LVDT Dimensional Gaging Probes
| Excitation Voltage | 3.5 Vrms (nominal) |
| Excitation Frequency | 7.5 kHz |
| Operating Temperature | +15 °F to +150 °F |
| -10 °C to +65 °C |
- Industrial gaging systems
- Electronic dial indicators
- Fabricated metal products gaging
- Materials testing apparatus
- Large shaft TIR measurements
- Ultra-precision linear ball bearing assembly gives repeatability of less than 0.000006" (0.15 μm)
- Industry-standard .315" (8.0 mm) and .375"
(9.5 mm) diameters - Ranges from ±0.020” (±0.5 mm) to ±0.200”
(±5.0 mm) - Available in full bridge or half bridge
- Full bridge models available in low pressure air-extend/spring-retract pneumatic versions and “soft-touch” (low force) versions
Macro Sensors BB Series LVDT-Based Dimensional Gaging Probes provide ultra-precise measurement of the position of a targeted surface in a wide variety of quality control and industrial metrology applications, including online parts inspection, servo-loop positioning systems, and manufacturing process control. Complete systems for “go/no-go” inspection of complex mechanical parts can be constructed by mounting multiple gage heads in suitable fixturing along an assembly line.
The probes' exceptional repeatability is due, in part, to the use of a linear ball bearing assembly precisely fitted to a hardened-and-ground, non-rotating probe shaft to minimize radial play and the effects of side loading. One end of the probe shaft is coupled to the core of a friction-free LVDT sensor, which produces an output voltage that is linearly proportional to the probe shaft position. The use of an LVDT for probe shaft displacement sensing eliminates any additional transducer errors due to friction, stiction, or mechanical hysteresis. LVDT gaging probes also offer unusually long life of 2 x 108 cycles. A positive stop also prevents any mechanical damage to the probe from repeated overstroking. The output from the LVDT can be connected to any standard LVDT signal conditioner and then passed to a gaging column display, digital readout, or computer based data acquisition system. The other end of the probe shaft is internally threaded to accept an interchangeable tungsten carbide contact tip for wear resistance and reliability. For normal applications, the probe shaft is fully extended by a spring that exerts a force of about 2.5 ounces (70 grams) at the probe's mechanical zero position.
The entire bearing, shaft, and LVDT assembly are enclosed in a stainless steel tubular housing that is available in either .315" (8.0 mm) or .375" (9.5 mm) outside diameter. Units with the .375" diameter housing can be partially threaded with an industry standard 3/8-40 UNS thread. BB Series probes are available in either full bridge or half bridge wiring configurations, and full bridge models are available in low pressure air-extend/spring-retract pneumatic versions and “soft-touch” (low force) versions.
- Full Bridge
- Half Bridge
- Pneumatic
- Soft-Touch
| Parameter | Unit of Measure | BBPM-315-020 BBPM-375-020 |
BBPM-315-040 BBPM-375-040 |
BBPM-315-100 BBPM-375-100 |
BBPM-315-200 BBPM-375-200 |
| Range | inches | ± 0.020 | ± 0.040 | ± 0.100 | ± 0.200 |
| mm | ± 0.5 | ± 1.0 | ± 2.5 | ± 5.0 | |
| Sensitivity | mV/V/.001 in | 5.85 ± 1% | 5.85 ± 1% | 2.92 ± 1% | 2.92 ± 1% |
| mV/V/mm | 230 ± 1% | 230 ± 1% | 115 ± 1% | 115 ± 1% | |
| Repeatability | µm | < 0.15 | < 0.15 | < 0.20 | < 0.40 |
| Linearity | µm | < 3 (0.3%) | < 5 (0.25%) | < 25 (0.5%) | < 50 (0.5%) |
| Maximum Current | mA | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Phase Shift | degrees | < 10° | < 10° | < 10° | < 10° |
| Pretravel | inches | 0.024/0.028 | 0.044/0.048 | 0.104/0.106 | 0.204/0.205 |
| mm | 0.6/0.7 | 1.1/1.2 | 2.6/2.7 | 5.1/5.2 | |
| Overtravel | inches | ≥ 0.03 | ≥ 0.06 | ≥ 0.12 | ≥ 0.20 |
| mm | ≥ 0.65 | ≥ 1.5 | ≥ 3.0 | ≥ 5.1 | |
| Dimension "A" (at null) | inches | 1.425 | 2.338 | 3.203 | 4.506 |
