New Bench Top Series of Shaker Systems from Sentek Dynamics

Bench Top Series of Shaker Systems

The BT Series shakers from Sentek Dynamics are designed for demanding vibration test applications. Typical applications included structural analysis, calibration and testing of smaller assemblies. The BT-100 through BT-400 shakers utilize light weight rare earth magnets in lieu of traditional Alnico magnets. The use of these magnets decreases the total shaker mass to a third of similar size system, making these shakers easy to handle and portable. 

The systems range in size from 100 N (70 lbf) to 1000 N (224 lbf). Systems 400 N (99 lbf) and smaller are permanent magnet shakers and use lightweight rare earth magnets, making these systems easy to handle and portable. There are three versions of the BT Series of shakers: the BT, BT-M and BT-MTH.  

The BT Series is recommended for vibration testing of small assemblies and components. These shakers have armature diameters from 60 mm (2.36 in.) to 120 mm (4.72 in.). The BT-1000 is equipped as standard with Automatic Armature Centering (AAC) and Air-Isolation Feet (AIF).  

The BT-M and BT-MTH Series are our modal shakers lines. BT-M will use standard stingers while the BT-MTH is our through-hole version. On the 100 N and 200 N system the BT-MTH offers over double the displacement. The BT-MTH Series allow you to use piano-wire stingers. The BT-1000-M is ideal for the structural and modal analysis of high-mass structures. The addition of ZPR (electronic zero-point regulation and adjustable suspension stiffness) allows the user to pre-load the structure prior to applying a dynamic load.

The new Sentek Dynamics Bench Top and modal exciters are based upon years of practical experience. These systems all exhibit a high lateral stiffness and high force-to-weight ratio. They are specifically designed to help ensure the best possible performance with minimum setup time. 

Contact AP Corp. regarding any Sentek Dynamics product in New England and Upstate New York. Call us at (508) 351-6200 or visit our website at https://a-pcorp.com.

Micro-Epsilon Laser Profile Scanners: scanCONTROL LLT3000 and 2500



Micro-Epsilon scanCONTROL LLT3000

The scanCONTROL LLT3000 laser profile scanners impress in 2D/3D measurement tasks with high precision and dynamics. With a high resolution sensor matrix and high profile frequency, the scanners are designed for precise profile measurements in dynamic processes.

Micro-Epsilon scanCONTROL 2500

The scanCONTROL 2500 laser scanners are specially designed for industrial measurement tasks. Compact design, versatility and high signal stability result in an excellent price/performance ratio especially for measurement tasks involving large quantities.

Laser profile scanners from Micro-Epsilon are among the highest performing profile sensors with respect to accuracy and measuring rate. Equipped with powerful processors and highly sensitive optical components, these scanners ensure precise profile measurements on nearly any type of surface. While they can be integrated in various environments, the scanners also impress with a compact design which includes an integrated controller.

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

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.

About Induction Heating

What is induction heating?

About Induction HeatingInduction 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.
(508) 351-6200

In-Line Turbidity and Haze Measurement

Equitech's Retro-Reflection Probe
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]. 

EquiColor Software
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. 

Turbidity and haze
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.

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.