Oil cylinder manufacturer Magnetostrictive refers to some metals (such as iron or nickel), which have the ability to stretch under the action of magnetic field. The effect of magnetostrictive is very subtle. The principle of magnetostriction is to use a strain pulse generated when two different magnetic fields intersect, and then calculate the time period required for this signal to be detected, so as to convert the accurate position.

One of the two magnetic fields is from the moving magnet, and the other is from the current pulse generated by the electronic components of the free sensor head. This pulse, called "interrogation signal", runs at the speed of sound along the waveguide made of magnetostrictive material in the sensor. When the two magnetic fields intersect, the waveguide will undergo magnetostriction and produce a strain pulse. This pulse, called "return signal", is quickly detected by the sensing circuit of the electronic head.

The time period from the moment when the inquiry signal is generated to the time when the return signal is detected times the fixed sound speed, we can accurately calculate the position change of the magnet. This process is continuous, so whenever the active magnet is driven, the new position will be detected quickly.