ABSTRACT
Sensors are all around us. They are in phones, cars, planes, trains, robots, mils, lathes, packaging lines, chemical plants, power plants, etc.
Modern technology could not exist without sensors. The sensors measure what we need to know and the control system then performs the desired actions.
When an engineer builds any machine he or she needs to have basic understanding about sensors. Correct sensors need to be selected for the design right from the start. The designer needs to think about the ranges, required accuracy, sensor cost, wiring, correct installation and placement etc. Without the basic knowledge of sensors fundamental no machine can be build successfully today.
On the other hand, the sensors are only one out of many steps of a successful design. No sensor or control system will help you if your machine is not designed properly from mechanical point of view, if correct materials are not selected, when there are any other flaws.
It is the purpose of this book to provide basic knowledge about selected sensor technologies to mechanical engineers. The sensor principles will be discussed briefly, then theirs properties such as accuracy, range, linearity etc. will be shown. Finally sensor and applications examples will be presented.
