J
I am looking for a sensor that can read the surface of a fluid, and average the level. The application is as follows: We have a pan about 8 in. by 12 in. by 3 in. deep. It is filled with a fluid held in suspension. Because of this, we need to agitate the fluid to keep the suspended material from settling out. We have parts that are indexed into position and then dipped by raising the pan to the parts. The dip depth is a critical measurement, requiring accuracy to 0.1mm. We stop the agitator when the parts arrive at position, but the surface motion on the fluid is still enough that the ultrasonic sensor that we use to read depth is jumping around somewhat. What I would like to try to find is a sensor that will read an area of perhaps 3in. by 3in. and give me an 'averaged' distance reading. I have tried using some debouncing and averaging algorithms in the PLC, but with only a single point reference from the sensor, this isn't working out real well. Any advice, including telling me I am just crazy, is appreciated. Thanks! --Joe Jansen