Scanner System Integrates Multiple Point Measurement Data
August 19, 2010 by admin
Filed under Machine Vision/Inspection, Meters & Testers, Sensing
BinMaster® Level Controls introduced the MVL multiple scanner system that integrates multiple point measurement data from two 3DLevelScanners to cover a very wide surface area and provide better inventory accuracy for large vessels than any other level measurement device. Designed specifically for the challenges of very large bins, the BinMaster MVL system displays a visual representation of the material surface that shows high and low points in the bin such as cone up, cone down, sidewall buildup or bridging. Reports generated by the 3D software provide data such as volume as a percentage, in bushels, or cubic feet or meters; maximum, minimum and average levels or distances to product; weight in US tons, pounds or metric tons; and historical logs of bin measurements.
An MVL system consists of two model MVL 3DLevelScanners, a controller that aggregates the data, 3D Vision software to be loaded onto a PC, and a 3DLinkPro modem for remote access to the scanners. The BinMaster MVL system works by integrating the measurement data from two scanners mounted on the top of the vessel in locations optimized to most effectively cover the entire surface area of the material. Generally, one scanner is mounted near the center and the other eight to ten feet from the outer perimeter. The scanners take multiple measurements of the material surface using dust-penetrating, acoustic-based technology. A controller then combines the data from the two scanners and generates a single merged visual representation of the topography of the material and displays the image on a PC loaded with the 3D Vision software that can be viewed as real-time 3D images or historic 3D image movies.
Wireless Air Quality Measurement Tool Uses Infrared For Accuracy
August 19, 2010 by admin
Filed under Machine Vision/Inspection, Meters & Testers, Sensing
The Eltek GD47 is a self contained transmitter for air quality measurements. It collects temperature, humidity and CO2 measurements and sends them wirelessly to a receiver for storage, display and alarming. The GD47 has an LCD to provide local real-time display of measured values. It uses a self calibration NDIR (infrared) sensor for accurate CO2 measurements in the range of 0-5000 ppm. The GD47 is powered by an external 12V supply with an internal NiMH back-up battery that can provide up to 100 hours of operation. The GD47 is one of more than two dozen models of transmitters with versions for temperature, humidity, voltage, current, state/pulse, light and air pressure.
Measured data is transmitted via a proprietary wireless link to one of several receivers:
o RX250AL – Wireless receiver with local storage for up to 250,000 readings and alarm output
o RC250 – Wireless receiver with serial data output for connection to a computer
o WSR – Wireless receiver with analog output
Depending on the transmitter frequency and environment, the typical wireless range can be several hundred feet to almost a mile. Repeaters are available to extend the range.
Wireless Sensors For Humidity, Temperature & CO2
Latest from E+E Elektronik is the EE240 range of wireless sensors. They are ideal solutions for high-quality wireless measurement of humidity, temperature or CO2, says the company.
Up to three intelligent probes can be connected to each transmitter. Each probe operates independently and can be hot swapped. Remote probes allow the sensing head to be placed at a distance of up to 10m away from the transmitter. These features make the wireless sensors especially suitable for industrial applications that require sensors to be routinely recalibrated without affecting network operation. The measured values can be read directly off the display on the transmitter or read remotely using your web browser from any PC in the company network.
The base station features a digital Ethernet interface for effective connection to the network and data analysis. The integrated web server allows you to easily and individually configure the wireless sensor network from any PC without installing any software. The base station comes with four analog outputs for connection to your system controller.
A mobile measuring system with up to 500 transmitter stations can be built without having to install any wiring. In addition to this high degree of flexibility, coded bidirectional communication ensures completely secure data transmission.
The wireless sensors conform to protection class IP65, making them suitable for use under demanding operating conditions as well as in outdoor applications. Wireless routers are also available to expand the network and range or to bypass obstacles, says the company.
Rotary Position Sensors Prime For Turn-Shaft Movements
Providing absolute output proportional to shaft rotation over a total range of up 120º, Macro Sensors RSE 1500 series of rotary position sensors are for measuring the position of quarter-turn valves, flue dampers, weir gates, dancer arm tensioners, and a myriad of other applications involving fractional-turn shaft movements. These DC-operated rotary position sensors from Macro Sensors are also useful for high reliability applications such as pedal, throttle-lever, or actuator position sensing in aircraft, marine, construction, and agricultural vehicles.
