IEN: What's new in the areas Pepperl+Fuchs is involved with?

Murad:

Inductive Sensors

This is a very mature market and costs will be the main driver of the future. There really aren't any significantly new requirements/changes from the end users, only enhancements.

• Low power consumption. Currently the trend in Europe and North America seems to be 3-wire dc sensors as the preferred power/output configuration. In Asia, the 2-wire dc sensor configuration seems to be gaining much popularity and arguably, could become their standard -- thus making the requirements of low leakage current and low voltage drop (current consumption) more significant.


• Extended range: In general, what is considered "extended sensing ranges" of today, will be the "standard" sensing ranges of the future (Ë 5-7 years).


• All-metal sensors will also be considered a standard product with enhanced features, such as low current consumption. It will also have to be low cost.

Photoelectric Sensors

• These sensors will be expected to be more rugged in the future. Presently they are not considered suitable for the ultra-harsh industrial environments.


• Increased functionality, smarter, with greater range and accuracy. More efficient, and less expensive.


• A trend toward standardizing the sensor housings across the board. Smaller packages likely.

Magnetic Sensors

These sensors will transform from the "cheap Reed switches" to the very low power, more accurate, and inexpensive electronic versions.

Ultrasonic Sensors

• Better resolutions


• Less expensive


• Ability to "image" -- similar to what an ultrasound does in the medical field.

Wireless Technologies

Although one industrial standard is needed, this will be a large area for growth in the future.

Universal Bus Network Technologies

This discussion has been in debate for some time now. Eventually there ought to be one networking system that industry will standardize on. This system will tend to be fast and optimized for the "limited bit count" that simple off/on sensors could offer; at the same time, such a system could cater for, or use, inexpensive yet smarter sensors with some universal I/O nodes that all connect to a controlling hub. Such a hub can be accessed via the Internet for complete diagnostics.

Additionally, there seem to be too many players (sensor companies) in such a specialized / limited industry. Mergers and acquisitions as well as strategic alliances, seems to make more economic sense in the future.