A new radar sensor helps mining industry operators avoid collision
A new radar sensor helps mining industry operators avoid collision.
Surface and underground mining both involve a lot of heavy vehicles that can pose a threat to personnel in the event of a collision. Such a collision can also lead to costly repairs and downtime. With so many moving parts, and in many cases adverse environments, personnel need help to ensure risk is minimised and one useful sensor can help with this.
Sensory manufacturer OndoSense is currently expanding its sensor portfolio and recently released a compact radar sensor for collision avoidance, vehicle detection and object positioning. With its wide detection range, the OndoSense reach WA (Wide Angle) helps detect obstacles such as vehicles, people or objects. It can also help position machines and robots – the latter are used increasingly often in mining.
The sensor detects static and moving objects
The sensor detects static and moving objects even at close range from 0.1 metres and can be easily integrated even in confined spaces, thanks to its very small design. With up to four adjustable sensor zones, the OndoSense reach WA offers flexible monitoring of security areas or collision avoidance of mobile robots or other vehicles. Thanks to innovative radar technology, the radar sensor always reliably detects objects of any nature, even outdoors or in difficult environments with dirt, smoke, steam, rain or poor lighting conditions. And as a result of its high measuring rate of 200Hz, it reliably detects even fast moving obstacles.
The product also has an opening angle of 15 degrees and a measuring precision of ±1mm, making it suitable for precise positioning of machines or robot arms where the target object is tilted – that is, not optimally aligned with the radar sensor.
The radar sensor comes equipped with a RS485 communication protocol, three digital switching outputs (PNP/NPN) and an analog current interface (4-20mA). An IO-Link version will be available from 2025. The sensor can operate interfaces such as Profinet or CAN via a gateway.
“Our sensor offers the smallest blind zone on the market for anti-collision radars making the OndoSense reach WA ideal for applications in which objects in close range must be reliably detected. This includes, for example, the detection or positioning of cars in the car wash, the prevention of collisions between aircraft and ground support equipment at the airport or the positioning of drilling machines or washing robots on walls or in tunnels. Our radar system thus enables safe operation without costly unplanned downtimes,” explains Rainer Waltersbacher, Co-CEO of OndoSense.
The OndoSense reach WA is suitable for collision avoidance, vehicle detection, object positioning and limit level control in mining, but is also used in transport and logistics, shipping, mechanical and plant engineering, and agriculture.