| mm | 36.2 | 59.38 | 81.35 | 114.45 | |
| Dimension "B" (at null) | inches | 0.28 | 0.504 | 0.581 | 0.878 |
| mm | 7.1 | 12.8 | 14.75 | 22.3 | |
| Dimension "C" | inches | 1.037 | 1.703 | 2.482 | 3.488 |
| mm | 26.35 | 43.25 | 63.5 | 88.6 | |
| Dimension "D" (nominal) | inches | NA | 0.866 | 0.866 | 0.866 |
| mm | NA | 22.0 | 22.0 | 22.0 |
BB Series Full Bridge models are available in four standard ranges: ±0.020"
(±0.5 mm), ±0.040" (±1.0 mm), ±0.100" (±2.5 mm) and ±0.200" (±5.0mm). The probes’ mechanical design permits the user to make fine adjustments to the probe shaft’s contact position and pre-travel with a small spanner wrench that is supplied. The front of the probe is attached to a rubber boot that covers the probe shaft and prevents contaminants from entering the bearing. Probe sealing meets the requirements of IEC IP-65. From the rear end of the probe, a polyurethane - jacketed cable connects the LVDT's output to the signal conditioner. Macro Sensors uses industry-standard color coding and LVDT connections for the probe cables, which are 6.5 feet (2 m) long and supplied with stripped-and-tinned ends. On special order and at extra cost, they can be supplied with one of several popular connectors wired to the cable end. Consult the factory for pricing and connector availability. Each probe is supplied with a replaceable end piece that converts the axial cable exit to a radial cable exit to minimize overall installed length in space-critical applications.
| Parameter | Unit of Measure | BBPM-315-020-H BBPM-375-020-H |
BBPM-315-040-H BBPM-375-040-H |
BBPM-315-100-H BBPM-375-100-H |
BBPM-315-200-H BBPM-375-200-H |
| Range | inches | ± 0.020 | ± 0.040 | ± 0.100 | ± 0.200 |
| mm | ± 0.5 | ± 1.0 | ± 2.5 | ± 5.0 | |
| Sensitivity | mV/V/.001 in | 1.87 ± 1% | 1.87 ± 1% | 0.94 ± 1% | 0.75 ± 1% |
| mV/V/mm | 73.75 ± 1% | 73.75 ± 1% | 36.9 ± 1% | 29.5 ± 1% | |
| Repeatability | µm | < 0.15 | < 0.15 | < 0.20 | < 0.40 |
| Linearity | µm | < 3 (0.3%) | < 5 (0.25%) | < 25 (0.5%) | < 50 (0.5%) |
| Maximum Current | mA | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Phase Shift | degrees | < 5° | < 5° | < 5° | < 5° |
| Pretravel | inches | 0.024/0.028 | 0.044/0.048 | 0.104/0.106 | 0.204/0.205 |
| mm | 0.6/0.7 | 1.1/1.2 | 2.6/2.7 | 5.1/5.2 | |
| Overtravel | inches | ≥ 0.03 | ≥ 0.06 | ≥ 0.12 | ≥ 0.20 |
| mm | ≥ 0.65 | ≥ 1.5 | ≥ 3.0 | ≥ 5.1 | |
| Dimension "A" | inches | 1.425 | 2.338 | 3.203 | 4.506 |
| mm | 36.2 | 59.38 | 81.35 | 114.45 | |
| Dimension "B" (at null) | inches | 0.28 | 0.504 | 0.581 | 0.878 |
| mm | 7.1 | 12.8 | 14.75 | 22.3 | |
| Dimension "C" (at null) | inches | 1.037 | 1.703 | 2.482 | 3.488 |
| mm | 26.35 | 45.25 | 63.05 | 88.6 | |
| Dimension "D" (nominal) | inches | NA | 0.866 | 0.866 | 0.866 |
| mm | NA | 22.0 | 22.0 | 22.0 |
BB Series Half Bridge models are available in four standard ranges: ±0.020" (±0.5 mm), ±0.040" (±1.0 mm), ±0.100" (±2.5 mm) and ±0.200" (±5.0mm). The probes’ mechanical design permits the user to make fine adjustments to the probe shaft’s contact position and pre-travel with a small spanner wrench that is supplied. The front of the probe is attached to a rubber boot that covers the probe shaft and prevents contaminants from entering the bearing. Probe sealing meets the requirements of IEC IP-65. From the rear end of the probe, a polyurethane - jacketed cable connects the LVDT's output to the signal conditioner. Macro Sensors uses industry-standard color coding and LVDT connections for the probe cables, which are 6.5 feet (2 m) long and supplied with stripped-and-tinned ends. On special order and at extra cost, they can be supplied with one of several popular connectors wired to the cable end. Consult the factory for pricing and connector availability. Each probe is supplied with a replaceable end piece that converts the axial cable exit to a radial cable exit to minimize overall installed length in space-critical applications.
