INSTRUMENTS.

Portable durometer

The Model 71A10 "A" scale durometer with an "A" scale range of 0-100 is designed to measure the penetration hardness of rubber, elastomers and other robber-like substances such as polychloroprene, silicone, vinyl and butyl. It may also be used for soft plastics. Additionally, the Model 71A11 is designed to measure the hardness of foam, sponge rubber and similar materials. Both models come with test block and carrying case. These durometers can be used either with a test stand or as hand-held testers. Standard equipment includes an ancillary hand for indicting peak readings. The Model 71A10 with an "A" scale of 0-100 is built to meet or exceed ASTM specification D2240-81. Sample thickness should be at least .25" thick. The Model 71A11 is said to be ideal for industrial and laboratory testing of resiliency and characteristics of soft rubber materials. (Kernco Instruments, 420 Kenazo Ave., El Paso, TX 79927-7339)

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Non-contact sensor

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. 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, according to the company. 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 dynamic feedback loop. 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. (LMI Selcom, 21666 Melrose Ave., Southfield, MI 48075)

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Sample testing

The rheoTech MD+ features an auto loading system that consists of an 18 sample carousel to allow for fully automated loading and unloading of samples into the die cavity for testing. The rheoTech MD+ offers a reaction torque transducer, state-of-the-art temperature control and die design, and a modular design. It complies with all ASTM, ISO and CE requirements. (Tech Pro, 289 Remington Rd., Suite B, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44224)

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Silicone laboratory mill

This 6" x 6" x 13" laboratory mill is available for milling small batches of robber or silicone. This cabinet style mill, with the motor and drive system mounted underneath, has a small footprint of approximately 4' wide by 2-1/2' deep. Rolls are chrome plated, ground and polished, and have inboard bearing seals to prevent batch contamination by the bearing lubricant. The rolls are cored for cooling or heating, and include rotary unions. The rear roll speed is approximately 33 rpm (52 sfm), and the friction ratio is 1.25:1. (West Coast Rubber Machinery, 7180 Scout Ave., Bell Gardens, CA 90201)

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Traversing thickness profiler

The traversing thickness profiler measures thin non-conductive materials. The technology used can measure material thickness to an accuracy of [+ or -] 0.0006" with a resolution of 0.0002", according to the manufacturer. The system makes readings every 0.1 inches while traversing across the web. The profiler will include an operator interface which will display, store and print thickness data to include a cross web thickness profile with alarm limits, a summary end of roll report, downweb location and thickness measurement data. (Systronics, 6400 Atlantic Blvd., Norcross, GA 30071)

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Bulk materials 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 materials in smaller silos, bins or tanks of opaque liquids and of material in a pressurized vessel or silo under very low visibility conditions. The LD90-350Hip pulsed laser distance monitor has a range of 330 ft. (100 m). It 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. The very narrow measurement beam of the sensor is said to allow mounting in a very accessible location, often outside the tank, silo or any other hazardous environment. This laser distance monitor also comes with a full range of options and enclosures. (Riegl Laser Measurement Systems, 8516 Old Winter Garden Rd., Suite 101, Orlando, FL 32835)

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Finished tire profiler

The company's earthmover and OTR tire thickness system uses two laser triangulation sensors, mounted on a C-bracket, to collect inner and outer profile measurements and calculate the finished tire thickness at any point from shoulder to shoulder. Functional measurement specifications of the profiler are said to include an error of measure of 1.50 mm; shoulder-to-shoulder tire thickness accuracy of [+ or -] 0.50 mm; shoulder-to-shoulder tire thickness repeatability of [+ or -] 0.25 mm; current top laser measurement stand-off and range of 750 mm/225 mm; current bottom laser measurement stand-off and range of 500 mm/175 mm; and current total tire thickness range of 125 mm (total tire thickness range can be modified to accommodate the required tire size range). A standard form is used to collect the actual measurement data for the tire. A profile display window is used to display the inside and outside profiles of the tire, and a measurement results section shows the gage thickness calculations and tolerance levels for the tire. (Byte-wise Measurement Systems, 1150 Brookstone Centre Pkwy., Columbus, GA 31908)

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High resolution sensor

The Spectra-Beam HR (high resolution) sensor is said to be a full-spectrum infrared sensor designed to provide film and sheet producers with a better capability to measure fine imperfections in their product, according to the company. The Spectra-Beam HR sensor is an enhanced full-spectrum infrared (FSIR) product, using a more focused infrared beam to allow even greater profile resolution capability. The Spectra-Beam HR sensor is said to provide converters with better measurement and control performance for applications with dies, such as extrusion coating or barrier film, according to the manufacturer. It also is said to allow the customer to measure the product much closer to the edge, allowing for a wider range of usable product. Another advantage of this system, according to the company, is that it is designed to work with other existing CIMline systems or the new System 21 platform. The System 21 product family is said to provide product measurement and control for a broad range of extrusion and rubber processes. (Eurotherm Gauging Systems, 900 Middlesex Tpke., Billerica, MA 01821-3930)

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Displacement sensors

Precimeter PH is a line of sensors with built-in processor which eliminates the need for external controllers. The visible laser spot in combination with low output power is said to simplify setup and provide safer operation. The sensors have RS232 and analog interfaces for interconnection to PLCs or computers. The fully digital sensors utilize two-dimensional CCDs as image detectors, resulting in high immunity against stray light and secondary reflections, according to the company. The company's patented technology is said to enable measurements on a wide variety of surfaces and materials. Precimeter PH offers measurement ranges of 0.24" to 1.18" as standard and can be customized on demand. (Precimeter, 41 Sequin Dr., Glastonbury, CT 06033)

