Sales of MaxBotix Products have Doubled Again!
November 25, 2009
Since MaxBotix Inc., started first selling the original MaxSonar-EZ1 in Dec 2005 through now the company sales have doubled each year. For example, sales in 2007 doubled the sales of 2006, and then sales in 2008 doubled the sales of 2007.
And this year looks like a repeat of the same! Wow! This is a time of true thanksgiving for all of us at MaxBotix Inc. The graph shows you the actual sales data.
(Dec 4, 2009 Note from CEO: We showed this graph to show just how healthy MaxBotix Inc., is as a company (and we are thankful for this). Our company is growing in sales, size, and personnel. For a deeper look, one has to look at the many things that make the company what it is.
First, we continue to offer an increasing number of high quality cutting edge products (i.e. we find out what you the customer want and offer that). This means that we continue the funding of research and development with a strong focus on engineering, engineering test, assembly, factory test, and factory calibration. Then to control product quality, we assemble and test our products in our factory. Yes our products are built in the USA. In addition, we offer free customer support to most users (we offer both email and phone support).
Secondly, our products are very low cost. Low cost, combined with the paragraph above (what we place first), has caused MaxBotix Inc., to operate very lean.
Operating lean as a company means that everyone wins. So as you see the sales move up, we feel that it has been a win for both our customers and us. The sales growth allows us to serve this industry in the ways they require, that is, with low-cost, high-quality products, and the sales growth allows us to continue to grow the company.)
All Environment (IP67) Ultrasonic Sensors
January 23, 2009
MaxBotix® Inc., announces the release of the MaxSonar®-WR1™ sensors. These sensors are designed for either indoor or outdoor use while maintaining very low cost. The MaxSonar®-WR1™ will work in many industrial applications such as presence sensing (determining whether an object is present or not), distance measurement, outdoor mounting, people and proximity detection, snow measurement, and tank level detection. The rugged packaging and narrow beam width of the WR1™ means that these sensors can be used for mobile robotics applications like room mapping, where a precision beam is required.
The LV-MaxSonar®-WR1™ was released for sale in October 2008. The LV-MaxSonar®-WR1™ features 3V - 5.5V low power operation, provides very short to long-range detection and ranging, in a compact, robust PVC housing, designed to meet IP67 water intrusion criterion, operates over a wide temperature range from -40ºC to 85ºC, and with mounting that matches standard electrical ¾” pipe fittings (14 NPTS). The LV-MaxSonar®-WR1™ detects objects from 0-inches to 254-inches (6.45-meters) and provides sonar range information from 12-inches out to 254-inches with 1-inch resolution. Objects from 0-inches to 12-inches range as 12-inches. The interface output formats included are pulse width, analog voltage, and serial digital. Users of the popular MaxBotix® Inc., LV-MaxSonar®-EZ lineup will find the user interface of the WR1™ sensors familiar.
Additionally, a feature rich version of the LV-MaxSonar®-WR1™, the XL-MaxSonar®-WR1™ is scheduled for release with in the second quarter of 2009. This will have the features of the LV-MaxSonar®-WR1™ along with many customer requests. Included features are temperature compensation, higher accuracy, finer resolution, wide power range 3V - 40V, longer distance ranging, and a lower peak current while in standby mode (making it ideal for battery or power conscience applications). An unusual feature is the analog return signal amplitude provided as the envelope of the measurement for advance users.
The pricing structure of the MaxSonar®-WR1™ sensors makes them the lowest cost sensor in its class. The LV-MaxSonar®-WR1™ retails for $99.95 and the XL-MaxSonar®-WR1™ retails for $159.95. All MaxSonar sensor products meet RoHS compliance standards.
Ultrasonic Sensors Selected for Research
January 23, 2009
MaxBotix® Inc., custom-made sensors are scheduled for micro UAV flight-tests. Weighing in at less than seven grams each, these sensors are an evolutionary extension of the MaxSonar®-EZ line, except with custom high-power drive electronics, integrated sensitive amplifiers and envelope detection and signal conditioning. Arrays of these custom sensors provide the ability to yield long-range real-time detailed situational awareness.
Below are exerts from a press release from Aurora Flight Sciences (May 2008) in which the MaxSonar® sensors will be used.
