On-line Magazine 'Sensors & Transducers' (S&T e-Digest)

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Vol. 62, No. 12, December 2005

Table of Contents

Gaithersburg, MD - Wilcoxon Research has added another low-cost sensor to its family of general purpose accelerometers, the new 788A, with a sensitivity of 100 mV/g and a tight +10% tolerance.

The 788A is a single axis sensor with an acceleration range of +50 g (at full scale). High frequency response measurements up to 10 kHz identify faults and improper machine operation, ensuring that maintenance professionals are aware of these potentially damaging conditions. Typical noise is 4 micro g at 100 Hz. The 788A operates normally at temperatures between -50° and 120° C. Additional features include exceptional shielding, ground isolation, and hermetic sealing against environmental contamination ...

Courtney Schlapo, Marketing Communications,

Wilcoxon Research

Tel:: 301 216 3039 

E-mail: cschlapo@wilcoxon.com

Series MLY torque transducers fulfill the need for small size, low inertia, robust, and economical instruments for measuring torques in milliNewton-meter (mN•m) ranges. (1 mN•m = 0.1416 oz.•in.). This unusual combination of desirable features is enabled by the use of polarized band magnetoelastic torque sensing technology*. MLY transducers offer those involved in the world of small machinery a size compatible means to monitor and control the torques involved in the operation of their motors and mechanisms.

Non contact torque sensing is intrinsic in MLY transducers; nothing except its 4 bearings is attached to the rotating shaft. In operation, a central “active” portion of the shaft, sized for the user specified measurement range, generates a magnetic field proportional to the transmitted torque. This is converted into an electrical signal by a pair of diametrically opposed Hall effect field sensors. Connections to external power source and signal conditioning, display, or data acquisition circuits, are made through user selected pigtail leads, attached cable or bulkhead connector. All internal electrical/electronic parts are encapsulated.

MLY transducers having 3.17 mm (0.125 in.) diameter shafts are available in full scale torque ranges from ±10 to ±250 mN•m. Units in the same case size with 4.75 mm (0.187 in.) shafts can handle torque ranges to ±400 mN•m. Units in a somewhat larger case with 6.35 mm (0.250 in.) shafts have up to ±1000 mN•m torque ranges ...

Ivan Garshelis,

Magnova, Inc.

E-mail: ijgarsh@magnova.com

Http://www.magnova.com/torque

Microsense Technologies Pvt Ltd has developed a microprocessor based smart Label Sensor with TEACH button programming facility. The sensor is specially designed to sense position of label (sticker) on paper which has very minute difference in transparency. The microprocessor uses a 10-bit ADC to convert transparency level into 256 different values. TEACH button provides easy setting when the label-type changes from batch to batch

The sensor is suitable for all automatic machines where the label is peeled-off from the tape & is stick on a plastic/glass/metallic container or enclosure or product. The sensor operates on 10 to 30 VDC power supply & gives out NPN or PNP transistor output. The supply line is protected for reverse polarity. Output (NPN or PNP) driving capacity is 700mA & is protected for short-circuit, over-load & inductive load ...

Microsense Technologies Pvt Ltd.

4218-A, Chandramouleshwar, Sita-Gumpha Road, Panchavati,

Nashik-422003. INDIA

Phone: 91-253-5666565, fax: 91-253-2511565

E-mail: info@microsense.in

A Det-Tronics Eagle Quantum Premier combined fire/gas detection and extinguishing agent release system with 41 multi-frequency X3301 infrared flame detectors has been selected by COGNIS France to protect production and storage facilities at its plant producing chemical products 50 km east of Paris.

The choice of Detector Electronics for the contract followed lengthy evaluation testing started in 1999, with all competitive systems eliminated before this year's final decision. This was reportedly due largely to the superior performance and reliability of the Det-Tronics products and the supportiveness and system solution ideas of the local DEC team.

Flame detectors are being installed throughout the plant with the EQP system cited beside the main controlroom's distributed control system. The equipment has ATEX and CE certifications as required in France ...

Emily Lowe,

Detector Electronics

Tel: +44 (0)1753 683059

Fax: +44 (0)1753 884540

E-mail: Detronics.Mail@detronics.co.uk

http://www.detronics.com

Eight physical quantities can be accurately measured with only one handheld unit OMNIPORT 20 from E+E Elektronik. The pluggable sensing probes allow easy configuration of the OMNIPORT handheld for various applications and measuring ranges. With its range of sensing probes OMNIPORT 20 measures following HVAC and process parameters: relative humidity (RH); temperature (T); dew point temperature (Td); absolute humidity (dv); mixing ratio (r); air velocity (v); water activity in oil (aw); water content in oil (x).

