12 Contact-Type Displacement Sensor Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for contact-type displacement sensors as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 12 contact-type displacement sensor manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked contact-type displacement sensor companies as of April, 2024: 1.Ribex, 2.Industrial Manufacturing Services, LLC., 3.Panasonic Corporation of North America.
Table of Contents
What Is a Contact-Type Displacement Sensor?
A contact-type displacement sensor is a sensor that measures the distance between the tip of a sensor and an object.
It can measure the distance within the range of physical sliding. A similar example is a dial gauge that is often seen in lathe shops. This is a measuring instrument that is shaped like a rotating meter with a pointer, whereby the dial gauge visually reads the meter's needle.
In contrast, contact-type displacement sensors can be captured as electrical information and are components that can be used in measuring instruments and FA control sensors. Other sensors with similar properties include measuring elements that can measure length using lasers or ultrasonic waves. The major difference between length measurement sensors and contact-type displacement sensors is that the value obtained by the former is an absolute value, while the result obtained by the later is a relative distance.
Uses of Contact-Type Displacement Sensors
Contact-type displacement sensors are used to incorporate information as a factor in determining surface distortion, roughness, and processing quality. They are suitable for applications where the presence or absence or shape of a non-measured object is to be measured with high precision on the order of micrometers.
1. Application for Detecting Presence/Absence
When the object to be measured comes into contact with contact-type displacement sensors, the distance between the contact points changes from the distance in the released state. Therefore, by capturing this change, it is possible to determine whether or not the object is in a predetermined position.
2. Application for Detecting the Amount of Change
For example, when measuring the roughness of a surface that has been flattened by cutting, the object comes into contact with the contact-type displacement sensors, while the distance between the contact points changes from the distance in the released state to a constant value, which is replaced by a zero point. If the surface is uneven or distorted, the contact portion of the contact-type displacement sensor will oscillate, and the value of the oscillation will be captured as the amount of change and measured as the surface roughness.
As described above, the sensor can measure the amount of change from an arbitrary reference point to the surface roughness with high accuracy in the μm range.
3. Application as Differential Detection
For example, there are cases where an object has a relatively non-uniform thickness and a long shape, and where scratches, steps, etc. are to be detected. In such a case, the thickness of the object is measured while moving it in the longitudinal direction, but if the thickness of the object is non-uniform, it is not possible to use a method where a threshold value is set by the length measurement to discriminate.
Therefore, a method to measure steps by differential detection is adopted. Contact-type displacement sensors are suited for this type of processing because the values are obtained as relative values.
Principle of Contact-Type Displacement Sensors
1. LVDT Method
In the LVDT method, an actuating transformer is built into the sensor, and physical changes in the contact area of the contact-type displacement sensors are linked to the core of the actuating transformer, causing the inductance of the transformer to fluctuate. The change in the contact area is extracted as an electrical signal.
2. Scale Method
The scale method is also known as the pulse counting method. Scale systems can be further classified into two types, namely: magnetic pulse counting systems that use magnetism and optical pulse counting systems Make use of light.
The advantage of the magnetic pulse counting method is that it does not depend on the environment, such as dust or dirt, at the work site. Also, it is possible to work without worrying about the temperature of the work site.
Other Information on Contact-Type Displacement Sensors
Advantages and Disadvantages of Contact-Type Displacement Sensors
1. LVDT Method
- Advantage: Measured values do not fluctuate.
- Disadvantage: Magnetic field may not be stable depending on the position of the iron core in the coil.
2. Scale Method
- Advantage: Not easily affected by the work site or environment.
- Disadvantage: If the contactor moves suddenly, it may not respond correctly. (Measured values may fluctuate.)
List of 12 Contact-Type Displacement Sensor Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- India
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Taiwan
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Bourns, Inc
Contacting Linear Motion
Manufacturer Overview
Bourns, Inc. is a family-owned company founded in 1947 and currently headquartered in Riverside, California. Bourns is a developer, manufacturer, and supplier of electronic components for several industries including automotive, industrial, instrumentation, medical, consumer, and portable electronics. Bourns operates in 4 market segments: automotive, circuit protection, power conversion, and sensing. The automotive segment produces sensors for almost every use in vehicles including steering, stability, fuel management, and temperature control. Power conversion segment products are used in renewable energy and automotive power. Sensing products are also used in heavy equipment, medical equipment, and welding equipment.
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MicroStrain, a LORD Company
displacement sensors
Manufacturer Overview
MicroStrain is based in Williston, Vermont, and is an American manufacturer of inertial and wireless sensors originally established in 1987 before being acquired by HBK in 2019. The company produces various industrial and tactical-grade sensors, wireless sensor network devices, and data analysis software. Its products include battery powered wireless 3-axis accelerometers with a rugged and weather-proofed shell, cloud-based platforms for sensor data management or analysis, and software for wireless sensor network control purposes. The company's products are mainly used by clients in the aerospace, automation, and construction industries.
