About MDI

MDI is a Methode Electonics, Inc. Company

Our Mission

MDI, a Methode Electronics, Inc. company, is committed to being the industry leader in the development and production of state-of-the-art torque sensing products. MDI provides clients with the “best solution” to meet their defined expectations. MDI globally supplies standard as well as custom product solutions to end users, resellers, and original equipment manufacturers. MDI’s technologies and our total service support offers end customers the opportunity to realize the best complete solution at a fair market price.

• MDI provides the user with the highest quality product to offer years of dependable service. MDI products are serviced and supported through a network of authorized channels and directly by MDI factory personnel.
• MDI provides our clients with the highest level of technical application support for the use of our technology solutions.
• MDI provides these services in a timely fashion to help our clients in applying the “best solution” to solve their technological needs.

History

MDI has its technological roots firmly in the use of magnetics for non-contact measurement devices.

MDI was founded in 1977 by Ivan Garshelis in the belief that magnetoelasticity, or the relationship between the stress applied to certain materials and their magnetic properties was an underutilized natural phenomenon. Trained as a mechanical engineer, Ivan was acutely aware of the need for an accurate and robust method of torque measurement on a rotating shaft. He and others in the company invented various means of changing the magnetic permeability of shafts, which is indicative of the amount of applied torque. Not satisfied with these various methods, which are subject to many sources of inaccuracy, he struck upon a unique way of observing a more fundamental trait of certain ferromagnetic materials. In an appropriately prepared and magnetized structure, the magnetic dipoles tend to align themselves toward the direction of the applied stress. Moreover, it was found that the greater the stress on the material, the greater the extent of magnetic alignment. This is the fundamental principle that led to a number of patents based on circular magnetization.

• To realize the potential of this exciting breakthrough technology, Methode Electronics, Inc. acquired controlling interest of MDI in 1997.
• Methode Electronics, Inc. acquired all intellectual property of SenTorque Company during the year 2001.
• Methode Electronics, Inc. acquired all intellectual property from FAST Technology in 2003.
• MDI released a full line of off the shelf Magna-lastic torque sensors including Hex Drive, Square Drive, and Shaft-to-Shaft products during 2003.
• MDI more than doubled the standard product offering with a new line of products such as: Electronic Torque Wrench, Wireless Torque Sensor, Torque/Angle Sensor, and a new Torque Meter during 2005.