Readout systems for linear transducers

There is much time lost in the manufacturing industries in setting up complex cutter forms on production machinery. This has a detrimental effect on machine utilisation and hence on profitability. Certain areas have been identified that could derive direct benefit from a suitable calibration or ´referencing´ device to provide data to ease machine set-ups and reduce down time. Having chosen Spherosyn transducers for ruggedness and reliability in harsh environments, a mechatronic approach has been taken to achieve an integrated design. The paper details the design and development of suitable drive and interface electronics utilising a microcontroller. The design has been thoroughly tested and the techniques have been transferred into industrial usage. The treatment of the theory and the practical embodiment is suited for use in case-study exercises for undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students.