INSTRUMENTS.

Aging chamber

An aging chamber for PRI tests has been introduced. Up to 48 samples can be aged in four separately timed sliding drawers at a constant temperature of 140 [degrees] C [+ or -] 0.2 [degrees] C, according to the company. Tri-colored LEDs warn operators that the end of each timed test is approaching by flashing predominantly green and orange changing to predominantly orange and green. The LEDs show red at the end of each test. The temperature controller is pre-set to 140 [degrees] C [+ or -] 0.2 [degrees] C and constantly indicates the actual chamber temperature. Plasticity retention index (PRI) is a measure, specified by international standards, of the resistance of natural rubber to thermal oxidation. To accurately determine PRI, a plasticity test is carried out using the P14 rapid plastimeter shortly after the sample has been aged for 30 minutes. To calculate PRI, the mean of several tests is divided by the mean of tests on nonaged samples and the result then multiplied by 100. (H. W. Wallace & Co., Ltd., 172 St. James's Rd., Croydon, England CR9 2HR)

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Level monitor

A high penetration, non-contact pulsed laser distance monitor is used 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 LD90-350HiP pulsed laser distance monitor has a range of 330 ft. (100 m) and is said to be more economical and less powerful than other laser distance monitors in the company's product line. (Riegl Laser Measurement Systems, 8516 Old Winter Garden Rd., Suite 101, Orlando, FL 32835)

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Sensors

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 company. (HiTech Technologies, P.O. Box 535, Newtown, PA 18940-0535)

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Temperature control systems

Tricool thermoregulators include chillers, cooling systems and temperature control systems. Their application, design and production resources are available to solve thermal fluid problems ranging from -50 [degrees] C to +350 [degrees] C, whether the need is for a single unit or a complete system. Tricool products are supported by detailed documentation, comprehensive manuals, general assembly drawings, pipework schematics, etc. (Barwell, 460 Tacoma Ave., Tallmadge, OH 44278-2719)

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Contact angle meter

The Model CAM-12 contact angle meter is designed to measure contact angle readings on wafers substrates up to 8" in diameter. The CAM-12 comes with three separate platforms measuring 4", 6" and 8". This instrument is designed for quick and error-free measurements in an R&D laboratory, as well as on a production line, according to the company. The contact angle data can be used for statistical process control. (Kernco Instruments, 420 Kenazo Ave., El Paso, TX 79927)

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Mechanical analyzers

Viscoanalyzer dynamic mechanical analyzers, available in three models, including the VA2000, VA3000 and VA4000, are available for the analysis of viscoelastic properties E*, G* and Tg delta of solid materials. The Viscoanalyzer range offers a frequency range from 0.001 Hz to 1,000 Hz; a force range of [+ or -] 100 N, [+ or -] 150 N or [+ or -] 444 N; a displacement range of [+ or -]6,000 [micro]m; a temperature range of -150 [degrees] C to 450 [degrees] C; and test modes including tension/compression, shear, bending, etc. Each Viscoanalyzer is said to allow a precise characterization of the material's mechanical behavior and its sensibility to various parameters such as temperature, frequency, strain amplitude, pre-strain, etc. (Metravib R.D.S., 200, Chemin des Ormeaux, 69760, Limonest, France)

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Universal testing machine 

S-Series benchtop universal testing machines are said to be powerful, compact testing machines that can be used to determine tension, compression, shear, flexural and other mechanical and physical properties of rubber, plastics, composites, textiles, adhesives and nearly all other materials. Five models of S-Series benchtop testing machines are available. Machine functions include digital display of force and displacement at any instant throughout the test, a real-time autoranging graphic display, storage and retrieval of test parameters, and cyclic control between zero extension and a selected value of extension, force or strain. The benchtop UTM can also provide stress calculations based on width and thickness or width entries. Machine functions are accessed through the UTM's built-in control unit. It features a dedicated alphanumeric keypad for fast access, and a large, easy-to-read backlit liquid crystal display, according to the manufacturer. The S-Series UTM can be connected to a laser printer. (Tinius Olsen Testing Machine, P.O. Box 429, Easton Rd., Willow Grove, PA 19090-0429)

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Industrial gauging sensor

The lightweight series of non-contact, laser-based industrial gauging sensors is designed for numerous high performance applications in industries requiting fast, reliable and repeatable results, according to the company. The LDS laser distance sensor is said to be ideal for distance measurement, reference thickness, differential thickness and vibration measurement applications, as well as material deformation, alignment control and amplitude measurement in numerous industries. Other applications for the LDS include on- and off-line quality control, positioning, oscillation measurement, surface control and other specialized inspection applications. Based on laser triangulation principles using a PSD position sensitive detector as the image detector, the LDS is said to be capable of measurement rates up to 100 kHz. (LMI Selcom, 21666 Melrose Ave., Southfield, MI 48075)

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Laboratory pyrometer

The Dyna-Temp pyrometer with BET style sensor system is said to offer precision, speed and accuracy for instant temperature checks for industrial or laboratory applications. The DynaTemp pyrometer is available with temperature ranges from -280 [degrees] to +2,000 [degrees] F. A self-test diagnostic circuit verifies accuracy of the Dyna-Temp pyrometer. BET interchangeable sensors are said to be an ideal option for rough industrial environments. If a sensor should break, only the interchangeable thermocouple tip needs to be replaced. The handles are constructed of stainless steel and have a locking system to retain the replaceable thermocouple tips. BET style sensors are available in many surface and needle styles for different test applications. (Electronic Development Labs, 244 Oakland Dr., Danville, VA 24540)

