A position transducer is used to convert mechanical motion into electrical energy. This energy is generated in the form of an electrical pulse that can provide information on the position of the object. For example, position transducers are used to continuously monitor location, as well as a number of other measurement applications.

Applications for Position Transducers

Position transducers are widely used to sense location, direction, and rate of motion in a variety of industries that depend on components with moving parts. These include robotics, medicine, aircraft and aerospace, space research, and animation. These devices are helpful in incremental motion control applications as well, such as industrial assembly and packaging.

There are several types of position transducers on the market today, including devices that do not need contact with the component in order to operate. These non-contact transducers typically depend on ultrasonic signals or laser beams to sense location and movement of the object. They may cost more than contact transducers and can only operate in a somewhat narrow temperature range.

Contact transducers employ a variety of means to measure range of movement and sense location. Mounted in a fixed position, they will use cables, pulleys, levers, even software to keep track of a moving object. Position transducers must be chosen carefully along several guidelines, including cost, space, maintenance needs and temperature.