Instrumentation & Automation News articles from August 2002

Instrumentation & Automation News archives from August 2002

DIN Rail Weight Controllers.
August 1, 2002... PS-2010W DIN Rail Mount Weight Transmitter/Controllers provide precision weight measurement, communication, and set-point control in a miniature rail mount designed enclosure. Packaged in mini-PLC `brick' fashion, 2010 units can be DIN rail...

Background suppression sensors.
August 1, 2002... The OJ Series family of miniature background suppression sensors will ignore shiny metal or bright white backgrounds typically found in conveyor applications. Measuring only 24 x 45 x 11 mm, the sensors can sense very small targets at long...

Rack-mount enclosures.
August 1, 2002... These three rack-mount enclosures can be quickly and easily converted from a rack-mount to a desktop configuration. The, enclosures are made of a durable, black ABS plastic with UL94-HB flammability rating, which provides an electrically...

Boardroom members: open your doors to the engineers and scientists. (Pool Reflections).
August 1, 2002... While Americans search for accountability in the boardroom and headlines read "Terrorism In Corporate America", many of us diligently go about the business of keeping the country running and producing goods and services at a level no other...

Oxygen monitor: features non-depleting electrochemical sensor. (Analytical Instruments).
August 1, 2002... Series 500 microprocessor-based ambient air oxygen monitor features a non-depleting electrochemical sensor that is factory calibrated to NIST Traceable Standards. The sensor is designed to last the life of the instrument and is backed by a 5...

VOC monitors: reduce fuel costs and VOC emissions. (Analytical Instruments).
August 1, 2002... Model 670 Series continuous solvent vapor monitors help process ovens and dryers reduce VOC emissions. They also reduce fuel costs to operate incinerators in chemical, coating, printing, and specialty finishing applications. Continuous...

Process analyzers: measurement of H2S And C02 concentrations in pipelines. (Analytical Instruments).
August 1, 2002... Series 1000 process analyzers are designed to provide continuous, real-time measurement of H2S and CO2 concentrations in natural gas pipelines, tail gas lines and other gas systems. Available ranges are from 0-20 ppm up to 0-10,000 ppm (1%) for...

Rheometer: QC tests with minimal training. (Analytical Instruments).
August 1, 2002... YR-1 Yield Rheometer otters an uncomplicated method for measuring the yield stress behavior of most materials. Simple, pushbutton operation gives production technicians the ability to make quick, repeatable QC tests with minimal training. A...

Trends in environmental monitoring. (Analytical Instruments).
August 1, 2002... For many years, environmental monitoring was the responsibility of the federal government and heavy industry. Today, as citizens become more aware of the health hazards involved and local governments become more vigilant in monitoring...

Pneumatic valve terminal: "Clean Design" for critical processes. (Valves, Actuators, & Positioners).
August 1, 2002... The CDVI pneumatic valve terminal uses this company's "Clean Design" characteristics that are designed for the environmental challenges commonly found in food handling and processing. The valve terminal offers 4- to 12-valve configurations (for...

Fail-safe actuators: minimal number of moving parts. (Valves, Actuators, & Positioners).
August 1, 2002... The Skilmatic[TM] electric fail-safe linear and quarter-turn actuators include modulating, isolating, emergency shutdown and spring-return models. They are specifically designed to provide a solution for positioning a wide range of valves or...

PID valve controller: operates valves without feedback resistance input. (Valves, Actuators, & Positioners).
August 1, 2002... The REX-D900Z is a full function PID valve controller with valve positioning. It is designed specifically to operate valves without feedback resistance input and uses a time function to determine the proper position to maintain the desired Set...

Drive actuators: precise motion control into a vacuum. (Valves, Actuators, & Positioners).
August 1, 2002... The Chamberlink is a combination feedthrough and servo actuator. It is capable of delivering precise motion control into a vacuum. It makes it an intrinsic part of the chamber, allowing the output shaft to operate in the vacuum without shaft...

Trend toward smaller, lower-cost valve. (Valves, Actuators, & Positioners).
August 1, 2002... Lean manufacturing and work cell technology improve turnaround, reduce cost, and fulfill higher customer expectations. These new manufacturing technologies also enable companies to produce smaller valves that cost less to both purchase and...

