BLH Nobel KIS Beam Load Cell Technology

The BLH Nobel KIS load cell provides unmatched efficiency, is simple to mount, and is highly accurate, even under complex process forces and extreme environmental conditions. Unlike other load cells, KIS works as defined in real-world applications, not just under laboratory conditions. 

KIS Beam technology integrates SR-4 ® strain gages connected as a full Wheatstone bridge that is temperature-compensated and optimized for precision and reliability. And since all KIS Beams are factory-calibrated, installation and set-up are simple and easy without the need for on-site calibration (unless mechanical obstructions prohibit a vessel being "freestanding"). 

The above four-minute video does an excellent job illustrating how the KIS load cell works and what distinguishes KIS from other load cells

For more information about BLH Nobel products in New England, contact AP Corp. Call them at (508) 351-6200 or visit their website at https://a-pcorp.com.

Happy Independence Day from AP Corp!

About Induction Heating

What is induction heating?

Induction heating is a fast, efficient, precise, repeatable, non-contact method for heating metals or other electrically-conductive materials . An induction heating system includes an induction power supply which converts line power to an alternating current, delivers it to a workhead and work coil creating an electromagnetic field within the coil. The work piece is placed in the coil where this field induces a current in the work piece, which generates heat in the work piece. The coil, which is water-cooled and cool to the touch, is placed around or adjacent to the work piece. It does not touch the work piece, and the heat is only generated by the induced current flowing in the work piece.

Induction heating is used in processes where temperatures are as low as 100 oC (212 °F) and as high as 3000 °C (5432 °F). It can be used in brief heating processes that are on for less than half a second and in heating processes that are on for months.

Induction heating is used in domestic and commercial cooking, and in many applications such as melting, heat treating, preheating for welding, brazing, soldering, curing, sealing, shrink fitting in industry, and in research and development.

Learn more about induction heating by downloading the "About Induction Heating Solutions" technical note courtesy of Ambrell Induction Heating Systems.

AP Corp.

https://a-pcorp.com

(508) 351-6200

In-Line Turbidity and Haze Measurement

Photo 1: Equitech's Retro-Reflection Probe

Monitoring turbidity and haze of liquids and sheet is an indicator for product quality. Examples include: polymer extrusion, resins and chemical production. Real-time adjustments of the process parameters are therefore possible through immediate "off-specification" detection.

INTRODUCTION 

Turbidity and haze measurement is a well-accepted technology to check the consistency some production processes. Usually these measurements are performed ‘off-line’.  

The delay between sampling and obtaining the results from the laboratory can be time consuming. A significant disadvantage is that only a single measurement is generated in this time period and the concentration during, before and after the sampling point is unknown.  

With the inline turbidity and haze measurements taking place directly in the process, not only is complete documentation possible, but when variations occur, immediate intervention can take place.

INNOVATION 

The Equispec™ In-line Color Spectrophotometer (ICS) is a high performance instrument designed for use in an industrial pro-cess. Its excellent sensitivity and flexibility make it useful for process applications. The ICS and process probes are designed to be used in high-temperature, high-pressure and corrosive environments. It can be used to analyze  liquids and solids. 

The analyzer supports one or two probes with dedicated lamp compensation channels [all fiber-optic double-beam design]. 

Photo 3: Trend charts of EquiColor Software

TURBIDITY AND HAZE MEASUREMENT 

Equitech’s fiber-optic probes allow for easy access into the process. Equitech offers probes for both turbidity and haze measurements.  This includes insertion/immersion probes (see Photo 1). 

The spectrophotometer is integrated in a NEMA4 box with an industrial computer and touch-screen (see photo 4). The appropriate spectral range is 380-780 nm (resolution 1 nm). The NEMA4 box is made from stainless steel. It is designed and equipped specifically for use in the production environment where the ambient conditions can be dusty, vary in temperature, subject to vibration etc. The box also contains a thermoelectric cooling and heating device to eliminate the influences from ambient temperature by keeping the temperature inside the box at a constant level. 

Photo 2: ICS stainless steel NEMA4 box with touch-screen

INSTALLED APPLICATIONS INCLUDE 

Resin Production, Sheet Production,  Filter Breakthrough, Surfactants 

Turbidity and haze are calculated from the spectral curve,  and displayed as trend charts by the EquiColor™ software (see photo 3). 

