OptiSIS solution shortens lead times for safety instrumented systems

21 August, 2015

Rockwell Automation has introduced its new OptiSIS solution, giving industrial operators a pre-engineered safety instrumented system that can help ease deployment and reduce lead times for small and midsized process applications.

Effective leak detection in oil-based fluid systems

21 August, 2015

The Spectroline OLK-444 Industrial Leak Detection Kit is a powerful kit that pinpoints leaks in any size oil-based fluid system. It quickly and accurately locates leaks in hydraulic systems, compressors, engines, gearboxes and fuel systems, preventing expensive equipment breakdowns and potential environmental problems.

SKF launches mobile app and vibration sensor for collection of expert data by non-experts

21 August, 2015

SKF has introduced a solution to help non-expert staff gather critical data. SKF Enlight is a platform that combines a mobile app, special sensor and, if appropriate, intrinsically safe hardware to allow fast, simple gathering of data from machinery.

Cost-effective position sensor for dosing systems

17 June, 2015

The recently announced WAL200 potentiometric sensor from Contelec is available exclusively in the UK from Variohm EuroSensor. The tried and tested conductive plastic technology potentiometer has been developed specifically as a cost-effective solution for valve position feedback in industrial volumetric and gravimetric dosing applications. The durable and compact sensor is just 22mm in diameter and 7mm thick, with a 6 mm diameter keyed through hole and an anti-twist pin for simple installation in syringe type dispensers. Ensuring high accuracy and repeatability of the dosing process, the sensor has a +/- 1 per cent linearity, +/-0.3 degree resolution and a 280 degree electrical angle, which can be extended to a maximum of 340 degrees. With a generous shock and vibration resistance the IP50 protection class sensor is cost-effective and well-suited solution for precise dosing control.

Rexroth PLC integrates I/O for speed and flexibility

17 June, 2015

Bosch Rexroth’s IndraControl XM21/22 programmable logic controller (PLC) combines the speed of the Sercos automation bus with Rexroth’s IndraControl S20 input/output (I/O) series for one functionally complete and scalable control system.

SKF offers new sensor for lubricant reservoirs

17 June, 2015

SKF has introduced the SKF Ultrasonic sensor to improve fill-level monitoring on SKF and Lincoln branded pumps and reservoirs with lubricant capacities in excess of five litres (1,321 US gal). Developed for oil and grease applications, the sensor provides both low-level and full-level messages for optimum operation.

Sustainable material handling with the driving force of Stiebel-Getriebebau

17 June, 2015

The electro-hydraulic Sennebogen 821 electric handler is versatile, energy-saving and environmentally friendly, and is said to be ideal for the sorting of demolition and construction materials. For such recycling tasks the machine stands securely on a stable crawler undercarriage. The handler’s transmission technology is provided by Stiebel-Getriebebau.

Piezo Thin Film sensor products available from Variohm EuroSensor

29 April, 2015

Variohm EuroSensor is now stocking a selection of Piezo Thin Film Sensor products from Measurement Specialties Inc., the global designer and manufacturer of sensor based components and systems. Piezo films are claimed to offer unique transducer capabilities, producing voltage in proportion to compressive or tensile mechanical stress and strain. They provide a compact and reliable solution as low-cost dynamic strain gauges, vibration sensors, accelerometers or dynamic switch elements. Piezo Film is also suitable for high fidelity transducers operating throughout the high audio (>1kHz) and ultrasonic (up to 100MHz) ranges.

A designer's primer on pneumatic sensors and switches

29 April, 2015

Leslie Neill, EMEA senior product marketing manager, Honeywell Sensing and Control, outlines what he believes design engineers need to know when specifying pressure switches and sensors in pneumatic actuation and control systems.

