INSTRUMENTS.

Thickness testing

A pre-fixtured, non-contact, fixed point thickness measurement system can utilize a single bracket for measurements at a single point or multiple units for thickness measurements at several locations across a product and has several advantages over analog systems that are commerically available, according to the company. The fixed point thickness system, which utilizes an encoded input and digital filtering for special surfaces, is available with varying models of laser sensors, depending upon the accuracy requirements of the application. Utilizing precise laser triangulation sensors, the system is capable of measuring to a six sigma accuracy of .01 mm (.0004 inches). With the fixed point thickness system, users are said to achieve continuous and more accurate measurements of extruded, calendered, pressed or cut products for optimum quality control and monitoring of their production process. (Bytewise Measurement Systems, 5636 Whitesville Rd., Columbus, GA 31904)

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Plug-up detection

Plugged cyclones, dust collectors, hoppers and chutes are said to result in costly production downtime and unsafe conditions. The ABC Plug-Up Detection System is said to provide early warning of excessive material buildup and can automatically initiate counter measures in the affected area before plugging becomes a serious problem. The ABC system utilizes an infrared transmitter and receiver to constantly monitor material flow. A photo diode in the ABC receiver responds to a signal emitted by the ABC transmitter. Interruption of the signal indicates the beginning stages of a plug or bridge. The system's non-intrusive transmitter and receiver install on the vessel's side walls outside of material flow for easy inspection and maintenance, according to the company. Transmitters and receivers installed in high temperature applications are equipped with a fiber optic cable for temperatures above 150 [degrees]F. (GreCon, 7747 S.W. Cirrus Dr., Beaverton, OR 97008-5968)

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Laser range finders High performance non-contact pulsed laser range finders are said to be ideal for a variety of industrial positioning, profiling, distance and quality measurement applications of solid, semi-solid and liquid targets ranging from crane positioning and positioning items such as encoders to thickness measurement of slabs in a rolling mill to determining the load factors on a conveyor belt. The system is based on the principle of time-of-flight measurement of short laser pulses in the infrared wave length area. The LD90-3 Series is said to provide accurate range measurement to most target surfaces within a narrow laser beam faster and with more measurement points. (Riegle Laser Measurement Systems, 8516 Old Winter Garden Rd., Orlando, FL 32835)

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Displacement sensors

Traditional laser triangulation sensors are said to use the scattered light from a small laser spot projected on the target surface to calculate the distance to the target. In those cases when the surface roughness is greater than the spot size, the measured value is said to vary depending on whether the spot is projected on a peak or a depression in the target surface. The Precimeter AU sensors utilize an elliptical laser spot to optically average the roughness of the target surface. Its patented technology enables measurement of a wide range of targets made of various materials and shifting colors without need for re-calibration. (Precimeter, 148 Eastern Blvd., Glastonbury, CT 06033)

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Industrial gauging 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. Optimized for measurement on dark rubber surfaces with reflectivity from dull to shiny, the Class II Selcom Laser Sensor (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, etc. (Selcom, 21654 Melrose, Southfield, MI 48075)

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Ultrasonic thickness gauges

Ultrasonic thickness gauges are said to be effectively used to measure the thickness of rubber. The principal advantage of using ultrasonic gauges is that only one surface need be accessible for thickness measurements on robber parts such as tires, hoses or conveyor belts, according to the company. Products do not have to be cut up in order to obtain instant digital thickness readings. In addition, the complex shapes of many rubber products often are said to make the use of conventional measurement instruments, such as micrometers, difficult or impossible, according to the company. Small portable ultrasonic gauges with digital thickness displays can be used for most manual type measurements. Other thickness gauging systems can measure on-line products. The Model 25DL-HP ultrasonic thickness gauge is designed for rubber. Its low frequency capability and high penetration electronics are said to offer unmatched penetration in rubber. Its extensive data logger allows users to store, recall and transmit more than 5,000 thickness readings, along with alphanumeric identification codes. (Panametrics, 221 Crescent St., Waltham, MA 02154-3497)

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Contact angle 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. Most previously available instruments for contact angle measurements were said to be expensive and difficult to use, restricting use to R&D laboratories, according to the manufacturer. The Model CAM-12 contact angle meter is said to provide the utmost simplicity in its use for wafer fabricators for coating, etching analysis and photoresist. This instrument is designed for quick and error-free measurements in an R&D lab, as well as on a production line, according to the company. (Kernco Instruments, 420 Kenazo Ave., El Paso, TX 79927)

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Curemeter, rheometer 

The company has introduced its curemeter Vario with Windows software, along with an automated feeder. The recently introduced Rheograph 6000 capillary rheometer with 60 kN of force is said to be especially valuable for evaluating elastomers. (Goettfert, 488 Lakeshore Pkwy., Rock Hill, SC 29730)