"Aurora Flight Sciences plans in 18 months to fly a micro-sized unmanned air vehicle that is guided by visual and sonar sensors inspired by flies and bats... A pair of MaxBotix acoustic sensors detects even smaller obstacles, such as wires, by localizing their location by sending acoustic pings from two, wingtip-mounted sensors...The challenge involves not just cramming several tiny cameras, two sonar antennas and on-board processing into a prototype package weighing no more than 300g (10.6oz) and consuming less than 5W."
To view the full press release, please click here.
The MaxSonar® sensors are in a feature article in June 2008 Servo Magazine
June 2008- In the past three years, a few articles have been written about our sensors, but the latest one by Fred Eady, is the most detailed article to date.We first learned about this article after the June 2008 Servo Magazine arrived in our mailbox.This article takes up almost ten percent of the June 2008 Servo Magazine and discusses the MaxSonar sensor line.Fred talks about the differences between each of the sensor's beam width, how to use each user interface, and the many features and benefits to using the MaxSonar sensors.
We contacted Servo Magazine and they generously provided links to the article to pass on to our customers.The article is large, so if you click to download, please allow time for the download.
MaxBotix Inc., has experienced amazing growth over the last three years and we thank you for continued interest in our products.
MaxBotix® Inc., Expands MaxSonar Product Line July 17, 2007 Click the link for the pdf printable version of the press release:New Product Press Release
Users of ultrasonic rangefinders have found that the beam widths of low cost ultrasonic sensors do not always match their application. Wider beam width (and more sensitivity) is better suited for obstacle detection, people detection, collision avoidance, detecting small objects, and more robust detection in the central beam area. Narrower beam width (and less sensitivity) is useful for clutter rejection, high acoustic noise environments, directional ranging, room mapping, or using an ultrasonic sensor to locate an opening such as a door. Some users require very long long detection and ranging, while others only care about performance only out to one meter. In addition, users of ultrasonic sensors, even sensors that have a narrow beam width, still desire detection of small objects within the central beam, stable range measurements (even when ranging moving objects), small size, low power, and the sensor must be easy to use. Both narrow or wide beam sensors can be useful for all of the mentioned uses but in general a specific beamwidth will perform better, than another, for a given user application.
The beam width of the LV-MaxSonar® sensor line up is factory calibrated and precisely controlled. This allows the precision beam angles that users of the EZ1™ have come to depend on. The beam width of the LV-MaxSonar®-EZ1™ balances robust people detection ability with a narrow beam width. This compromise does not fit all users as some users have reported that, for their application, they desire either a wider or narrower beam. To address this, MaxBotix®Inc., has added four additional ultrasonic rangefinders to the LV-MaxSonar® sensor lineup, each calibrated to a specific beam width. This allows users to select the sensor that provides the beam width of choice. Beam plots for each sensor type are shown on a
one-foot grid background. Detection distance for 5V operation is shown in black lines, and distance for 3.3V operation is shown with red dots. The sensor beam width is widest for the EZ0™ where it is well suited to users desiring a high sensitivity or a wide beam width. Each sensor, the EZ1™, EZ2™, EZ3™ and EZ4™ is progressively narrower. For example, the EZ4™provides users with a narrow beam width for much better clutter or acoustic noise rejection.
The MaxSonar® ultrasonic rangefinders operate over the voltage range of 2.5V to 5.5V (2mA typical), provide three simultaneous user outputs (analog voltage, pulse width, and serial), fill a volume less than one cubic inch, and weigh only 4.3 grams. Sells for $29.95. RoHS compliant.
MaxBotix®Inc., would like to also introduce the MaxSonar®-UT, the ultrasonic transducer used in the the MaxSonar®product line. The MaxSonar®-UT sells for $5.95. RoHS compliant.