Single-/dual-axis inclinometer offers wide choice of options

02 April, 2015

Variohm EuroSensor’s new SST300 series single or dual axis inclinometers is claimed to offer extremely high precision performance with a combined absolute accuracy to +/- 0.01deg, and linearity of +/- 0.06 per cent F.S., over a +/- 5deg range. The robust and durable sensor is available in six measurement ranges up to +/- 60deg and offers optional temperature drift accuracy to +/- 0.05deg at ambient temperatures between -40 and +85degC. The SST300 series also boasts exceptional precision for other important measurement parameters including cross-axis sensitivity, offset, repeatability and hysteresis.

DuPont Opteon XP40 and XP10 approved by Bitzer

02 April, 2015

DuPont Chemicals & Fluoroproducts (DC&F) has included Opteon XP40 (R-449A) and Opteon XP10 (R-513A) in updated compressor selection software from Bitzer Kühlmaschinenbau GmbH, Sindelfingen, Germany, for its range of semi-hermetic piston and screw compressors, which can be accessed at: www.bitzer.de/websoftware/

FAG SmartCheck monitors cable car health

02 April, 2015

By installing a total of 18 FAG SmartCheck condition monitoring systems on drive motors, gearboxes, drive pulleys and cable sheaves, a cable car operator is now able, for the first time, to monitor the health of all process-critical systems.

NCTE’s new 7500 series torque sensor is available from Ixthus Instrumentation

06 March, 2015

Available exclusively in the UK and Ireland from Ixthus Instrumentation, NCTE’s new 7500 series torque and angle measurement sensor is aimed at convenient and cost effective solutions for power take off (PTO) shafts in agricultural and forestry machinery where it will help ensure the safe operation of connected equipment such as grain augers and silage blowers. The non-contacting IP65 rated sensor is exceptionally robust against mechanical and thermal influences and is maintenance free. With torque-only or torque + angle versions available, the 7500 series is offered in torque measurement ranges of 500, 1000 or 2000 Nm with speeds to 5000 rpm. Its overall accuracy combines linearity to < +/-0.5% across the full scale measurement range with repeatability to < 0.05% and rotational signal uniformity to < +/- 0.5%. The compact torque sensor has a nominal diameter of 85 mm and a body length or under 100 mm. Its one-piece ‘plug & play’ design with integrated electronics and single connector and cable connection is simply installed in-line on the PTO shaft where its wide choice of mechanical installation options, including flange mounting as well as PTO splined shaft or splined bush, ensure maximum installation convenience. Output signals are a choice of 0-10 V, 4-20 mA or CANbus from an 11 to 28 V DC supply. An optional readout unit is available for simple connection to the 7500 series torque sensor to provide both torque and angle measurement which can be read through a USB interface as well as provide data storage via an SD-card. NCTE’s unique force and torque sensors use the physical principle known as the inverse magnetostrictive effect where forces acting on magnetically encoded components change the magnetic field surrounding it - where even minute magnetic changes are detected to enable highly precise and real-time data acquisition of the acting forces. This non-contacting and maintenance free technology requires no re-calibration, is durable and extremely stable, and functions in oil or under water. The technology is available in a wide range of standard products in pillow block and in-line shaft-mounted designs, and is also easily adapted for customised solutions. NCTE’s sensor technology is well proven for demanding torque, force and angle position measurement applications in industrial test & measurement, engine & plant construction, transportation, construction, agricultural, automotive, motorsports and many others. www.ixthus.co.uk