Although their shafts can rotate a full 360º, the RSE 1500 Series Rotary RVDT Position Sensors measure shaft angle position over a nominal range of 120º. Sensors can operate in 0° to 30°, 60°, 90°, or 120° rotation ranges. Contactless inductive technology enables these rotary position positions to offer high accuracy and repeatability with exceptional reliability. Units exhibit a linearity error of less than 0.10% of full range output while operating over temperatures from 0ºF to 185ºF (-20ºC to 85ºC).
The RSE 1500 Series Rotary RVDT Position Sensors utilize built-in electronics to offer a DC input/output configuration. Operating from a nominal 24V DC power supply, units supply a true 0-to-10V DC output. The absolute output characteristic makes the RSE 1500 Series superior to incremental output sensors like optical encoders that lose their position information in the event of a power failure. Built for long life, units are enclosed in a 1-1/2 inch diameter anodized aluminum shell and have a 0.250″ stainless steel shaft running in high performance ball bearings. The aluminum-mounting flange has a 0.750″ diameter center pilot for locating centrally in a fixture. Units are also environmentally sealed to IEC IP-66.
Simulator Simulates Satellite Signals Detected By A GPS Receiver
August 13, 2010 by admin
Filed under Calibration, Sensing
Spectracom has introduced a new eight-channel GPS constellation simulator, the Pendulum GSG-54.
Designed to provide a wide-range of capabilities for in-line production testing of devices integrating GPS receivers, according to the company, the simulator features ease-of-operation, fast test cycles, and versatility in supporting the integration of GPS receivers into devices under development. The unit’s bench-top chassis is designed to be compact, portable, and easy to set up.
The Pendulum GSG-54 simulates the satellite signals detected by a GPS receiver. Built-in standards-based test scenarios can be initiated or modified on the fly from the front panel interface. It also supports a variety of connectivity options to control and reconfigure test parameters.
The company says the GSG-54 GPS builds on the features of Spectracom’s GSG-L1 single-channel GPS signal generator and is designed to simulate eight different satellite signals to test position accuracy, sensitivity to loss of satellite signals, timing accuracy, and dynamic range. It can simulate movements and user trajectories, multipath scenarios, and various other atmospheric conditions.
Surface Topography Sensor Ideal for Paper & Board Grades
June 15, 2010 by admin
Filed under Machine Vision/Inspection, Sensing
Honeywell introduced Precision FotoSurf, the newest member of the Honeywell scanning camera measurement family for paper making. Launched at the PulPaper 2010 exhibition, Precision FotoSurf is a surface topography sensor that helps paper and board makers improve product quality while reducing waste and lowering production costs. The sensor is ideal for manufacturing all printing paper and board grades, where product surface characteristics are important, minimizing the need for manual monitoring by mill personnel. Precision FotoSurf’s camera and powerful illumination technology automatically adjusts to varying machine speeds and sheet surface characteristics to capture high-quality sheet surface images.
This automated approach helps reduce variations in web smoothness/roughness profiles which can cause a range of imperfections in paper and board products – and in turn cause printability problems. The sensor allows mill personnel to electronically monitor web surface characteristics throughout the entire production process, facilitating immediate corrective action if a product deviates from standards. This increases the yield as less paper/board is rejected, and it also increases paper makers’ customer satisfaction as they experience fewer problems with printability.
Precision FotoSurf saves paper and board makers time and money, and boosts their competitiveness. The solution maximizes productivity by reducing the need for laboratory analysis of smoothness/roughness profiles, minimizes time needed for corrective action when flaws are detected, and ultimately results in higher-quality products with less waste.
Supporting speeds up to 2,000 m/min., Precision FotoSurf uses a built-in image control unit to manage both camera and illumination parameters. In addition to providing numeric values for surface smoothness and roughness, the sensor displays images of the product surface to determine the root cause of the problem so that corrective action can be taken.