New and Improved Product Announcement, the LV-MaxSonar®-EZ1™
January 2007
Datasheet for the LV-MaxSonar®-EZ1™ is available here: LV-MaxSonar-EZ1-Datasheet.pdf
MaxBotix® Inc., has released the LV-MaxSonar®-EZ1™, a new and improved evolution of the original *MaxSonar®-EZ1™. The LV-MaxSonar®-EZ1™ operates over the 2.5V to 5.5V voltage range, yet includes all the best features of the popular original MaxSonar®-EZ1™. Operating over the much lower voltage range of 2.5V to 5.5V makes the LV-MaxSonar®-EZ1™ directly compatible with the ever-growing 3.3V electronic systems market, and the battery operated sensors market, yet still maintains compatibility with the 5V market. In addition, the performance and reading reliability are as good or better than the original MaxSonar®-EZ1™. And part to part variability has also been reduced through improved testing and calibration. Current users of the original MaxSonar-EZ1 at 5V, will likely notice no difference in performance, but those that do notice a difference, may notice the improved detection of small or soft objects within the first one to two meters.
MaxBotix® Inc.
On July 1st 2006, Maxbotix® Technologies has become MaxBotix® Inc. This changes the legal status of the company and supports the continuing growth of MaxBotix® Inc.
MaxBotix® Inc. Acquires Wielen Electronics
On July 1st 2006 , to further position itself for growth MaxBotix® Inc., acquired Wielen Electronics. Wielen Electronics, previously a small contract electronics company, setup to handle light electronics assembly and shipping operations, is now part of MaxBotix® Inc. Bringing these operations into MaxBotix® Inc., allows control of the continuing growth of these important operations.
New Product Announcement
December 2005
Datasheet for the original MaxSonar®-EZ1™ is available here: MaxSonar-EZ1-Datasheet.pdf
Maxbotix® is pleased to announce the MaxSonar®-EZ1™ high-performance ultrasonic range finder. The sensor is a completely new design, yielding many improvements over traditional ultrasonic range finders.
The MaxSonar®-EZ1™ offers very short to long-range detection and ranging, in an incredibly small package, with ultra low power consumption. The MaxSonar®-EZ1™ detects objects from 0-inches, even objects pressing against the front sensor face, to 254-inches (6.45 meters), and provides sonar range information from 6-inches to 254 inches, with 1-inch resolution. Objects between 0-inches and 6-inches range as 6-inches.
Traditional dual-sensor piezoelectric ultrasonic range-finders have many subtle peculiarities. These include the inability to detect very close objects, a central up-close blind spot between the transducers, and very wide-angle beams (some more than 90 degrees!). In addition, if a piezoelectric sensor has a narrow beam, it will, in general, have much shorter detection zones, especially for small objects.
The MaxSonar®-EZ1™ overcomes these problems and more by utilizing a single 42KHz ultrasonic transducer coupled with a continuously variable high gain amplifier. The MaxSonar®-EZ1™ is half the size of competing sensors, while the 2mA nominal current draw is the lowest of any range sensor.
The MaxSonar®-EZ1™ is very easy to use. It has holes for easy mounting, and provides the range directly, using three user interfaces. The pulse width output is similar to other low cost ultrasonic range finders. The analog voltage output provides 10mV per inch output and always holds the latest range reading. In addition, after each range event the digital output sends asynchronous serial data in an RS232 format, except voltages are 0-5V.
Priced at $29.95 (MSRP), the MaxSonar®-EZ1™ is a very low cost sonar sensor. For additional information please check out www.maxbotix.com, or email Bob Gross at bob@maxbotix.com. Distributors welcome. Patent pending.
For more information please... download the Datasheets:Downloads
Questions or comments...
please email us atinfo@maxbotix.com To place an order by phone, please call during our preferred business hours of 9:00am - 3:00pm CST, Monday through Thursday, 9:00am - 12:00pm Friday. Orders placed after 3:00pm Thursday typically ship the following Monday.
MaxBotix® Inc.
7938 College Road Suite 105
Baxter, MN, 56425
Phone: 00-1-218-454-0766
Fax: 00-1-218-454-0768
The names MaxBotix, MaxSonar, EZ0, EZ1, EZ2, EZ3, EZ4, AE0, AE1,AE2, AE3, AE4 and WR1 are trademarks of MaxBotix Inc. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective company.
Since MaxBotix Inc., started first selling the original MaxSonar-EZ1 in Dec 2005 through now the company sales have doubled each year. For example, sales in 2007 doubled the sales of 2006, and then sales in 2008 doubled the sales of 2007.
MaxBotix®Inc., would like to also introduce the MaxSonar®-UT, the ultrasonic transducer used in the the MaxSonar®product line. The MaxSonar®-UT sells for $5.95. RoHS compliant.