The large display with back light and the robust housing allows the use of OMNIPORT also in harsh industrial environment. The thumbwheel navigation with easy to use menus as well as the calibration procedure stand for easy and user friendly operation ...

Werner Hentscholek

E+E Elektronik GmbH

Langwiesen 7, A-4209 Engerwitzdorf, Austria

Ph.: +43 – 7235-605-0, fax: +43 – 7235-605-8

E-mail: info@epluse.at

CAMPBELL, CA - Datastick Systems, Inc., introduced the VSA-1212 Vibration Spectrum Analyzer, the first PDA-based vibration analyzer to use standard, off-the-shelf ICP®-type piezoelectric accelerometers for machine condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, and routine troubleshooting.

The system includes the new Datastick® VSA-1212 Vibration Spectrum Analyzer module that attaches securely to select PDAs running Palm OS; new Datastick Spectrum handheld software that collects vibration measurements and displays them in time waveforms and FFT spectra complete with alarm levels; and Datastick Reporting System(TM) (DRS) software that receives the data from the handheld into a special VSA Microsoft® Excel® workbook on the PC with two mouse-clicks.

Measurement data is collected, viewed, analyzed, and stored on the PDA and then exported to the desktop PC for viewing, further analysis, trending, reporting, storage, and publishing to the enterprise and the web. When combined with an off-the-shelf ICP-type accelerometer, a Palm Powered® PDA and Microsoft Excel software, the VSA-1212 is a complete hardware and software system for vibration analysis for predictive maintenance ...

Michael Scandling,

V.P. Marketing

Datastick Systems, Inc.

Tel: (408) 871-3300

Fax: (408) 871-3313

Email: mike@datastick.com

Newbury Park, California, – The MR267 Current Loop Controller (CLC) option remotely controls a motorized potentiometer and/or rotary cam switch via 4-20mA current loop, 0-2.5V input or external potentiometer. It provides a simple and inexpensive solution for automating existing systems controlled by manually-operated potentiometers, rheostats or rotary cam switches. The CLC option can be specified for any of Micronor’s broad line of modular motorized potentiometers, cam timers and rotary limit switches. The MR267 option operates from 24VDC with an operating temperature range of -10°C to +65°C ...

Dennis Horwitz

Vice President, Sales & Marketing

Micronor Inc.

Tel: (805) 499-0114

Fax: (805) 499-6585

E-mail: dennis.horwitz@micronor.com

http://www.micronor.com

Newhaven, & The University of Surrey, - CEVP has developed a fabrication tool to commercialise the revolutionary low temperature carbon nanotube growth process developed by the University of Surrey's Advanced Technology Institute (ATI). The new tool - NanoGrowth - is currently being trialled and characterised, and the two partners anticipate releasing the technology for commercial use in March 2006.

The exploitation of the incredible mechanical and electrical properties of carbon nanotubes in precision applications such as integrated circuits and flat panel displays has been hindered by current growth techniques, which can elevate substrate temperatures to 1000 degrees C or more, resulting in damage or material compatibility issues. In contrast, the NanoGrowth tool, which is designed to deliver nanomaterial growth across areas up to three inches in diameter, employs a unique thermal control system to maintain the growth substrate at room temperature.

Processing capability is highly programmable, providing great flexibility for research or development use. User-friendly software - a version of CEVP's field-proven SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) package - gives fine control over all stages of processing via graphical MIMIC-style displays. As part of the beta testing phase, ATI and CEVP will be creating generic nanotube and nanowire recipes that will be provided with the tool, which offer ready-to-use growth processes. Users will also have full manual control, and will be able to adapt these recipes, or create their own custom processes using a menu-driven user interface to control gas flow rates, voltage and current levels, RF power, temperatures, etc. Sophisticated data-logging, trending and batch tracking facilities help users to develop and document their own processes, to optimise recipes for commercial production. Remote monitoring is also possible ...

Prof. S. Ravi P. Silva,

Advanced Technology Institute,

University of Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK

Tel.: +44 (0) 1483 689825,

Fax: +44 (0) 1483 686081

E-mail: s.silva@surrey.ac.uk