Sensofoil^® Membrane Sensors

With precision accuracy and nearly endless customizability, Hoffmann + Krippner Sensofoil® membrane sensors enable your product’s full potential.

By measuring potential difference against a known voltage, sensors transmit an analogue signal proportional to the distance or angle being measured. In other words, they measure linear and rotary position with fine-tuned accuracy – a crucial function in a wide array of modern products and applications.

Membrane sensors – thanks to ultra-flat design and cost advantages – are particularly useful and adaptable to scenarios where traditional sensors would falter. The technical specifications of Hoffmann + Krippner Sensofoil® membrane sensors meet or exceed those of conventional potentiometers, creating a new world of potential uses for product designers and engineers.

To compare Sensofoil with traditional potentiometer solutions, please download the whitepaper, “Choosing the Right Potentiometer“.

Standard Specifications:

• Flat design between 0.5 mm (PET) and 2.1 mm (FR4-Magnet) for space restricted applications
• Linear and radial designs, can also be adjusted to different shapes
• Excellent linearity: 2% linear, 4% rotary
• Temperature ranges of -25⁰C to +55⁰C (PET), 0⁰C to +55⁰C (Magnet) and -25⁰C to +85⁰C (Hybrid)
• Sealed up to IP 65
• Operation possible by hand, wiper, or magnet

Fill out now our non-binding form for a custom Sensofoil proposal.

Why use a Hoffmann + Krippner Sensofoil® membrane sensor?

Our Sensofoil® membrane sensors offer cost advantages.

In general, a membrane sensor up to 700 mm in length presents a cost-effective option in place of traditional sensors: relatively inexpensive to manufacture, even with custom designs, they can be conveniently integrated in new and existing applications.

With Sensofoil®, Hoffmann + Krippner offers a fully customizable position sensor with almost limitless dimensions in length and radius, thanks to the flat and layered composition. In fact, almost any customer requirement can be fulfilled. Our industry-leading Sensofoil® team will guide you through the customization and implementation process.

Our Sensofoil® membrane sensors offer long service life.

Flat, durable, and sealed, Sensofoil® membrane sensors enjoy a service life between 1 million to 20 million operations. Depending on the model selected, they can even work in dirty, unstable, and/or hot environments. Integration in control units allows for fully sealed surfaces according to IP65. As an analogue sensor, the position signal is readily available even after a power outage. This eliminates the need for an otherwise potentially critical reset feature.

If you’d like to speak with one of our consultants to solicit input about your project or to inquire about our Sensofoil® membrane sensors, please send us a message here.

Where to use our Sensofoil® membrane sensors: Areas of Application

Sensofoil® membrane sensors work well anywhere precise and careful controls, inputs, or measurements are needed. Consider the following examples:

How It Works

Sensofoil® membrane sensors consist of several layers, which are separated by a so-called “spacer.” The layers include:

• Collector membrane as wiper tap for hand-, wiper- or magnet actuation
• Spacers between upper and lower membrane
• Basic membrane with potentiometer resistance track
• Adhesive film (according to application requirements)

The membrane layers connect to each other through mechanical or magnetic pressure. The contact can be achieved either by hand or with a mechanical wiper; contactless operation is also possible by using a magnet.

To learn more about Sensofoil please download the Sensofoil product whitepaper.

Further detailed specifications for our standard portfolio are available in the Sensofoil® membrane sensors datasheet.