Surface Roughness Tester For Manual Testing
March 2, 2010 by admin
Filed under Data Acquisition, Meters & Testers, Test Equipment
Mitutoyo America Corporation announces the new Surftest® SJ-210 portable surface roughness tester. Numerous innovative features combined with high accuracy and a competitive price makes this instrument the new class leader.
The Surftest SJ-210’s large, 2.4″ color LCD display includes backlighting, over-size fonts and the unique ability to re-orient screen content to be read vertically or horizontally left and right-handed. Color tolerance judgments, evaluation curves and all data can be displayed in one of 16 languages. Self-timed measurement and optional foot switch facilitate smooth, consistent operation. Up to ten measurement conditions can be registered and the ten most recent trace results are stored automatically. The SJ-210 employs a micro-SD card for storage of up to 10,000 results and support of screen capture. USB and RS-232C connectivity is supported. Security is managed via a password lock.
With high accuracy (a resolution of 0.0016µm at a measurement range of 25µm), a fast measurement speed (up to a max. of 0.75mm/s), a selection of nine exchangeable detector tips and features such as gear tooth surface detection, the Surftest SJ-210’s flexibility and high throughput make it ideal for any manual surface roughness inspection task.
Freeman Tech. Has New Reference Standard For Powder Tester
February 25, 2010 by admin
Filed under Meters & Testers, Test Equipment
Freeman Technology will present a new reference standard for use with the company’s FT4 powder tester. The FT4 uses patented dynamic methodology, a fully automated shear cell and several bulk property tests, including density, compressibility and permeability to quantify powder properties in terms of flow and processability. In combination with defined test methodologies, the new reference standard, a stable fine limestone (CRM116/BCR116), enables users to verify the long term performance of the FT4 in line with their own laboratory practices.
CRM116/BCR116 is a limestone supplied by the EU Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, for which there already exists calibration data for shear testing. Test protocols and acceptable results ranges for dynamic, shear and bulk property measurement (compressibility and permeability) have now also been established. Testing the performance of the FT4 is simply a matter of running the automated test sequence and comparing the data generated.
The CRM116 limestone is a cohesive powder with a mean diameter of around four microns. Although normally available in three kilogram batches Freeman Technology will supply much smaller aliquots for routine calibration.
Optical PV Cell Testing System Provides Non-Destructive Analysis
February 25, 2010 by admin
Filed under Featured, Machine Vision/Inspection, Meters & Testers, Sensing, Test Equipment
CRAIC Technologies released the 20/20(TM) UV-visible-NIR microspectrophotometer. 20/20(TM) microspectrophotometer is designed to non-destructively analyze many types of microscopic samples from the deep ultraviolet to the near infrared. Analysis of samples can be done by absorbance, reflectance, luminescence and fluorescence with unparalleled speed and accuracy. The system can also be configured to image microscopic samples in the UV and NIR regions in addition to color imaging.
Applications are numerous and include forensic analysis of trace evidence, vitrinite reflectance of coal and spectral analysis of minerals, measurement of protein crystals, contamination analysis and thin film measurement of semiconductors, hard disks and flat panel displays.
The 20/20(TM) microspectrophotometer integrates an advanced spectrophotometer with a sophisticated UV-visible-NIR range microscope and powerful, easy-to-use software. This flexible instrument is designed to acquire data from microscopic samples by absorbance, reflectance or even luminescence spectroscopy. By including high-resolution digital imaging, the user is also able to use the instrument as a ultraviolet or infrared microscope. Touch screen controls, sophisticated software, calibrated variable apertures and other innovations all point to a new level of sophistication for microanalysis.
ABLE Gas Flow Meter Helps Extend Life of North Sea Asset
February 18, 2010 by admin
Filed under Meters & Testers
As the gas producing wells in North Sea decline, the available wellhead pressures drop. This mostly affects the operation of process equipment such as Amine coolers which need high gas pressure for efficient operation.
As a consequence, compressor modifications, generally utilizing a rerouted existing export compressor to become an LP compressor to boost the incoming gas pressure, are being implemented. This is an effective solution that has the potential to significantly extend the life of the asset.
With this modified configuration, it is vital to ensure that the LP compressor does not run ineffectively in full recycle, yet many assets were never designed to include metering of the discharge flows built in to the compressor discharge pipework.
