Side-Mount Level Switches from Gems

Gems® Sensors & Controls™ introduces several new versions to their LS-7 Series of robust point level switches. These compact, side mount level switches are made from Gems Versaplast™ engineered plastic for high temperature applications up to 300°F (148.9°C).

The Gems Versaplast™ engineered plastic used on these new level switches is an extremely versatile material compatible with a wide range of challenging fluids such as oils and solvents. Versaplast™ enables the new LS-7 Series sensors to provide an affordable solution for handling high temperature applications and corrosive fluids. The durable Versaplast™ LS-7 level switches are CE, UL and CUL approved, are ideal for use within methylene chloride and anti-freeze tanks, and are well suited for low coolant, low hydraulic monitoring within off-highway vehicle and transportation applications.

These new Versaplast™ LS-7 Series versions expand the broad range of small, side mounted level switches from Gems Sensors available for a wide variety of fluids or applications. Additional specifications include pressure capability to 100 psi (6.8 bar), and a float arc of just 1.25 inches – beneficial in confined spaces. Options include internal and externally installed versions, and metric or U.S. threads.

Gems Sensors & Controls
www.GemsSensors.com

Gems Introduces a New Rugged Metal Electro-Opto Sensor

Gems® Sensors & Controls™ (Gems) introduces the new low cost, miniature ELS-950M Series of Electro Optic Level Sensors (ELS) for a wide range of applications and industries.

The ELS-950M Series expands on the existing ELS-950 product line with a brass housing to perform in harsh environments, maintain integrity in temperatures ranging from -40°F to +230°F and pressures to 250 psi.

ELS-950M liquid level sensors feature an over-molded electronics insert, TPE insulated wires, and a flurocarbon O-ring seal to create a watertight, environmentally resistant assembly. The ELS-950M is UL and CE approved to EMI standards and shock and vibration tested to MIL standards, IP66/67 and RoHS compliant. These robust sensors are available in 5 or 12 Vdc models with mounting options of ¼” NPT, ½”–20UNF-2B or M12x1-8.

“With the development of the ELS-950M Series, Gems has continued to expand the broad offering of our ELS product line,” says Kevin Castonguay, Product Marketing Manager for Gems Sensors & Controls. “The product delivers a robust and reliable solution for OEM customers. The small, solid state-sensor is durable enough to handle almost any application or temperature.”

The compact size, durability, and low cost of the sensor creates an excellent option for liquid level applications in medical diagnostic equipment, sterilizers, washers, dialysis equipment; lubricant systems in machine tools, generator sets, on- or off-road vehicles; hydraulic fluid reservoirs; HVAC and refrigeration systems; radiators and fluid overflow containers and OEM food and beverage applications.

Gems Sensors & Controls
www.GemsSensors.com

Micronor launches Model MR330 fiber-optic position sensor

Micronor (www.micronor.com) has unveiled the first commercially offered fiber-optic position sensor suitable for long-distance position sensing without being affected by ground loop issues — the Model MR330 fiber-optic position sensor. Its optical design provides immunity to all electro-magnetic interference such as radiation, magnetic fields, lightning and other extreme conditions.

Without any electronic component, the position sensor can measure absolute angular position more than zero to 360 degrees with speeds exceeding 2,500 rpm and 13-bit (8192-count) resolution. An optical technique integrated in an active controller and a passive sensor, held together by a 62.5/125 multimode duplex fiber-optic link allows the position sensor to track multiple turns to 12-bits (4096-revolutions). Powered by 24 VDC, the optical sensor’s controller sends a burst of light to the sensor’s code disk that modulates the light’s spectral components based on angular position. The position data is embedded in the light’s optical spectrum and led back to the controller for accurate position readout.

“The uniqueness of the system is that the sensor is entirely passive, meaning that there are no electronic components whatsoever in the unit,” said Robert Rickenbach, Chief Engineer at Micronor.

“The result is that the sensor can be directly deployed in extreme environments where conventional electronic-based encoders have distinct limitations.”

The accuracy and EMI immunity of MR330 make it ideal for application requiring for precise position measurement and motion control in challenging environments, such as satellite antennas, oil rigs, actuator systems, solar panel arrays, steel mills, transportation systems and medical instrumentation. The optical sensors also conform to the ATEX requirements, making it suitable for use in mines and other explosive environments. Its immunity to lighting makes it ideal for various outdoor applications including antennas and wind turbines.

