March 7, 2003 - Duncan Electronics, a division of BEI Technologies, Inc., has designed and developed a triple-redundant sensor pack used in AGCO’s Challenger Tractor. The new sensor pack offers high margins of safety in critical tractor steering applications with three completely independent sensor outputs, all driven from a common steering shaft. BEI designed and developed the individual sensors and triple redundant sensor assembly and collaborated on the design of the external enclosure and drive system for the device. BEI Duncan assembles and tests each individual sensor as well as the entire enclosure and shaft drive system.

This new generation sensor assembly highlights key achievements for BEI Duncan in satisfying AGCO's requirement for a triple redundant Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) output with gear reduction.

The initial application for the new sensor pack is the steer-by-wire system on AGCO's Gen III Challenger tractor that debuted Spring 2002. BEI Duncan also co-developed the complete steer-by-wire mechanical assembly. Diana Westerlund, Sales Manager for Off-Highway Equipment at Duncan Electronics states, “This opportunity highlights BEI Duncan's capability in providing not only the latest in redundant drive-by-wire steering systems, but the critical cooperation required in today’s market for collaborative engineering between suppliers and OEM’s”.

Volume production of the new system began in October of 2002 at BEI Duncan’s Tustin manufacturing facility.

Contact Factory for further details.