What's New
Pressure Sensor Design Minimizes Errors
Series 4007B pressure sensors are designed for harsh environments where space is a consideration. They are available with measuring ranges of 0–5 bar and 0–20 bar absolute for use at temperatures from –40 to 200ºC. The sensors have a direct chip exposure (DCE) design, which does not require a diaphragm. A piezoresistive measuring element measures static and dynamic events with excellent dynamic response. The sensing element relies on an implanted resistive bridge on micro-machined silicon, which minimizes hysteresis and repeatability errors. The sensors offer a wide bandwidth that has been improved by digital characterization techniques, and they have low sensitivity to acceleration and thermal error. They are compatible with the IEEE 1451.4 TEDS standard. The body is made of 17–4 PH stainless steel.
Appeared In Issue: August 2008
Kistler Instrument
www.kistler.com
Viscosity Sensor Can Be Easily Removed For Cleaning and Sterilization
The MXBOC tank-mounted viscosity sensor is designed for both water- and solvent-based applications, such as printing inks, glues and adhesives. Suitable for tasks requiring frequent color or coating changes, it operates at atmospheric pressure in tanks that are 7 in. to 26 in. deep. It features a one-bolt mounting mechanism and stainless steel wetted parts that can be removed for cleaning and sterilization without disrupting air or electrical connections. Requiring 40-psi dry air and a 3-way, 24-VDC air valve, the sensor uses the piston time-of-fall method to measure viscosities from 0.1 to 100,000 cP. It is PLC-compatible and CE- and ATEX-compliant.
Appeared In Issue: August 2008
Norcross Corp.
www.viscosity.com
High-Temperature Chromatograph Provides Automated Sample Preparation and Delivery
The Model 350 high-temperature gel permeation chromatography (HT-GPC) system is specifically designed for the characterization of polyolefins and other synthetic polymers that are soluble only at elevated temperatures. It provides absolute molecular weight without extrapolation or correction, as well as molecular size (Rg and Rh to less than 1 nm) and intrinsic viscosity. It also gives information on branching, structure and aggregation in a single GPC/SEC (size exclusion chromatography) experiment. The system may be configured with an infrared (IR)detector for short-chain branching analysis or an ultraviolet/visible (UV/VIS) detector for copolymer compositional analysis. It is designed in a modular format and features automated sample preparation and delivery, self-cleaning inline sample filtration, and a detector module that is easily removed for routine maintenance.
Appeared In Issue: August 2008
Viscotek
www.viscotek.com
Reliable Low-Temperature Actuators Feature Battery Backup
Valvcon ADC low-temperature actuators are suitable for remote solar-powered installations and for on/off duty and proportional applications where extreme cold temperatures exist. These rugged, compact, quarter-turn electric actuators have an operating temperature range down to –40ºF without requiring an internal heater. The battery can be automatically recharged at temperatures as low as –20ºF and has an operating life of up to 5 yr. The actuators can handle torque requirements up to 3,000 in.-lb, yet they weigh only 31 lb. Standard features include hardened-steel gears, standard ISO 5211 mounting interfaces, stall protection, and a sleep/wake mode to preserve battery power. Optional features include control packages, an electronic holding brake, serial I/O capability, and fully adjustable switches. The inclusion of signal-fail position options, switch-selectable power loss position, onboard manual control, and battery status indicator can save time during both set-up and general maintenance.
Appeared In Issue: August 2008
Metso Automation
www.metsoautomation.com
Data Logger Takes Underwater Measurements
The Data-at-a-Glance PR125 pressure data logger features a minimum/maximum display that enables chemical processors to quickly determine if pressures remain in required ranges. It operates at a 1-s sampling rate, and speeds data transfer by using flash memory cards and triple-speed USB-enabled data downloading. It is available in three models to handle 0–100 psi, 0–300 psi and 0–500 psi pressure ranges, and takes measurements in a variety of units: psi, atm, bar, mbar, in H2O, ft H2O, mm Hg, in Hg, Pascal and kP. A waterproof IP-68 case makes the data logger submersible.
Appeared In Issue: August 2008
Dickson Co.
www.dicksonweb.com
Autoclavable Pipettors Handle A Wide Range of Volumes
Proline Plus pipettors are fully autoclavable and available in single-channel, multichannel, and fixed-volume models for applications ranging from 0.1 mL to 10 mL. Safe, accurate and precise, these instruments feature the manufacturer’s Optiload design for easy tip-loading and ejection. Models with a nominal volume larger than 10 mL can use the manufacturer’s Safe-Cone filters. All Proline Plus pipettors are made in accordance with In-Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) and CE standards.
Appeared In Issue: August 2008
Biohit Inc.
www.biohit.com
Position Sensor for Potentiometers Withstands Harsh Environments
LP 750 Series linear position sensors are constructed entirely of stainless steel and are hermetically sealed against hostile environments in accordance with IEC standard IP-68. The units measure 0.75 in. in diameter and are available in standard ranges of 4 in. to 25 in. They can be imple-mented for “in-cylinder” use within hydraulic rams of construction equipment, and other corrosive environments that require sensors with a significant stroke-to-length advantage (0.75% to 0.9%). The sensors feature high resolution, excellent repeatability and low hysteresis. They have a maximum linearity error of ±0.25% of full-scale output and come with either a pre-calibrated loop-powered 4–20-mA input/output, or a nominal 24-VDC input and 0–10-VDC output.
