Instrumentation
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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Get Everything In Alignment
April 8, 2011 9:23 am | Product Releases | CommentsPinpoint Laser Systems (Peabody, MA) has announced a new four-axis Microgage Receiver, which provides useful alignment information for evaluating and correcting machinery alignment problems. The 4D Receiver measures two linear axes, and their two angular components: yaw and pitch. According to the company, the tool is ideal for aligning lathes, turning centers, spindles, as well as linear slides, injection molding machinery, and more.
Monitor Your Fleet's Tire Pressures
April 7, 2011 5:54 am | Product Releases | CommentsDoran (Cincinnati, OH) has developed a tire pressure monitoring system through a collaborative project with PeopleNet, allowing for in-cab integration with off-truck communication and fleet management capabilities. The Doran 360 tire pressure monitoring system will help reduced fleet maintenance costs by providing real-time tire pressure data, warnings, and reports directly to maintenance professionals.
When Size Does Matter
April 1, 2011 7:42 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Big Bucket PrimoWeigher combination scale, from CombiScale, Inc. (Locka, FL) is well-suited for a wide range of free-flowing and non-free-flowing applications. The 5 liter BB model can accurately deliver product ranging from 4 ounces to 55 pounds, or for products where a larger volume is a consideration.
Capture Better Audio In Loud Places
March 31, 2011 5:34 am | Product Releases | CommentsOlympus (Center Valley, PA) has developed the new DM-620 PCM audio recording device featuring a three-microphone TRESMIC system designed to capture low frequency sound for premium recordings. The device also features a “scene select” option, noise cancelation, a zoom microphone, and a low-cut filter.
Control Liquid Nitrogen
March 29, 2011 12:00 pm | Product Releases | CommentsUnion Process, Inc. (Akron, OH) has developed a system for controlling the flow of liquid nitrogen into the grinding chamber for customers performing cryogenic grinding. The system includes a probe inside the chamber that monitors the temperature and regulates the flow of liquid nitrogen into the mill at the desired temperature.
Weigh With Your Forklift
March 28, 2011 11:46 am | Product Releases | CommentsToyota Material Handling U.S.A., Inc. (Irvine, CA) has developed a new integrated scale, now available on 4,000 to 5,000 pound Toyota internal combustion, cushion tire lift truck models. The new scale allows for simultaneous weighing and transportation of loads. In addition, it eliminates the repetitive, time-consuming process of transporting loads to and from floor scales.
Accurate Liquid Leveling
March 25, 2011 7:36 am | Product Releases | Commentsifm efector inc. (Exton, PA) has developed the LMT Series Sanitary Point-Level Sensor, which is designed to monitor the level of liquids, viscous media, and powders in food in processing tanks and pipes. The LMT sensor uses high frequency capacitive spectrum profiling technology that enables the sensor to ignore foam and deposit build-up and differentiate between actual product and residue.
Micro-Sized Inspection Cameras
March 18, 2011 7:24 am | Product Releases | CommentsRIDGID (Elyria, OH) has introduced the micro CA-100 view-only inspection camera as the newest addition to its Hand-Held Diagnostic and Inspection product line. The micro CA-100 camera allows for more detailed visual digital inspection in hard-to-reach areas. According to the company, the 3.
Weigh With Speed, Precision
March 18, 2011 7:23 am | Product Releases | CommentsMETTLER TOLEDO (Columbus, OH) has introduced the versatile WMS weigh modules, which can be integrated into automated processes with ease. According to the company, they meet demanding standards and quality requirements. The FDA-compliant stainless steel design features overload stops and a long service life.
Check The Health Of Your Machines
March 17, 2011 9:52 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe new CSI 2600 Machinery Health Expert delivers the portability of the two-channel CSI 2130 Machinery Health Analyzer and advanced predictive capabilities. The system, from Emerson Process (Knoxville, TN) continuously monitors, records, and analyzes machinery information for more than 100 hours across all 24 channels without the significant cost of a hardwired solution.
Less Obstructive Flow Meters
March 14, 2011 7:06 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe new FMG70 series of electromagnetic low flow meters from Omega Engineering, Inc. (Stamford, CT) contain no moving parts, which makes them maintenance-free. In addition, they do not obstruct flows, and have a fast response time of <500ms. The low-cost FMG70 series can be used in areas where flow meters with moving parts cannot be used due to contamination/particulate in the media.
Monitor Gas With More Reliability
March 11, 2011 8:10 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe new Model X-40 from Detcon (The Woodlands, TX) is a low-power alarm and control system designed to monitor multiple gas detection sensors and a wide range of other field devices. It is available in two packages — the Model X40-8 and Model X40-32 — both of which can be customized and expanded based on individual application needs.
Take Control Of Your Power
March 8, 2011 5:39 am | Product Releases | CommentsTime Mark Corporation (Tulsa, OK) has announced the arrival of the new Model 64-5 Power Factor Regulator, which is a monitoring and power factor control system. The Model 64-5 uses a phase-angle sensing circuit to monitor the power factor of a three-phase power line and automatically respond to changing power by closing or opening the internal relays.
