• World's 1st 3D laptop display
• Tech Tip: Applying position sensors
in hydraulic and pneumatic applications
• Application: Mammography machine
• and more. |
To view newsletter in your browser click here.
|
|
| | | |
World’s First 3D Laptop Display
Many years ago a leading optometrist in Boston had described to me how the eyes could be tricked into seeing a 3D image from a display that would appear real—without VR glasses. No one had figured out how to create technology to accomplish this autostereoscopic effect at that time. Fast forward to 2023 and computer manufacturer ASUS has done it.
Imagine being able to see 3D CAD drawings come out of your computer’s display, then control their orientation to see any view in the space between your computer screen and eyes. ASUS has brought the technology to the cusp of doing that with their ProArt Studiobook 3D OLED.
Here’s how it works. The computer displays two versions of the same image on the OLED screen simultaneously as well as combining a lenticular effect lens film, along with other layers, on the display with two cameras to track the eyes of the person in from of the laptop. By combining these technologies, ASUS’ laptop tricks the eyes into seeing parts of an image as appearing in different spatial planes.
ASUS has stated it works with platforms and applications that include Blender, SteamVR, Unreal Engine, OpenXR, Vulkan, Unity and several others. They also state it supports the following 3D file formats: obj, fbx, 3ds, gltf, glb, stl, stp, mp4, avi and sbs.
ASUS does not seem to have this on the market yet, so check your favorite computer retailer later for this information. |
| | | |
Applying Position Sensors in Hydraulic & Pneumatic Applications
Hydraulic and pneumatic applications have some unique requirements for position and other sensors. These include exposure to higher than atmospheric pressure, operation of the sensor at expected elevated levels of shock and vibration, temperature as well as sealing and compatibility with the oil media used in hydraulic applications.
How quickly a sensor monitoring position can respond to changes and immunity to EMI are also important considerations. Let’s take these one at a time.
Pressure
According to All Phase Hydraulics and Machine company, “The accepted international standard for maximum working pressure in the high-pressure hydraulic tools industry is 700 bar (10,000 psi}”. The operating pressure for a cylinder should be substantially less than this value, but sensors need to be able to withstand up to this pressure as specified with a burst pressure.
Shock and Vibration
Equipment from industrial machines with hydraulic or pneumatic motion components to construction vehicles are inherently subject to higher levels of shock and vibration. Sensors used in the moving parts need to be able to operate within their specifications while exposed to these forces. How much does a position sensor have to withstand? It obviously depends on the application. There are resources to understand how to determine the levels and one of the companies that manufactures meters to measure these values published a guide book for that purpose and is source number 6 below. An equipment vibration standard is referenced in 7. Test equipment is available, to subject components to shock, bump and vibration and avoid unpleasant surprises later.
Temperature
Recalling the chemistry formula PV = mRT, when you have a closed system operating at elevated pressures, temperature will increase proportionally. According to one source (no. 8), “Regarding the maximum temperature of hydraulic oil, generally the oil temperature in a hydraulic system construction machine is controlled at a temperature of 30 to 60 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, to the maximum, the hydraulic oil temperature should not exceed 60 to 70 degrees Celsius.” A standard should be referenced, to get the most appropriate values.
Component Sealing
Sealing of a sensor enclosed in a hydraulic cylinder should be of a level that prevents ingress of hydraulic oil or contaminants as well as sealing and housing materials that will withstand the environment without significant degradation over time.
Speed and Acceleration
A rule of thumb is that a position sensor need to be able to have a velocity spec that is faster than the application’s maximum value. If a digital sensor is used, it needs to be able to convert a new value at least two times as fast as the updated value is needed at the sensor output. If the application’s moving parts have a high rate of acceleration, the position sensor’s acceleration spec should be checked to ensure it can respond to sudden movement changes quickly enough.
EMI Immunity
For applications with large motors or environments where high EMI emitting equipment is present, sensing components need to be free of errors induced from electromagnetic interference (EMI). Two position sensor technologies that are inherently immune to EMI are mechanical track and wiper position sensors and advanced inductive position sensors.
Learn more about Novotechnik’s hydraulic and pneumatic linear sensors. |
| | | |
Mammography Machine Control
| | | | |
|
|
When taking diagnostic 3D mammography images, it is necessary to gradually compress the patient’s breast for better diagnostic results. The manufacturer chose a PTP Series of open linear position sensors to accurately monitor the position of the breast compression plate with accuracy better than 0.2%.
With PTP sensor resolution and repeatability of 0.01 mm, it enabled the manufacturer to maximize patient comfort with smooth movement of the plate and mechanical customization. Learn more about PTP Series sensors. |
| | | | |
| |
| Please email suggestions for technical subjects you would like to suggest for this newsletter to this link: Newsletter Editor |
| | | | |
| |
|
