No posts to display

New Reference Target Accessory

Senix Corporation, manufacturer of ToughSonic® ultrasonic level and distance sensors, today announced the introduction of  its new ToughSonic Reference Target Temperature Compensation accessory.  This new accessory uses an external reference target, located in the measurement path at the front of the sensor, to reduce fluctuations caused by diurnal shifts. Combined with the latest SenixVIEW software, for each measurement the sensor makes two readings; one to locate the reference target, and one to the distant object. Any change in the speed of sound affects both measurements.

The reference target location is locked during calibration, and any change in its apparent position is applied proportionally to correct the distant object’s apparent location. The result is a more accurate measurement, significantly less affected by ambient air temperature, diurnal temperature swings, sensor self-heating, sunshine warming the sensor, cold ambient temperatures or vibration. Field calibrations can be done at any time or temperature.

  • Not reliant on internal temperature sensing or separate temperature input
  • Improves Level and distance measurements by compensating for diurnal air temperature swings
  • Sensor is less affected by heating (by sunshine, or external heat source)
  • Can be calibrated in the field at any temperature
  • Available for 1″ NPT or 30mm sensors, including the Senix ToughSonic 3, 12 & 14
  • Easy Setup and Use

The Reference Target Temperature Compensation accessory is mounted on a 2″ universal threaded Delrin adaptor. The Reference Target features are enabled using free SenixVIEW software. Reference Target Compensation accessories are available for Senix sensors that use either a 1″ NPT or 30mm threaded housing (Senix ToughSonic 3, 12, and 14).

About Senix Corporation

Senix designs and manufactures advanced ultrasonic sensors for liquid level measurement, distance ranging and object detection. Senix ToughSonic® sensors are used in a wide range of automation and research applications worldwide. The company transformed non-contact distance measurement in 1990 with the world’s first user-configurable ultrasonic sensor and has been pushing the boundaries of sensor intelligence and ruggedness ever since. Senix Corporation is a privately held company located in Hinesburg, VT, USA.

For more information go to:  Senix Reference Target Accessory

For more information, contact:

Tim Cetto
+1 (802) 489-7300 x300
 press@senix.com

Ultrasonic Sensors in Agricultural Automation.

Back in the 1980’s, brothers Mike, Gregg and Don Tvetene were working at their family-owned Tvetene Turf Farms in Billings, Montana. The business was faced with a critical labor shortage at the same time that it was experiencing huge demand for their turf. Out of necessity, the brothers conceived of an automatic turf harvester that could cut and stack sod using just one operator. Their biggest motivator, recalls Gregg, was the years of hard work they had put in stacking turf by hand on the family farm.

The brothers worked by trial and error to get an automatic stacking harvester working smoothly. Mike focused on the electronics while Gregg worked on the hydraulics and Don handled welding and fabrication. At the time, mobile electronic systems were not sophisticated enough to handle the tasks required, so Mike designed a system that would control stacking, harvesting and drive functions.

The brothers formed a new company, Trebro Manufacturing, Inc.. Their hands-on experience, hard work, and continual testing and trials resulted in the introduction of the “AutoStack”, the first successful automatic stacking turf harvester, in 2000.

The AutoStack was an instant success as turf producers from around the world were eager to take advantage of the benefits of labor savings, increased production, and improved quality of the finished product. Trebro and the AutoStack were also recognized with an Industry Innovator award from the Turf Producers International and the Montana governor’s exporting award.

The AutoStack, and now the AutoStack II, use an automated Ultra Steer system to guide the harvester with precision while the operator watches over all aspects of the harvesting process. Trebro explored several different sensor technologies for the steering system before selecting Senix ToughSonic 14 ultrasonic sensors.

See how ultrasonic sensors guide the Autostack II!

Senix ultrasonic sensors are mounted on the steering arms of the AutoStacker and AutoStacker II where they monitor the harvest line to maintain ¼” steering accuracy. The ToughSonic 14 was selected for it’s tough all-weather construction and it’s ability to communicate rapidly with the Trebro’s electronic control system through an RS-232 interface. The Trebro AutoStack II is the ultimate high production automatic turf harvester.

Trebro Manufacturing has now sold more than 750 automated harvesters in 22 countries. It has employees in the U.S., Canada and the UK, with parts warehouses in all of these locations plus Europe and Australia. And at its heart, there are the three brothers.

For more information on how Senix can help with your application contact us at info@senix.com or click here!

Senix Measures Vermont Syrup Production

Ultrasonic liquid level sensors monitor maple sugaring to streamline operations and provide local flavor

When Timothy Perkins, Ph.D., became Director of the University of Vermont Proctor Maple Research Center, he understood intuitively why the sugar house operator spent a lot of time running from spot-to-spot to monitor tank levels.