INSTRUMENTS.

Ultrasonic measuring

A compact, heavy duty, non-contact industrial ultrasonic measuring system features a patented extremely concentrated narrow beam angle of only 2.5 degrees off center axis for optimum operational measuring reliability with minimum interference from different temperature layers, vapors, condensation and dust, according to the company. The ST-270 SonicLaser ultrasonic sensors use echo pulse technology that measures the round trip time-of-flight of acoustical transmissions reflected from a liquid, slurry, granular or free flowing powder surface in almost any industry. Its concentrated narrow beam angle is said to assure stronger return echoes for enhanced performance and accuracy. The sensor's narrow beam also is said to allow installation of the transducer as low as eight inches from the nearest sidewall for maintenance-free operation over a 16 foot range without being affected by interference from build-up on the walls or any other false echoes, according to the manufacturer. The sensors operate in temperatures ranging from -40 [degrees] F to +212 [degrees] F. (HiTech Technologies, R O. Box 535, Newtown, PA 18940-0535)

Circle 73 on card

Laser level monitor

A high penetration non-contact pulsed laser distance monitor is available for use with or without reflectors, and is said to be ideal for measurement of powder and bulk material in smaller silos, bins or tanks of opaque liquids and of material in a pressurized vessel or silo under very low visibility conditions. The user-friendly high performance non-contact LD90-350HiP pulsed laser distance monitor has a range of 330 ft. (100m) and is said to be more economical and less powerful than other laser distance monitors in the company's product line. Its Class I rating is said to make it ideal for smaller silos, bins or tanks. The LD90-350HiP has a very narrow measurement beam, is capable of operating in very dusty, foggy or steamy environments, and has overcome problems associated with concaving or convexing of materials, according to the manufacturer. (Riegl Laser Measurement Systems, 8516 Old Winter Garden Rd., Suite 101, Orlando, FL 32835)

Circle 74 on card

Contact tangle meter

The Model CAM-12 contact angle meter is designed to measure contact angle readings on wafers and substrates up to 8" in diameter. The CAM-12 comes with three separate platforms measuring 4, 6 and 8". The CAM-12 allows wafers and substrates to be analyzed for contact angles 360 [degrees] around the edge of a 4", 6" and 8" wafer or substrate. This contact angle meter is said to provide the utmost simplicity in its use for wafer fabricators for coating, etching analysis and photoresist. Thins instrument is designed for quick and error-free measurements. (Kernco Instruments, 420 Kenazo Ave., El Paso, TX 7992 7)

Circle 75 on card

Portable pyrometer kit

Temperature measurement is said to be easy, fast and accurate with an EZ-Probe portable pyrometer kit. This complete kit allows the user to monitor temperature of countless applications without the need for expensive equipment, according to the manufacturer. The EZ-Probe is mounted in a high-impact, alloy-plastic case with a 1/2" tall bright LCD and offers operation for over 3,000 hours on one 9 volt battery. The EZ-Probe measures a temperature range from -30 [degrees] to +1,800 [degrees] F. Over 10,000 of the company's assured quality surface, immersion, insertion and air sensor styles are available. (Electronic Development Labs, EDL Tool & Die, 244 Oakland Dr., Danville, VA 24540)

Circle 76 on card

Rubber plasticity measurement

The Rapid Plastimeter is designed to measure the plasticity of natural or unvulcanized compounded rubber to international standards. The P14 model, to be marketed under the Cogenix brand, features a "C" frame design, providing safe and easy access for the operator when loading and removing samples from between the heated platens, according to the company. Start-up instructions are provided in sequence on the instrument display panel, allowing the operator to proceed quickly through the calibration procedure to have the instrument ready in seconds for testing samples, according to the manufacturer. (H. W. Wallace & Co., Ltd., 172 St. James's Rd., Croydon, England CR9 2HR)

Circle 77 on card

Non-contact sensors

Self-contained, high-speed, non-contact, laser-based industrial gauging sensors have been specifically developed for numerous on- or off-line applications in the rubber and associated industries. They are said to be high in performance, reliability and repeatability. Optimized for measurement on dark rubber surfaces with reflectivity from dull to shiny, the Class II SLS 2000 visible laser is said to be easy to interface with control systems and features a robust sensor design for most rubber industry environments. Other benefits are said to include its fast, accurate and repeatable measurement data capability, its flexible range of measurement ranges and stand-off distances, and its unique dynamic feedback loop, according to the manufacturer. This feature is said to allow accurate measurement without regard to color, ambient light changes, variations in object reflectivity speed, temperature of material or general plant environmental conditions. Applications include measuring splice offset and overlap, radial and lateral run-out on green tires, tire sidewall inspection, gauging overall product thickness, splice detection of rubber sheet, etc. It is also said to profile green rubber. (LMI Selcom, 21654 Mel-rose, Southfield, MI 48075)

