Instrumentation
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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Don't Worry, Just Plummet
July 1, 2010 5:05 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Plummet from the Paul N. Gardner Company (Gardco; Pomano Beach, FL) is a universal instrument to determine the density of paints or related products. The Plummet works on the “Archimedes” principle, which involves reading the upward force caused by immersing the plummet into the liquid, which is then expressed in grams/ml.
Video Gets Portable
June 29, 2010 7:33 am | Product Releases | CommentsLenox Instrument Company (Trevose, PA) announces the Portable Videoscope System that combines video technology, cordless operation, compact portability, and rugged durability. The system is well-suited for inspection of turbines, airframes, process tanks and vessels, tubing, heat exchanges, hydraulic cylinders, and more.
See The Smallest Defects
June 29, 2010 7:32 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe In-Sight 5605 from Cognex Corporation (Natick, MA) is a high-resolution self-contained vision system that can see very small defects, even in a large field of view. The In-Sight 5605 offers a full 5 megapixel resolution, support for Gigabit Ethernet communications, and an IP67 rating to withstand dust and washdown environments.
Real-Time pH And Temperature
June 28, 2010 6:47 am | Product Releases | CommentsOmega Engineering (Stamford, CT) has developed the OM-CP-PHTEMP2000 series data logger, which is a battery-powered standalone pH and temperature data logger. A large LCD display is also standard. The logger collects data in real-time and features programmable engineering units, programmable start-times, and automatic temperature compensation.
Flashproof Liquid Leveling
June 28, 2010 6:46 am | Product Releases | CommentsA magnetic liquid level indicator from the Clark-Reliance Corporation (Strongsville, OH) has a unique design that addresses two serious problems that can be encountered with standard level indicators: boiling fluids and flashing vapors. The Jerguson Magnicator II FlashProof gages ensure an optimized magnetic field in close proximity to the indicator, transmitter, or switches.
Intrinsically Safe Pressure Transmitters
June 25, 2010 8:18 am | Product Releases | CommentsTel-Tru Manufacturing Company (Rochester, NY) expands its Silicon Glass Fused Sensor Series of pressure transmitters, which are designed to operate safely in hazardous areas. The Tel-Tru P612 and P622 are intrinsically safe certified to Class I, Div. 1, Groups A, B, C, and D when used with approved zener barrier systems.
Go Contamination-Free
June 25, 2010 8:14 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe TECAFORM AH ID polyoxymethylene copolymer from Ensinger (Washington, PA) contains an additive that makes it easily and quickly detected by metal detectors if broken pieces from machinery contaminate the product during processing. The TECAFORM AH ID provides security against contamination, and its resistance to chemicals and cleaning agents makes it ideal for use in food production of all kinds.
Emergency Shut-Off
June 21, 2010 11:20 am | Product Releases | CommentsAssured Automation (Clark, NJ) announces the FireBag, a new line of thermally actuated gas shut-off valves used to control the flow of natural, propane, or butane gases. According to the company, many existing emergency gas shut-off devices require manual manipulation– a poor solution in emergency fire situations.
Analyze Your Water
June 17, 2010 6:03 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Triton DO8 Dissolved Oxygen Analyzer System from Electro-Chemical Devices (ECD, Irvine, CA) combines a multi-channel digital controller with a fluorescence quenching (FQ) sensing element to provide a reliable monitoring system for water treatment. The DO8 stores calibration data within the sensor, which minimizes maintenance over long service intervals.
Thermal Imaging Gets Personal
June 15, 2010 9:25 am | Product Releases | Commentstesto Inc. (Sparta, NJ) has released two new thermal imagers, the testo 875 and testo 881, which can be used for diagnostics in building performance, predictive maintenance, and thermal anomalies. The testo 881 was designed with the maintenance professional in mind, with a <0.
Laser Calibration In Micrometers
June 7, 2010 9:47 am | Product Releases | CommentsRenishaw (Hoffman Estates, IL) has developed the “lean design” XL-80 system for laser interferometer calibration, which allows a 4x faster slew rate, 10x higher dynamic data capture rate, and a smaller package. The XL-80 brings nanometer-level motion analysis to advanced machine tools, robots, and assembly systems.
Comprehensive Air Quality
June 7, 2010 9:47 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe AMI300 Indoor Air Quality monitor from E Instruments (Langhorne, PA) is ideal for any IAQ application, according to the company. The monitor can detect CO, CO2, temperature, humidity, air flow (vane and hot wire), air velocity, and more. In addition, the AMI300 can be used with a variety of temperature, humidity, and air flow probes, which can also be wireless.
