Even more compact: New draw-wire sensors for mobile machines

Draw-wire encoders from the NEO series

At Bauma 2022 in Munich, sensor specialist SIKO from Buchenbach presented the future of its draw-wire encoders for mobile machines: The NEO series represents the next generation of reliable, compact and, above all, safe draw-wire sensors for hard use in mobile machines, such as construction machinery, industrial trucks or crane and lifting technology.

At Bauma, SIKO gave an outlook on the new generation of draw-wire encoders, which will be available as a Neo series in 2023. “With the new Neo series, we are expanding our proven draw-wire encoders on the market with smart, wear-free and particularly compact electronics. We are giving our customers new leeway for even more compact applications and, thanks to the extended safety functionality, will continue to ensure safety in the future,” explained Mathias Roth, Head of the Mobile Automation Business Unit at SIKO.

New options for proven sensors

The term NEO stands for “New Electronic Options”, which are based on the latest variant of the sensor platform PURE.MOBILE developed by SIKO. This platform continues to focus on the diverse functional, performance and safety requirements of commercial vehicles. The new sensor technology is based on contactless magnetic measurement technology and is therefore 100 percent wear-free. Furthermore, the mechatronic multi-turn system used does not require a battery or energy-generating systems and is therefore not only safe, but also maintenance-free for years – even at the lowest temperatures.

Compact and safe draw-wire encoders with fieldbus interfaces

The new electronics are characterized above all by the intelligent housing design. The draw-wire encoders of the Neo series are the most compact sensor variants, with an integrated fieldbus interface. In addition to a CANopen interface and the SAE J1939 interface, variants with redundant interfaces or CANopen Safety will also be available for use up to Performance Level d (PLd) for safety-critical applications.

Robust and suitable for commercial vehicles up to 15 m measuring length

Use in the commercial vehicle industry requires a special robustness of sensors. Protection ratings of IP67 and optionally IP6K9K, high shock and vibration resistance as well as the E1 approval according to UN ECE R10 by the Federal Motor Transport Authority are some important advantages of the draw-wire encoders in this regard. In order to facilitate easy integration and assembly, variants with a DEUTSCH or AMP Superseal plug are available in addition to M12 plugs or a cable outlet. The Neo series will be available for market launch as 3m, 6m, 12m and 15m variants. With the new sensor technology, the proven draw-wire encoders from SIKO are even more powerful, flexible and compact.