Gems Introduces New Line of High Precision Magnetostrictive Level Sensors

Gems® Sensors & Controls™ (Gems) announced the launch of the new XT-1000 series of magnetostrictive continuous level sensors for OEM and end user applications.

The XT-1000 series offers a line of robust, stainless steel sensors with highly accurate continuous level measurement in lengths from 8 inches to over 13 feet. The XT-1000 measures liquid media levels using the complete probe length and is largely unaffected by temperature. The sensor offers constant sensing of fluid level regardless of the physical state of the media including: bubbles, foam, condensation, precipitation, pressure, temperature or changes in density.

The use of magnetostriction is ideal in applications that require extremely accurate indication such as the chemical and water treatment industries. The 4-20mA sensor is compatible with a variety of tank dimensions and offers an explosion-proof version for installation in potentially explosive atmospheres where electrical equipment of category 1 (zone 0) or category ½ (zone 0/1) are required. Also available with the digital Hart protocol operating system, the sensor is able to output the position of the first, second or both floats.

“The XT-1000 increases the breadth of the Gems continuous level product line with a highly accurate magnetostrictive technology solution” says Kevin Castonguay, Product Marketing Manager for Gems Sensors & Controls. “The high resolution sensor is a robust solution for a wide variety of OEM and end user applications such as; chemicals and petrochemicals, biotech and pharmaceuticals, mechanical engineering, water treatment, beverage, food processing and underground storage tanks for leak detection.”

Gems Sensors & Controls
www.GemsSensors.com

MicroStrain Launches SensorCloud™

MicroStrain announces the release of SensorCloud™, a unique sensor data storage, visualization, and remote management platform that leverages powerful cloud computing technologies to provide excellent data scalability, rapid graphing, and user programmable online analytics. Originally designed to support long-term deployments of MicroStrain wireless sensors, SensorCloud now supports any web-connected third party device, sensor, or sensor network through a simple OpenData API.

Core SensorCloud™ features include:

• Data in the Cloud: Virtually unlimited data storage with triple-redundant reliability, ideal for collecting and preserving long-term sensor data streams
• OpenData API: Allows users to securely upload sensor data from any web-connected source or platform, and download selected or entire sets of data
• FastGraph: Time series visualization & graphing tool with exceptionally fast response allows viewers to navigate through massive amounts of data, and quickly zero in on points of interest
• Custom Alerts: Flexible SMS and email alert scripting features helps users to create meaningful and actionable alerts
• LiveConnect: Allows remote configuration, viewing, and record high speed data streams from any wireless sensor cluster on your Ethernet network in real-time
• MathEngine: Enables users to quickly develop and deploy data processing and analysis apps that live alongside their data in the cloud

According to Steve Arms, CEO of MicroStrain, “We have now expanded our offerings from sensors and sensor networks to information management and analysis, and have implemented SensorCloud™ to provide sensor information when, where and how our customers require it. This is truly ground-breaking technology and I am proud to lead such an innovative team of engineers who have thought outside of the box to make this a reality.”

Unlike previous web-based sensor data aggregation platforms, MicroStrain’s SensorCloud™ is unique in that it leverages several new cloud computing technologies to make it easier to work with extremely large data sets using a new high-performance web data visualization tool that typically generates plots in under a second, and allows users to quickly navigate through gigabyte, terabyte, and even petabyte sized data sets. In addition, SensorCloud™ is, to our knowledge, the first web-based sensor data aggregation platform that provides a flexible online analytics tool supporting user-developed apps. Users can either upload their code or use an online editor to develop a wide range of data processing apps, from simple one-time scripts for filtering and statistical analysis, to advanced, continuously-running online algorithms for health monitoring and prognostics.

MicroStrain
www.microstrain.com

Sensor System Ensures Heat Sink Efficiency

Heat sinks must efficiently conduct heat away from the electronic components that generate this heat. The new Tactilus® heat-sink analysis system helps you quickly and precisely test and correct the surface contact and pressure distribution between the heat sink and its source. Even a slight warping of the heat exchange structure or reduction in surface contact area can have a profound effect on cooling efficacy. If the pressure distribution is not uniform, heat conduction will be low, and the electronics may overheat.

The Tactilus sensor lets you see actual contact forces and pressure distribution data on the circuit board components. As the mounting screws between the CPU and the heat sink are torqued, the sensor sends signals to map and measure the changing pressure distribution between the mating surfaces. These data are displayed through the software. The heat sink interface can be tested, manipulated, and repositioned in real-time. The sensor also provides the pressure data needed for FEA simulation predictions.