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Optex Fee
Displacement Sensors
Manufacturer Overview
Optex Fee Co., Ltd., was established in 2002 and based in Kyoto, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of factory automation sensors and solutions. The company offers an extensive and diversified product portfolio including photoelectric sensors, fiber-optic sensors, displacement sensors, non-contact thermometers, vision sensors, and other industrial automation products. These sensors and solutions play a pivotal role in enhancing manufacturing processes across a spectrum of industries, including automotive, electronics, and packaging.
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Taiwan Nakazawa CO., LTD
Digital Plug Gauge Contact Displacement Sensor
Manufacturer Overview
Taiwan Nakazawa Co. Ltd., founded in 1988 and headquartered in Zhonghe, Taiwan, is a manufacturer and supplier of measuring equipment. The company produces metallographic pretreatment equipment, metallographic cutting machines, metallographic embedding machines, metallographic grinding and polishing machines, and other high-precision equipment. These products find wide applications in fulfilling the testing needs of various metallographic materials, assisting industries in ensuring the certainty of metallographic inspection results, improving processing quality, and enhancing efficiency.
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Ono Sokki
Digital Linear Gauge
Manufacturer Overview
Ono Sokki Co. Ltd., founded in 1954 and based in Yokohama, Japan, is a manufacturer, distributor, and supplier of electronic measuring instruments and control systems. Its products include sound level meters, vibration meters, and FFT analyzers, utilized in research and development, quality control, and by production line engineers, particularly in the automotive industry. The company was the first to be designated by the government as a producer of sound level meters in Japan and also obtained ISO 14001 certification in 1997.
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CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO.,LTD.
Digital gauge
Manufacturer Overview
CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO., LTD. is a Japanese manufacturer headquartered in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi. It was established in 1959 through the merger of three Japanese companies: Citizen Miyota Co., Ltd., Citizen Finetech Co., Ltd., and Citizen Seimitsu Co., Ltd. The company specializes in precise metal parts for automobiles and other products, including quartz oscillators and ceramic components. Production processes are supported by various technologies, such as precise metal part machining, thin-film technology, and sealing technology, catering to different applications. Since 2019, CITIZEN FINEDEVICE, along with its holding company CITIZEN Group, has actively implemented Responsible Minerals Procurement Policy and Environmental Policy.
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Trans-Tek, Inc.
DC-DC LVDT
Manufacturer Overview
Trans-Tek, Inc., established in 1967, based in Ellington, Connecticut, is a manufacturer of linear and angular displacement and linear velocity transducers. The company’s main products are Linear Sensors, based on LVDT (Linear Variable Differential Transformer) technology. Services provided include finding the right position or velocity sensor to meet a customer’s demanding requirements, technical representatives to assist in problem solving, and various delivering needs. The company’s aim is to provide transducer products that measure to any tough sensing applications and delivery requirements.
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Industrial Manufacturing Services, LLC.
CONTACT-TYPE DISPLACEMENT SENSOR
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Panasonic Corporation of North America
CONTACT-TYPE DIGITAL DISPLACEMENT SENSOR HG-S
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Contact-Type Displacement Sensor Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ribex |
14.3%
|
| 2 | Industrial Manufacturing Services, LLC. |
12.2%
|
| 3 | Panasonic Corporation of North America |
10.2%
|
| 4 | MicroStrain, a LORD Company |
10.2%
|
| 5 | Optex Fee |
10.2%
|
| 6 | Taiwan Nakazawa CO., LTD |
8.2%
|
| 7 | Structural Solutions India Pvt. Ltd |
8.2%
|
| 8 | Bourns, Inc |
8.2%
|
| 9 | LETROMEC INDUSTRIES SDN BHD. |
6.1%
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| 10 | Trans-Tek, Inc. |
6.1%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the contact-type displacement sensor page as of April 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- Ono Sokki: 613
- Optex Fee: 254
Newly Established Company
- Optex Fee: 2002 (22 years ago)
- Taiwan Nakazawa CO., LTD: 1988 (36 years ago)
- CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO.,LTD.: 1959 (65 years ago)
Company with a History
- Ono Sokki: 1954 (70 years ago)
- CITIZEN FINEDEVICE CO.,LTD.: 1959 (65 years ago)
- Taiwan Nakazawa CO., LTD: 1988 (36 years ago)
Contact-Type Displacement Sensor Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Contact-Type Displacement Sensor Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
Japan
|
3 | 37.5% |
United States of America
|
2 | 25.0% |
Taiwan
|
1 | 12.5% |
India
|
1 | 12.5% |
Malaysia
|
1 | 12.5% |