Without this key metering facility it is difficult to determine the actual discharge flow from the LP compressor and the associated efficiency. Relying on pressure control valve positions and other unconventional flow techniques to infer flow is not acceptable.
On initial commissioning, the flow can be obtained using a control algorithm, based on the flow characteristics of the recycle valve but as the valve wears, this method of measurement becomes more unreliable with time. The solution is to use a non-intrusive gas meter that can be installed without piping modifications or loss of production. This greatly reduces the cost of implementation and eliminates any equipment integrity issues, resulting in no risk of loss of containment or hydrocarbon release issues.
ABLE Instruments has successfully provided a clamp on Ultrasonic gas meter solution for this application with proven excellent accuracy and reliability, which has greatly assisted with the smooth implementation of compressor reconfiguration projects.
Cell Phone Signal Gets First One-Box Test System From Aeroflex
February 9, 2010 by admin
Filed under Meters & Testers, Test Equipment
To speed up real-world testing of mobile handsets for LTE networks ahead of network deployment, Aeroflex is introducing the first one-box test system for cell phone signal fading simulation.
Integrated within the 7100 Series digital radio test set, the new fading simulator option offers RF engineers an inexpensive and reliable baseband tool for signal fading profiling, a requirement for LTE (Long Term Evolution) certification, says the company.
“Until now, testing and simulating LTE fading profiles meant buying and cabling together two separate test instruments,” said Phil Medd, product manager, Aeroflex Test Solutions. “By integrating the LTE fading simulator into the 7100 Series, Aeroflex will save customers tens of thousands of dollars in purchasing additional test equipment and circumvent potential calibration errors that cause faulty test results. In addition, confidence is boosted by the repeatability of the fading profiles.”
Fading simulators, combined with noise generators, modify RF signals transmitted by the LTE system simulator (in this case the 7100 Series) and emulate degradations introduced into the radio channel by real-life obstacles such as buildings and foliage. For LTE developers who must profile signal fading on mobile handsets to meet 3GPP requirements before a network is available, the 7100 Series fading simulator allows engineers to perform realistic signal fading simulations in a reliable and repeatable lab environment.
As the world’s cellular network operators work towards adopting LTE, the demand is growing to meet all of the LTE requirements, including fading profiles specified by 3GPP in 36-521-1. The Aeroflex 7100 Series test platform provides fading simulation that meets or exceeds all 3GPP requirements, as well as an unprecedented degree of flexibility in allocating cells and fading taps for LTE user equipment (UE) without the need for manual reconfiguration. The fully repeatable test scenarios presented by the 7100 Series with the fading simulator include the emulation of dynamic environments and realistic and accurate testing of MIMO (multiple-input/multiple output) scenarios.
RF engineers, system integrators, and regression test engineers need to be ready to test new frequency allocations for LTE features at any time. With the LTE future in mind, the 7100 Series fading simulator supports all LTE bandwidths to 20 MHz with a frequency range up to 6 GHz. The Aeroflex fading simulator supports all 3GPP fading profiles, allowing users to determine if their device conforms to 3GPP test specifications.
Based on Aeroflex’s tried and tested RF and baseband technology, the 7100 Series digital radio test set is ‘unique’ in its support of both RF parametric and protocol testing for LTE terminal devices. The 7100 Series simulates a network from the physical layer to the core network IP infrastructure. Focused on the R&D market, from components to handsets, the Aeroflex 7100 Series is a comprehensive test system for LTE mobile devices incorporated into a small footprint, single bench-top instrument, says the company.
Automated 3-Phase CDN for EFT and Surge Testing
February 4, 2010 by admin
Filed under Meters & Testers, Test Equipment
Teseq Inc. released an automated 3-phase coupling/decoupling network (CDN) for EFT and surge testing. The new CDN 3063 provides safe, reliable operation in a wide range of test setups, including higher current level and 3-phase EUT (equipment under test) testing.
To prevent damage to internal components, the CDN 3063 comes with over temperature protection that allows short term operation at current exceeding the nominal rating. A phase rotation indicator in the 3-phase models shows a correctly sequenced power connection for safe EUT operation.
The new system meets IEC requirements for EUT currents over 16 A and ANSI specifications for special coupling modes and pulse amplitude control making it fully compliant with both industry standards.
