Suppliers Showcase INSTRUMENTS.

Mooney viscometers

This company manufactures instruments and spare parts for the Negretti Automation range of Mooney viscometers. Conforming to international testing standards, the best known models, the Mooney Mark III and Mark VIII, are used to measure the viscosity of rubbers for process control purposes, typically by natural rubber producers and by end users such as tire manufacturers to evaluate incoming raw materials and rubber compounds. (H.W. Wallace & Co.)

Circle 104 on card

Tactile force indicator

The Pressurex tactile force indicating sensor is said to be useful in assessing compression magnitude and distribution between any two mating or impacting surfaces. Applications for the product are said to exist in both manufacturing process control and machine/component inspection and calibration. Pressurex is a non-destructive testing concept that is said to greatly enhance yields and improve quality with a relatively minor investment, according to the manufacturer. The Pressurex sensor comes in the form of a large thin sheet, actually a film. When placed in between impacting or mating surfaces, the sensor film instantaneously and permanently changes color. The intensity of this color is proportional to the amount of force applied, allowing the user to actually quantify the stress characteristics across the surface. Precise PSI (kg/[cm.sup.2]) can be determined by comparison of the sensor film to a color calibration chart (conceptually similar to interpreting Litmus paper), or by using one of several imaging systems that the company supplies. With a maximum gauge of 8 mils, the sensor film is said to be ideal for invasive, intolerant environments that cannot accommodate traditional load cells and other transducers. The film can be used in a wide range of temperature and humidity conditions. (Sensor Products)

Circle 105 on card

Rubber batch sampling

The company's machine can automatically remove a small round sample from a sheet right after a particular batch has been mixed, milled or extruded, mark the sample and drop it on an inspection or transfer conveyor. Most rubber processors are said to analyze each batch of rubber mixed to ensure conformance to specifications, which can disrupt the mixing process when the sampling is left to the batch-off system operator to cut out a sample on the conveyor belt and properly mark it. Cold samples, taken after the stock has been cooled, coated and stacked, may have different properties than one taken at the batch-off inlet. The company's rotary sampling and batch identification unit mounts into a split-belt conveyor and normally replaces part or all of the batch-off inlet conveyor. The sampler uses the `cookie-cutter' principle to remove a round sample from the rubber sheet. Prior to cutting out the sample, a three-digit rotary impression marker stamps the samples in numerical sequence. (VMI Americas)

Circle 106 on card

High-speed laser sensor

A high-speed, self-contained, Class II non-contact laser-based dimensional industrial gauging sensor features a long stand-off distance and a short high resolute measurement for measuring rubber and tire extrusions and other applications. Developed to provide a large stand-off with air purge for demanding rubber applications, the SLS 6000 is also said to be adaptable for a variety of measurement applications within the rubber and tire industry. The SLS 6000 sensor features an extended stand-off of 400 mm (15.75 in.) with a 50 mm (1.97 in.) measurement range, and can be used in high-speed applications where other sensors are ineffective or sacrifice reliability and accuracy, according to the manufacturer. The Class II SLS 6000 is currently being used in a major tire plant to measure hot melted green rubber as it comes out of the extruder, a task that most competing sensor companies are finding difficult to accurately measure in real life industrial situations, according to the company. Previously available only as a Class III sensor, the SLS 6000 is based on the company's non-contact industrial SLS 5000 sensor concept. The SLS 6000 is specialized for tough green rubber extrusion measurement and for tread wear analysis, both on- and off-line. (LMI Selcom)

Circle 107 on card