For more information, contact AP Corp. Call them at (508) 351-6200 or visit https://a-pcorp.com.

DOWNLOAD THE PDF HERE

What is a Binocular Strain Gauge Load Cell?

Load cells, the heart of weighing systems, are mechanical devices that use strain gages to provide a measurable electrical output which is proportional to the force applied. The electrical output can be either an analog voltage or current output, or a digital on/off output.

Used for tension, compression, and or shear measurement, load cells are packaged and oriented to perform in testing equipment, electronic scales, and monitoring systems. Tension load cells are used for measuring forces that are in-line and "pull apart". Compression load cells are used to measure forces that are in-line and "push together". Shear load cells are used to measure tension or compression forces that are offset (not in-line). When selecting load cells, there are many form factors or packages to choose from to insure their physical size is compatible with space available for the application, such as inside an electronic weighing scale.

The strain gage is a resistive sensor whose resistance changes based upon the applied strain. A strain gage is attached to some structure, and when that structure is deformed (tension, compression, shear), the resistive strands in the strain gage follow the structure deformation, causing an electrical resistance change. This change in resistance is converted to units of strain or stress. 

Strain gages are used in transducers that measure force, pressure, and tension, and are often used providing stress analysis in structures such as airplanes, cars, machines, and bridges. 

When specifying strain gages one must consider the application variables, such as operating temperature, the state of the strain (including gradient, direction, magnitude, and time dependence), and the stability required by the application.

For more information about strain gages and load cells, contact AP Corp. Call them at 508-351-6200 or visit their web site at https://a-pcorp.com.

Load Cells for Weighing Vessels in Hot and Vibration Prone Areas

Most load cells are designed to handle vertical force and cannot discern errors introduced from side loading and/or torque loading. In real world conditions, though, load cells see much more than vertical loading, and unfortunately, can output erroneous values. While they are excellent for static weighing situations, such as scales, load cells typically can’t handle the rigors of process vessel applications.

A case in point is a chemical manufacturer with several, existing three cubic meter batching tanks. It was decided the tanks needed modifications to provide more accurate weighing of the individual ingredients. The existing load cells were experiencing errors due to thermal expansion of the vessel, and the resultant side loads from expansion. Additionally there was a problem with vibration in the plant. A better solution was needed, and whatever the solution would be, the customer made it clear the new weighing system must provide system accuracy in the range of ±0.1%.

An approach to deal mechanically with the thermal cycling while using the same type of load cell was discussed. It involved several mechanical modifications that required significant and costly structural changes.

BLH KIS

Another suggestion was to evaluate a unique load cell design that was particularly tolerant against thermal expansion, vibration, and high lateral forces - the BLH Nobel KIS series.  The KIS load cell offered some obvious advantages over rebuilding the tanks supports and frame, namely time and expense. Beyond the short installation time and easy modification, the KIS also offers excellent reliability and accuracy.

BLH Controller

The customer decided to “take the easy way out” and just replace the old, error-prone load cells with KIS load cells. Installation and start-up was very easy, taking very little time. After installation, the customer was pleasantly surprised by the high accuracy of the new KIS load cells, despite the thermal expansion of the vessel and the inherent vibration.

For more information on BLH Nobel products in New England and Upstate New York contact A-P Corp. Call them at (816) 353-6550 or visit them at https://a-pcorp.com.

Coronavirus Update

We at AP Corp. continue to navigate the rapidly changing COVID-19 pandemic. We are closely monitoring the situation and following the guidance available through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and state and regional public health authorities. We are committed to the safety of our customers, business partners, and employees.

• Our office locations remain open and the manufacturers of the products we represent are producing products as normal.
• We have transitioned our sales and service staff to work remotely. We are maintaining a limited staff in our main office to support critical functions including shipping, receiving, accounting, and IT.
• While our territory managers will not be making in-person visits for the foreseeable future, we are using phone, fax, email, and tele-conference to continue to provide customer support.
• We will update this statement as the situation changes.

We thank you for your continued business and support. Please stay safe and be well.