The tuning-fork sensor has been developed by Shinko Denshi is now well known as an ideal sensor for weight measurement technology. We are the world's only manufacturer of precision balances that use tuning-fork sensors, which are now widely used in various fields, especially Pharmacy, Jewelry, Industry, Laboratory and more. The tuning-fork sensor has also been adapted for use in the active support mechanism of the Subaru telescope, which is the world's largest, most accurate optical telescope.
Shinko Denshi always measure in pursuit of advanced technology and originality for more than 40 years since foundation.
We have produced many unique products in the field of weight and measurement. Especially, Shinko Denshi is only a maker produced electronic balances and scales with the tuning-fork sensor technology. Advantages of the electronic balances and scales with the tuning-fork sensor are high repeatability, excellent stability, high durability, excellent temperature characteristic, low power consumption and compact. We have had good respects in not only domestic market, but also overseas market.
The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan contracted Subaru Telescope, which is the world's largest optical telescope, on the top of Mt. Mauna Kea in Hawaii Island. Subaru Telescope has been built in 2000, spent 40 billion yen. Shinko Denshi's Tuning-fork sensors have been mounted in Subaru telescope. The world-renowned tuning-fork sensor technology has a capability of observing celestial objects up to 15 billion light years away. Subaru Telescope took the clearest and most complete image to date of the galaxy, and the space.
The reflection mirror used in the Subaru is made of ultra-low expansion glass. It has a diameter of 8.3 meters, the thickness of 20 cm and weighs 23 tons. Because of the weight, the mirror surface can distort to ±2mm within a surface diameter of 100 km required, In order to achieve the requirements, a force sensor with extreme accuracy and long-term stability was needed for 261 actuators, which are primary mirror support systems that control the mirror's surface. Out of the numerous sensors considered for this different task, our tuning-fork sensor was ultimately selected.