Strain gage/load cell amplifier: amplifies and conditions all varieties of strain gage/load cell sensors. (Force, Load & Strain Sensors).
August 1, 2002... This MCR universal strain gage/load cell signal conditioner features everything needed to amplify and condition all varieties of strain gage and load cell sensors and to deliver accurate signal outputs. It includes 1000 V three-way galvanic...

Strain gage sensor: from 2 to 2 million pounds. (Force, Load & Strain Sensors).
August 1, 2002... The T400 bonded strain gage sensor can measure tension and compression from two to two million pounds. It provides an electrical signal proportional to the load and is installed on weld pads or by drilling or tapping. The sensor can be used on...

Load cells: 1 kg to 1000 lb. (Force, Load & Strain Sensors).
August 1, 2002... LCKD Series compression load cells are designed to measure load ranges from 1 kg to 1000 lbs. These all stainless steel load cells offer temperature compensation that is achieved through a miniature circuit board included in the load cell's...

Load cell weighing kit: attaches directly to existing mixers, etc. (Force, Load & Strain Sensors).
August 1, 2002... The M1015HPWS universal high-purity weighing system is a complete turnkey weighing system that is easily installed on existing mixers, containers or tables to provide intrinsically safe, low maintenance scales for ultra-pure measurements up to...

M12 junction box: with small footprint. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... Thr M12 molded junction box is a miniature-size eurofast[R] junction box. The small footprint of the 4-port, dual or single output junction offers greater installation flexibility to OEM machine builders without compromising the features and...

Power supply: with modular design. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... The Vega Series AC-DC modular power supply is designed as a standard configurable product and utilizes off-the-shelf modules and converters that can be quickly assembled to meet custom output specifications. This eliminates the need for high...

Touch screen: with thin profile. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... The GT-30 display features a 5.7 inch touch screen with a thin profile and small bezzel. This bright, 16 color STN display features high speed updates, true type fonts, a large 1.5 MB memory size, and a 120 degree wide viewing angle. ...

Control transformers: for high inrush applications. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... The CPT series is a line of control transformers for high inrush applications requiring reliable output voltage stability. They offer 240/480 Vac and 50/60 Hz primary voltage, and 120 Vac secondary voltage. AutomationDirect 3505 Hutchinson...

Sensor connectors: in a molded design. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... The M8 and M12 sensor cables are now available in a new molded design to complement the company's range of sensor/actuator distribution boxes. The molded connectors feature a mechanical safeguard against vibration, gold-plated contacts, and IP...

Plastic keyboard: panel mountable. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... The ABS line of panel mount keyboards feature a polycarbonate frame with threaded stud mounting and zero footprint design allows for easy integration into locations. IKEY, LP 2621 Ridgepoint Dr., Suite 235, Austin, TX 78754. (800)...

DIN panel meter: fully programmable. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... The new 1/8 DIN panel meter model ECP-2001 is fully programmable for current, voltage, and temperature inputs across the scaleable range-9999 to 9999. Four alarm outputs are fitted as standard. Eagle Controls PO Box 41, Knap Close,...

Distributed I/O modules: for contorl applications. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... New modules are available for the VersaPoint distributed I/O system, a compact, cost-effective solution that connects to a variety of PLC, DCS, and PC-based control systems and allows users to tailor the amount of I/O for each application. With...

Protective cases: for portable equipment. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... The Storm Case line of injection-molded cases features "Press & Pull" latches that are both easy to operate and won't pop open when dropped. The cases can adapt to a wide range of uses, including computers, test and measurement,...

Safety interlock: in hinge style design. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... These new Hinge-style Safety Interlock Switches are integrated and encapsulated into a load-bearing hinge to provide a high degree of protection from tampering. All switch components are concealed inside the hinge to prevent access and to...

Fieldbus interface: integrates hart devices. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... The HI302 is an easy to use interface that integrates HART devices into FOUNDATION[TM] fieldbus networks. Designed to fit virtually any network topology, and provide full access to all HART variables, the HI302 protects the user's investment in...

