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This section provides an overview for contact sensors as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 7 contact sensor manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked contact sensor companies as of December, 2024: 1.Soft Robotics Toolkit, 2.Mitutoyo Corporation, 3.Canon Components, Inc..
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Engaged in research on nitride semiconductor growth using the MBE method at Waseda University Graduate School. After graduating from graduate school in 2016, he joined a non-ferrous metal manufacturer.
Engaged in equipment maintenance and engineering work at metal smelting plants. Moved to a chemical manufacturer in 2022. Engaging in similar tasks.
Contact sensors are measuring instruments that measure the distance of the object to be measured by directly contacting a dedicated detector.
Since the distance is measured by bringing the detector into contact with the object to be measured, the advantage of contact sensors is that they are more accurate than non-contact sensors. However, it has the disadvantage of causing a small damage to the object to be measured because it is necessary to place the detector on the object.
Contact sensors are widely used in industrial applications.
The following are some examples of applications of contact sensors:
Contact sensors are typically used for contact displacement sensors. Contact sensors are mainly used to measure the thickness of products and test pieces. In addition to displacement, they may also be used to measure liquid level.
Most non-contact sensors measure distance by projecting a laser or other object and receiving the reflected light. Contact sensors have the advantage of being able to measure large inclined surfaces, which are impossible to measure with reflected light. Taking advantage of this, it is possible to measure the surface profile of a three-dimensional object.
It is also used to measure the displacement of the coarse stage on which the object to be measured is mounted and its movement is controlled, and to measure the runout when the stage is moved in one direction. It can also be used for feedback control from measurement and understanding of errors to adjustment.
Contact sensors, the most common type of contact displacement sensors, generally come with a dedicated probe. The probe has a spindle structure that mechanically extends and retracts up and down. When the probe is not in contact with anything, it is at its maximum extension by spring force.
When the probe comes into contact with the object to be measured, the probe contracts and a constant pressure is applied toward the object by the spring force. The displacement of the probe shaft at that time is detected and converted into length information. Therefore, the range that can be measured is within the range of the probe's expansion and contraction.
The probe is often wound with a coil, and the shaft part. The shaft part, which serves as the iron core, expands and contracts. However, the expansion and contraction of the iron core depends on the position of the shaft, the impedance in the coil changes and the output changes. Since the impedance is fixed according to the position of the shaft, absolute position can be sensed.
Various types of contact sensors are available. The following are examples of contact sensors.
This sensor converts the amount of vertical displacement generated by moving a contactor pressed against the object to be measured into an electrical signal to read the shape of the object to be measured. There is an iron core above the contactor, and the vertical movement of the contactor causes the coil impedance in the vicinity to change, resulting in an electrical signal output.
The structural feature of this sensor is that there is little jump in measurement values. On the other hand, since it uses the magnetic field of the coil, the magnetic field characteristics may not be stable depending on the position of the iron core in the coil.
Scale sensors digitally measure the amount of displacement of contact sensors. There are two types: magnetic type and optical counting type.
Magnetic Type
The magnetic type measures the displacement by detecting the vertical movement of a scale with alternating S and N poles using a magnetic sensing element. On the other hand, the optical counting type measures the displacement by projecting light onto a scale with many slits and counting the light passing through the slits with a light-receiving element.
Optical Counting Type
The optical counting type is a digital measurement method that is free from noise and can measure with high accuracy. However, rapid movement of the contactor may cause the magnetic sensing element or light-receiving element to react incorrectly, in which case the measured value will jump.
Limit switches and microswitches are contact sensors that output the position of an object as a contact signal. A dog called an actuator is attached to the tip, which is driven by contact with an object to open and close the internal contacts. Simple and robust in structure, these parts are widely used in industry.
This sensor has a float attached, and the float moves up and down in accordance with the vertical movement of the liquid level to output the level. Because of its simple structure and low cost, it is used in many situations to control the liquid level in storage tanks. However, since the float must be floated in the tank, it is not suitable for tanks that are agitated.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Honeywell International Inc. was founded in 1885 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Honeywell is a diversified technology and manufacturing company to global customers in many industries such as aerospace, building technologies, performance materials, manufacturing, and safety. Honeywell produces hardware and software solutions for each industry it serves. In building technologies, Honeywell designs access controls, electrical and wiring, fire life safety, and employee training services. In aerospace, Honeywell designs cockpit systems and displays, engines, cabin management and cleaning, and health and usage monitoring.
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.
NETVOX was established in 1996 and is a manufacturer of network equipments based in Tainan City, Taiwan. The company manufactures various products such as HVAC monitoring, energy consumption monitor, leak sensor, and battery life evaluator. Custom IoT Solution requests according to customers' specifications are also accepted by the company. The company has partnered with various companies for providing solutions including Daliworks, myDevices, Switzercloud, Amazon Sidewalk, and Senet. The products have been used by companies such as SingGo Tech, SRS Productions, Axon Tracking, Guardian Manager, and Macnica.
Sugawara Laboratories Inc. established in August 1954 and based in Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial measuring equipment. The company has a rich history of revolution and expertise in the field. They offer a wide range of products, including stroboscopes with xenon flashlamps and torque dynamometers for creating quiet, ripple-free motors. Sugawara's products are used in various industries, contributing to energy conservation, convenience, and comfort in daily life. With an aim of providing reliability and load control systems tailored to each motor's characteristics, Sugawara has an eco-conscious society.
Canon Components, Inc., established in 1984 and headquartered in Saitama, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in optical, imaging, and industrial products. The company’s product portfolio includes printed wiring boards, contact image sensors (CIS), medical equipment, and ink cartridges and ink tanks. These products are utilized by various sectors, including consumer electronics, industrial automation, printing and imaging, scientific research, and healthcare and medical. The company is expanding its network both locally and internationally, with production bases in Vietnam and Thailand.
Mitutoyo was founded in 1934 and headquartered in Kawasaki City, Japan. The company is a manufacturer and seller of precision measuring instruments including software, optics, machinery, and electronics. The company is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited for calibration services for measuring instruments. The company’s product lines include Micrometers, Calipers, Calibration Equipment, Vision Measuring Systems, and many others. The company’s coordinate measuring machines and roundness/cylindricity measuring machines are sol in over 60 countries worldwide.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soft Robotics Toolkit |
17.4%
|
| 2 | Mitutoyo Corporation |
15.8%
|
| 3 | Canon Components, Inc. |
15.8%
|
| 4 | NETVOX |
15.6%
|
| 5 | Honeywell International Inc |
14.2%
|
| 6 | Ono Sokki |
10.8%
|
| 7 | Sugawara Laboratories Inc. |
10.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the contact sensor page as of December 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
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
4 | 66.7% |
|
United States of America
|
1 | 16.7% |
|
Taiwan
|
1 | 16.7% |
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