Global sensor manufacturer SICK has announced the development of the RMS1000 Radar Sensor; a new, super-tough, radar sensor for collision avoidance in extreme weather and harsh industrial conditions.
The RMS1000 has been purpose-designed to achieve new levels of availability and 24/7 detection performance in challenging industrial environments such as container ports, warehouse docking gates and off-road vehicles, achieving long-range resolution and distance accuracy where radar technology is needed due to harsh operating conditions. As well as this, due to its low power requirements, the RMS1000 can be powered by solar panels, or batteries, and used day and night 365 days a year.
Using 61GHz FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) technology, the sensor detects obstacles up to 100m away in as many as four monitored areas simultaneously, as well as to determine distance and radial speed. The rugged and compact IP67/IP69-rated sensor can be easily fitted to offer more robust protection to existing machinery. It can also be integrated into new machinery designs.
Adjusting the sensor’s parameters is straightforward, only requiring SICK’s free-to-use SOPAS AIR software tool and a standard web browser. In addition to adjusting the sensor’s 120° operating angle to adapt to the application, users can set up to four freely-configurable monitoring areas. The large scanning range allows for detection angles of ± 60° (azimuth) and ± 4° (elevation).
With two digital inputs and four digital outputs, flexible integration is assured for a wide range of industrial machinery, supporting, for example, external warning lights or audible alarms. In addition, the SICK RMS1000 can transmit raw data via both Ethernet TCP/IP and CAN J1939 protocols, enabling distance and radial speed measurements to be integrated in machine controls, or to support cab-mounted operator assistance systems in off-road industrial vehicles.
The SICK RMS1000 has a robust aluminium housing and because radar technology has no moving parts, it is highly resistent to shocks and vibration. Designed to work in extreme cold or high temperatures between -40°C to +65°C, the RMS1000’s pressure-compensation diaphragm also protects against the effects of rapid changes of temperature, such as those caused by high-pressure, high-temperature, cleaning jets at close range. Waterproof to a depth of 1m, the sensor has easy-to-integrate corrosion-proof nickel-plated M12 plug connectors.