Dual channel modules: take thermocouple measurements. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... Engineers and scientists now have a new option for taking type J and K thermocouple measurements with these 12-bit, dual-channel FieldPoint modules. The NI FP-TC-J and NI FP-TC-K dual-channel thermocouple modules expand the line of FieldPoint...

Hart transmitters: allows three analog process measuremnts. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... With no additional process penetrations or wiring, the new HIM Smart HART Loop Interface and Monitor allows up to three additional analog process measurements from smart HART multivariable mass flow, level, pressure, and pH transmitters. For a...

Electrical enclosures: with increased safety features. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... These Increased Safety terminal enclosures are now available with a +70[degrees]C ambient temperature rating as part of their ATEX certification. By comparison, existing CENELEC certifications are only good to +55[degrees]C. Increased...

Field instrument solutions: for processing industries. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... Field instrument solutions that will help users reduce maintenance costs, maintain high uptime, and improve productivity have recently been introduced. New solutions include ST 3000 [R] Lifetime Transmitters [TM] for pressure measurement, STT...

Current to voltage sensor: designed for PCB mounting. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... The Ex9PC500 Current to Voltage Sensor measures ac currents up to 50 A, 47 Hz--400 Hz. Typical applications include current measurement and control, power demand measurement, current signature of motors, load, ground fault, and process...

Intrinsically-safe calibrator: calibration for pressure, temperature and electrical signals. (Connectors, Wire, Cable, & Terminal Blocks).
August 1, 2002... The MC5-IS is an intrinsically-safe model of the IP65-rated documenting modular multifunction calibrator. It offers calibration capabilities for pressure, temperature and electrical signals--including frequency and pulses, in a handheld unit....

CANbus Interface Module: collects measurement data for data acquisition. (Connectors, Wire, Cable, & Terminal Blocks).
August 1, 2002... The ML71 CANbus Interface Module, for use with the MGCplus data acquisition system, searches for messages from selected devices on the CAN bus and stores them as if they were measurement data from a conventional transducer. Thus, an MGEplus...

Intrinsically safe multimeter: input alert function. (Connectors, Wire, Cable, & Terminal Blocks).
August 1, 2002... The intrinsically-safe Ex-DM 1000 multimeter for industrial and electronic applications is approved for Class I, Div. 1 C/D T4, Class I, Div. 2 A-D T4 and Ex II 2 G Eex ia IIC T4 use. For the user, this means that with the multimeter parameters...

PXI system: I/O flexibility. (Connectors, Wire, Cable, & Terminal Blocks).
August 1, 2002... With this new family of pre-configured PXI systems, designers of instrumentation and automation systems can develop powerful applications with a maximum of input-output (I/O) flexibility. The two new PXI system chassis and PXI controller cards...

Digital process meters simplify measurement. (Connectors, Wire, Cable, & Terminal Blocks).
August 1, 2002... Automated equipment designers face a myriad of measurement challenges. Oft, measurement of mechanical phenomena as feed rate, relative position, and volume is difficult and expensive to implement. Today, single devices can easily measure in...

Temperature controllers: for network applications. (Process Controllers, Regulators & Transmitters).
August 1, 2002... Series C panel-mounted, universal-input temperature controllers includes four models that may be ordered for network applications, including Modbus messaging protocol and, with an optional adapter, for communication with other components of a...

Pressure transmitter: use in both liquid and gaseous media. (Process Controllers, Regulators & Transmitters).
August 1, 2002... The JUMO MIDAS pressure transmitter measure relative (gage) pressure in both liquids and gaseous media. It uses a ceramic thick-film transducer that converts the pressure into a standardized voltage or current signal. The principal advantage...

Multifunctional process monitor: shows real-time process status. (Process Controllers, Regulators & Transmitters).
August 1, 2002... Model 330R i/8 DIN Process Monitor and Indicator programs to accept a signal input from a process instrument or temperature sensor, and shows real-time process status on its large display. The 330R features universal input; a splash-proof front...

