I&C at NMW 2005: Sensors, monitoring system among show highlights

Among instrumentation and control products on display at National Manufacturing Week (NMW) 2005 in Chicago this month were several sensors from MTS Sensors, pressure sensors and sensing film from Sensor Products LLC, and an intelligent predictive condition monitoring system from ITT Industries.

By Control Engineering Staff March 17, 2005
R-Series sensors from MTS Sensors, part of the Temposonics family of magnetostrictive position sensors, now comes with standard fieldbus outputs.

Among instrumentation and control products on display at National Manufacturing Week (NMW) 2005 in Chicago this month were several sensors from MTS Sensors , pressure sensors and sensing film from Sensor Products LLC , and an intelligent predictive condition monitoring system from ITT Industries . Some details on the offerings follow, along with links to more information.
From MTS Sensors is the addition of fieldbus outputs and mechanical installation options to the Temposonics R-Series product family of magnetostrictive position sensors . R-Series now comes in flexible (RF) sensing element application housings, in addition to hydraulic (RH) and profile (RP) housings. TempoGuard II high-pressure housing (HPH) is approved for hazardous environment use with the R-Series. Fieldbus output sensors can be directly interfaced to CANbus, DeviceNet, and Profibus systems.

MTS Sensors’ Model USTD II liquid-level sensor is intended for for leak detection and inventory monitoring of underground tanks

Also available is a liquid-level sensor for underground storage tanks. Model USTD II liquid-level sensor for leak detection and inventory monitoring of underground storage tanks can sense inventory level, interface level, and temperature measurement, with one opening in the top of a vessel, allowing for easy upgrades. Magnetostrictive technology provides continuous absolute level gauging, offering temperature, product, and water level output information from one probe. Gauge determines average temperature and individual multi-point temperatures with five integrated temperature transmitters accurate of

Tactilus profiling system from Sensor Products LLC detects a wide range of pressures.

New applications for pressure sensors and sensing film from Sensor Products LLC include its expanded integrated Tactilus tire tread footprint profiling system. High-performance sensor system detects a wide range of pressures and requires fewer electronic components than previous versions.
New software uses Microsoft Windows XP and Bluetooth wireless technology. System can dynamically display a video image and easily capture and analyze data for regions-of-interest across the sensor matrix area. Pressurex tactile pressure sensor film (TPSF) quickly and accurately maps and measures pressure distribution and magnitude between any two mating, contacting, or impacting surfaces.

PROsmart predictive condition monitoring system from ITT Industries protects all types of rotating equipment.

PROsmart predictive condition monitoring system from ITT Industries protects rotating equipment. It allows continual monitoring of rotating equipment to pre-stated parameters for bearing vibration, temperature, speed, seal leaks, lubrication, cavitation, and more. The company says it plans to add control capabilities to the system.

Monitored information is sent over a built-in wireless communication system to a central server where data are analyzed and compared to the pre-stated parameters for that piece of equipment. Failure can be predicted on the basis of the analyzed information. Alerts or alarms can be sent to the equipment location by cell phone message or to a computer.

Jeanine Katzel, senior editor, Control Engineering, jkatzel@reedbusiness.com