Available in a burst only configuration (CDN 3063-B32), with surge function only (CDN 3063-S32) or in a combined model that provides both (CDN 3063-C32), the modular CDN 3063 is easily upgraded to protect a user’s initial investment and quickly adapts to changing test environments.
The CDN 3063 couples burst and surge pulses in 1-, 2- or 3-phase power mains up to 480 V with a current range up to 32 A that incorporates the new IEC standard’s provision for testing EUT’s with high power consumption. The standard defines three classes of filter inductance for current ranges: up to 25 A, 25 A to 60 A and 60 A to 100 A. Reduced decoupling inductances in series with the EUT power connection are used in order to minimize series voltage losses with higher current EUTs.
The CDN can couple EFT pulses specified in IEC 61000-4-4 Ed2, the combination wave pulse defined in IEC 61000-4-5 and the ring wave pulse from IEC 61000-4-12 as well as the special amplitude control pulse from ANSI C62.45.
The CDN 3063 utilizes the latest electronic component technology to measure and track the mains voltage and simultaneously control the pulse phase angle and amplitude. When combined with Teseq’s NSG 3060 burst generator, the CDN 3063 fulfills the unique coupling requirements designated by ANSI C62.41, which requires a constant peak voltage amplitude for any EUT mains voltage and phase angle.
The CDN 3063 can also be used with Teseq’s NSG 3040 burst generators to increase the generator’s effectiveness and enable its use in higher current level or 3-phase EUT applications.
AC/DC EUT current range is 3 x 32 A continuous, 3 x 40 A for approximately 35 minutes and 3 x 50 A for approximately 10 minutes. The CDN 3063 weighs 43 kg (94.8 lbs) and is 449 mm (17.7″) wide, 310.5 mm (12.25″) high and 565 mm (22.2″) in depth.
Laser Beam Analyzer Runs on Microsoft® Vista or Windows 7
January 25, 2010 by admin
Filed under Calibration, Meters & Testers, Sensing
At PhotonicsWest 2010 Ophir Spiricon announced BeamGage Professional, its newest addition to the company’s laser beam analysis systems.
BeamGage Professional builds on the features included in BeamGage Standard: Beam-Maker beam simulator, automatic camera control for ease of use, and comprehensive set of beam analysis algorithms. The Professional version adds such new capabilities as partitioning of the camera output for separate analysis of multiple laser beams from sources such as fiber, a .NET interface for full remote control when integrating beam analysis into an automated application, and camera sharing.
Analysis of individual Beams
BeamGage Professional now supports partitioning of the camera output. This enables analysis of individual beams when multiple beams impinge on the camera simultaneously. This is particularly useful when analyzing multiple fibers in a single bundle. Individual partitions can be viewed in the 2D display window one at a time or all at once. The 3D display shows all at once.
.NETAutomation Interface
Applications can now be automated by interfacing through BeamGage Professional’s .NET controls for embedded or remote operation. Users can control the software using Active X or National Instruments’ LabVIEWcontrols. Features that can be automated include launch and termination of the application, camera settings, data capture, and image capture. Examples are provided in LabVIEW, Excel, Visual Studio.Net C#, and Visual Studio.NET VB.
Accurate Measurements
BeamGage Professional is based on UltraCal™, Ophir-Spiricon’s patented baseline correction algorithm that helped establish the ISO 11146-3 standard for beam measurement accuracy. Beam-Gage provides high accuracy results, guaranteeing the data baseline (zero reference point) is accurate to 1/10th of a digital count on a pixel-by-pixel basis.
BeamGage allows you to configure as many measurements as needed; it includes over 55 separate measurement choices, including many based on ISO standards, such as Centroid X and Y, Ellipticity, Eccentricity, Peak Fluence, and more.
Enhanced Interface
Running on Microsoft® Vista orWindows 7, BeamGage Professional operates in 32-bit mode for faster processing. Enhanced 3D graphics improve data rendering. The software supports a selection of cameras with FireWire (1394) and USB interfaces that cover wavelengths from 190 to 3000nm.
