The 165 mm wide sensor uses advanced signal processing to accurately measure your lateral distance to the center of the track from a height of up to 60 mm. With a position resolution of 1 mm, the MGS1600C provides the highest accuracy on the market.
The sensor is primarily used to drive automated guided vehicles (AGVs) that transport materials around the factory floor. However, its unique precision and sensitivity open up a world of new application opportunities, such as automatic shelf replenishment in supermarkets, patient transport in hospitals, stage supports in theaters, or trackless trams.
Compared to other orientation techniques, magnetic guides are completely passive and therefore easy to install and modify. The tape creates an invisible field that is immune to dirt and unaffected by lighting conditions. The magnetic track can be completely concealed under any non-ferrous floor material, such as linoleum, tiles, or carpet.
The MGS1600C is housed in a robust, IP64-rated, splash-proof plastic enclosure. The unit comes with a 2-meter-long, 16-wire cable that is sealed within the sensor. For setup and troubleshooting, it has a USB connector accessible by removing a screw cap on the top of the enclosure. The sensor can be powered by any 5V to 30V source or via USB.
The MGS1600C has an exceptional list of connectivity options: tape position information can be output in numeric format on the sensor's RS232, USB, CAN-Bus, analog or PWM ports.
The sensor can be connected directly to any Roboteq motor controller to create an effective automated guided vehicle solution with just two components. The sensor can also be connected to any PLC using an analog, PWM, RS232, or CANbus interface. Using USB, the sensor can be easily connected to any PC-compatible computer.
The sensor will detect and manage up to two-way forks and can be configured to follow the left or right track using commands sent through its digital inputs, serial ports, USB, or CANbus.
In addition to detecting a magnetic guide track to follow, the sensor will detect and report the presence of magnetic markers that can be placed on the left or right side of the track. The markers are made of the same magnetic tape but with opposite polarity. The markers can be used to indicate forks ahead or the presence of a charging station.
The sensor is equipped with several LEDs for easy monitoring and diagnostics. The sensor incorporates a high-performance, BASIC-like scripting language that allows users to add fully customized functionality to the sensor.
The sensor comes with a powerful PC utility to configure your options, and update its firmware in the field with new features as they become available.
To assist with system setup and troubleshooting, the utility also includes a strip recorder and a display window to show the magnetic field in real time, as seen by the sensor.
The MGS1600C is now available worldwide for $445 in individual quantities.
