Fluke offers new tools for vibration, energy analysis

Company unveils a series of new tools designed to deliver diagnostics for thermal imaging, thermometers, and vibration analysis at a lower price point at its press event in Everett, Wash., on April 5.

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At its press event in Everett, Wash. Last week, Fluke Corporation unveiled a series of new tools designed to deliver diagnostics for thermal imaging, thermometers and vibration analysis at a lower price point. Fluke also told a group of more than 60 international journalists about a new power analyzer to quantify energy wasted by power quality issues. The Fluke 430 Series II Three Phase Power Analyzers uses a patented algorithm to measure energy waste.

The goal, according to Fluke officials, is to “help facilities reduce electrical power consumption and improve the performance and lifespan of electro-mechanical equipment.” The tool provides data on energy monetization, energy assessments after improvements are installed, load studies and a long-term analysis. The overall goal is to detect power quality issues before operations are affected.

Among the other products introductions at the press event:

-- The Fluke 62 Max and 62 Max+ Infrared Thermometers: The test tools are dust, water and drop resistant. The 62Max+ tool uses dual rotating lasers to identify spot sizes. Because infrared measurement does not require making contact with the surface being measured, technicians can make the measurements from a distance, away from moving machinery or live electrical connections. “If we’re looking at a one-inch breaker, we need to focus on both spots on that breaker,” Steve Ulrich of Seattle-area based Valley Electric, told the press conference. “We’d use this on electrical equipment – motors, bearings, and look at certain amounts of rotating equipment.”

-- The Fluke 805 Vibration Meter: It’s a portable multifunction vibration screening tool that provides quantifiable information on the bearing and overall health of motors and other rotating equipment at a much lower price point than in the past. Fluke already offers the 810 vibration meter at about $8,000; the 805 price point will be about $1,800. “The 810 is a very sophisticated product,” said Demi Namli of Fluke.

“We see the 805 used as more of a frontline vibration analysis tool,” Namli said.

-- A new line of infrared cameras that will put infrared analysis tools in a lower price range. The Ti 110 and Ti125 have two different models for industrial or for building diagnostic applications, and the Ti100 is designed for basic infrared uses. As prices continue to come down for infrared cameras are making them more accessible for general uses as a maintenance tool.

“There are so many applications out there, waiting for right tool to come around,” said Michael Stewart of Fluke. “Anybody that has a thermal imager can realize some savings. It takes a little knowledge, but can do some amazing things with them.”

“The potential savings are huge,” said Jim Fritz of the Snell Group. “Seeing more smaller manufacturers using this. With everything at a lower price point, more and more people are using it. It really opens up the market.” The overall goal of the tool releases announced at the Fluke event were to underscore the company’s emphasis on putting sophisticated diagnostic tools in the hands of more plant personnel at the maintenance and energy management level.

"By optimizing your measuring process and optimizing process, you can have an efficient manufacturing process,” said Fluke metrology guru Jeff Gust.

www.fluke.com