Sick AG

On an excavator, a tilt rotator can be added between the boom and the bucket to allow for more complex movements. It enables the operator to turn the bucket back and forth as well as change the level of incline. This provides support for precise trenching and slope pulling, and makes it possible to do earthworks accurately without having to move vehicle often during the work. Encoders are used here to measure the rotary position of the bucket in relation to the boom.

Coming from a background in excavator bucket production, SMP noticed an underserved market for these tilt rotators. The configuration and placement of the tilt rotator that SMP required demanded a highly tailored product from SICK. So too did the harsh environments in which it would be utilized. SMP needed a small, reliable encoder that could be installed in a small space and connected to a worm gear inside the tilt rotator. The encoder also had to be able to withstand high levels of shock and vibration, as well as temperatures as low as -40 °C. Moreover, it had to be able to function inside a casing that is filled with grease, meaning it needed its own protective housing.

The AHM36 CANopen absolute encoder was chosen for the task due to its high performance, high durability and small size. At just 36 mm, the AHM36 has a space-saving and cost-effective design, and is simple to install thanks to its rotatable male connector. Its stainless-steel design and IP69K enclosure rating (Inox versions) make it highly resilient to ambient influences. Meanwhile, its rugged, reliable, fully magnetic sensor system mean it can also be used in harsh environments such as the ones in which SMP tilt rotators operate.

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