Surface Roughness Tester For Manual Testing

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.

www.mitutoyo.com

Freeman Tech. Has New Reference Standard For Powder Tester

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.

www.freemantech.co.uk

Optical PV Cell Testing System Provides Non-Destructive Analysis

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.

www.microspectra.com

Cell Phone Signal Gets First One-Box Test System From Aeroflex

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

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.

www.teseq.com

NAVY Uses New Salt Detection Kits For Its Ships’ Surfaces

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

www.chlor-rid.com

Software Developed for Mobile WiMAX Testing

National Instruments introduced the NI Measurement Suite for Mobile WiMAX (IEEE 802.16e-2005), a software suite that engineers can use with modular RF instrumentation for automated testing of Mobile WiMAX devices. With this software suite, engineers can perform Mobile WiMAX component and device testing faster than with traditional instruments, and with better accuracy and greater flexibility.

Based on PXI Express instrumentation powered by multicore technology, the suite can perform error vector magnitude (EVM), power and spectral measurements three to five times faster than traditional instruments. PXI WiMAX test systems from National Instruments also provide a low-cost, R&D-grade instrumentation alternative to traditional instruments. With a typical residual EVM accuracy of -46 dB at 3.5 GHz (-10 dBm), this test system can perform significantly more accurate measurements than alternative production test-grade instruments. Additionally, the suite provides engineers enhanced flexibility with the same equipment used for testing Mobile WiMAX devices to test hardware that complies with other standards such as Fixed WiMAX, wireless local area network (WLAN), GPS, and GSM/EDGE/WCDMA cellular standards.

The Measurement Suite for Mobile WiMAX supports channel bandwidths from 1.25 to 28 MHz and fast Fourier transform (FFT) sizes 128, 256, 1024 and 2048, as well as all Mobile WiMAX modulation types with both convolution coding and turbo convolution coding. The Measurement Suite for Mobile WiMAX also can generate or analyze signals with up to eight zones and 16 bursts. Combined with the NI PXIe-5663E RF vector signal analyzer and NI PXIe-5673 RF vector signal generator, the measurement suite also provides continuous frequency coverage from 85 MHz to 6.6 GHz.

By including the NI Signal Analysis Toolkit for Mobile WiMAX and the NI Signal Generation Toolkit for Mobile WiMAX, the suite offers programming APIs and virtual instrument panels for signal generation and analysis in programming environments including the NI Lab VIEW graphical system design platform. In addition to a LabVIEW API, the toolkits install with an equivalent C-style API for engineers using C, C++, .NET, or similar programming language.

The Measurement Suite for Mobile WiMAX supports multiple PXI hardware configurations to meet different application needs. A standard NI test bundle for Mobile WiMAX includes anNI PXIe-5663 6.6 GHz vector signal alayzer, NI PXI e-5673 6.6 GHz vector signal generator, NI PXIe-1075 18-slot high-bandwidth chassis and a NI PXIe-8108 dual-core controller to provide high-performance flexibility to a variety of automated test systems.

www.ni.com

Lab Brick Generates Signals for Portable Testers

The Lab Brick® family of USB-compatible signal generators cover frequencies from 50 MHz to 6 GHz in a fraction of the cost and size of traditional test signal sources.

Signal generators are essential to most test systems, but they are typically too large and expensive for portable measurement applications. In cases where portability is important, the Lab Brick® family of signal generators from Vaunix Technology Corporation includes five low-cost, compact models covering a total range of 50 MHz to 6 GHz with high output levels and excellent spectral purity. They can be powered and controlled by means of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) equipped personal computer (PC) or laptop computer, or operate under battery power or with a remote power supply for embedded or automated applications.

The five members of the Lab Brick® signal generator family are models LSG-251 (50 to 250 MHz), LSG-152 (250 to 1500 MHz), LSG-222 (500 to 2200 MHz), LSG-402 (1000 to 4000 MHz), and LSG-602 (1500 to 6000 MHz). Each Lab Brick® signal generator (Fig. 1) measures 4.90 x 3.14 x 1.59 in. (124 x 80 x 40 mm) and weigh less than 1 lb. (0.45 kg). It can be connected to a host computer by means of a standard USB cable and controlled by means of Graphical User Interface (GUI) software run on the host computer. The simple GUI features large display windows to quickly view and adjust the signal generator’s frequency and amplitude.

The Lab Brick® signal generators each deliver at least +10 dBm output power across their full operating-frequency ranges. Signals are available at an SMA connector, and output levels can be adjusted via the GUI software over a control range of 50 dB (-40 to +10 dBm) for the 6-GHz model LSG-602 and 55 dB (-45 to +10 dBm) for the other four models. Output-level settings are accurate within +1.5 dB and -0.5 dB. In addition to controlling output levels, the GUI allows an operator to complete shut off the signal generator’s output power. Frequency can be set with 100-kHz resolution, with initial accuracy (before aging) of better than ±2 PPM.