Features & Benefits
The sensor measures the following paper surface characteristics:
- PPS Smoothness
- Bendtsen Roughness
- Sensor optics and illumination automatically adjust to different machine speeds for the best image quality.
- Standard inboard sensor design allows installation in any free slot inside the sensor carriage.
- There are no moving parts in the sensor, which minimizes maintenance needs and ensures a long lifetime.
- Trending and profiling capability is available for all measured variables.
- The latest captured images are available for operator observation.
- Up to four images per scan can be transferred to Da Vinci from predefined profile locations for operator observation.
- Image Gallery display shows 8 images each representing reel average surface characteristic. These are displayed around grade dependent reference image.
- In single point operation, images are transferred periodically at a fixed rate for operator observation.
- Sample feature allows the measurement of sheet samples. This information can be used for analysis of returned product, process diagnostics, etc.
Lean-design XL-80 laser calibration brings greater performance, precision, and portability
June 7, 2010 by kremington
Filed under Calibration, Data Acquisition, Sensing
Renishaw advances laser interferometer calibration with the “lean design” XL-80 system. 
It allows a 4X faster slew rate, 10X higher dynamic data capture rate and the industry’s total system in a smaller, lighter and more portable package. The XL-80 brings nanometer-level motion analysis to calibration, error-mapping and compensation of everything from laboratory equipment, semi-conductor processing machinery and radiosurgery tools to coordinate measuring machines, lithography equipment, advanced machine tools, robots and assembly systems.
Meeting industry trends to high-speed machinery, higher precision and greater process control, the XL-80 increases linear measurement speed to 4m/s, while providing a resolution of 1 nm, even at top speed. Lightweight, compact packaging allows easier transport and set up while industry’s fastest warm up — less than six minutes — minimizes waits to increase available measurement time.
A new signal gain switch gives the option of 80 m linear range (such as for large aircraft profilers) or increased signal strength at shorter ranges.
System accuracy of ±0.5 ppm, is maintained over the full operating range of 0-40°C (32°-104°F). A new XC-80 Intelligent Sensor maintains that accuracy against variations in temperature, pressure and humidity by updating the environment factor every seven seconds via a USB link.
The XL-80 takes readings at 50 kHZ, up from 5 kHZ for Renishaw’s previous industry-standard ML10. The 10X increase in bandwidth improves capture of detailed data about small high frequency movements. Enhanced versions of Renishaw software (LaserXL™ and QuickviewXL™) present data in easy-to-use style.
The new XL-80 system is backward compatible with optics from Renishaw’s ML10 laser system, enabling thousands of current ML10 users to upgrade to the new system while retaining their investment in optics, procedures and staff training. A full range of optics allows highest precision interferometer determination of a machine’s linear, angular, flatness, straightness and squareness measurements to international checking standards.
As with the ML10, all measurements are based on the wavelength of a stabilized HeNe laser source, giving users traceability.
Advanced engineering reduces weight for the XL-80 laser unit and XC-80 compensator by 70% compared to the ML10. Combined weight is just over 3 kg, including connecting cables, power supply and sensors.
In turn, other system components — such as tripod and stage — have been downsized. The smallest “wheelie case” option is now just half the size of the original ML10 “Supercase,” but still carries a full linear and angular system, with available provision for a Renishaw QC10 ballbar kit. Weighing less than 17 kg, it offers portability to other laser systems for travel, especially by air.
The reduced dimensions of the laser head and stage allow mounting on an available magnetic base for applications where tripod mounting is not convenient. The same base height and optics dimensions as the ML10 allows the XL-80 to also be placed directly on the table (without tripod stage) for coordinate measuring machine (CMM) calibration.
Faster warm-up gives highest measurement productivity. This is especially important for calibration service providers and large manufacturing organizations needing to perform measurements on multiple machines, particularly on regularly scheduled predictive/preventive maintenance programs. A new multi-signal connector facility increases XL-80 flexibility. It provides a standard trigger signal-in (for data capture), an analog voltage-out facility, and an optional quadrature signal output. Connection to a PC is now via USB, so no separate interface is required.
