Membrane Potentiometer Technology: Improving On Traditional Potentiometers

Membrane Potentiometer Technology: improving on traditional potentiometers
When an engineer says, “linear potentiometer,” what do you think?  A century-old technology, a contact wiper sensor that eventually wears out, a sensor that provides only analog output.  These things are true.  However, Spectra Symbol developed the Membrane Potentiometer to answer some critical questions in the design community on the usability of the potentiometer.

The key principle of the Membrane Potentiometer is the “membrane”, wherein the traditional wiper becomes obsolete.  This is accomplished by building a top layer membrane over the top of the conductive element, which then acts as a sealed layer and wiper at the same time.  Suddenly, the traditional linear potentiometer became a thin, elegant solution that could fit almost anywhere and had an IP rating of 65 against dust or water.

The longevity and stability of the Membrane Potentiometer increased dramatically over the traditional model, allowing for over 10 million cycles for the HotPot brand.  High vibration applications make sense for this technology also, as the “dithering” with motion or large G jolts doesn’t impact the wiper system, or give error readings.  Two examples are aerospace and automotive.
Recently, the R&D team at Spectra Symbol has developed the DigitalPot, which converts the potentiometer’s analog signal to Digital.  This A-D transition offers OEM’s many options, from 8-bit to 16-bit processing for tighter stepped and pre-calibrated linear output.  This allows for absolute linearity and the attendant distance measurement benefits.

Spectra Symbol’s membrane potentiometer has given linear potentiometer technology much needed innovation and usability.

For further details, please contact Spectra Symbol directly, at 888-795-2283, or email support@spectrasymbol.com

Membrane Potentiometer Technology: Improving On Traditional Potentiometers

Membrane Potentiometer Technology: improving on traditional potentiometers
When an engineer says, “linear potentiometer,” what do you think?  A century-old technology, a contact wiper sensor that eventually wears out, a sensor that provides only analog output.  These things are true.  However, Spectra Symbol developed the Membrane Potentiometer to answer some critical questions in the design community on the usability of the potentiometer.
The key principle of the Membrane Potentiometer is the “membrane”, wherein the traditional wiper becomes obsolete.  This is accomplished by building a top layer membrane over the top of the conductive element, which then acts as a sealed layer and wiper at the same time.  Suddenly, the traditional linear potentiometer became a thin, elegant solution that could fit almost anywhere and had an IP rating of 65 against dust or water.

The longevity and stability of the Membrane Potentiometer increased dramatically over the traditional model, allowing for over 10 million cycles for the HotPot brand.  High vibration applications make sense for this technology also, as the “dithering” with motion or large G jolts doesn’t impact the wiper system, or give error readings.  Two examples are aerospace and automotive.

Recently, the R&D team at Spectra Symbol has developed the DigitalPot, which converts the potentiometer’s analog signal to Digital.  This A-D transition offers OEM’s many options, from 8-bit to 16-bit processing for tighter stepped and pre-calibrated linear output.  This allows for absolute linearity and the attendant distance measurement benefits.
Spectra Symbol’s membrane potentiometer has given linear potentiometer technology much needed innovation and usability.

For further details, please contact Spectra Symbol directly, at 888-795-2283, or email support@spectrasymbol.com

Benefitting from the Development of Linear Potentiometers

Unless you’re an electronics junkie, you probably have not heard of potentiometers before.  But whether you have heard of them or not, you have most likely used it in an electronic appliance on a regular basis. Potentiometers, or “pots” as they are called for short, are three-terminal resistors that serve as voltage dividers allowing a controller to adjust the voltage level needed to operate an electrical device. It is used in many ordinary electronic appliances such as audio controls, dimmers, TVs , and medical equipment.

A linear potentiometer is one type of pot commonly found in many applications. Consisting of a contact slider and a one end ground terminal, a linear potentiometer creates a resistance proportional to the distance between the two points. As technology has improved so has the design of linear potentiometers making it more convenient and easy to use. They are now available in ultra-thin designs which make them more versatile. Many consumer products, medical devices and scientific tools make use of linear potentiometers. As less expensive linear potentiometers are developed, more products will include them, meanwhile the products currently using them will become less expensive.