| Parameter | Unit of Measure | BBPM-315-040-P BBPM-375-040-P |
BBPM-315-100-P BBPM-375-100-P |
BBPM-315-200-P BBPM-375-200-P |
| Range | inches | ± 0.040 | ± 0.100 | ± 0.200 |
| mm | ± 1.0 | ± 2.5 | ± 5.0 | |
| Sensitivity | mV/V/.001 in | 5.85 ± 1% | 2.92 ± 1% | 2.92 ± 1% |
| mV/V/mm | 230 ± 1% | 115 ± 1% | 115 ± 1% | |
| Repeatability | µm | < 0.15 | < 0.20 | < 0.40 |
| Linearity | µm | < 5 (0.25%) | < 25 (0.5%) | < 50 (0.5%) |
| Maximum Current | mA | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Phase Shift | degrees | < 10° | < 10° | < 10° |
| Pretravel | inches | 0.044/0.048 | 0.104/0.106 | 0.204/0.205 |
| mm | 1.1/1.2 | 2.6/2.7 | 5.1/5.2 | |
| Overtravel | inches | ≥ 0.06 | ≥ 0.12 | ≥ 0.20 |
| mm | ≥ 1.5 | ≥ 3.0 | ≥ 5.1 | |
| Dimension "A" | inches | 2.340 | 3.205 | 4.508 |
| mm | 59.4 | 81.4 | 114.5 | |
| Dimension "B" (fully extended) | inches | 0.555 | 0.642 | 0.940 |
| mm | 14.1 | 16.3 | 23.8 | |
| Dimension "C" | inches | 1.785 | 2.563 | 3.568 |
| mm | 45.3 | 65.1 | 90.7 | |
| Dimension "D" | inches | 0.865 | 0.865 | 0.865 |
| mm | 22.0 | 22.0 | 22.0 | |
| Dimension "E" | inches | 0.287 | 0.287 | 0.287 |
| mm | 7.3 | 7.3 | 7.3 | |
| Dimension "F" | inches | 0.598 | 0.598 | 0.598 |
| mm | 15.2 | 15.2 | 15.2 |
BB Series Pneumatic models are air-extend/spring-retract versions of the full bridge model and are available in three standard ranges: ±0.040" (±1.0 mm), ±0.100" (±2.5 mm) and ±0.200" (±5.0mm). During measurement cycles, the shaft is extended by introduction of a low-pressure (10-30 psi), clean, dry air supply, with a regulated flow, through a barbed fitting on the end of the unit that will accept a 1/8 inch I.D. hose. With the release of pressure, an internal spring returns the probe to its normal position.