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Moisture measurement

The Cermet II dewpoint hygrometer is a panel mounted instrument designed for dewpoint measurement from -148 to +68 [degrees] F, with typical accuracy of [+ or -] 1.8 [degrees] F. The Cermet II consists of a digital display with integral signal conditioning board, interconnecting cable and the Cermet II moisture sensor. (Kahn Instruments, 885 Wells Rd., Wethersfield, CT06109)

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Portable tachometer 

Two multi-function, battery-operated, portable instruments contain a tachometer, totalizer/counter and timer (stopwatch). These instruments are said to be highly accurate, rugged units designed for field and laboratory applications. The Cat. No. 21F21 has the widest range, 5 to 500,000 rpm, and highest accuracy (0.0001 pm) of any tachometer on the market, according to the company. Measurements can be taken from up to three feet and 45 [degrees] from the reflective target. An on target indicator blinks at input signal frequency when locked on target. The totalizer/counter is remotely triggered by either the internal optics or the remote optical sensor. (Kernco Instruments, 420 Kenazo Ave., El Paso, TX 79927)

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Diameter measurement

The Model 5150 holix gauge is said to be designed for highly accurate diameter measurements up to 6" (150 mm). Utilizing patented Holoptics technology, the Model 5150 provides 1,167 measurements per second per axis and requires no calibration. In addition to its extraordinary accuracy and repeatability, the 5150 offers a 60 MHz DSP processor, along with built-in flaw detection capability, according to the manufacturer. The Model 5150 is available in both single-axis and dual-axis configurations. Every gauge is also equipped with built-in air purges. The company supplies non-contact diameter gauges for the rubber/tubing, plastics, and wire and cable industries. (TSI, Process Instruments Division, P.O. Box 64394, St. Paul MN55164)

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Thermal analyzer

The DMTA V dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer is said to offer improved features to allow analysts to more closely match the end use conditions that a specimen will encounter. The DMTA V tests solid and semi-solid materials, determining properties related to use and wear; modulus, temperature dependent behavior and frequency dependent behavior (which relates to vibration and damping properties). Information critical to processing of materials can be gathered by DMTA, such as curing cycles and efficiency for thermosets and elastomers, quality control of plastics and molded parts, coatings, thin films and fiber testing. Higher deformation forces for greater dynamic strain help customers in the elastomer industry to test outside the linear region. Easier immersion capabilities provide in-situ testing. (Rheometric Scientific, One Possumtown Rd., Piscataway, NJ 08854)

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TGA interface

A TGA interface has been introduced for the company's GCMS-5000 Series and TGA-50 thermogravimetric analyzers. TGA, when coupled to GC/MS, is said to enhance both techniques by providing molecular weight breakdown of products, as well as structural elucidation. In addition, this tool is said to provide chromatographic, as well as spectral data for weight loss products. TGA-50 thermogravimetric analyzers are said to enable high precision instruments to 1 [micro]g with excellent baseline stability, according to the company. A low mass thermobalance is said to minimize dead volume for efficient transfer to the GC/MS. (Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, 7102 Riverwood Dr., Columbia, MD 21046-2502)

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Laboratory mill

A laboratory model of the PreMax is said to in some cases eliminate the need for a media mill, and in all cases can reduce the number of passes required to obtain high quality dispersions, according to the company. When a media mill is used to finish a product in a single pass, the PreMax is said to most often eliminate the need for the mill altogether. The PreMax is available in many sizes to 200 horsepower. In one example, a Ti[O.sub.2], UV curable coating required four hours on a media mill prior to using the PreMax as a pre-milling device. The cycle was reduced to 30 minutes using the PreMax. In another example, a carbon black electronic coating required 12 hours in a media mill. The cycle was reduced to 35 minutes. (Charles Ross & Son, 710 Old Willets Path, P.O. Box 12308, Hauppauge, NY 11788-0615)

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Speed/length gauge

The Model LS150 LaserSpeed gauge is designed for non-contact speed and length measurements in a range of industries. The Model LS150 is said to offer non-contact, highly accurate length and speed measurements, typically at less than [+ or -] 0.05%, according to the company. As an ideal low cost alternative to contact-type tachometers and encoders, the Model LS 150 will not mark or scratch the surface of the product, according to the company. It is also said to be conveniently used as a length and speed calibration tool. The gauge is said to be well suited for a range of applications, including measuring length and speed of wire and cable, plastic films, plastic and medical tubing, and various web products. (TSI, Process Instruments Division, PO. Box 64394, St. Paul MN 55164)

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Pendulum impact tester

The API is a fully instrumented unit for conducting all ranges of the Izod and Charpy tests used for plastics and composites. The company offers a line of polymer evaluation instruments designed to test heat deflection, impact resistance, melt index, thermal oxidation, flammability and other physical properties of various materials. (Atlas Electric Devices, 4114 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, IL 60613)

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