While not many people realize the use and development of linear potentiometers, and other types of pots for that matter, all people can surely benefit from them. Thanks to this simple device, quality of life for everyone has improved.

Spectra Symbol
3101 W. 2100 S. Salt Lake City, UT 84119
http://www.spectrasymbol.com
P: +1 (888) 795-2283
E: support@spectrasymbol.com

Benefitting from the Development of Linear Potentiometers

Unless you’re an electronics junkie, you probably have not heard of potentiometers before.  But whether you have heard of them or not, you have most likely used it in an electronic appliance on a regular basis. Potentiometers, or “pots” as they are called for short, are three-terminal resistors that serve as voltage dividers allowing a controller to adjust the voltage level needed to operate an electrical device. It is used in many ordinary electronic appliances such as audio controls, dimmers, TVs , and medical equipment.

A linear potentiometer is one type of pot commonly found in many applications. Consisting of a contact slider and a one end ground terminal, a linear potentiometer creates a resistance proportional to the distance between the two points. As technology has improved so has the design of linear potentiometers making it more convenient and easy to use. They are now available in ultra-thin designs which make them more versatile. Many consumer products, medical devices and scientific tools make use of linear potentiometers. As less expensive linear potentiometers are developed, more products will include them, meanwhile the products currently using them will become less expensive.

While not many people realize the use and development of linear potentiometers, and other types of pots for that matter, all people can surely benefit from them. Thanks to this simple device, quality of life for everyone has improved.

Spectra Symbol
3101 W. 2100 S. Salt Lake City, UT 84119
http://www.spectrasymbol.com
P: +1 (888) 795-2283
E: support@spectrasymbol.com

The Development of Potentiometers

Potentiometers are widely used in many electronic devices today, but aren’t well known. Used to control the electrical potential in certain equipment functions such as volume and positioning, they are obviously very important. The process that makes it work is simple—getting variable voltage by sliding contact along a resistive material.
 
In the early days of potentiometers, those who studied and used the process behind this instrument made use of crude resistive material, usually carbon or charcoal. It wasn’t the easiest way but it worked. Today, potentiometers—or pots as they are also called have come a long way. They are now available in more convenient designs, materials, and sizes to accommodate every necessary application.
An impressive development of this concept is linear potentiometers. Spectra Symbol, a Utah company specializing in potentiometers, introduces thin linear sensing. With ultra-thin, inexpensive and versatile linear potentiometers they are taking potentiometer technology and application to new levels.
The company provides different types of linear potentiometers for various needs. For high temperature linear sensing, contactless applications and smaller devices, there is a suitable linear potentiometer for them. They are easy to install and use, too. Due to these features, linear potentiometers are considered convenient and indispensable in many electrical products. Spectra Symbol’s linear potentiometers are used in medical devices, aerospace and consumer products that require position sensing.
With continuing research and development, linear potentiometers and other types of potentiometers for that matter, can be expected to improve even more. As they do, potentiometers will be used in more products, and make a significant impact in our life. We may not see or even realize how useful potentiometers are in many devices we use, but they are there and they make life a little better.

International Headquarters

SPECTRA SYMBOL
3101 W. 2100 S.
Salt Lake City, UT 84119 USA
+1 801.972.6995 phone
+1 801.972.8012 fax
+1 888.795.2283 toll free phone
www.spectrasymbol.com
sales@spectrasymbol.com
If you are not in North America, we will contact you directly, or have our partners contact you. We have International Distributors in the following countries:

• Benelux
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Innovative Development begins with Spectra Symbol in Salt Lake City, Utah

Spectra Symbol designs and manufactures custom linear potentiometers. Our position sensors are specially designed for use in medical, automotive and electronic industries. The potentiometers are made of a variety of materials ranging from polyester to fiberglass, depending on the temperature or cycle need. Additionally, our potentiometers are the thinnest linear position sensors on the market, at only 0.5mm, and are unparalleled in the industry.

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