In 2014, Sentech came to the attention of PLS, Patient Lifting Solutions, in Renswoude. One of Sentech's technology partners, Zilvertron, referred owner Marcel van den Brandt to Sentech when he was looking for sensor solutions for his exclusive lifting systems.
Unique systems used by healthcare institutions and hospitals to support intensive patient care. Sentech has since developed sensor solutions for the lifting unit's rail system.
Sentech and PLS are a good fit because both companies strive for perfection and therefore want to continuously improve. The collaboration has now resulted in a hall sensor that ensures reliable control of the rail system. Sentech is currently even working on the new design of the hand control.
The desire for continuous improvement requires a development partner
PLS's rail and lift system for healthcare facilities is unique due to its ease of use, high level of automation, and contactless operation. This requires less maintenance – an attractive feature for users. PLS systems are therefore exported to various countries in Europe, as well as to Australia and Asia. PLS is constantly seeking improvement opportunities.
“I don't see the developments slowing down,” says van den Brandt. “We ask our customers for feedback on error messages from the rail system. Fortunately, we don't get many, only 2 out of 500 connections. However, we want to improve the product based on these error messages. PLS offers exclusivity in the higher market segment. That's why I strive for perfection.”
Van den Brandt also seeks perfection from his suppliers and development partners. Van den Brandt: “The drive for perfection and a solution-oriented approach also characterize our partners. We may be international, but we prefer to source the development knowledge and parts for our products locally. We value short communication lines and flexibility. Our suppliers are therefore located within an hour's drive of Renswoude. They are willing to bring something by in the afternoon if we call them in the morning. In a development process, you need partners you can rely on, and who can react quickly.’
Technical Challenge: From Mechanical to Electronic
PLS came to Sentech with a clear development request. Van den Brandt: “We were looking for a supplier that could replace two different positioning sensors (reed switches) with a Hall sensor. There was no standard sensor for this that you would find in a catalog.” For the rail system, PLS supplies rails, couplings, switches, and turntables. Everything in the rail system is controlled by sensors.
PLS was looking for a generic sensor because it wanted to replace the mechanical components and the control with reed switches with electronic components. “Electronic components and control are more reliable and less prone to failure than mechanical ones,” said Van den Brandt.
Sentech has developed a Hall sensor in a custom housing for contactless control. As the name suggests, the sensor is based on the Hall effect. The sensor measures the magnetic field strength in a magnetic field, or in other words, the presence of a magnet near the sensor. This passes directly through the profile of the lifting system.
A hall sensor is ideal for contactless detection and also makes it possible to adjust the rail system as desired.
Sean Ram, account manager at Sentech, has guided the development of the hall sensor from the very beginning. “We first look at the problem and consider all factors and circumstances before we start devising solutions. Based on that, we try to find suitable standard sensors for the specific sensor tasks and conditions. That is the fastest and most effective. If that doesn't yield an optimal solution, then we proceed to modify suitable sensors.”
From the relatively short development process, the hall sensor emerged as the most suitable. Ram: “Sentech now only supplies the sensor and wiring. The next step is to create a complete assembly, which could make the entire unit even more reliable.”
New developments in an ‘open kitchen’
Ram appreciates the open attitude of PLS and Van den Brandt: “We work together in a kind of open kitchen. We share as much as possible about our development processes to get the best out of it. I often come to Renswoude to go into the workshop with Marcel and brainstorm about progress and new developments. Because everything is demand-driven, we don't know in advance where we will end up.”
In the spring of 2016, PLS approached Ram with a new development request. A request that, at first glance, didn't seem like a sensor-related question. Van den Brandt: “We've been using standard hand-held controls for operating the lift system for some time. The design of these controls isn't entirely optimal for our application. For example, the cord is mounted underneath, whereas we'd prefer it on top for added comfort and convenience. The controls are also not splash-proof.”
Something new was needed that also had a more exclusive feel. “The current supplier cannot provide that. I told him in an open conversation about our need for a new hand control. Sean surprised me by saying he saw potential in that.”
Van den Brand hits the nail on the head with that. Sentech is a sensor integrator that develops complete sensor assemblies with sensors, wiring, housings, and connectors. Ram on his reaction to PLS: “My first thought was that this didn't seem like sensor technology to me. But when you dive into it, you discover that manual operation actually falls perfectly within Sentech's competencies. So I immediately passed the question on to our engineers.”
R&D also involves a degree of creativity. So the engineers got to work on this challenge. They came up with a custom integral technical design, including an injection molded model for a new exclusive look of the casing. Ram: “I hope we can move from development to production early next year.”
