A blog discussing sensors and instrumentation. New products, new technologies, and interesting applications. Types of sensors and instruments discussed include: Analyzers, Color Sensors, Displacement Sensors, Flow Sensors, Industrial Weighing, Instrumentation (Data Acquisition), Load Cells & Instrument Hardware. Machine Controls, Pressure Gauges, Pressure Sensors, Sanitary Sensors, Strain Gages, and Temperature Sensors. Courtesy of AP Corp.
Several factors must be considered when specifying a pressure transducer for a process measurement. Some of the more significant ones are discussed in terms of the transducer and the overall measuring system. This information is user-friendly and can be used as a practical guide when selecting and applying strain-gage pressure transducers.
Introduction
Bonded strain-gage pressure transducers have long provided a convenient, accurate, and dependable method of measuring fluid pressure.
The foil strain-gage of today is far more sophisticated than its wire-gage forefather. In the early 1950s, switching from wire to foil resulted in significant improvements in overall transducer performance.
The advancement has been continuous, and today's strain-gage transducers are a far cry from previous models. Significant progress has been made in various areas, including improved heat dissipation, improved bonding techniques, superior adhesives, reduced creep and hysteresis effects, and improved temperature compensation. As a result, the transducer is more accurate and dependable than other types.
The Micro-MeasurementsModel 700B Welder is the next generation of the Model 700 Welder, which has been used for decades to install tens of thousands of strain gages worldwide. This experience and customer input and support provide more capability and flexibility while remaining in a smaller, more portable package.
This new welder combines a high-speed spot welding rate with the enhanced safety and portability features that you have come to expect from Micro-Measurements. It is designed for spot welding the Micro-Measurements line of CEA, LWK, LEA, LZN, and LZE weldable strain gages. In all types of adverse field conditions, the 7rugged 00B performs efficiently and dependably.
The 700B's use of commercially available Lithium-ion batteries, which are easily replaced in the field and can handle 1500 welds (@30 joules) on a single charge, is a significant improvement (equivalent to welding around 30 linear weldable gage). The lightweight unit weighs approximately 8.3 lb. (3.77 kg) and is ideal for field use, overcoming the main limitations of other portable spot welders on the market. The unit also welds small thermocouples and light-gauge metal
The Model 700B enhances Micro-Measurements' broad portfolio of weldable gages suitable for all types of applications and environments. Encapsulated, sealed, and high-temperature versions of Micro-Measurements' CEA, LWK, LEA, LZN, and LZE product families are included. Weldable sensors can be easily installed in field applications under a wide range of weather conditions because they are spot-welded rather than adhesively bonded."
The Model 700B's welding energy can be easily adjusted by the user from 10 to 60 Joules, with a weld rate of up to 60 welds per minute, making it one of the fastest tools of its kind. The 700B is simple to clip onto a harness or carry around remote job sites, whether working suspended under a structure or in a manufacturing plant. It is particularly well-suited for working from rope access, aerial lifts, or in a laboratory setting.
For more information in New England, contact AP Corp. Call (508) 351-6200 or visit https://a-pcorp.com.
The DruckDPI 705E Series of handheld pressure and optional temperature indicators combine tough and rugged design with accurate and reliable measurements.
Compact and robust, the DPI 705E Series is designed for single handed operation and provides many essential features required for routine maintenance and system troubleshooting.
DPI705E Series Handheld Pressure Indicator Features
48 pressure ranges from ±25 mbar to 1,400 bar (±1.69 psi to 20,000 psi / 2.5 KPa to 140 MPa)
Total 1 year uncertainty down to 0.05% full scale (FS) over temperature range of -10°C to +50°C
Integral calibration record with calibration due count-down display
Rugged, handheld design with backlit high-contrast display
Leak test, tare, maximum/minimum and filter
Hazardous Area (Intrinsically safe) version available
Optional remote plug and play pressure and Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) sensors
Optional pneumatic and hydraulic hand pumps
For more information in New England, contact AP Corp. Call (508) 351-6200 or visit https://a-pcorp.com.
Fiber optic sensing is becoming increasingly common in various industries, including manufacturing, medical, aerospace, automotive, civil, and energy. There are dozens of different types of technology on the market, each with its own set of capabilities. Because of the variety of technologies, navigating the fiber optic sensing landscape can be difficult.
This white paper, courtesy of Sensuron, intends to provide a framework for understanding multiple fiber optic sensing technologies and insights into market trends.
For decades, point sensing solutions such as strain gauges and thermocouples were "good enough," but this mindset frequently stifles innovation. Today, many Sensuron clients have innovated beyond their ability to test with legacy technologies. New, robust sensing technologies, such as Sensuron fiber optic solutions that can monitor beyond the scope of point sensors, are required to enable the next generation of innovations.
