GTM Testing and Metrology GmbH, a leading specialist for measuring forces and torques, has launched its new GTM in-line amplifier (ILA) - a strain gauge measuring amplifier that it says outperforms all others.

The highly innovative strain gauge electronic sensor cannot be beaten in terms of dynamics, precision and robustness, the company said in a statement.

Equipped with an EtherCAT interface, a measuring rate of 40 kS/s, a bandwidth of 2 kHz and precision class 0.01, the product offers customers the best price-performance ratio, it added.

The new in-line measuring amplifier (ILA) is ideal for decentralised, highly dynamic and automated test bench measurement systems or high-end industrial automation applications with an EtherCAT interface.

The ILA, which complies with protection class IP67, was developed for use in the vicinity of strain gauge transducers, which allows decentralised data acquisition right in the field.

According to the company, the advantages of a decentralised system are: Sensor measuring leads are significantly shorter, which substantially improves metrological performance. The use of Power over Ethernet (PoE) for the system topology, which ensures a decentralised system that is connected via industrial RJ45 cables, ensures low operating costs.

Further, an integrated switch allows fast and convenient daisy chaining of numerous ILAs for additional reduction of system costs, especially in the case of multi-channel installations.

The ILAs are designed for fast and convenient “plug & process” installation using standard M12 connectors on the sensor side and robust RJ45 connectors on the system side. This is a major advantage for the user, since the entire measuring chain is provided by a single source: from the force transducer to the connecting leads and the EtherCAT interface.

For high-end multi-channel applications the real distributed clocks (DC) feature with 1µs is integrated – especially important for synchronous processing of high-precision and dynamic measurements. Ideal applications are material test benches, component and structural testing, as well as high-end industrial quality and process control, both for new installations and retrofitting of existing systems.

The new, smart decentralised GTM ILA makes it possible to completely redesign test benches and machines, since it combines the worlds of DIN rail strain gauge measuring amplifiers and conventional data acquisitions systems (DAQs): It features outstanding metrological performance with a measuring rate of 40 kS/s, a bandwidth of 2 kHz and a precision class of 0.01 – in addition to excellent adaptability of the number of channels and the elimination of additional gateways for integration in the automation system.