Get In Your Bunker
June 7, 2010 7:22 am | Product Releases | CommentsBalluff (Florence, KY) has developed the BunderProx, a rugged, “self-bunkering” M18 inductive proximity sensor designed to survive longer in welding applications without external protection. The BunkerProx has a strong, thick housing that boosts the ability to withstand repeated mechanical impact, and also acts as an intermittent heat sink to shield the electronics from intense heat.
Gas Goes Wireless
June 7, 2010 7:22 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Model DM-100 SmartWireless gas detection sensors from Detcon (The Woodlands, TX) are low-power devices designed to detect and continuously monitor a wide range of toxic gases. All sensors provide a 2-wire loop powered 4-20 milliamp current signal equivalent to the range of the detected concentration of gas.
Lower Your Energy Bills
June 3, 2010 9:35 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe SmartBanks from Maysteel (Menomonee Falls, WI) for Low Voltage Power Factor Correction provide energy efficiency and savings by eliminating KVA and KVAR peaks that drive up energy bills. They can be used near motors, transformers, inductive heating, and arc welding generators.
Portable Light On Your Cuff
May 28, 2010 10:07 am | Product Releases | CommentsBossco International (San Diego, CA) has made their HI:BEAM Cuff Lite portable light available in a number of new colors, bringing the full range to options in gray/gray, light gray/gray, camo/gray, blue/gray, black/gray, and red/gray. The light features elastic loops to pull over work gloves, making them ideal for mechanics and other industrial technicians.
Where The Wind Blows
May 27, 2010 7:24 am | Product Releases | CommentsDegree Controls, Inc. (Milford, NH) has developed the AccuSense F333 air velocity sensor for embedded applications. The sensor is manufactured with a RoHS-compliant, rugged construction, and is aimed at ducting applications, fume hoods, and more. The F333 provides air velocity measurements within the range of 0.
Let Light Guide You
May 27, 2010 7:21 am | Product Releases | CommentsElma Electronic (Fremont, CA) now offers standing light guides for the transportation of light from a PCB to the front of a panel. The light guides are typically used in applications where the PCB stands parallel to the light emitters and front panel, such as indication systems that transmit the operating status for a device.
Gas Detection Gets Personal
May 25, 2010 8:44 am | Product Releases | CommentsCrowcon (Erlanger, KY) has expanded the capabilities of its Tetra:3 (T3) personal multi-gas detector with an additional toxic gas sensor for ammonia (NH3). The existing sensor range includes flammable gases, oxygen (O2), hydrogen sulphide (H2S), carbon dioxide (CO2), and more.
Flipping The Switch On Safety
May 24, 2010 10:06 am | Product Releases | CommentsPilz (Canton, MI) offers safe, economical safety gate and position monitoring with the PSENmag, which provide non-contact safety switches on the input side and evaluation devices on the output side. The PSENmag switches have a compact design and rugged housing, ensuring a long product service life.
Smarter Light Curtains
May 20, 2010 10:30 am | Product Releases | CommentsCarlo Gavazzi (Buffalo Grove, IL) announces the launch of the BFD Series, a light curtain that enhances the safe and efficient operation of industrial doors. The BFD’s sequential blanking algorithm allows it to distinguish between a door closing and an object or person in the door, according to the company.
Monitor Batteries With A Blinky
May 20, 2010 10:28 am | Product Releases | CommentsPhiladelphia Scientific (Montgomeryville, PA) has expanded its line of battery water monitors to include the Blinky, Smart Blinky, and Smart Blinky Remote, which are all designed to meet the battery maintenance needs and budgets of any warehouse or distribution center, according to the company.
Measure Conductivity Anywhere
May 17, 2010 6:29 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Models S10 and S17 Universal Toroidal Conductivity Sensors from Electro-Chemical Devices, Inc. (ECD, Irvine, CA) feature a standard measurement range from 50 to 1,000 mS. The inductive sensors are built with the toroids in line with the axis of the sensor instead of perpendicular to the axis as is commonly employed.
Protect Fingers With Light
May 11, 2010 8:35 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe PSENopt safety light curtains from Pilz Automation Safety (Canton, MI) can be used for finger, and body protection by safeguarding danger zones whenever a production process requires active yet safe access. According to the company, the PSENopt barriers comply with stringent industry standards.
A Manufacturing Photo Shoot
May 6, 2010 8:52 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe latest photoelectric sensors from Balluff (Florence, KY) are designed to detect issues such as skew, material shifts, object alignment, and web material drag—all issues that force production levels to be less than optimal. The EdgeMaster comes in four types, the first of which is the BAV MA series, with a fixed dual-optical axis edge detection system.