The probes’ mechanical design permits the user to make fine adjustments to the probe shaft’s contact position and pre-travel with a small spanner wrench that is supplied. The front of the probe is attached to a rubber boot that covers the probe shaft and prevents contaminants from entering the bearing. Probe sealing meets the requirements of IEC IP-65. From the rear end of the probe, a polyurethane - jacketed cable connects the LVDT's output to the signal conditioner. Macro Sensors uses industry-standard color coding and LVDT connections for the probe cables, which are 6.5 feet (2 m) long and supplied with stripped-and-tinned ends. On special order and at extra cost, they can be supplied with one of several popular connectors wired to the cable end. Consult the factory for pricing and connector availability.
| Parameter | Unit of Measure | BBPM-315-020-S BBPM-375-020-S |
BBPM-315-040-S BBPM-375-040-S |
BBPM-315-100-S BBPM-375-100-S |
BBPM-315-200-S BBPM-375-200-S |
| Range | inches | ± 0.020 | ± 0.040 | ± 0.100 | ± 0.200 |
| mm | ± 0.5 | ± 1.0 | ± 2.5 | ± 5.0 | |
| Sensitivity | mV/V/.001 in | 1.87 ± 1% | 1.87 ± 1% | 0.94 ± 1% | 0.75 ± 1% |
| mV/V/mm | 73.75 ± 1% | 73.75 ± 1% | 36.9 ± 1% | 29.5 ± 1% | |
| Repeatability | µm | < 0.15 | < 0.15 | < 0.20 | < 0.40 |
| Linearity | µm | < 3 (0.3%) | < 5 (0.25%) | < 25 (0.5%) | < 50 (0.5%) |
| Maximum Current | mA | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Phase Shift | degrees | < 10° | < 10° | < 10° | < 10° |
| Pretravel | inches | 0.024/0.028 | 0.044/0.048 | 0.104/0.106 | 0.204/0.205 |
| mm | 0.6/0.7 | 1.1/1.2 | 2.6/2.7 | 5.1/5.2 | |
| Overtravel | inches | ≥ 0.03 | ≥ 0.06 | ≥ 0.12 | ≥ 0.20 |
| mm | ≥ 0.65 | ≥ 1.5 | ≥ 3.0 | ≥ 5.1 | |
| Dimension "A" | inches | 1.563 | 2.476 | 3.203 | 4.644 |
| mm | 39.7 | 62.90 | 81.4 | 117.95 | |
| Dimension "B" (at null) | inches | 0.335 | 0.421 | 1.034 | 0.803 |
| mm | 8.5 | 10.70 | 26.3 | 20.40 | |
| Dimension "C" (at null) | inches | 1.038 | 1.703 | 2.169 | 3.409 |
| mm | 26.35 | 43.25 | 55.1 | 86.60 | |
| Dimension "D" (nominal) | inches | NA | 0.866 | 0.866 | 0.866 |
| mm | NA | 22.0 | 22.0 | 22.0 |
BB Series Soft-Touch models have a “lighter” spring (smaller spring constant) and no rubber boot. This allows for easier (low-force) compression of the probe, which is important in applications where the targeted surface material (rubber for example) may deform under the force of an LVDT with the standard spring. Soft-Touch versions of the full bridge model and are available in four standard ranges: ±0.020" (±0.5 mm), ±0.040" (±1.0 mm), ±0.100" (±2.5 mm) and ±0.200" (±5.0mm).
The probes’ mechanical design permits the user to make fine adjustments to the probe shaft’s contact position and pre-travel with a small spanner wrench that is supplied. From the rear end of the probe, a polyurethane - jacketed cable connects the LVDT's output to the signal conditioner. Macro Sensors uses industry-standard color coding and LVDT connections for the probe cables, which are 6.5 feet (2 m) long and supplied with stripped-and-tinned ends. On special order and at extra cost, they can be supplied with one of several popular connectors wired to the cable end. Consult the factory for pricing and connector availability. Each probe is supplied with a replaceable end piece that converts the axial cable exit to a radial cable exit to minimize overall installed length in space-critical applications.
For accessories, please visit the Accessories Page.
Macro Sensors also offers a full line of LVDT signal conditioners, controllers and indicators that deliver optimum performance from any AC operated LVDT. For additional information, please visit the Electronics/Signal Conditioning Page.
