What Is a Digital Angle Meter?
A digital angle meter is a measuring instrument for measuring inclination or angle.
It uses a digital liquid crystal display to display measured values. Unlike analog inclinometers, digital inclinometers can be set to an arbitrary position as a reference and measure angles relative to the reference. It can respond to the high measurement accuracy and wide measurement range required for research and industrial applications.
For this reason, it is used in work such as plumbing, drainage, steel-frame building construction, equipment installation, and medical equipment. There are two main methods of measuring angles: one utilizing MEMS technology and the other utilizing electrolyte inclination.
Uses of Digital Angle Meters
1. Cutting and Construction Sites
Digital angle meters are used to measure the angle of incidence of drills at cutting sites. If the angle deviates from the target angle, the cutting direction will change, leading to wasted work and danger.
They are also useful for measuring the angle of cranes at construction sites. By measuring angles, hazards can be predicted. Horizontal and vertical measurements of steel frames and piping can be easily made.
2. Photovoltaic Panels
Used for solar tracking of photovoltaic panels. Attached directly to the object to be measured for the purpose of obtaining sufficient charge.
3. Other
One of the applications is to set the horizontal/vertical axis of precision machines, measuring instruments, distribution boards, etc. during installation. It is used to measure the arm angle of robots and other automatic equipment.
Furthermore, digital angle meters are also utilized in the medical industry, where they are used to accurately determine the angle of the measuring rotator in CT and X-ray equipment. The positioning of the bed on which the patient lies leads to the accuracy of locating lesions in the human body.
Principle of Digital Angle Meters
1. MEMS Method
Inclinometers utilizing MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) technology place electrodes in an array inside a fully enclosed chamber. One of the two poles is fixed, while the other pole is freely movable in connection with a spring spring.
When the sensor is tilted, the position of the electrode at the free end changes relative to the electrode at the fixed end, and at the same time, the capacitance differs before and after the change. The difference in capacitance at that time is converted to an angle.
2. Electrolyte Method
In an inclination sensor utilizing electrolytic solution technology, two pairs of electrodes are mounted on the bottom of a chamber parallel to the measurement axis and filled with electrolytic solution. When voltage is applied between the two electrodes, the current forms a dispersion field. As a result, the chamber tilts and the liquid level changes, so does the dispersion field.
The conductivity of the electrolyte is constant, and the change in resistance depends on its relationship to the liquid level. In addition, since there are no moving parts other than the electrolyte, there is little wear and tear, and the electrolyte is highly shock resistant. The electrode used for measurement is immersed in the electrolytic solution, and the electrode does not corrode.
Characteristics of the Digital Angle Meter
1. V-Shaped Cut & Built-in Magnet
The measuring surface of most digital angle meters is cut in a V-shape for excellent stability even on a pipe. The bottom surface is also equipped with a built-in magnet, making steel pipe, steel frame, and plant construction more efficient.
2. High Accuracy
High resolution and accuracy can be displayed digitally on 2 axes simultaneously. Comprehensive solutions for accurate leveling, alignment, surface profiling, and vibration measurement are available. Accuracy is often around ±0.03 to 0.2° and resolution around 0.01 to 0.1°. And it eliminates the trial-and-error process of reading one axis at a time, saving time and enabling high quality professional work.
3. Comparative Display
Any angle can be used as the reference 0° and displayed in comparison with other angles. For example, if a 30° position is set as reference 0° in comparison mode, a 50° position in normal mode will be displayed as 20°.
4. Dustproof and Waterproof Performance
The camera can be used safely even with wet hands or in dusty areas on site. Most of the dustproof and waterproof performance is equivalent to the IP54 standard set by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission).