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Case studies

Our sensors only show their value when they are being used. Success stories from different applications and industries at a glance.

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Where can you find our sensors?

Our sensors only show their value when they are being used. The requirements and areas of applications for our products are as diverse as our customers' industries. The application stories on this page show you a few exemplary applications. They can inspire your daily business and give you an insight into complex technical solutions.

Read the success stories of our sensors now and discover how Althen can help to write yours!

Case study

New torque sensors for pharmaceutical OEM

In pharmaceuticals product integrity is crucial and packaging has a key role to play. Sealing machines machines not only tighten bottle caps within precisely defined tolerances, but also log every detail of every bottle that is capped. Read how new torque sensors are integrated in an OEM bottle sealing machine application.

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Case study

Althen sensor partner for Hardt Hyperloop

From the early days Althen has been supporting the Hardt Hyperloop team, even before the company Hardt was founded and whenthe development was still in a student format. Ever since, Hardt and Althen have worked together when it came down to measurement solutions for the development of the hyperloop system. Both in vehicle sensors, as well as test & measurement sensors, for their internal test setups.

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Case study

Pressure indicator for airship Theo

The airship Theo is used in the Essen/Mühlheim area for guest flights and as an advertising space. To ensure that the pilot always has all the information about the pressure inside the airship, digital displays from the measurement specialist Althen are installed in the cockpit and have been ensuring that Theo flies safely for more than 30 years.

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Case study

Hydroelectric generator performance

Whether initial installation, regular maintenance check or reconstruction after maintenance work: Precise air gap measurement is essential to prevent damage to the generator and to maintain its efficiency in the long term. With the new Air Gap Tool, the number of working hours for this can be reduced by up to 90%.

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Case study

Treatment of ballast water (BWTS)

Ballast water from ships can contain thousands of microbes, plants and animals. These are often transported by a ship over long distances around the globe and are released at the destination. This can lead to potential damage to local species and organisms. Proper treatment and filtration of this water is of tremendous importance to our ecosystem.

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Case study

Torque sensor measures efficiency for Eco Runner Delft

With an Althen Rotational Torque Senor, Eco-Runner Team Delft accurately measures the motor efficiency of their prize-winning hydrogen car.

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Case study

Monitoring of chillers and cooling units

Cooling towers, process coolers and HVAC cooling units can be monitored for vibration using the 4-20 mA analog input channels of existing PLC units. Wilcoxon describes how these applications can be implemented with the new PCC420 series.

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Propeller Shaft Earthing Potential Monitoring Set from Althen Sensors & Controls in pratice.
Case study

Propeller shaft earthing system protects propulsion machinery of dredger

In 2020 a new trailing suction hopper dredger was built. This very impressive vessel is equipped with two powerful dual-fuel engines driving two propulsion lines. In order to ensure proper operation of Althen's shaft earthing set, a potential monitoring set that visualizes the condition has been installed as well.

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Case study

World of Material Testing: Fibre-reinforced Plastics

Material tests are important to determine whether the newly developed component can withstand future stresses. They also provide required proof of quality. With the help of strain gauges, the company Grasse Zur Composite Testing runs tensile, shear, compression and bending tests for fibre-reinforced plastics.

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Case study

Triaxial Accelerometer in HIC Impact Tester

To create a perfect playing field, it needs to have the right bounce, damp, level, profile and many more factors. A HIC Impact Tester with a triaxial accelerometer determines the HIC and G performance (acceleration due to gravity) by dropping the HIC head from a selected height.

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Case study

Customised measurement solutions for the Kiel-Holtenau lock

For the new design of the future drives of the Great Lock Kiel-Holtenau, the Wasserstraßen-Neubauamt Nord-Ostsee-Kanal required real measurement data of the lock gates during on-going operation. Measurement specialist Althen developed customised measurement solutions for this project.

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Case study

Draw-wire sensor for measuring steering angle

The Solar Boat Team of TU Delft implemented a FD60 draw-wire sensor (string pot) into a hydrogen powered boat that uses hydrofoils to 'fly'. The boat has wings underneath the boat. To position the wings the boat uses a draw-wire sensor connected to a steering plate that measures the steering angle.

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Case study

Troubleshooting in the driver's cab

Electric locomotives are equipped with surge arresters that protect the instruments from damage caused by sudden overvoltage. But what happens if these do not work reliably for unexplained reasons? Meinke Energy offers measurement services to get to the bottom of faults and relies on the data loggers from Althen.