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Compound control

This system for compound control is based on the company's latest versions of the DisperGrader 1000 instrument. It is specially designed to support established standard test methods for filler distribution rating and large agglomerate detection. By simultaneous rating of both parameters, the system performs rapid and accurate control for all existing black elastomers and facilitates matrix presentation of the result, according to the company. Having agreed upon the appropriate quality level for each application, continuous measuring detects process degeneration and changes in raw materials. Continuous adjustment maintains mixing process performance at the agreed quality level. The measurements also make a significant contribution to the identification of unexpected discrepancies in the mixing process, according to the company. DisperGrader models 100 and 1000 are delivered with the DisperGrader Communication software for Windows 95, DGWin 5.0. The software is said to provide easy transfer of test results and images to a separate computer. (OptiGrade, Box 733, SE-931 27 Skelleftea, Sweden)

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Dielectric spectrometer

The TDDS time domain dielectric spectrometer measures dielectric and complex relaxation properties of a wide range of polymeric materials, according to the company. Dielectric data, of interest by itself, also relates to physical transitions in the polymer molecule and can check and augment DMA and DSC data, according to the manufacturer. The TDDS is completely automated, with a programmed temperature range of -150 [degrees] to +250 [degrees] C and is programmable to make repeated measurements against time for cure studies, physical aging and other time-dependent phenomena. The instrument is said to be especially efficient and effective at very low frequencies where its rated accuracy and resolution are maintained. (Imass, P.O. Box 134, Accord, MA 02018-0134)

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Tire x-ray inspection

The 1327-C is an on-line tire x-ray inspection system utilizing a single-monitor composite view of a complete tire instead of the conventional three-monitor configuration. As a result, image analysis is said to be simplified and cycle time is reduced. In addition, the use of a high-resolution monitor increases accuracy while reducing operator fatigue, according to the company. The capability of the 1327-C has also been enhanced by incorporating a high-powered industrial PC, which is said to significantly increase the flexibility of the system while permitting rapid processing and image analysis. Adjustable look-up tables are said to enable the operator to take advantage of the system's superior dynamic range by windowing the image data into 64 primary shades for human eye analysis. (LumenX, 3400 Gilchrist Rd., Mogadore, OH 44260)

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Weathering tester

The Ci5000 large-capacity xenon Weather-Ometer is said to establish new standards of performance for reproducibility, repeatability and operating efficiency in laboratory testing. The Ci5000 is a complete system for laboratory weather testing and is said to meet test conditions of most internationally accepted test methods. It offers a 12,000 watt water-cooled xenon arc lamp. (Atlas Electric Devices, 4114 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, IL 60613)

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Demattia flex tester

The company's Demattia flex tester is said to be ideal for testing fatigue, breakage or crack growth in rubber, plastics and other materials. The DFT 2100 is used for such diverse products as tires, belts and hoses, automotive parts, shoe soles, etc. With 20 stations, the DFT 2100 flexes as many as 20 product samples at 300 cycles/minute for up to 10 million cycles, and has the option of variable speed testing from zero to 500 cycles/minute. The DFT 2100 also features built-in jog positioning, which allows slow motion set-up and observation. Several different products can be simultaneously tested. Fixed distances range from 0.5 to 4 inches (12.7 to 101.6 mm). The DFT 2100 can be used in testing materials to ASTM, ISO, DIN, BS, JIS and other U.S. and international standards. (Benz Materials Testing Instruments, 73 Maplehurst Ave., Providence, RI 02908-5324)

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Stress relaxation system

The company's stress relaxation system measures stress relaxation in compression, both in air or liquids, and in tension in air. The system uses rigs with load cells to be able to measure continuously. The data acquisition is made by amplifier boxes connected to a PC running a multitasking Windows-based software. Both force and temperature of each rig are recorded. To test at elevated temperatures, the rigs are inserted in cell aging ovens, which can be used for both aging of dumbbells or relaxation tests. The company has two ovens, one with four cells and a single temperature, and one with three cells with three individual temperatures. These ovens are said to have very accurate temperature control and control of the air exchange rate, which is very important for good reproducibility of the test results, according to the company. (Elastocon AB, Goteborgsvagen 99, SE-504 60 Boras, Sweden)

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Sealed digital pyrometer

The Pocket-Probe sealed pyrometer allows users to measure temperatures from -280 [degrees] to +2,000 [degrees] F/ [degrees] C equivalent under any adverse condition, according to the company. This pyrometer is said to be impervious to water, gas, oil, dust, cleaning solutions and hot splashes up to 300 [degrees] F. The Pocket-Probe sealed pyrometer is said to be durably designed to handle high impact and pressure without affecting its 1 [degree] accuracy or inherent sealed characteristics. When used in conjunction with the company's high precision tapered cone sensors, the PocketProbe is said to be ideal for the rubber processing industry, as well as countless other applications, according to the company. (Electronic Development Labs, 244 Oakland Dr., Danville, VA 24540)

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Ultrasonic measuring

A compact, heavy-duty, non-contact industrial ultrasonic measuring system with 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 has been introduced. 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, according to the manufacturer. (HiTech Technologies, PO. Box 535, Newtown, PA 18940-0535)

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Extruded rubber profiling

The flexible, compact, highly accurate non-contact industrial laser-based profile sensor with a high resolution and an oscillating mirror is said to rapidly sweep laser light across the surface of extruded rubber or related components with a frequency of up to 30 Hz and features a [+ or -] 30 [degrees] measurement angle, according to the company. The SPS 2301 profile sensor is said to achieve quick and accurate profiles of extruded rubber from 0.2 to 7.0 in. (5 to 180 mm) wide at scan speeds of up to 30 scans/second for optimum quality control and monitoring of the production process, according to the manufacturer. (LMI Selcom, 21666 Melrose Ave., Southfield, MI 48075)

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