Temperature controllers: multifunction; auto-tuning. (Process Controllers, Regulators & Transmitters).
August 1, 2002... Allen-Bradley Bulletin 900-TC temperature controllers for electric heater and on/off temperature control applications feature multifunction control, LED displays, plus auto-tuning and self-tuning capability. The controllers support both PID and...

Trends in configurable controls. (Process Controllers, Regulators & Transmitters).
August 1, 2002... By combining configurable hardware and software into relatively inexpensive, small, microprocessor based controls, customers save costs while enhancing their product capabilities. Compared with fixed function controls, configurable controls are...

PM motor: slotless and brushless. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... The ThinGap[TM] TG3600 Series slotless brushless PM motor incorporates new winding technology that eliminates eddy current and hysterisis losses and achieves very high power efficiency over a wide speed range. A maximum continuous torque of 115...

Bar code reader: simplifies 2D reading. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... The Quadrus EZ[TM] bar code scanner combines the functionality of a vision system with the ease of use and price point of a laser bar code scanner. It provides manufacturers with an out-of-the-box solution for decoding both linear and 2D...

PCB terminal strips: retain compact design. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... These PCB terminal strips, the 745 Series, feature a space-saving design and an increased current rating of 50 A. The 745 Series is available with a pin spacing of 15 mm and 20 mm and is designed for use with wire gauges from #24 to #6 AWG....

Keyboard/KVM units: control 120 personal computers. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... CyberKVM[TM] 1U rack-mount keyboards/KVM units include up to 8 internal KVM switches and ports, plus a display port and a daisy-chain port. Teamed with 7 slave 16-port KVM switches, Cyber KVM units can control 120 PCs from a single spot....

Motion position sensor: with low profile design. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... The miniaturized 9600 Linear Motion Position Sensor Series is designed with a short 0.15" (3.8 mm) mounting terminal, the 9600 provides an extremely low profile. The overall height of the sensor is 0.50" (12.7 mm). Offering precision feedback,...

LCD hour meters: with EEPROM memory. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... New models have been added to this company's line of LCD Hour Meters. The new product line Models 55, 56, 57, and 59 offer the user a wide range of selections. All models have an EEPROM for memory, do not require a battery backup for memory...

Imaging system provides slow motion diagnosis of high-speed processes in manufacturing applications. (Automation Excellence Awards).
August 1, 2002... Redlake MASD, Inc., San Diego, CA, has announced the availability of its MotionMeter high-speed digital imaging system--a hand-held, professional camera at a price of $4,995. MotionMeter is capable of capturing images at up to 1000 frames...

Motion controller provides Ethernet/RS232 connectivity in low cost, small size package. (Automation Excellence Awards).
August 1, 2002... The Econo Series DMC-21x2 motion controllers which come in 1-8 axis formats, each with a 10Base-T Ethernet port and a 19.2 KB RS232 port have been introduced by Galil Motion Control, Rocklin, CA. Aside from optoisolation and uncommitted analog...

Six-slot industrial computer supports the complex needs of today's test and measurement applications. (Automation Excellence Awards).
August 1, 2002... SixPAC is a new six-slot version of Dolch's FlexPAC[TM] family of industrial computers. SixPAC sports six full-size expansion slots to handle any PCI or ISA add-in card requirement, while not changing the height or width, and adding only 2...

Microprocessor core module: for systems development. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... The RCM3000 RabbitCore is a microprocessor core module. Powered by the new Rabbit 3000[TM]--the "EMI-Free microprocessor"--the RCM3000 is an option for designers who want to develop and implement embedded systems with integrated Ethernet...

DC power supplies: with switching technology. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... This company has introduced DC power supplies that use efficient switching technology to produce the most power in the smallest space, while generating a minimum amount of heat. The PS series of DC power supplies output 2 - 20 A at 24 Vdc and 4...

DC/DC converters: replace 20 watt packages. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... Up to 40 Watts of power is now available from the standard 2" x 2" package formerly associated with 15-20 W devices. The new UWR 26-40 W, single-output, switching DC/DC converters unite a fixed-frequency, fully synchronous, forward topology...

