Distance Measurment Sensors
Ultrasonic Distance Sensors for Industrial Applications
Ultrasonic distance sensors provide reliable non-contact measurement for industrial automation, level monitoring, conveyor positioning, and roll diameter measurement. Migatron’s ultrasonic sensors are built for accurate distance ranging in demanding environments, helping OEM engineers and maintenance teams measure solids, transparent liquids, moving equipment, and material buildup without contact.
Built for Industrial Distance Ranging
Reliable Object Detection
From boxes and pallets to vehicle bumpers and robotic arms, Migatron’s ultrasonic ranging sensors detect objects of any color, shape, or material—even in humid or dusty conditions.
Non-Contact and Maintenance-Free
Ultrasonic sound waves provide accurate distance readings without touching the object—ideal for applications where dirt, water, or vibration would compromise other sensors.
Rugged and Durable
Designed for factories, packaging lines, and outdoor equipment, our self contained sensors feature sealed housings and are built to operate in humid or corrosive environments.
Analog Output for Control Systems
With voltage or current analog outputs (0–10V or 4–20mA), our sensors connect directly to PLCs, HMIs, and motor controllers for real-time feedback in automation systems.
Benefits of Migatron Distance Sensors
- Works on Any Surface: Ultrasonic technology detects transparent targets, reflective surfaces, or targets of any color.
- Rugged Build Quality: Our sensors feature durable enclosures, short-circuit protection, and sealed connectors for long-term industrial use.
- Flexible Integration: Available in multiple housing styles, adjustable sensing ranges, and can fit legacy systems and new designs alike.
- Fast Response Time: Enables real-time control decisions in high-speed processes and collision prevention.
- Simple to Configure: Some models are pre-calibrated at the factory, while others allow field-adjustment for custom detection windows.
Level Measurement in Bins and Hoppers
Ultrasonic sensors can monitor fill levels in bins and hoppers without contacting powders, pellets, or bulk solids. This supports better inventory visibility and process control while reducing wear associated with contact-based measurement methods.
Roll Diameter Measurement
In unwind and rewind processes, ultrasonic sensors can track roll diameter without touching the material. This helps improve process timing, replenishment planning, and tension-related control decisions.
Bulk Material Measurement on Conveyors
Ultrasonic sensors can be used to monitor material buildup, product height, or changing bulk profiles on conveyor systems. Their non-contact operation makes them useful in applications where contact measurement would be impractical or prone to wear.
Conveyor Positioning and Sway Detection
Ultrasonic sensors can measure distance to conveyor components, detect positional changes, and help monitor conveyor sway or alignment. This supports more consistent automation and improved equipment control.
How to Choose an Ultrasonic Distance Sensor
Selecting the right ultrasonic sensor depends on the application’s sensing range, target characteristics, mounting position, output requirements, and environmental conditions. Migatron offers standard ultrasonic sensors for industrial distance measurement with options suitable for integration into PLC’s and automated equipment.
Use this table to match your distance measurement application with the type of ultrasonic sensor needed for your project.
Distance Measurement Need | Industrial Application | What the Sensor Measures | Suggested Sensor |
Long-range non-contact distance measurement | Large tanks, bins, hoppers, or bulk material storage | Distance from the sensor to a liquid, solid, or bulk material surface | RPS-4000 for long-range measurement up to 40 ft with 4-20 mA analog output. |
Standard industrial distance ranging | Automation equipment, conveyor positioning, object height, machine position feedback | Continuous distance to a target for PLC or control system feedback | RPS-409A for analog ultrasonic distance measurement where multiple sensing ranges and PLC integration are needed. |
Short-range precision distance measurement | Object detection, small tank level, close-range machine positioning, product height sensing | Distance from 4 to 40 inches with analog voltage or pulse width feedback | LCU-40APW for 4-40 in. sensing with 1-10 V analog output and pulse width output. It is factory calibrated and uses 250 mV per inch for straightforward distance calculation. |
Hazardous-area distance or level measurement | Chemical tanks, oil and gas equipment, wastewater lift stations, hazardous dust or gas areas | Non-contact distance or level feedback in Hazardous Areas | RPS-429A-IS when intrinsic safety approvals are required. This sensor supports 4-20 mA or 1-5 V output and is approved for hazardous gas or dust environments when used with approved barriers. |
Roll diameter measurement | Web handling, unwind stands, rewind stands, converting equipment | Changing distance to the roll surface as material diameter increases or decreases | RPS-401A where continuous analog feedback is needed for diameter tracking and process control. |
Object presence with distance-based switching | Pallets, boxes, machine guards, vehicle position, equipment clearance | Whether an object is within a defined sensing range | RPS-150 for wide-beam detection when the target may not be square to the sensor. It can detect a flat target tilted up to 35 degrees and is available in 2-40 in. or 5-80 in. ranges. |
Close-range object detection | Small containers, machine components, product detection, level set point sensing | Presence of objects within an adjustable 5-30 in. range | RPS-400-30 for short-range proximity or level sensing with an adjustable 5-30 in. range and NPN transistor output. |
