to choose the optimum encoder for the user application.
For example, the compact 36mm design integrates the same large ball bearings as the 58mm variant, and is equally strong. Another highlight is the bearing-less encoder kit, where the magnet rotor is installed separately as an individual component. Without bearings, encoder operation is virtually impervious to wear. Additionally, the multi-turn variants feature a wide 2mm air gap for simplified installation.
Another design focus was on cutting-edge communication technology. Among others, the Profinet variants support the Media Redundancy Protocol (MRP) and the Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) for neighborhood detection. This way, they increase machine and system uptime and reduce downtime for maintenance.
EN 13849 compliant firmware
The MAGRES EAM encoder firmware was developed based on the EN 13849 standard. Therefore, the encoders can be integrated as standard components in embedded software systems certified up to PLd. EAM580 with CANopen interface is also available with redundant sensing. Position is transmitted via two Node IDs which can be checked for plausibility in the control.
Performance under extreme conditions
Particularly in rough outdoor use, for example on utility vehicles or mobile cranes, encoders have to endure harmful impacts from all sides. Special stress is imposed via severe shocks and vibration, as well as permanent exposure to dust, dirt, water, and frost.
Baumer relied on its long experience with harsh environments while designing the new series for further product evolution. The magnetic encoders ensure maximum resistance to shocks up to 500 g and vibration to 30 g. In addition, a steel housing ensures high immunity against external magnetic fields.
Furthermore, the large and widely spaced ball bearings endure radial and axial shaft loads up to 80 N and 40 N, respectively. The resilient ShaftLock design prevents axial-shaft penetration for maximum reliability and resistance even when improperly installed.
An integral part of the new generation is the R-series EAM580R and EAM360R with absolute reliability in permanent operation under extreme conditions, particularly in the mobile automation industry.
To meet the high demands on electromagnetic compatibility prevailing in this industry, the electronics are designed and tested for compliance to ECE R10 requirements. The encoders come with C5-M corrosion resistance and IP67 protection in their standard variants. The 0.5 mm2 wire core cross-section enables efficient connectivity by directly attaching the automotive connector.
Applications in wind-power plants have similar high requirements. Particularly for offshore wind turbines reliability is the decisive criterion since any downtime entails high costs. The robust encoder design ensures extreme durability even in harsh climate under adverse conditions. When used for redundant sensing, for example in rotor blade angle alignment, precision plays an important role since measuring differences in two-channel sensing may impair system uptime.
Here, the MAGRES series with high angular accuracy of up to ±0.15° is a precise solution for efficient pitch control.
IoT ready
Sensor information takes center stage in Industry 4.0 and IoT. Sensor manufacturers face the challenge of having to make the large sensor and interface variety “IoT ready”. EAM580 absolute encoders support the OPC UA communication standard via Profinet, which ensures reliable and non-reactive data exchange among different systems. This open and platform- independent architecture enables easy adaptation to future requirements.
The new encoder generation MAGRES EAM is based on the proven design and the logic further product evolution to ensure even longer lifetime in particularly demanding environments. The broad portfolio is a wide selection going together with outstanding price-performance ratio.
Filed Under: Encoders, News