For more information inNew England and Upstate New York, contactAP Corp by calling (508) 351-6200 or visiting https://a-pcorp.com.
Color measurement is a widely used technology for ensuring the quality of color values during the manufacturing process. Typically, these measurements happen offline. The time it takes between sampling and receiving results from the laboratory can be lengthy. A significant disadvantage is that only one measurement occurs during this period, and the color quality during, before, and after the sampling point is unknown. A complete analysis is possible because inline color measurements are performed directly in the melt, but when color variations occur, immediate intervention is possible.
Inline color measurement will provide product-quality indicators for immediate and automatic adjustment of process parameters. The outcome is to maintain the highest possible product quality without waiting for sample analysis from the plant's laboratory.
Equitech International Corp. has been in business since 1995, supplying fiber-optic spectroscopic instruments for process analysis to pharmaceutical, chemical, and food manufacturers. In 2005 they entered the plastics market and began extending their technology into inline color monitoring and real-time closed-loop process control. They published a helpful Technical Paper titled In-Line Color Measurement in the Molten Polymer. You can download that paper here.
Certain maintenance and cleaning measures should be performed to ensure the long-term durability and accuracy of your Dynisco pressure sensor. This video demonstrates how to remove, care for, and maintain a Dynisco pressure sensor from an extruder.
This video explains the proper removal, care, and maintenance process of an extruder's Dynisco pressure sensor.
Do not attempt removal of the sensor while there is pressure in the process still, as this could cause polymer ejection through the sensor mounting hole.
The technician will unscrew the sensor from the extruder. Ensure that you are wearing proper safety equipment while removing the sensor. Dynisco recommends the sensors are removed from the process while hot. The technician then wipes clean the sensor immediately with a cotton rag. Dynisco does not recommend the use of sharp tools, screwdrivers, or wire brushes for removing polymers. With the diaphragm free of material, the technician examines the tip for damage or deformations. Damage may appear as a depression or a bubble on the diaphragm. Any deformation may affect the pressure reading. Dynisco recommends the sensor be sent back for evaluation by our repair department upon discovery of damage.
With the sensor removed, the focus is now on material that has entered the threaded area and the 45-degree seat—using the Dynisco mounting hole cleaning tool kit. The kit consists of a four fluted cleaning drill for cleaning the ½ 20 UNF threads and then a unique tool for cleaning the 45-degree seat (guide sleeve and T handle).
The technician will manually spin both tools into the mounting hole threads to remove polymer residue and other materials. After the hole is clean, the technician uses the gage plug included in the kit to check the mounting hole for contact points via the Dykem machine blue. The Dykem should not be missing around the edge of the tip; only the 45-degree seat will make contact. If contact appears on the outer diameter of the tip, then there is potentially pressure building on the sensing end of the sensor, which can cause damage, such as depressions or bubbles.
Once the mounting hole and contact points are confirmed clean, reinstall the sensor into the process, paying attention to the correct mounting torque. For the ½ 20 UNF threaded pressure sensor, the recommended torque is 100 inch-pounds. Hand-tight and a quarter turn is the best practice. Over torque can cause the threads to gall. If your sensor is over-torqued, use anti-seize to aid in the future removal of the sensor. Heat the pressure sensor to the proper temperature before re-pressurizing the extruder.
Proper care and maintenance of your sensors and mounts are essential for reducing operating costs and prolonging the lifespan of your sensors.
The DruckDPI 620 is a sophisticated multi-function calibrator and HART/Foundation Fieldbus communicator combined to provide a world-class pressure measurement and generation. For usage in hazardous places, ATEX and IECEx approved intrinsically safe versions are available.
Druck is offering a special promotion. Get 35% off when you purchase a DPI620PC or DPI620SPC package.
A DPI620PC package is defined as one of the following:
Safe Area - PN DPI620PC-2barg, DPI620PC-7barg, DPI620PC-20barg
Hazardous Area - PN DPI620SPC-2barg, DPI620SPC-7barg, DPI620SPC-20barg
HART capability, Safe Area - PN DPI620PC- H-2barg, DPI620PC-H-7barg, DPI620PC-H-20barg
HART Hazardous Area - PN DPI620SPC-H-2barg, DPI620SPC-H-7barg, DPI620SPC-H-20barg
All include Druck’s latest 4Sight2 software for up to 35% off the combined list price of the individual products.
For more information in New England, contact AP Corp. Call (508) 351-6200 or visit https://a-pcorp.com.
