Position Sensors (May 2006 Product Research)

Research was undertaken to gain a better understanding of Control Engineering subscribers’applications and needs regarding position sensors.

By Control Engineering Staff May 2, 2006

Research was undertaken to gain a better understanding of Control Engineering subscribers’ applications and needs regarding position sensors.

Executive Summary

  • Among those specifying, recommending, and/or buying position sensors, 77% do so for in-plant requirements and 45% do so for OEM (resale) requirements.

  • Over half of the respondents apply position sensors to motion control. Over two-fifths apply position sensors to continuous product manufacturing.

  • Eighty-six percent of respondents currently use limit switches and 81% currently use inductive sensors. Results suggest limit switches will be the most widely used position sensor a year from now.

  • Most important to respondents when buying position sensors is ruggedness, over three-fourths of respondents rated this very important.

  • The majority of respondents intend to operate their position sensors closed loop (without operator intervention).

  • Nearly three-fifths of respondents use standard sensors with interface modules on a device network.

  • Eighty-four percent of respondents who currently use a device network use Ethernet and 60% currently use DeviceNet. Results suggest Ethernet will be the most widely used device network a year from now.

  • Nearly half of respondents have purchased position sensors from Rockwell Automation/Allen- Bradley in the past 12 months, while one-third have bought from Banner Engineering. On average respondents have purchased 128 position sensors in the past 12 months. The average spending per respondent on position sensors in the past year was $29,108.

  • Nearly one-third of respondents say their purchases of position sensors will increase in the next 12 months. Only 5% predict a lower demand.

  • Sixty-two percent of Control Engineering subscribers responding do not receive Control Design. Sixty-eight percent do not receive Control.

Position Sensors 2006