Position transducers: in non-contacting design. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... The TLC Series of non-contacting position transducers are based on the company's Indres inductive technology. With this new technology, output voltage is proportional to the position of a probe moving near, but not touching, two resistive...

Displacement flowmeters: with multiple end connections. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... Designed for industrial use, the HOG positive displacement flowmeter is constructed of 316 stainless steel with other materials of construction optional. Available with a variety of end connections including the standard male NPT, this product...

Thru-beam fork sensors: with pre-aligned optics. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... The new self-contained BGL thru-beam fork sensors eliminate mounting headaches encountered with fiber optic sensors used for part detection on machines and conveyors. The new BGL fork sensors can be used in a wide variety of applications...

I/O module: performs four I/O functions. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... The PMC730 multifunction PCI mezzanine card combines the capabilities of four I/O modules on a card that plugs into PMC slots on VMEbus or CompactPCI[TM] CPU boards. With the PMC730 module, embedded computer designers can use fewer boards to...

USB gender converters: available in seven styles. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... A new line of USB Gender Converters has been introduced to expand this company's high-speed USB Connector product offering. The following Gender Convertrs are available: Type A to A plug to plug, Type A to A receptacle to receptacle, Type A to...

Calibrated sensor: for 1 to 100 PSID applications. (Product News).
August 1, 2002... The differential output ASDX series of amplified sensors based on combining MEMS, ASIC, and modem packaging technologies was recently introduced. This differential output version of the ASDX series has a +/-2Vdc output centered around a 2.5 Vdc...

Every control engineer, a detective? (Editorial).
August 1, 2002... Since the greater majority of U.S. process plants are existing facilities (comparatively little "greenfield" construction was going on last time I looked), an interesting phenomenon has taken place. As a direct offshoot of recent consolidation...

Ultrasonic flowmeter saves the day: ultrasonic flowmeter advancements have expanded the application range to include cement lined, asphalt coated, ductile iron, and glass reinforced plastic piping composite materials. (Process Instrumentation & Control).
August 1, 2002... Faced with the prospect of shutting down sections of a 26-million gallon-per-day water supply system to roughly 18 million people, the staff of a water municipality sought an alternative to using traditional electromagnetic flowmeters to...

Valve, sensor connection boosts plant quality. (Process Instrumentation & Control).
August 1, 2002... KEYWORDS * Process control and instrumentation * Process sensing * Transmitters * Process valves * Batch controllers It's simple to explain how industrial cleaning products are made: start with clean softened water,...

Monitoring level in tight quarters. (Process Instrumentation & Control).
August 1, 2002... KEYWORDS * Process control and instrumentation * Process sensing * Level sensing * Wireless communications Summit Industrial Products (Tyler, Tex.) needed to monitor level of petroleum products in 26 bulk storage tanks...

Pressure feeder switch offers remote level indication in storage silos. (Featured Products).
August 1, 2002... The RF9200 pressure feeder switch indicates when a transporter is full. This remote indicating device has the probe located in a hopper and connected with factory supplied cable to remote sensing electronics located at platform level for easy...

Waterproof proximity switches act as suitable replacements for mechanical switches in wet and dirty applications. (Featured Products).
August 1, 2002... The MK4/5/13 Series magnetically operated reed proximity switches are waterproof, can be mounted anywhere, and are suitable replacements for mechanical switches, especially in wet and dirty applications. Hermetically sealed, the switches are...

Handheld analyzer keeps an eye on gaseous emission in process plants. (Featured Products).
August 1, 2002... Tempest 100 handheld analyzer monitors carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen monoxide and oxygen in process plants and calculates combustion efficiency. It then logs and prints gas data. Additional sensors can be specified for nitrogen...

Valve sensors: housing for process use. (New Products).
August 1, 2002... The DSU35 housing style of these valve sensors is designed specifically for the chemical handling and processing markets. It is able to mount to several different actuator sizes wihtout the need for any adapters or spacer plates. Versions are...

IR thermometer: digital communications. (New Products).
August 1, 2002... The smart M770S infrared thermometer features digital interface communications withe remote addressibility for up to 32 sensors. Response time is 7.5 milliseconds and temperature ranges are from 350 deg C to 3000 deg C. MIRDAC software is...

