26.8.2. Distance Sensor

This sensor allows the user to measure the distance from the center position of sensor to the beam element. The beam element is the nearest to the center position of the sensor in the direction and range of the sensor.

Figure 26.43 Distance Sensor

Figure 26.44 Definition of Output Value of Distance Sensor

The distance sensor measures the distance from the center position of sensor to assembly (web) through the following steps.

1. The sensor finds the closest center point of the beam element from the sensor center position.

2. A position of the beam element is checked whether the position is in the direction and range of sensor.

3. If the position is in the sensor, the distance from sensor center to the beam element on sensing direction is computed. As shown in Figure 26.44, if workpiece pass to the range of the sensor, the sensor output can be computed from the following equation.

   \({{d}_{\min }}=\left| {{\mathbf{r}}_{s}}-\ {{\mathbf{r}}_{p}} \right|\)

   \(\theta ={{\cos }^{-1}}({{\mathbf{g}}_{s}}\cdot \tfrac{{{\mathbf{r}}_{s}}-{{\mathbf{r}}_{p}}}{\left| {{\mathbf{r}}_{s}}-{{\mathbf{r}}_{p}} \right|})\)

   \({{d}_{o}}=\frac{{{d}_{\min }}}{\left| \cos \theta \right|}\)

   where,

   \({{d}_{o}}\): the result of sensor. (Output Value)

   \({{\mathbf{r}}_{p}}\): the position of the closest center point of sheet body on the direction and in the range of the sensor.

   \({{\mathbf{r}}_{s}}\): the position of sensor center.

   \({{\mathbf{g}}_{s}}\): the specified direction of the sensor.

   \({{d}_{\min }}\): the minimum distance from sensor center to sheet.

26.8.2.1. Modeling Options

The user can create a distance sensor as follows.

• Point, Direction, Distance

  • Point: Selects a point on a body to define the center of distance sensor.

  • Direction: Defines a direction of distance sensor.

  • Distance: Defines a range of region to measure output.

  • Note: The user should define the sensing target entity by using Distance Sensor property page.

• Body, Point, Direction, Distance

  • Body: Selects a body to define the parent body of distance sensor.

  • Point: Selects a point on a body to define the center of distance sensor.

  • Direction: Defines a direction of distance sensor.

  • Distance: Defines a range of region to measure output.

  • Note: The user should define the sensing target entity by using Distance Sensor property page.

• Assembled Body, Point, Direction, Distance

  • Assembled Body: Selects a beam assembly as a target entity.

  • Point: Selects a point on a body to define the center of distance sensor.

  • Direction: Defines a direction of distance sensor.

  • Distance: Defines a range of region to measure output.

• Body, Assembled Body, Point, Direction, Distance

  • Body: Selects a body to define the parent body of distance sensor.

  • Assembled Body: Selects a beam assembly as a target entity.

  • Point: Selects a point on a body to define the center of distance sensor.

  • Direction: Defines a direction of distance sensor.

  • Distance: Defines a range of region to measure output.

26.8.2.2. Properties

The user can modify properties for the distance sensor such as a position, sensing target entity, and direction using Distance Sensor property page.

Figure 26.45 Distance Sensor property page

• Mother Body: Selects the mother body of distance sensor.

• Sensed Entity: Selects an assembled body as a sensing target entity.

• Position: Defines the center of distance sensor.

• Direction: Defines the direction of distance sensor.

• Range: Defines the range of region to measure output.

• Color: Defines the color of distance sensor.