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Case study

Tilt measurement system for safer heavy-duty transports

Transporting over-sized cargo in a safe and reliable way requires complex planning and logistics. Althen Sensors & Controls has developed a mobile measurement system for heavy transport company Viktor Baumann that monitors the tilt angle of heavy loads to prevent tipping.

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Case study

Aerodynamic Pressure Patches and Formula 1

Optimising aerodynamics is essential in motorsport. But how can surface pressure be measured without damaging body parts? A team of students tested the Scanivalve pressure patches to measure and optimise a historic Formula 1 racing car.

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Greenland Guidance DWIAT with draw wire sensor measures ice melt in Greenland
Case study

Draw-wire sensor in robust system for ice mass measurements

As a result of global warming, many glaciers are currently retreating and becoming thinner due to increased melting. To measure the ice melt on the Sermilik glacier in Greenland, Greenland Guidance uses a robust measuring system with a draw-wire sensor.

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TU Delft Test Flight Flying V
Case study

Flight testing the Flying V with Aeroprobe flowmeters

The Flying-V is an innovative aircraft design by the Dutch Technical University of Delft. In the summer of 2020 the scale model made a successful first flight. Aeroprobe's Micro Air Data System and an integrated multi-hole Air Data Probe provided essential test data.

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Case study

Torque Sensor improves efficiency hydrogen-powered city car

Monitoring torque strength at various rotational speeds with RWT430-440 Rotating Torque Sensor improves efficiency of hydrogen-powered city car.

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Green Team Twente Test Efficiency Hydrogen Car with RWT410-420 Torque Sensor - Header Image
Case study

Torque sensor for testing the most fuel efficient hydrogen car in the world

To create the most fuel efficient hydrogen car in the world, Green Team Twente has made a test setup with a torque sensor, to measure the efficiency of the car's drivetrain. Together with our engineers, the students looked at the most suitable torque sensor and opted for the rotating RWT 410-420 Torque Sensor that has a user friendly interface for easily and accurately read the data digitally.

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Case study

Eddy current sensors for measuring climate change

The satellites of the GRACE-FO mission are the first to transmit worldwide data on soil moisture and groundwater levels on a regular basis. The precise communication between them is technically realised by the KD-5100 Eddy Current Sensor: it ensures a nanometer-precise deflection of laser beams.

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Case study

Weighing to the milligram

The weighing of product components in many production processes requires the highest accuracy. The necessary machines are therefore often constructed in a complex way. But there is another solution for this: Althen has developed a simple, reliable and cost-effective construction for such weighing stations.

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Case study

Smart railway sleepers with multi-sensor solution

The Dutch company ProRail (responsible for all railway tracks in the Netherlands) is testing new types of durable sleepers in a testing ground on a stretch of track. The test takes two years, and trains continue to run during the test. Read how we participated in this project with an integrated multi-sensor solution.

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Case study

Submersible Sensors and Maintenance test of the lock Noordersluis

In 2029, the Noordersluis between IJmuiden and Amsterdam will reach the end of its technical life. Rijkswaterstaat (part of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management) is investigating what maintenance must be done to keep the current lock in operation until the new lock is delivered.

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Siverwing - TU delft ISO 14001 | Althen Sensors & Controls
Case study

Airflow measurement of a personal electric aircraft

The personal electric aircraft of the Silverwing Team (TU Delft) features the multi-purpose airflow measurement device Aeroprobe. Flow parameters such as airspeed, angle of attack and side-slip angle ensure the aircraft can fly stably in the air while also doing so most efficiently.

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Case study

Construction safety monitoring in underground parking

Sensors are regularly used in the civil sector to improve construction safety.

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Case study

Vibration measurement system for mobile energy generators

Hydrogen generators can become explosive if they are located in earthquake prone areas. A special earthquake system with vibration sensor ensures safety.

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Case study

Tilt measurement of an hydraulic hammer

How to measure tilt on an (offshore) hydrohammer? A hammer strikes piles into the ground and this causes enormous mechanical vibrations. This mechanical "noise" is the biggest problem for standard inclination sensors.

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Radlastmesssystem für Schienenbahn
Case study

Wireless Wheel Load System for Trams and Metros

For maintenance purposes of trams and metros we developed a Wireless Wheel Load Measurement System to accurately weigh and determine the balance of each and every individual axle.