Pressure sensor: with dual outputs. (New Products).
August 1, 2002... This pressure sensor features digital and analog outputs. The Model DS provides an RS485 or RS232 output and 0-5 Vdc analog output. The 1000 Hz frequency response of the analog output and 100 Hz response of the digital output is within the...

Pressure transmitter offers NAMUR failure-mode compliance. (Featured Products).
August 1, 2002... The RTX 1000 smart/non-Hart gauge/absolute pressure transmitter is suited for use in both industrial and process control applications. The sensor uses this company's piezoresistive technology together with microprocessor-based smart...

DIN rail mounted isolated transmitters are ideal for signal conversion. (Featured Products).
August 1, 2002... The 8900 Series isolated transmitters offers 16 models with a variety of voltage and current input and output combinations. All models provide three-way isolation, eliminating problems associated with multiple grounds and ground loops. The...

Four scale weight controller offers standard ethernet and DeviceNet communications. (Featured Products).
August 1, 2002... The HI 3030 general purpose weight controller is used in tank farm, level weighing, batching, filing, dispensing and checkweighing applications. It can control up to four independent scales at one time, and acts as a bridge to a PLC since one...

Level gauge: for sanitary applications. (New Products).
August 1, 2002... Designed for use in the pharmaceutical and food processing industries, the Level Plus[R] M-Series Digital Transmitter offers a non-linearity of 0.008% FS (full scale) and hysteresis of 0.002% FS The NEMA 4X electropolished 316L stainless steel...

Dew Point Meter: records climatic parameters. (New Products).
August 1, 2002... The PosiTector[R] Dew Point Meter features a large, easy-to-read graphics LCD with multilingual support. It has a two button menu driven user interface, and quick operating instructions are on the back of each instrument. The rugged,...

Bin aerator: promotes material flow. (New Products).
August 1, 2002... Without the noise and damaging vibration caused by pneumatic or electric vibrators, these Evasser bin aerator promote the flow of dry bulk powders from a storage vessel. The compact, low-cost Evasser requires virtually no maintenance and has an...

Data logger: with thermocouple. (New Products).
August 1, 2002... With the capability to store up to 2700 temperature readings using a variety of thermocouples, the Micro T/C Temperature Logger provides an option for a range of temperature recording applications. The Micro T/C Temperature Logger can accept...

Digital contorller: with led bargraph. (New Products).
August 1, 2002... The model HI-QTBS was recently introduced. Behind the NEMA 4X (IP65) Lexan overlay of the HI-QTBS there are 101 segments of semicircular (300[degrees]) automatic tricolor LED bargraph to indicate process trend with 1% accuracy. Otek Corp....

Temperature transmitters and switches eliminate wiring mistakes and cumbersome tools. (Featured Products).
August 1, 2002... EVO Series Italcoppie temperature transmitter use a one-way only, screw on, watertight connection that tightens by hand. This eliminates time consuming problems associated with termination heads. No more wiring mistakes and cumbersome tools to...

Multi-function electronic pressure instrument reduces installation costs. (Featured Products).
August 1, 2002... The SGT [R] Electronic Pressure Instrument provides two relays, local indication and a 4-20 mA output and is designed for use in Class 1, Div. 2 hazardous locations. Hassles associated with the purchase, piping and configuration of separate...

Dielectric testers and meters monitor variations of dielectric constant of dielectric fluids such as petroleum and synthetic lubricating oils. (Featured Products).
August 1, 2002... These dielectric testers and meters can be used in applications where a fluid degrades with time, usage, exposure to sun rays, temperature, or gets mixed with polluting fluids of different dielectric constants. It monitors variations of...

Level monitoring systems: upgrades previous system. (New Products).
August 1, 2002... The Type "BG" Tank-O-Meter is a cost effective upgrade' to existing "bubbler" liquid level monitoring systems. Customers can quickly and easily install the highly visible 10 inch, 100 segment Red LED display. Calibration/Scaling via DIP...