Model 4400 Series Disposable Medical Temperature Probes for Continuous Patient Monitoring
May 27, 2010 by kremington
Filed under Data Acquisition, Meters & Testers, Sensing, Test Equipment
Measurement Specialties introduces the 4400 Series family of disposable medical temperature probes for continuous patient monitoring applications. These sterile, single-use temperature probes are available in multiple styles, each individually packaged in a sterile pouch with a 3-year shelf-life. FDA registered and CE/MDD marked for global sales, the 4400 Series include multi-language instructions for use and product labeling. They are for many patient monitoring applications including esophageal temperature measurement (4491, 4492), rectal temperature monitoring (4491, 4492), skin temperature monitoring (4499 with “tempheart”), esophageal temperature and monitoring heart sounds (4412, 4418, 4424) and urinary drainage and bladder temperature (4464, 4466, 4468) and more.
Molex style connector system is standard. A reusable adaptor cable (4940) provides connection to instruments utilizing ϔ phone plugs. All models feature 400-series nominal resistance response curve. The model 4400 is interchangeable +/- 0.1°C, 25°C to 45°C per EN 12470. Probe lengths vary from 15.6 inches (395 mm) to 36 inches (914 mm) with diameters from 3 mm 8 mm.
Distinct, New Laser Alignment Kit for Industry
May 27, 2010 by kremington
Filed under Data Acquisition, Machine Vision/Inspection, Meters & Testers, Test Equipment
Pinpoint Laser SystemsÒ is introducing the Pinpoint Proline Alignment Kit, a visual laser system for checking and measuring straightness, flatness, squareness, parallelism, leveling and others. This kit combines the features of a transit, an infinitely long straightedge and laser alignment system all in a compact, portable, versatile product.
The Proline Laser produces a collimated laser reference beam that forms a bulls-eye pattern for visual alignment and measuring. This innovative laser is enclosed within a precision machined housing, ensuring that the laser reference beam is parallel to the side and base surfaces within 0.003 degree, or <0.030 inch at 50 feet. This level of accuracy is for setting straight machinery runs, aligning production equipment, tran
sferring mechanical points, locating shafts, bearing mounts, aligning belts and pulleys and other industrial tasks.
A finely ruled target and magnetic base are easily moved around for checking alignments, allowing one person to perform the work of several. The kit includes a leveling base so the laser can measure flat planes and machined surfaces. A 90 degree laser prism is for squaring machinery and checking the parallelism of rails, tracks and guides.
The Proline Laser and all its accessories are machined from solid aluminum with stainless steel parts and protected by a hard anodized coating for years.
TV Analyzer Has FM Audio Capabilities
May 6, 2010 by admin
Filed under Sensing, Test Equipment
Despite the spread of digitization, network operators continue to rely on analog audio broadcasting and are even further expanding their analog networks. This is why Rohde & Schwarz has enhanced its R&S ETL TV analyzer to cover installation, maintenance and quality testing of FM audio broadcasting transmitters.
Equipped with the R&S ETL-K110 and R&S ETL-B110 options, the analyzer provides a high signal-to-noise ratio of 80 dB for measurements directly on FM transmitters. In addition, it can now also be furnished with an audio signal analysis function for FM. When service engineers perform acceptance measurements on newly installed transmitters or do maintenance work, they can examine the RF signal and the demodulated audio signal on-site using a single instrument. The audio signal analysis function includes an internal audio signal generator. The generator provides signals tailored to the audio analysis, again eliminating the need for an additional instrument.
This unique all-in-one solution from Rohde & Schwarz makes work much easier for service engineers: The R&S ETL can be equipped to function simultaneously as a TV, spectrum, MPEG, FM, video and audio analyzer as well as an MPEG-2 generator/recorder and power meter. The multistandard platform is suitable for digital TV standards such as DVB-T/H, ISDB-T(B), ATSC or ATSC Mobile DTV, for analog television, plus digital and now also analog audio broadcasting.
The R&S ETL-K110 FM option, R&S ETL-K111 audio analysis/generator option and R&S ETL-B110 high SNR FM frontend option are now available from Rohde & Schwarz.
