INELTA Sensorsysteme has expanded its sensor portfolio with an IO-Link signal conditioner designed to provide digital acquisition and processing of force, pressure and weight measurements from strain gauge sensors.
The device converts sensor signals into digital measured values for transmission via IO-Link, offering a solution for applications where reliable measurement is required under demanding operating conditions. By using standard sensor cables, the digital interface is intended to avoid common issues associated with analogue signal transmission, including electrical interference, signal loss and voltage drops.
The signal conditioner also enables key measurement parameters to be configured directly from the controller. These include gain, filter settings, scaling and threshold values, reducing the need for manual adjustments during commissioning and subsequent system changes.
The ability to store and transfer parameter settings is particularly relevant in automated production environments, where force sensors may need to be adapted to different products, tools or manufacturing processes.
Traditionally, changing sensor configurations can require manual intervention, resulting in machine downtime and introducing the risk of incorrect settings. INELTA’s solution uses IO-Link data storage to ensure that a strain gauge sensor operates with the appropriate stored parameters, without requiring on-site manual adjustment.
This approach can reduce commissioning and changeover effort, minimise configuration errors and improve system availability.
Alongside process values, the IO-Link interface supports the transmission of parameter data, device status information and diagnostic information. This provides controllers with additional insight into sensor operation and supports integration into networked production systems and Industry 4.0 architectures.
By combining digital signal processing with configurable measurement parameters and device diagnostics, the signal conditioner is intended to simplify the integration of strain gauge technology into automated applications.
INELTA also offers flexibility across its existing sensor range: upon request, all of its force sensors can be configured as IO-Link devices when used with the external signal conditioner.