Digital Multimeter Has USB & Cable Adapters
January 18, 2010 by admin
Filed under Bench Test, Meters & Testers
Fluke Corporation announced enhancements to its bench digital multimeters. The Fluke 8808A 5.5 digit Digital Multimeter and the 8845A/8846A 6.5 digit Multimeters will now include a USB to RS232 Cable Adapter as well as FlukeView Forms Basic software.
NAVY Uses New Salt Detection Kits For Its Ships’ Surfaces
January 15, 2010 by admin
Filed under Featured, Meters & Testers, Test Equipment
CHLOR*RID International, Inc. have teamed up with NAVFAC, United Coatings Corporation, and American Stripping. United Coating Corporation, and American Stripping are said to use CHLOR*RID salt removal and CHLOR*TEST salt detection kits for surface preparation to apply coatings to U.S. Navy ships (including SPECWAR counter-terrorism ships), the U.S. Coast Guard, and NAVFAC fuel tanks, towers, water tanks, and pipelines.
NAVFAC (Naval Facilities Command) is the division responsible for the Navy’s land-based assets, including fuel tanks, towers, water tanks, and pipelines, etc; they use CHLOR*RID also. It has incorporated the use of CHLOR*RID and CHLOR*TEST into their specifications since in the mid 1990’s. According to Daniel Zarate, NAVFAC Paintings & Coatings, SME, “Prior to 1995, it is estimated that at least 3 out of 4 contractors suffered major failures during projects or shortly thereafter. Most coatings did not survive more than 5 to 7 years. Now with changes, including CHLOR*RID, we have an approximately 70 to 90% reduction in lifecycle costs, have reduced premature coating failures and increased service life.”
No Need for Repeated Surface Blasting – Follows NAVSEA Specifications for Chloride Cleanliness
American Stripping also uses CHLOR*RID to remove salts from Navy ships and vessels. Previously, to comply with NAVSEA “Standard Items” FY-00 Specification for chloride cleanliness, American Stripping had to repeatedly wash and blast steel surfaces. Now by using CHLOR*RID, they conform to standards without the need to constantly wash and blast, and have completed hundreds of military projects with less cost. CHLOR*RID has been successfully used for salt removal on surfaces of U.S. Navy ships and vessels, including the USS Roosevelt, USS Washington, USS Stennis, USS Reagan, USS Tempest, USS Grasp and the USS Philippine Sea. “NAVSEA has a winner in CHLOR*RID. The United States taxpayer is benefiting from our use of CHLOR*RID’s great products,” said Todd Randall, President American Stripping (ASCO).
CHLOR *RID Reduces Salts Causing Corrosion and Improves Adhesion
ONR funded research at Carderock, MD by Bowles and Schifler and at CTC, Johnston, PA, by Schultze and Pang concluded that:
• CHLOR *RID is a very effective salt mitigator using a cold wash at 65 degrees F, and 2000 psi pressure washing and in comparison with other surface cleaning methods tested.
• Washing with CHLOR*RID results in a 20 to 25% increase in coating adhesion strength relative to DI water washing.
• CHLOR*RID is effective in the removal of surface oils (test surfaces had been brushed with 10W oil during the screening of various processes for surface preparation).
Other Applications for CHLOR*RID and CHLOR*TEST to Remove Salts from Surfaces:
• Bridge Structures
• Mining Facilities
• Storage Tanks
• Public Utilities
• Electronics
• Offshore Drilling Rigs
• Process Equipment
• Pulp and Paper Mills
• Power Generation Plants
• Natural Gas Facilities
• Water treatment
• Petrochemical Installations
• Pipelines
• Cooling Towers
• Railcars
• Aircraft
Light Meter Offers Simplicity
December 23, 2009 by admin
Filed under Meters & Testers
The IDEAL Digital Light Meter (61-686) precisely measures incandescent, fluorescent, metal halide, high-pressure sodium and halogen lamp output, yet carries an MSRP of only $139 (U.S.), or about 25% less than competitive light meters with similar feature-sets.
The meter is extremely easy to use. Simply place its remote sensor in the area to be measured, press the “on” button and the light level will appear on the LCD read-out. Values can be saved on the LCD by pressing the Data Hold button or the Max Hold button to capture the maximum value.
Hard-to-reach areas are no problem thanks to the meter’s remote sensor with 1.5 meter cable. When finished, the compact meter easily slips into a pocket or the provided tool tote. The meter is shipped with a standard 9V battery.