Circle 78 on card

Infrared thermometers

The 900 Series high speed infrared thermometer is used in the tire industry, airplane engine testing and race car markets. The 900 Series has expanded its high speed sensor technology to a longer wavelength high speed sensor. The Model 900/LW infrared noncontact sensors offer a response time of 6 milliseconds and will allow small target spot sizes at great distances to allow automatic temperature sensing. The Model 900/LW high speed non-contact infrared sensor offers temperature ranges from 30 [degrees] C and up. The advantage of this model is said to be its long wavelength operation, making it less susceptible to outside energies, reflections and the sun, according to the company. (Irtronics Instruments, 132 Forest Blvd., Ardsley, NY 10502)

Circle 79 on card

Mass flowmeter 

The Coriolis mass flowmeter, with its 100:1 turndown, is said to be well suited for compounding of rubber and elastomeric products. This flowmeter is capable of reproducible and accurate measurement of viscous fluids, emulsions and slurries with viscosities to 1 million cP, according to the company. The flowmeter's lower velocity requirements are said to offer energy savings from lower pressure drops and reduced pump horsepower requirements. The transducer, with patented dual omega-shaped flow tubes, is more sensitive than conventional mass flowmeters, providing a greater mechanical gain, according to the company. (Schlumberger, 1310 Emerald Rd., Greenwood, SC 29646-8800)

Circle 80 on card

Rubber hardness testers

The Cogenix range of hardness testers is available with software support. The DCS software can be used with the Model H12 micro hardness tester, the H14 dead load hardness tester and the H17A Shore A hardness tester, which are all designed to conform to international standards for the testing of rubber and elastomers. A Windows-based package controls the instrument, allowing data to be exported to most commercial spreadsheets, word processors and databases. Password protection, sample and operator data fields are available with user-defined gates and flagged data reporting. Included in the statistics package is a powerful graphical report generator that can display test results in line, point or bar format with either automatic or manual scaling, according to the company. Menu options include mean max./min, and standard deviation. (H. W. Wallace & Co., Ltd., 172 St. James's Rd., Croydon, England CR9 2HR)

Circle 81 on card

Weathering instrument

The Ci3000+ Xenon Weather-Ometer for accelerated weathering and lightfastness testing features a state-of-the-art microprocessor controller and a sophisticated temperature, control system, and exceeds today's performance standards providing accurate, reproducible and repeatable test results, according to the company. Said to offer the most advanced testing features available in a smaller capacity instrument, it is said to be an economical solution meeting both test and budget requirements. Equipped with a menu-driven LCD control panel, the Ci3000+ Weather-Ometer is said to offer easy and accurate test programming and operation. The microprocessor-based operator interface is said to simplify test start-up, improve diagnostics, automate calibration and offer easy programming of user-defined test cycles. The CPU stores 12 pre-programmed tests and five custom test programs. (Atlas Electric Devices, 4114 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, IL 60613)

Circle 82 on card

Ultrasonic level sensor 

A durable, compact, heavy-duty and economical single rod vibrating level sensor is available in various configurations and uses ultrasonic piezo-ceramic technology for optimum performance, reliability and accuracy in measuring carbon black or any type of powdery or granular material under temperatures ranging from -40 [degrees] F (-40 [degrees] C) to 320 [degrees] F (160 [degrees] C), according to the company. The Nivocont RK-200 ultrasonic vibrating level switch is self-cleaning through vibration, pressure proof and corrosion resistant. The switch is available in four single rod, heavy-duty configurations, all with compact vibrating assemblies polished in 316 stainless steel titanium for durability and performance, according to the manufacturer. The sensor is mounted vertically or horizontally, depending on the version used. The standard RK-200 unit is designed for side mounting in the vessel. Accuracy of the vertically mounted sensor is said to be 1.0 in. (25.4 mm), and for horizontally mounted sensors accuracy is said to be [+ or -] 0.5 in. ([+ or -] 12.7 mm). (HiTech Technologies, PO. Box 535, Newtown, PA 18940-0535)

