Head office
SECO Sensor Consult GmbH
Am Bleichanger 1
96450 Coburg
Phone: +49 (0)9561 869 141
Fax: +49 (0)9561 869 149
Email: info@seco-sensor.de
Ultrasonic transducer “Made in Upper Franconia”
SECO Sensor attaches great importance to regional networking. That is why we are a member of the “Strategic Partnership for Sensor Technology” network in Bavaria. Our company is featured in the February issue of the monthly sensor technology magazine. Ultrasonic transducers “Made in Upper Franconia” is the motto of the article and also the credo of our work.
Get to know us a little better in the original article in Sensorik magazine:
SECO develops and manufactures the heart of the ultrasonic sensor
COBURG – The product portfolio of our new network member SECO Sensor Consult GmbH from Coburg is characterized by the highest quality “Made in Germany”, the use of locally sourced or in-house manufactured materials and precision handcrafting. With more than 25 years of experience, the company develops and manufactures ultrasonic transducers for applications in air and gases. Since 2004, production has also been carried out at the second site in Küps (district of Kronach). Precision and quality are our top priorities. In particular, the solution of complex measuring tasks and the realization of customer-specific small series distinguish SECO from the globally growing competition.
Als Bindeglied zwischen Sensorelektronik und Messumgebung ist der Ultraschall Wandler das Herzstück eines jeden Ultraschallsensors. SECO ist auf den Einsatz von Ultraschall in Luft und Gasen spezialisiert. Das Portfolio umfasst drei Arten von Ultraschallwandlern: Richtscharfe mit kleinen Öffnungswinkeln für große Messabstände, Impulswandler für schnelle Nahbereichsmessungen und vielseitige Einfachwandler, die beide Vorteile vereinen. Ultraschall bietet die Möglichkeit kontaktloser Messungen sowie zum wartungsfreien Betrieb ohne bewegliche Teile und unabhängig von Umwelteinflüssen wie Nebel, Staub oder von verspiegelten Oberflächen. Je nach Baugröße und Nennfrequenz arbeiten die Wandler in einem Bereich von 80 bis 500 kHz bei Reichweiten von einem Zentimeter bis zu sechs Metern.
The precisely manufactured SC049 miniature transducer from SECO proves that size is not a measure of functionality. It is significantly smaller than a 1-cent coin, yet it confidently takes on numerous measuring tasks in the range between two and 30 centimetres, especially in automation. “We develop an innovative solution for almost every measuring task,” says Managing Director Eugen Gergert. SECO thus gives its customers a decisive advantage on the global market.
Miniature converter SC049 vs. SC008
“Individual support and intensive discussions with our customers are particularly important to us. From the initial idea to prototype construction and series production, we rely on a close exchange of ideas and qualified technical advice,” explains Stefan Schneider, Product Manager at SECO. The market for SECO has grown considerably in recent years, particularly in his specialist field of anemometry. Currently, the increased promotion of renewable energies is increasing the demand for anemometers for wind turbines and therefore also the number of new customers and innovative solutions required.
SECO has been manufacturing ultrasonic transducers for anemometric applications for nearly 15 years. Ultrasonics enables the precise and reliable measurement of wind speed and wind direction. Two pairs of ultrasonic transducers, arranged opposite each other at a 90° angle, quickly and maintenance-free determine wind data based on precise differential measurement of the respective sound transit times. What sets SECO apart: Thanks to their wide beam angle, the robust transducers operate reliably even at very high wind speeds of up to 90 m/s. “For offshore installations, we also offer the option of equipping the anemometer transducers with a scratch-resistant, water- and dirt-repellent protective coating,” explains Stefan Schneider. This prevents droplets from forming on the surface. An integrated heater significantly expands the operating temperature range, keeps the electroacoustic parameters constant during temperature fluctuations, and prevents the front surface from icing up.
Environmental protection, sustainability and innovation – in focus since the company was founded
Environmental protection, sustainability and innovation – SECO’s founders and shareholders have always considered these aspects in their developments and products. The reliability of standard products is a contribution to a greener future. The use of renewable energies, comprehensive recycling and the responsible use of resources are among the core topics of SECO’s environmental protection policy. The company sites in Coburg and Küps are located in the middle of residential areas, so reliable purification of the used air is essential. “Our professional supply and exhaust air systems filter the air to the highest industrial standards,” says Bastian Büttner, Environmental Management Officer at SECO. In 2024, SECO’s environmental protection concept will be certified to ISO 14001 for the first time.
Focus on hydrogen and technical gases as trends
SECO keeps a close eye on developments in the sensor market, particularly the expected growth in the hydrogen and industrial gases sectors. For applications in high-pressure environments and with aggressive media, the Upper Franconian company offers a product in its portfolio: pulse transducers mounted on a special glass feedthrough that meets the most stringent sealing requirements. SECO’s ultrasonic transducers do not have a sensitive diaphragm. They operate reliably even at high pressures, as long as they are evenly surrounded by the pressure. The materials used and the contact design allow for use in aggressive gas atmospheres.
Converter to glass feed-through
SECO is also distinguished by its expertise in materials science. SECO manufactures the coupling material—which transmits the vibrations of the piezoelectric ceramic into gaseous media—in-house using its own proven formulations. This material, as well as the encapsulants used to decouple the actual transducer from the housing and dampen it, can be customized depending on the application, customer requirements, and measurement task. In-house cable assembly enables SECO to offer high flexibility and a wide range of connection options. Coaxial, Teflon, and PVC cables in standard lengths and gauges are processed on-site and prepared for production. “Our direct access to the manufacturing process allows us to conduct close monitoring and guarantees consistently high quality,” says Eugen Gergert
