Overview
SpaceAge Control's compact SpaceSensor 3D displacement sensor uses a retractable displacement cable to measure 3-dimensional coordinates, distances, and angles over a 13-foot (3.96 m) radius (longer radii are optionally available). With the Space Sensor 3D displacement sensor, expensive, cumbersome, or immobile fixtures and mounts are a thing of the past.
Designed for OEM applications in quantities of 10 ore more, raw sensing is performed using a patented 2-axis gimbal head with three high-resolution encoders as inputs into a powerful microcontroller-based signal conditioner. Repeatability is better than 0.05% of the operating radius.
Benefits
- ease of use: less than 10 minutes of self-training required
- simplicity of setup: place it, power it, and measure
- affordable price
- multiple ranges: 1 foot to 50 feet (2.54 m to 15.24 m) or more
Applications
- 6DOF actuation platform sensors (Stewart platforms and similar)
- aircraft refueling
- aircraft repair documentation
- aircraft skin waviness measurement
- animation data acquisition
- box / package / crate dimensional measuring
- corrosion initiation and growth monitoring
- earthquake measurement
- electric train / bus sensor for "contact arms"
- flight simulator sensors
- helicopter hover sensing
- house inspection: final checkout and post-event (earthquake, hurricane, etc.)
- human body measurement: medical studies, chiropractic, human performance
- macro-accuracy CMM (coordinate measurement machine)
- ship and aircraft (flightway) docking monitoring
- space vehicle docking
- space vehicle tethering and manipulation feedback
- sports performance data acquisition
- vehicle accident investigation/documentation
- wheel monitoring
- wing morphing (flight controls)
Industries
- Aerospace: simulation, repair, maintenance, and retrofit
- Automotive: models, prototypes
- Casting and Moldmaking: pre-cast molding, composite tooling
- Consumer Goods
- Forensics & Accident Research
- Furniture
- Heavy Equipment
- Medical Systems
- Metal Fabrication
- Tool and Die: master molds, tool setup
Application Types
- feedback to control > Space Sensor
- feedback for data acquisition > Space Digitizer
- handheld using wireless primarily for data acquisition > Space CMM Lite
History of SpaceAge Control's Integrated 3D Displacement Sensing
- helicopter hovering: Bell Helicopter and NASA
- 3D cable-motion-tracking (SpaceAge Control RoundAbout (patented))
- 2D sensing using cable-based position transducer and linear encoder
- gantry-type 3D sensing using 3X 1D displacement sensors
SpaceAge Control 3D cable-actuated helicopter hover sensor circa 1987.
Details
3D displacement sensor data sheet
Specifications - Mechanical
- Mass: 5 pounds (2.27 kg) maximum
Specifications - Electrical
- 100 to 240 VAC or battery
- Multiple user interface options are available:
- Position data communicated directly to a PC via RS232, USB, or wireless Bluetooth connection.
- CANbus digital communications available standard.
- Optional LCD display and push-button control panel (integral with sensor) for control and feedback without the PC link.
- SpaceTrack software provides numeric and graphical feedback with data collection utilities.
- For OEM customers, the sensor can be provided with only raw encoder data output for lowest cost.
Specifications - Environmental
| Storage Temperature | -40 to +257 ° F (-40 to +125 ° C) |
| Operating Temperature | 32 to 176 ° F (0 to +80 ° C) |
| Shock | 20 g for 6 ms |
| Vibration | 5 to 500 Hz, 10 g peak amplitude |
| Maximum Displacement Cable Acceleration (all axes) | ± 5 g |
Configurations
| Part Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 4545-01 | sensor with encoders (OEM only (10 unit minimum order quantity) |
| 4545-02 | 4345-01 with microcontroller, software, and RS-232/USB |
| 4545-03 | 4345-02 with Bluetooth module |
| 4545-04 | 4345-02 with LCD display and push-button panel |
| 4545-05 | 4345-03 with LCD display and push-button panel |
| 4545-06 | 4345-02 with Sony PDA and software API |
Accessories
- Standard
- user manual
- RS-232 to USB adapter
- shipping / storage case
- Optional
- vehicle power adapter
- cradle with handle
- mobile tripod
- wrist lanyard
- storage and transportation container
- halo to keep out of "no man's land" (avoid gimbal lock)
- magnetic mounting base
- probe tip kit
- LED worklight