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Fiber Optic Pressure Sensors monitoring ground conditions during piling harbour Rotterdam
Case study

Fiber Optic Pressure Sensors monitor ground conditions

Althen participated in a pilot project in the Harbour of Rotterdam. The pilot involved the construction of a new pier for large ships. A test for the WLPI optical Sensors.

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Case study

Pressure Sensors for the Delft Hyperloop braking system

In 2019 the Dutch Delft Hyperloop student team has once again competed in the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition. Pressure Sensors offered the team real time information about the pressure within the pneumatic actuation system both during the final run as well as during various leak tests.

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Case study

Laser sensors for the Hyperloop

Since 2015 SpaceX, a company of Tesla´s CEO Elon Musk, organizes the Hyperloop Pod Competition to accelerate the development of the Hyperloop concept: a high-speed transportation system using near-vacuum tubes in which pressurized vehicles travel.

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Case study

Measuring high fuel efficiency of a hydrogen car with a Torque Sensor

The Eco-Runner Team is a student team of the Delft University of Technology. Every year they build a vehicle that is as fuel efficient as possible. Next to that, the vehicle is powered by hydrogen.

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Case study

Measuring force on trawl nets

A practical application for shackle load cells

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Case study

Robust Linear Sensor for Paper Machine

Producing 1500 meters of paper, with a width of 9 meters every minute: that is the capacity of today’s paper making machines. It’s a lot of paper moving at a very high speed.

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Case study

Force sensors for monitoring safety chains

Vehicle test beds are subject to extreme conditions. Constant monitoring of safety chains on vehicle test beds is therefore indispensable for safety.

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Case study

Mobile Measuring System keeps helicopter in balance

How to determine the center of gravity of helicopters? A solution in two suitcases.

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Case study

Securing track stability

Trams have become a vital part of the public transport system in many cities. However, the tracks need to be maintained on a regular basis to ensure long-term transport safety.

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Case study

Force Sensors improve performance of ski jumping

Force sensors improve performance and revolutionize ski jumping around the world.

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Case study

GL980 Graphtec Datalogger for monitoring the movement of a lighthouse

Reliable and precise measurements: Monitoring the movement of a lighthouse for error-free tidal range and wave measurements.

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Case study

Tilt Measurement System for antenna masts, radio telescopes or wind turbine blades

Aligning antenna masts and leveling platforms or machines often calls for extreme precision. This is made possible by high-precision two-axis tilt sensors that are rugged enough for harsh environments.

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Case study

Tilt Measurement System for turbines, concrete pillars and crane load

Heavy-duty transports can move items weighing several tons. To make sure these items remain in the correct orientation during transport as well as loading and unloading, they need to be constantly monitored.

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Drehmomentsensoren für Medizinflaschen
Case study

Rotating Torque Sensors for Capping Medicine Bottles

Rotating Torque Sensors are playing a vital role in packing leading edge medical test kits at Axis-Shield in Dundee, which develops new diagnostic compounds that help with the early identification and management of critical illnesses.

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Case study

HeliNav Loadmaster

HeliNav Loadmaster – force measurement system for suspended helicopter loads.

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Valve diagnostics with data logger GL220-240 | Althen Sensors
Case study

Valve diagnostics with data logger GL220/240

With industrial valves, changes in tightness and closing force are inevitable during the operating process. The use of a valve diagnosis system for machines and plants avoids failures and makes necessary maintenance work easier to plan.

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Case study

Sensors for successful British wine

Behind the rise and rise of English wine, British engineers and technologists are busy developing new systems and aids for the vine growing industry. Tony Ingham of Sensor Technology Ltd tells his part of this success story.

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Wirbelstromsensoren für Laserkommunikation im All
Case study

Eddy current sensors for laser communication in space

The KD5100 position measuring system is part of an "LCT" terminal that is used to transmit data by laser beam - at a speed of up to 1.8 gigabits per second over distances of up to 80,000 kilometers.

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Case study

Miniature Load Cell for measuring slipstream in speed skating

In fast endurance sports such as racing, cycling and speed skating athletes often race in groups. The drivers behind the leading athlete can take advantage of the slipstream and thus save power. A student from Maximilian-von-Montgelas-Gymnasium in Vilsbiburg has examined this effect in more detail.

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Case study

Wireless Torque Sensors ensure airliners’ safety

Aircraft are exposed to enormous stresses during landing and take-off. Regular tests and certifications of all relevant parts on modern test rigs are therefore essential for safety.

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