The perfect wave

Radar sensors for level and distance measurement in factory and logistics automation

Whether for dip coating basins or container ports – radar technology offers clear benefits over alternative solutions using ultrasonic or optical sensor technology in many application fields. However, radar sensors have rarely been used to date for distance or level measurements in production and logistics. With its LRS+ and DR-M30 radar sensors, Turck now offers efficient solutions for demanding applications in these areas as well. The browser-based Turck Radar Monitor visualizes the signal curve for the precise adjustment of measuring ranges and sets new standards here.
Whether for dip coating basins or container ports – radar technology offers clear benefits over alternative solutions using ultrasonic or optical sensor technology in many application fields. However, radar sensors have rarely been used to date for distance or level measurements in production and logistics. With its LRS+ and DR-M30 radar sensors, Turck now offers efficient solutions for demanding applications in these areas as well. The browser-based Turck Radar Monitor visualizes the signal curve for the precise adjustment of measuring ranges and sets new standards here.
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APRIL 2022
Sensors
Most people associate radar technology with speed radar traps on the road. In the past decade, the technology has increasingly found use in the car itself. Adaptive cruise control systems, so-called ACC systems, use radars to determine the distance to vehicles in front and their speed.

Non-contact measurement in industrial automation

For a long time, radars have been rather exotic devices in industrial automation. The process industry, on the other hand, has been using this technology for level measurement for some time. Since radars reliably detect levels even over long distances without media contact, they have clear advantages over ultrasonic, optical sensor or media-contacting technologies in many applications. In manufacturing automation, radars were for a long time mostly reserved for safety sensors to detect protective fields, for example on AGVs.
With the LRS+ level radar from the Fluid+ series, Turck launched its first in-house radar sensor on the market in 2021. The IO-Link-capable radar sensors were developed for level measurement in the range from 0.35 to 10 meters. The devices with IP67/69K protection are therefore suitable for longer ranges and offer more detailed options for suppressing interference signals than the LUS+ ultrasonic level sensor, which is also based on the Fluid+ sensor platform.

Additional data simplifies
condition monitoring

A characteristic feature of the Fluid+ platform is the operating unit with capacitive touchpads and translucent front cap, via which the LRS+ displays distance, level and volume values. The absence of a metal guide probe enables the sensor to be used easily in hygiene applications and simplifies commissioning. LRS sensors are available either with two switching outputs or with one switching output and one analog output. Thanks to their additional IO-Link interface and intelligent, decentralized signal processing, all variants also offer a large quantity of additional information for processing in condition monitoring applications in IIoT: besides signal strength, this includes temperature values, operating hours or switching cycles.
Video: Elevator Radar Sensor Level Measuring
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