Completely Wireless Inspection
March 7, 2011 9:56 am | Product Releases | CommentsSKF (San Diego, CA) has developed the Microlog Inspector, the next generation SKF MARLIN inspection system, which provides the ability to manage workflow and data collection within and between different plant disciplines (operations, maintenance, safety, etc). The Microlog Inspector does not need to be connected to a PC running SKF’s @ptitude software package because it supports communication over LAN, USB, WiFi, and even cellular data networks (3G/GPRS).
Flowmeters Use Sound On Big Pipes
March 4, 2011 7:47 am | Product Releases | CommentsKROHNE, Inc. (Peabody, MA) has developed the OPTISONIC 6400 portable ultrasonic flowmeter for liquids, which measures the flow velocity, the current volumetric flow, and a variety of other diagnostic values. According to the company, the OPTISONIC 6400 is compact and easy to install by attaching the sensor rail to the pipe and plugging in all the cables.
Faster, Smarter CMM Inspection
March 3, 2011 5:32 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe new PH20 probe head from Renishaw (Hoffman Estates, IL) has a unique “head touch” capability for high-speed point capture with minimal CMM movement. With its infinite positional capability, it increases touch-trigger CMM inspection throughput by up to three times, plus 5-axis inspection capability to smaller CMMs.
Flow Meters For Difficult Environments
March 3, 2011 5:27 am | Product Releases | CommentsBadger Meter (Milwaukee, WI) has released their industrial oval gear flow meter — the Model IOG — for flow measurement solutions compatible with viscous or highly-corrosive fluids. The flow meters are available in two different construction materials: aluminum with liquid crystal polymer gears (for petroleum, non-acids, oil, paint and ink applications), and stainless steel with stainless steel gears (for cosmetic, acid, water mix and fertilizer applications).
Better Flame Detection
March 1, 2011 6:52 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Model 3600-L/LB UV/IR Optical Flame Detectors from Sierra Monitor Corporation (Milpitas, CA) are used to monitor for flames from gasoline, methane, heptanes, ethanol, and diesel fuel, and carry an ATEX approval. The detectors sense the radiant energy in both the UV and IR spectrums, and analyze the signals for frequency, intensity, and duration.
Miniscule Proximity Sensors
February 25, 2011 9:06 am | Product Releases | CommentsAutomationDirect (Cumming, GA) has extended its offering of industrial sensors to include the PEW series of stainless steel DC proximity sensors. The sensors are flush-mountable and feature a 2mm sensing range. They are available with either M8 or M12 quick disconnects, and have LED status indicators, which are visible and wide angles.
Industrial PCs Get Better
February 18, 2011 5:11 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe industrial PCs from noax (Huntersville, NC) are now equipped with new motherboards that increase the efficiency and performance with a range of new components and features. The next generation series use dual-core processors and a flexible plug design, including two PCI express slots. According to the company, these upgrades offer better graphics and improved security when saving data.
Understand Your Oil
February 17, 2011 6:03 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Paul N. Gardner Company (Pompano Beach, FL) has developed the OCMA-310 Oil Content Analyzer, which can assess the trace amount of hydrocarbons in a variety of materials, as well as check for residual hydrocarbons on pre-cleaned products. The S-316 solvent used by the unit can be recycled by a solvent reclaimer, making the system environmentally-friendly.
Pinpoint Any Alignment Issue
February 14, 2011 9:00 am | Product Releases | CommentsPinpoint Laser Systems (Peabody, MA) has developed a new roll alignment kit to facilitate the alignment of rollers, idlers, take up reels, shafts, and web-handling systems. The newest addition — the Microgage Roll Alignment kit — is compact and easy to use in industrial environments, according to the company.
Find Any Hydraulic Leaks
February 8, 2011 5:38 am | Product Releases | CommentsSpectronics Corporation (Westbury, NY) has introduced the OPK-341 Industrial Leak Detection Kit, an effective and efficient way to pinpoint the exact source of fluid leaks in hydraulic equipment, compressors, engines, and gearboxes. The OPTIMAX 3000 is a cordless, rechargeable blue light LED inspection flashlight.
Shaft Alignment Gets Easier
February 7, 2011 7:58 am | Product Releases | CommentsVibrAlign (Richmond, VA) has launched a new wireless shaft alignment, the Fixturlaser GO Pro, which uses an adaptive and time-saving user interface, according to the company. Depending on what the measurement results show, the tool will guide the user through the alignment process. In addition, the new tool comes with the Verizontal Compound Move function, which eliminates the need to take more measurements after the vertical alignment.
The Right Gear For Electrical Testing
January 31, 2011 10:20 am | Product Releases | CommentsTechnicians working around hazardous equipment and high-voltage circuits could benefit from the clamp meters and four-channel handheld oscilloscopes from Fluke (Everett, WA). The test tools all exceed tough international standards for safe use in 480 volt electrical environments, and allow technicials—who must test live circuits—to do so at a safe distance.