Appeared In Issue: August 2008
Macro Sensors
www.macrosensors.com
Ultrasonic Flowmeter Takes Measurements in Picoseconds
The Innova-Sonic In-Line Model 206 is a digital transit-time ultrasonic flowmeter designed for liquid applications that require high magnetic-flowmeter performance at an affordable price. It features a reading accuracy of ±0.5% and can measure down to zero flow in virtually any clean liquid, regardless of conductivity. This model works on conductive liquids only, meaning that it cannot measure hydrocarbons, distilled water or many nonaqueous solutions. It uses the manufacturer’s PicoFly technology, which allows ultrasonic time-of-flight to be measured in picoseconds rather the nanosecond performance of typical flowmeters. This improvement provides superior response to changes in flow as well as excellent resolution that enables extremely low flow detection.
Appeared In Issue: August 2008
Sierra Instruments Inc.
www.sierrainstruments.com
Flame-Retardant Concentrate can be Customized
The latest version of PNM13319 polyamide non-halogenated flame-retardant (FR) concentrate features enhanced product versatility with the ability to tailor the resin more precisely to a customer’s specific application. This innovation allows processors to simplify their operations by adopting a masterbatch strategy. The resin is suitable for injection molding applications and nylon profile extrusions, and complies with the UL-94 V-0 test and V-1 and V-2 specifications. The concentrate is delivered as polyamide pellets and is designed to withstand a maximum processing temperature of 500ºF (260ºC).
Appeared In Issue: August 2008
Techmer Polymer Modifiers
www.techmerpm.com
Material Uses Silver to Prevent Microbial Growth
StatSil Antimicrobial materials incorporate a silver-based antimicrobial additive into a silicone elastomer base to inhibit microbial growth. They are available in ready-to-use and customized formulations, can be used at low additive loadings, offer a broad spectrum of activity, and provide design flexibility. Silver has been shown to have antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, as well as mold and fungi. Ionic silver carries a strong positive charge, which gives it a high affinity for negatively charged groups of biological molecules. Thus, silver is effective because it alters the molecular structure of biological molecules, leaving them worthless to the cell by turning off cell wall synthesis, membrane transport, nucleic acid synthesis and translation, and protein folding and function.
Appeared In Issue: August 2008
Momentive Performance Materials
www.momentive.com
COP Resin Microplate Provides Excellent Clarity
This patented line of microplates is constructed of Zeonor cycloolefin polymer (COP) and ZeonorFilm, and is intended for use in the life sciences research market in such applications as cellular assays, biochemical assays, compound storage, genomics and protein-protein interaction. The COP resin is used for the plate body and lid, and the film is used for the die-cut plate bottom. This combination fosters thermal stability, biocompatibility, low auto-fluorescence, flatness, and chemical resistance, as well as optimal clarity, which enables easy visibility of a chemical in solution and high light transmittance down to 240 nm. Conforming to SBS (Secure Business Services) and ANSI standards, plates made with these materials are compatible with platforms that handle 384 low-volume, 384 standard, and 1536 and 3456 well plates.
Appeared In Issue: August 2008
Aurora Biotechnologies Inc
www.aurorabiotechnologies.com
Self-Dumping Hopper Simplifies Dust Disposal
This self-dumping hopper comes in two capacities — 1 yd3 and 2 yd3 — and can handle a full range of dry dusts, including those that need to be reclaimed or recycled after the collection process. Its assembly is designed to provide easy dust disposal while protecting against unwanted dust leakage between the collector and hopper, which are connected by a slide gate and a flexible quick-disconnect hose. The hopper lid is fastened with rubber clamps that create a gasketed seal to prevent the escape of dust. When the hopper is full, the user detaches it from the bottom of the collector, lifts the hopper onto a forklift, and simply pulls a lever to swing the lid open and dump the contents into a larger disposal container.
Appeared In Issue: August 2008
Farr Air Pollution Control
www.farrapc.com
Mill Grinds Fine, Dry Calcium Carbonate
The HSA-100, a custom dry-grinding mill that uses the manufacturer’s Attritor technology, has been designed specifically for the fine grinding of calcium carbonate for power plants. It grinds materials that are as large as about 250 mm down to a final product in the range of 2–4 mm. It has a gross tank volume of 85 gal, a media volume of 38 gal, and a 300-hp drive. Its capacity, depending on the composition of the limestone feed, is 1,000 lb/h or more. Materials are charged into the mill at the top and discharged from the bottom by centrifugal force.
Appeared In Issue: August 2008
Chemco Systems, LP
www.chemcosystems.net
Single-Component Dispenser Simultaneously Apportions Materials Multiple Times
The SingleMultiple single-component dispenser can simultaneously allot single-component materials multiple times, and at varying ratios. For example, if a wiring harness needs to be potted in two separate places, this dispenser can function on both sides at the same time. Hence, capital equipment expenditures are reduced, because this one unit can replace several machines. Other benefits include reduced labor, waste, material and production costs. The dispenser features ViscoTec’s Perfectly Dosed progressing cavity pumps to ensure a pulse-free dispensing, and the ability to easily integrate with robotics to further increase accuracy, repeatability and quality.
Appeared In Issue: August 2008
Fluid Research Corp.
www.fluidresearch.com
Gasketing System Cuts Costs in Fuel Cell Production
The AMESSeal line of form-in-place gasketing systems is designed to improve sealing performance and reduce costs in proton exchange membrane (PEM), direct methanol (DMFC), and phosphoric acid (PAFC) fuel cells. The systems function by automatically dispensing and bonding a thin bead of low-durometer elastomers directly onto metal, graphite, or polymer substrates. Compared with traditional die-cut or molded gaskets, this system reduces possible sources of leakage by 50%. It does not require large upfront expenditures for tooling and molds, and becauseit is based on software-driven technology, it allows for low-cost prototyping and rapid scale-up to easily attainable production volumes. This system is also availablein a multi-layer composite version that combines silicone, which offers excellent compliance and sealing performance, with a fluoroelastomer, which has improved chemical and temperature resistance and durability.
Appeared In Issue: August 2008
Ames Corp.
www.amescorporation.com