Sensofoil® Membrane Potentiometers

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

By measuring potential difference against a known voltage, potentiometers 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 potentiometers – thanks to ultra-flat design and cost advantages – are particularly useful and adaptable to scenarios where traditional potentiometers would falter. The technical specifications of Hoffmann + Krippner Sensofoil® membrane potentiometers 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 starting at 0.5 mm (Sensofoil PET)
  • Linear and radial designs, can also be adjusted to different shapes
  • Excellent linearity: 2% linear, 4% rotary
  • Operating temperature ranges of -25⁰C to +55⁰C (PET), 0⁰C to +55⁰C (Magnet) and -25⁰C to +80⁰C (Hybrid)
  • Sealed up to IP 65
  • Operation possible by hand, wiper, or magnet

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

Why use a Hoffmann + Krippner Sensofoil® membrane potentiometer?

Our Sensofoil® membrane potentiometers offer cost advantages.

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

Our Sensofoil® membrane potentiometers can fit almost any application.

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 potentiometers offer long service life.

Flat, durable, and sealed, Sensofoil® membrane potentiometers 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.

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

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

Automotive – Control driver inputs like radio and navigation with extreme fidelity

Medical – Capture motion in robotic equipment for the medical industry & capture precise position of a moving equipment parts.

Robotics – Control and monitor position of robotic arms

Doors – Capture the actual position of electric doors in street cars and trains or monitor the precise position of gate arms without having to perform a calibration trip (reset) in case of power failure

Fork Lift – Monitor precise position of vehicle wheels and steering arm

Aviation – Determine the exact position of business and first-class seats

Automation – Control radial and linear position in space restricted application.
Easy and simple integration into membrane switches

Space – In partnership with MOOG Inc., Hoffmann + Krippner developed a noise-free membrane potentiometer for spaceflight use

Music/Entertainment – Can be used as ribbon controller with finger control.
Integrated into digital drums or pianos.

Such examples are only the start. Based on almost any customer requirements, Hoffmann + Krippner develops and produces in-house and supplies corresponding evaluation electronics and software if requested.

How It Works

Sensofoil® membrane potentiometers 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.

Composition of a Potentiometer

Our Standard Sensofoil Product Line and Features

To find out more about our standard Sensofoil product lines, please follow the links below:

PET-PET: resistive track printed on PET foil – operating temperatures -25°C to +55°C
PET-Magnet: resistive track printed on PET – contactless – operating temperatures 0°C to +55°C
PET-Hybrid: resistive track printed on PET – extended lifetime – operating temperatures -25°C to +85°C

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

Please contact us to further discuss custom specification required for your application.

Hoffmann + Krippner Sensofoil® membrane potentiometers are available for purchase here.

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