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Brittle point tester

The BPT 2100 brittle point tester determines the crystallization point of rubber, plastics and other compounds within 0.5 [degrees]C. The BPT 2100 tests the exact temperature at which the material becomes brittle, meeting ASTM D746, ASTM D2137 and other national and international standards to -75 [degrees]C, according to the company. Used for testing such diverse products as windshield wiper blades, hoses, belts, tires, coated fabrics, roofing membrane and parts for outdoor equipment, the tester is said to simultaneously run as many as 10 material samples, indicating at what temperature an impact of specified force will destroy them. The tester is said to be commonly used by companies manufacturing or testing chemical compounds, technical service centers, original equipment manufacturers and others concerned with product safety and durability under difficult environmental conditions. The BPT 2100 offers options that are said to insure strict quality assurance. Liquid nitrogen maintains temperatures within 0.5 [degrees] in the cooling tank. (Benz Materials Testing Instruments, 73 Maplehurst Ave., Providence, RI 02908)

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Spark detection system

Production machines, dryers, mills and sanders are all said to be sources of sparks which can cause fires and explosions in dust collection systems. The company's spark detection and extinguishment system is said to have successfully protected against such dangers by automatically detecting and extinguishing sparks in pneumatic conveying systems. The system's sensors contain photo elements which detect a spark's infrared radiation. The smallest spark triggers the sensing element and the system immediately releases a fine mist of water downstream, extinguishing the spark without interrupting production. For high temperature applications, up to 1,830 [degrees]F, fiber optic cables and sensors are utilized. (GreCon, 7747 S.W. Cirrus Dr., Beaverton, OR 97008-5968)

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Sidewall monitoring

A laser-based sidewall bulge and dent monitoring system is said to improve a tire manufacturer's ability to quickly and accurately measure the sidewall dimensions of a tire. The sidewall monitor is said to have reduced the false positive rejects, those tires rejected by existing sidewall measurement systems that are actually acceptable tires, by up to 90% when compared to existing systems, according to the company. This is due, in part, to the capabilities of the laser sensors which are said to allow for more accurate measurements, the filtered elimination of pin vents and small letters, the recognition of large letters as such and accurate measurements on shiny, angled and wet surfaces. The company's sidewall system can be integrated onto several different types of machines. A turnkey, dedicated sidewall monitoring station can be added into the production line and this station might measure tires from up to three production lines, depending upon existing cycle times. The sidewall system can also be integrated onto an offline monitoring machine, integrated into new force measurement or balancing machines, or retrofitted onto existing force measurement or balancing machines. (Bytewise Measurement Systems, 5636 Whitesville Rd., Columbus, GA 31904)

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Ultrasonic level sensor 

The Nivocont RK-200 compact, heavy-duty and economical single rod vibrating level sensor, available in various configurations, 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. (HiTech, PO. Box 535, Newtown, PA 18940-0535)

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Digital pencil durometers

Models 211, 211B, 212C and 212 digital pencil durometers for ASTM Type A, B, C or D use a digital readout indicator with bold, easy to read numbers, according to the company. The LCD dial has a resolution of 1/10th of a point. A standard max-hold button holds the peak reading until reset. The durometer's 1/2" diameter base is the smallest base permitted by ASTM D2240 specifications. This is said to allow it to be used in confined and hard to reach areas other durometers cannot test. These durometers are said to meet or exceed all aspects of ASTM D2240. (Pacific Transducer, 2301 Federal Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90064-1482)

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Tire x-ray system

The 1327-C is an on-line tire x-ray inspection system that utilizes 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 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 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. With the 1327-C, up to eight look-up tables can be set at various points on the tire for close examination. Software upgrades are said to be easily accomplished since the software automatically overrides existing software and updates the system to the new software package. (LumenX, 3400 Gilchrist Rd., Mogadore, OH 44260-1216)

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Laser twin sensor

A patented laser twin sensor using optical triangulation principles is said to be ideal for high accuracy and measurement applications desiring a high frequency rate, such as measuring thickness of very thin coatings, distance and vibrations for use in various industries. Designed for tight spots and demanding industrial applications, the LTS laser twin sensor resolves surface thickness variations as fine as 0.007 [micro]m when averaged at 100 Hz. It is capable of measurement rates up to 500 kHz in real-life industrial settings, according to the company. (Selcom/DynaVision, 21654 Melrose Ave., Southfield, MI 48075)

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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 is said to offer contact and non-contact measuring capabilities to handle all of a user's RIM, surface speed and length measuring needs, according to the company. In addition to its function as a tachometer to measure RPM and surface speeds, the K-3000 can also be used to measure the accumulated total of continuously running material, or for checking the calibration of on-line counters and totalizer devices. (Kernco Instruments, 420 Kenazo Ave., El Paso, TX 79927)

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Automated tear testers

Quality control laboratories performing dynamic resistance tests can use the ED30 and ED32 tear testers, fully automated systems that are said to offer the convenience of industry-standard test methods in a compact package. The ED30 tear tester is designed for measurements on plastic film, complex flexible packaging, non-woven fabrics and other low-strength materials. The ED32 tear tester is designed for measurements on natural and synthetic fabrics, coated fabrics and other medium-strength materials. The tear testers are said to comply with all common internationally recognized standards. They are available in a variety of configurations based on the type of matedal tested. Operators can use a stand-alone readout to track values from test to test. (MTS Systems, 14000 Technology Dr., Eden Prairie, MN 55344-2290)

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