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A robust, portable, non-contact capacitive bench test kit for measuring the thickness variation of automotive brake discs is now available from Micro-Epsilon.
The new capaNCDT DTV (Disc Thickness Variation) case is a special purpose portable test kit for car repair shops, brake disc manufacturers and automotive suppliers.
The kit is specifically designed for non-contact measurement of brake disc thickness variation for bench tests, quality assurance and warranty claims purposes.
The kit includes a portable carrying case, which contains a two-channel controller (capaNCDT 6229) two capacitive (CS1) displacement sensors with corresponding cables, conversion kit with earthing/grounding terminals, licensed software for DTV measurements, and a mounting bracket kit.
The CS1 capacitive sensors determine the thickness of the brake disc from both sides using the Differential Principle.
While the brake disc rotates, thickness deviation is calculated over the complete circumference of the disc. Using several capacitive sensors in pairs (or the CHS1-4FL multi-channel sensor from Micro-Epsilon), multi-track thickness measurements can be performed without having to use an additional encoder.
Combined with the controller, both sensor channels can be processed synchronously.
Data is output via an Ethernet interface. The controller is activated by the Disc Thickness Variation Measurement software supplied as standard by Micro-Epsilon. Data can be evaluated using a PC or notebook.
Chris Jones, Managing Director at Micro-Epsilon UK comments: “The capaNCDT DTV portable test kit allows car repair workshops, brake disc manufacturers and their suppliers to carry out disc thickness variation checks quickly and easily in a bench test. The non-contact capacitive measurement system automatically detects disc rotation, enables the measurement of two disc tracks simultaneously, whilst automatically removing any brake disc holes from the measurement results, which means thickness variation checks are extremely accurate and reliable.”
Multi-track sensing
The CSH1, 4FL multi-track sensor is also available from Micro-Epsilon. This system contains four capacitive sensors in a single compact housing, which enables up to four tracks on the brake disc to be measured synchronously.
Due to the high bandwidth, dynamic measurements up to 5kHz (-3dB) are possible. Data output is via analogue or digital Ethernet/EtherCAT interface. An intuitive web interface enables fast, easy set up and configuration of the sensor and controller.