Circle 83 on card

Pyrometer calibration

Precision, speed and accuracy for instant temperature checks for countless industrial or laboratory applications is said to be available with the Dyna-Temp pyrometer with calibration test circuit. The Dyna-Temp pyrometer is available with temperature ranges from -280 [degrees] to +2,000 [degrees] F. Accuracy of the Dyna-Temp pyrometer can be verified at any time with the touch of a button using its self-test diagnostic circuit. All temperature readings are said to be easy to see with the 1/2" tall, bright LCD. The rugged casing of the Dyna-Temp is powder-coated aluminum, not plastic. (Electronic Development Labs, EDL Tool & Die, 244 Oakland Dr., Danville, VA 24540)

Circle 84 on card

Mixer temperature sensors

Rubber compound mixer temperature sensors are said to be those most commonly used in the mixing of rubber compounds and other abrasive substances. These mixers are generally referred to as internal mixers and may use either a thermocouple or an RTD to measure the compound temperature. All sensors are individually tested to meet or surpass the industry time response test standard. Sensors may be ordered with a choice of either a hard-chrome plated tip, or with an XH-5 coated tip that is said to provide greater abrasion and wear resistance. These sensors are mounted using a notch configuration. Several combinations are available. (Pyromation, 5211 Industrial Rd., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825)

Circle 85 on card

Industrial gauging sensors

Two non-contact laser-based industrial gauging sensors have been introduced by the company. Sensors include a Class II SLS 2000, a less costly series of self-contained, high-speed sensors specifically developed for numerous on- or off-line rubber and associated industry applications that require high performance, reliability and repeatability, according to the company. Also introduced is a mini-series sensor, the LSH (laser sensor head) 2401. Other sensors available from the company include the SLS 5000 and SLS 6000 series of heavy-duty sensors, the SPS 2301 profile sensor and the LBS (laser beam sensor). (LMI Selcom, 21654 Melrose Ave., Southfield, MI 48075)

Circle 86 on card

Digital tachometer 

The Model K-3000 digital tachometer/length meter combines a tachometer system plus a length measuring meter into a single multi-function system. This model offers contact and non-contact measuring capabilities to handle all rpm, surface speed and length measuring needs, according to the manufacturer. The Model K-3000 has the following measurement ranges: rpm from 1.00 to 99,999 rpm (non-contact) and 1.00 to 19,999 rpm (contact); surface speed of 0.30 to 6,500 feet/minute, 0.10 to 1,999 meters/minute and 4.0 to 78,000 inches/minute; and length measurements of 0.01 to 99,999 feet, 0.02 to 99,999 meters and 1.0 to 99,999 inches. In addition to its function as a tachometer, the K-3000 can also be used to measure the accumulated total of continuously running material being wound on a spool, or for checking the calibration of on-line counters and totalizer devices. (Kernco Instruments, 420 Kenazo Ave., El Paso, TX 79927)

Circle 87 on card

Ultrasonic distance sensor

The Ultra-S was designed by company engineers to directly convert material position or diameter to analog signals or contact outputs for the purpose of controlling the tension, speed or motion of webs, cables and wires. The sensor can provide direct position or size input to motion controls or PLCs, and provide contact closures for limit conditions or full and empty conditions, according to the manufacturer. The Ultras sensor is said to be competitively priced and maintenance-free. (Senix, 52 Maple St., Bristol VT 05443)

Circle 88 on card

Automated solids analyzer

The 9000vsa automated solids analyzer automates nitrogen and/or sulfur analyses of solid samples up to 500 mg, providing results in as little as eight minutes, according to the company. Its built-in turbo sampling system is said to speed analysis, permit analysis of higher concentrations and allows larger sample sizes because samples are burned quickly and completely. The 9000vsa's unique vertical orientation enables use of a gravity fed autosampler and consumes much less bench space than horizontal instruments, according to the manufacturer. It is said to deliver excellent reproducibility and increased productivity by eliminating the repetitive tasks of manual sample introduction. The easy-to-load autosampler is controlled by the company's custom-designed software. Operational parameters (i.e., temperature programming, ramp rates and times, etc.) can be stored and recalled as needed. The system is said to be ideal for automating polyolefin additives (slip, antioxidants, etc.), thermoplastics, resins, etc. (Antek Instruments, 300 Bammel Westfield Rd., Houston, TX 77090-3533)

Circle 89 on card