Unlike conventional transducers, this sensor is flexible and 0.015-in. thick (0.38 mm), allowing it to be placed between the CPU and heat sink without affecting the assembly. The sensor pad has 625 resistive sensing points arrayed on a 25 × 25 grid. The total sensing area is 2 in. × 2 in. The scan speed is up to 1,000 Hz, and the operating pressure range is 0 to 100 psi (0 to 7 kg/cm2).

It collects and processes data using Windows-based software that:

• Creates pressure versus time graphs and histograms

• Performs 2D, 3D and 360 degree image rendering and region of interest scaling

• Displays maximum, minimum and average pressures and does force integrations

• Prepares reports through export to Excel, ASCII, or Access formats.

The sensor system will endure hundreds of diagnostic uses on different heat sinks with consistent repeatability. It is resistant to electromagnetic noise, temperature, and humidity fluctuations. Accuracy is ± 10%; repeatability is ± 2%; hysteresis is ± 5%; and non-linearity is ± 1.5%.

Mold-Align® tools helps ensure precise mating at the parting line

Mold-Align® is a new tool from Sensor Products Inc. (Madison NJ USA) that helps improve yields and reduce defects in the injection molding process. It comes in rolls from which you cut a sheet of the amount you need and place between the mold halves. The paper instantaneously changes color to reveal how pressure is distributed between the A & B mold halves.

Traditional methods such as bluing agents do not work with the same precision or resolution as Mold-Align®. Mold-Align® provides data quickly with no messy cleanup and significant time savings.

According to Sensor Products Inc., bluing agents, when applied to one half of the mold, will transfer to the other if there is any contact at the parting line, but will not distinguish between high and low pressures. With Mold Align® the process is quick and simple. It is placed between platens on the parting line which are then subjected to pressure upon clamp closing using minimal clamp tonnage. It is then removed and the image inspected for pressure distribution and void spots. Adjustments if needed are then be made to the platens to achieve alignment, open vents or repair mold damage. Properly mating parting lines and aligned platens reduce machine wear and improve quality. Mold-Align® may be archived and used as a control for comparative purposes. Free samples are available.

Sensor Products Inc. USA

www.sensorprod.com/mold-align

Summer Discount for Pressurex® Sensor Film

MADISON, N.J. – To spur research and development efforts, Sensor Products Inc. is offering a 10% discount on its versatile Pressurex® pressure-indicating sensor film during this summer. Over the past decade, hundreds of White Papers have been written using the sensor film. Pressurex ® measures surface contact pressures between 2 — 43,200 PSI (0.14 – 3,000 g/cm2). The 10% discount is available to researchers until November 30, 2010. To receive the discount, researchers must order the film during the registration period and work for an accredited academic institution. A complimentary sample may be obtained by contacting Sensor Products Inc. at 1.973.884.1755 (USA), emailing info@sensorprod.com, or visiting www.sensorprod.com/sample.

Pressurex® reveals pressure distribution and magnitude between mating or impacting surfaces. When placed in the interface, the film changes color in direct proportion to the actual pressure applied. The result is an instantaneous and permanent “topographical” image of pressure magnitude and distribution across the contact area. Precise pressure magnitude is easily determined by comparing color variation results to a color correlation chart (conceptually similar to interpreting Litmus paper).

The film is routinely used to trouble shoot assembly problems, aid in research and design, and reveal defects during quality control. It is flexible, conforming to curved as well as straight surfaces and can be hand or laser cut to virtually any size or dimension. New applications for Pressurex® are being discovered daily. Common applications include contact pressure measurement of nip rollers, gasket and bolted joint interfaces, connectors, heat sealers, heat sinks, biomechanics, lamination, wafer polishing and bonding, composite lay up, and plastic molding, to name just a few.

About Sensor Products Inc.
www.sensorprod.com

Making Sensor Classifications Easy

In this Frank Talk About Sensors, Randy Frank discusses different ways of classifying sensors including the Sensor TiPS approach.

Low Pressure Sensing Chip uses Advanced MEMS Technology

Welcome to Frank Talk about Sensors. I’m Randy Frank and today I’m talking to Tim Shotter, director of new products at All Sensors, a leading supplier of MEMS-based pressure sensors and systems. Tim, welcome back to Frank Talk About Sensors.

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