With the advancement of Industry 4.0 and its focus on automation, the IoT and smart factories, manufacturers and system integrators are under continuous pressure to improve efficiency, optimise production processes and increase productivity.With a standardised interface to any PLC, HBK’s newly released, digital, compact, robust and ready-to-go force sensors are suited to industrial environments and for measuring fast processes.

Although digitisation is high on everyone’s agenda, it not only has challenges but also takes time and investment to implement. It is therefore fitting that the U9C and C9C with IO-Link have identical mechanical dimensions and threads to that of their analogue counterparts, making it easy to upgrade existing set-ups to the new technology when the time is right.

By opting for HBK miniature force sensors with IO-Link, users can expect all the benefits of digital signal processing. The sensors have the capability to detect and identify instances of exceeding technical limits, such as maximum usage forces or peak-to-peak values, and subsequently issue appropriate warnings. In addition, predictive maintenance helps to streamline and optimise machine maintenance schedules, reducing costs and decreasing disruption.

Further cost savings are possible due to ease of installation and the use of standard cables, eliminating the need for the special cables required by analogue sensors. More resistant to EMC interference than their analogue predecessors, HBK says that U9C and C9C with IO-Link provide accurate and consistently reliable data, only delivering the data requested, thereby increasing data efficiency and reducing data processing volumes.

Product manager Thomas Kleckers says: “Built with the high-quality technology and expertise of HBK, these intelligent miniature sensors not only enable successful digital transformation but also herald the start of a new chapter in force measurement technology.”
For further information www.hbm.com/en