Contactless angle sensor range adds multi-turn capability

13 February, 2015

Contelec has announced two new multi-turn versions of its Vert-X series of robust contactless Hall-Effect angle sensors. Available exclusively in the UK from Variohm EuroSensor, the sensors are the Vert-X 37MT CANopen, with a gearless 16-bit multi-turn and 16-bit single-turn resolution. The low cost Vert-X 24MT, which may be programmed for up to 10 turns, and has a 12-bit single-turn resolution. Practically unlimited rotation The new models offer solutions at both ends of application spectrum for multi-turn angle sensors. The Vert-X 37MT CANopen model is said to offer users a practically unlimited rotation count through a gearless, battery powered, multi-turn multiplier and has the added benefit of exceptional angular precision through its 16-bit single-turn absolute resolution. The impressive specifications offered by the sensor also extend to an independent linearity of +/- 0.1 per cent and repeatability and hysteresis to 0.1deg. Its industry standard CANopen interface offers an extremely reliable and robust performance with high immunity to electrical and magnetic interference. IP68 environmental capability Furthermore, this new model also boasts an IP68 environmental capability in a very durable sealed design with dual bearings and stainless steel housing. The combination of non-contacting absolute position, multi-turn capability, CANopen interface and extreme robustness makes the sensor well suited to the most arduous tasks and is firmly aimed at high precision positon measurement under adverse ambient conditions where humidity, dampness, dust and vibration are prevalent. Typical applications include construction equipment, agricultural machinery, cranes, drilling rigs etc. Conversely, the best-price contactless multi-turn Vert-X 24MT is aimed at angle measurement where absolute position monitoring is required over just a few revolutions. It has a 5 V DC input power and a 10 to 90 per cent single or half redundant signal output with an independent linearity of +/- 1 per cent. Its compact size, IP54/IP67 protection rating, and 12-bit resolution make it ideal for demanding position measurement on industrial equipment such forklift and truck steering angle, or position reference for linear and rotary electric actuators with a fixed travel range. High shock and vibration resilience Both models, being magnetic-hall non-contact devices, offer a high level of resilience to shock and vibration as well as long life – 50 million turns for the 24MT and 360 million turns for the 37MT, which also has a 3000 rpm maximum speed and high axial and radial load capability and thanks to its duplex bearing design. The 24MT has a lead wire connection whilst the 37MT offers an M12 connector. Variohm EuroSensor provides complete sales and application support across a comprehensive range of position, load, force and temperature sensor technologies and accessories for demanding measurement applications throughout industry and research. www.variohm.com

New combination dew point sensor for ultra-dry compressed air/gas monitoring

01 February, 2015

With the increasing demand for ultra-dry air for process quality and compliance with ISO 8573-1 Class 1 or higher, CS-iTEC GmbH of Germany have manufactured a new dew point sensor for accurate measurements down to -100degCtd. Dissatisfied with the problems associated with conventional aluminium oxide sensors of slow response times, unrealistic accuracy claims and potential for failure due to waterlogging, the engineers at CS-iTEC developed an innovative new sensor element in-house to combat these problems which resulted in the new CS 220 model. Extended measuring range The new QCM (Quartz Crystal Microbalance) sensor element in the CS 220 offers the fast response and stable accuracy of polymer sensors, but with an extended measuring range sensitive to moisture changes in the ppb range. In operation this delivers rapid identification of out of range moisture levels that could affect product quality or operator safety and accurate, reliable monitoring for plant compliance records. With applications in plant air/gas generation and distribution as well as point of use for breathing systems and system testing, the CS 220 models have 4-20mA or RS-485 (Modbus) output plus an option for combining a second sensor. This can be either pressure (-0.1 to 16 bar) or temperature (-30 to +70degC) and allows simultaneous measurement of 2 process variables through separate 4-20mA outputs from one instrument. This increases the flexibility for control system data collection without the need for additional installation costs or the introduction of extra potential leak paths which can be sources of system contamination. Further options The CS 220 has a G½” male thread for direct mounting into desiccant dryer systems for example, and can be combined with optimised CS-iTEC measuring chambers for permanent or temporary air or gas measurement. Further options are available for operation with higher system pressures of 50 bar and up to 350 bar. Sensor parameters such as analogue output scaling and physical units can easily be changed using the CS-iTEC service kit with a laptop and the CS 220 can be combined with any of the CS-iTEC range of displays, data loggers and analysis software for quality monitoring. www.reddragonvalves.co.uk