In spite of being low-cost, portable units, these high-performance signal generators boast low phase noise and excellent spectral purity. For the 250-to-1500-MHz model LSG-152, for example, the single-sideband (SSB) phase noise is typically -95 dBc/Hz offset 10 kHz from the carrier and -115 dBc/Hz offset 100 kHz for the carrier (Fig. 2). For the 50-to-250-MHz model LSG-251, the phase noise is typically -105 dBc/Hz offset 10 kHz from the carrier and -125 dBc/Hz offset 100 kHz from the carrier. For the 1000-to-4000-MHz model LSG-402, the phase noise is typically -85 and -105 dBc/Hz, respectively, at 10- and 100-kHz offsets, while for the 1500-to-6000-MHz model LSG-602, the phase noise is typically -75 and -95 dBc/Hz, respectively, at 10- and 100-kHz offset frequencies. For all models, harmonics are typically -10 dBc while spurious content is typically -80 dBc.

The Lab Brick® signal generators include a green LED status indicator to show connection to a USB host computer. When the host computer recognizes a Lab Brick® signal generator, it loads the GUI software and displays that signal generator’s serial number and model number. The GUI software can track and control several connected Lab Brick® signal generators, simplifying multiple-signal test setups. In addition, each Lab Brick® signal generator can store settings in internal memory, allowing it to power up in a specific instrument state. This same capability also allows a Lab Brick signal generator to be used in an embedded or remote instrument application without USB control required to achieve a given instrument state. In non-USB applications, the Lab Brick® signal generators can operate with battery power or remote power supply. For automatic-test-equipment (ATE) applications, a programming guide is available for each Lab Brick® signal generator. In addition, they are programmable by means of LabView software drivers from National Instruments (www.ni.com).

A Lab Brick® signal generator provides several operating modes, including continuous-wave (CW) and swept-frequency operation. In CW mode, the sources deliver a fixed-frequency, sinusoidal output signal. In the swept-frequency mode, the generators can perform a single sweep or continuous sweeps across a user-defined frequency band in user-defined frequency steps. A user can define not only the frequency step size but the frequency dwell time.

The RoHS-compliant signal generators are supplied in rugged aluminum housings complete with mounting holes. Lab Brick® signal generators comply with international requirements for electromagnetic-compatibility (EMC) emissions and immunity for Class A ISM devices to ensure that they don’t interfere with other ISM-band equipment. Each Lab Brick® signal generator is shipped with a 6-ft.-long USB cable and a USB flash memory drive containing the GUI software and a software file copy of the user manual. Lab Brick® signal generators can be used with any PC or laptop computer with USB 2.0 port (or powered USB hub) and running the Windows 2000, XP, or Vista operating system.

www.vaunix.com

ipot Testers Now Offer Optional RS-232 Serial Interface.

Announced today by Slaughter Company is the 2nd generation of Slaughter’s 2900 series of Hipot Testers. These new testers offer enhanced features including an optional RS-232 serial interface. The series feature three different models: the 2955 AC Hipot Tester, the 2965 AC/DC Hipot Tester, and the 2975 AC / DC Hipot with built-in Insulation Resistance testing.

An RS-232 interface is available as an optional feature and now allows for the direct connection of the Hipot Tester to a PC. This provides users with the benefit of being able to setup the instrument remotely through the PC which allows for quick and accurate configuration of all test parameters. In addition to this in compliance with many safety agency requirements it becomes a very simple process to download all test results directly to a PC for record keeping of electrical safety tests. The addition of RS-232 to the 2900 series now gives users the benefit of automation in a Hipot tester with a low price point.

In addition, the 2900 series provides a simple menu control that allows users to quickly and easily set up tests. It also offers 10 program memories to easily store and recall different test setups. This is a benefit for manufacturers that have multiple products on the same production line, eliminating the need to re-program the tester each time a different product needs to be tested.

Transparent Reciever Provides Pin-Point Alignment

Pinpoint Laser Systems® is introducing the “Transparent” Receiver to the Microgage 2D family. This receiver allows a laser beam to pass clearly through it while making a precise position measurement for aligning machinery and equipment was introduced last fall has since been improved. The receiver is compact and will fit into small places for bore alignment, checking extruder barrels, shaft bearings and much more. Both receivers and the host Laser Microgage 2D are versatile and can be adapted to many industrial measuring and alignment tasks.

The method of operation is simple – a narrow laser beam provides a measuring reference line and these receivers determine the position of a machine or sub-assembly relative to this laser reference beam. These new receivers will operate over distances of 100 feet or more and deliver a measuring precision of 0.0005 inch; ideal for demanding industrial alignment applications. The Laser Microgage system and these newest receiver additions are well suited for lathe and spindle alignment, checking machine tool runout, roll and web alignment, precision bore alignment and much more. The Microgage 2D is easy to use with instructions that show up on the display guiding the operator through their alignment project. Several simple accessories allow for alignment of straightness, runout, parallelism, squareness, roll & web alignment, shaft & bore alignment, flatness measuring and much more.

The 2 Axis Laser Microgage operates on batteries for added convenience and all components are machined of solid aluminum with a hard anodized coating for wear resistance. A sealed push button keypad and large LCD display make the Microgage 2D easy and convenient to use in demanding industrial environments. A serial and USB interface connect to a laptop or PC and link to popular spreadsheets for plotting and analyzing data for maintenance records, customer compliance and other uses. This Microgage system includes a compact carrying case to store the components and is easily carried right out onto the manufacturing floor.

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