Position Sensors

Non-contact induction position sensors

Gill position sensors use induction technology to detect the position of a metallic target (activator) mounted on or machined into the moving part of the application. There is no contact between the position sensor and the moving part, providing excellent long-term reliability in harsh environments including high/low temperatures and thermal shock, vibration, shock, dust, grime, salt spray and pressure washing.

Key Features

High accuracy non-contact position sensing
Non-contact technology provides excellent long-term reliability
Solid-state, fully sealed sensors, suitable for harsh environments
Unlimited mechanical life
Range of standard position sensors to monitor linear, angular and rotary movement
Immune to magnetic interference
Customisation possible for small-batch and high volume OEM supply

Typical Applications

Monitoring brake and accelerator pedals
Ride-on cleaner pedal positions
Digital piano pedal positions
Positional movement of gearboxes
Mechanical arm positions
Motorsport throttles
Movement simulators
Off-highway braking systems
ARB lever systems for measuring anti-roll bar position
3D printer filament position

Position Sensors technical information

Dual Output Position Sensor

Dual channel output
Linear or rotary (+/- 45°) measurement
Non-contact, 2 part design
No moving sensor parts
Analogue output
Accuracy: +/- 3% over full temperature range
Sample rate 1kHz
Operating temperature -40°C to +85°C

Linear Position Sensor (1484)
(Blade25)

25mm linear or 90° angular measurement
Fully configurable range
No moving sensor parts
Analogue/digital output
Accuracy: analogue +/- 0.1mm
Sample rate 1kHz
Operating temperature -40°C to +85°C (32V DC max)
-40°C to +125°C (optional 14V DC max)

Rotary Position Sensor
(Blade360)

Full 0-360° measurement
Fully configurable range
Non-contact reliability
Analogue/digital output
Accuracy: analogue +/- 0.5° over temperature range
Sample rate 1kHz
Operating temperature -40°C to 85°C (32V DC max)
-40°C to 125°C (14V DC max)

Linear Position Sensor (1508)
(Blade60)

60mm linear or 90° angular measurement
Fully configurable range
No moving sensor parts
Analogue/digital output
Accuracy: analogue +/-0.1mm
Sample rate 1kHz
Operating temperature -40°C to +85°C (standard)
-40°C to +125°C (optional)

Gill non-contact position sensors provide accurate and extremely robust position monitoring - more details

Designed & Manufactured by Gill Sensors & Controls in the UK, Gill non-contact induction position sensors detect the position of a metallic target (activator) mounted to or machined into the moving part of the application. There is no contact between the position sensor and the moving part, providing excellent long-term reliability.

Gill Inductive Position Sensors are solid-state as well as fully sealed, making them highly suited to harsh environments. Inductive technology has a number of benefits over Hall-Effect sensors which rely on a magnet as the actuator, causing vulnerability to interference from magnetised metalwork and electronics which can compromise their performance. This susceptibility to magnetic interference is not shared by inductive sensors, making them particularly suited to the latest applications involving increasing numbers of electric motors. READ MORE

Gill offers a range of standard position sensors but has the capability to produce prototypes, adaptions and small-batch custom position sensors in rapid timeframes and has state-of-the-art production facilities for high volume OEM supply. Customised position sensors can make use of existing electronics and sub-assemblies, packaged in a custom mechanical housing to match the space envelope and mounting arrangements available. Sensors can be tested by the customer often without high cost design and engineering programmes.

Environmental protection IP67 across the range.

Gill position sensors have no moving parts and as a result are extremely reliable and accurate.

Blade Sensor Technical Manual

BladeCom User Guide

Blade Sensors Developers Guide

View EU & UK Declarations of Conformity (DoC)

Position Sensor Accessories

Gill non-contact position sensors are supported by standard accessories to assist with installation and set up.

USB adaptors

USB to RS232 cable adaptor allows connection of a Gill Blade25 (1484) or Blade60 (1508) position sensor to a computer where the sensor can be quickly configured using BladeCom software. (Only the FTDI USB-RS232-WE-1800-BT_5.0 is fully supported – other converters may not be compatible).

USB to RS485 adaptor allows connection of a Gill Blade360 position sensor to a computer for configuration using BladeCom software. (Only the USB-RS485-WE-1800-BT is fully supported – other converters may not be compatible).

Mild steel activator

A zinc and colour passivated CR4 mild steel activator for the Blade 25 position sensor.

Withstands extreme environments and is unaffected by long term exposure to the elements.

Tinned mild steel activator

Activator for the Blade 360 rotary position sensor.

Withstands extreme environments and is unaffected by long term exposure to the elements.

Videos

View our short videos to quickly understand how Gill non-contact position sensors provide accurate measurement and excellent long-term reliability by having no moving parts and no contact with the moving components of the application.

Non-contact inductive position sensor introduction

How inductive position sensors work, showing how they accurately measure linear, angular, rotary and non-uniform movement across measurement ranges.

(3.5 mins)

Environmental stability testing

Demonstrating how robust and stable Gill non-contact position sensors are when exposed to a range of liquids, substances and environments.

(1.5 mins)

How the dual cavity position sensor works

Demonstrating how the dual cavity position sensor can be used to monitor the movement of either two separate or two related moving items in a range of different activator scenarios.

(2 mins)

How the Blade360 position sensor works

The Blade 360 is capable of measuring up to 360° of rotation. Typically the activator is positioned at the end of a rotating shaft. As with all Gill induction position sensors, the sensor has no moving parts and does not contact the moving part of the application so no wear or degradation of the sensor can occur.

(1.5 mins)

How the Blade25 position sensor works

Showing how linear, angular and non-uniform position measurement is achieved using the Blade25 induction position sensor.

(1.5 mins)

How the Blade60 position sensor works

Video demonstrating the operation of a Gill Blade60 non contact position sensor.

(1.5 mins)

Gill pedal sensor

Example custom position sensor with possible outputs.

(40 secs)

BladeCom Software

Overview

BladeCom has been designed to display data from Gill Blade non-contact position sensors. Please refer to the steps in the BladeCom User Guide (see DOWNLOADS tab above). For more advanced setup instructions please see the Blade Sensor Technical Manual (also in DOWNLOADS tab).

Compatible Products
Blade25, Blade60 and Blade360 non-contact position sensors

Additional Applications to support Gill products

Gill has a number of applications to support older products and older operating systems. For more information please contact support@gillsc.com specifying