Product & Literature Showcase – 2000-12-01

By Control Engineering Staff December 1, 2000

Power isolator with input signal fault detect
Tucson, Ariz. – DSCL25 DIN-rail and panel-mount isolator is said to offer a simple, low-cost solution for providing 2,300 Vrms-transformer isolation protection for analog signals in the range of 4-20 mA, and fault monitoring of the input signal. It is designed to prevent the transfer of interference voltages or currents and for breaking signal distorting ground loops. Accuracy over its entire operating range in better than Dataforth, A Burr-Brown Co.

Rugged portable PC
Chicago, Ill. -Logic Instrument has introduced the Tetralight PC. The device is light, powerful, and rugged and is intended for testing, measurement, and data acquisition in field applications of maintenance and logistics. Tetralight measures 11.4 x 13.0 x 1.85 in. and can be equipped with hard disk drives and the latest generation processors, including Intel Pentium III series. It can also operate with an infrared keyboard and a docking station with FDD, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM. Tetralight features USB and IEEE 1394 ports, ac/dc, and dc/dc operation with up to three hours between charges. Logic Instrument Co., French Technology Press Office

Vibrating level sensor for light materials
Lincoln, Neb. -The VR Series is a piezoelectric vibrating level sensor, suitable for high or low level detection in a variety of solid or liquid materials that are difficult for other technologies to detect. The devices are particularly well suited for use in extremely light, fluffy materials, or materials with a low dielectric constant. They are tip sensitive to overlook sidewall buildup. Insertion length is adjustable from 7.4 in. to 20 ft. All models are switch selectable for high/low fail-safe. BinMaster Level Controls

NEMA-4X oxygen analyzer
Woburn, Mass. – DF 140 oxygen analyzer is a low cost NEMA-4X unit that incorporates a proprietary nondepleting sensor. The sensor does not require frequent calibrations and never has to be rebuilt or replaced. DF 140 is calibrated to NIST standards and is said to be ready to use out-of-the-counter. It also has optional NEMA-4X and NEMA-7 remote sensor enclosures for installation in Class 1, Div. 1 and 2 areas. Delta F Corp.

Isolated thermocouple transmitter
Scotch Plains, N.J. – SEM203TC is a temperature transmitter that does not require a PC, trim pots, switches, or jumpers for calibration. Instead, the device uses a simple pushbutton on the unit to both select the thermocouple type and range the transmitter. SEM203TC is said to incorporate the latest digital technology assuring drift-free performance and linearization unavailable with analog designs. Galvanic isolation is standard. It is available in three versions, each accepting a choice of three thermocouple types. Accuracy is Status Instruments Inc.

Extend-range prox sensor
Dayton, O. -Said to be the first proximity sensor to combine a miniature 12-mm housing and extended range of 2.0 in. for detection of virtually any material, Superprox Model SM300 Series has a response time of 0.5 msec. The tiny, threaded device can be embedded in a machine where larger, longer-range proximity sensors will not fit. Its epoxy face in unaffected by dirt, water, oil, film, and other contaminants. It is also unaffected by magnetic fields and transient voltage. The CE-certified device has protection ratings of NEMA 4X and IP67. Hyde Park Electronics Inc.

Low-cost, large process display
Lancaster, Pa. – D5600 Series display provides display capability for level, position, pressure, temperature, or thickness measurements. The display includes two SPST relay outputs and RS-422 communication outputs as standard. In addition, the unit includes an optional four pushbutton programming box, giving the user visual indication when the alarm setpoint is tripped. D5600 comes in 2-in. high or 4-in. high red LED with a 5- or 7-digit resolution. Operating from 95 to 265 V ac at 45 to 400 Hz, the unit is housed in a steel case with screw terminal connections inside the box. Display update rate is 10 per sec. ATC-DigiTec

DeviceNet-compatible encoder
Dayton, O. -The DeviceNet-compatible AG626 encoder provides absolute position verification even if a power supply is interrupted, rpm value with time stamp, and 16 outputs. The device uses a magnetic platform, allowing it to withstand shock to 100 g. It also offers extremely high resistance to environmental contamination and EMI/RFI noise. AG626 can handle temperature extremes from -20 to 85 °C, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including steel making, valve position controls, tire manufacturing, robotics, and automation systems. Stegmann

Line scan inspection system
San Diego, Calif. -Web Ranger 2000 is a high-performance line scan inspection system. It detects low contrast defects in continually processed materials where the difference between good and defective material is minimal. By employing both filter processing and adaptive background subtraction, the Web Ranger 2000 detects very small changes in the web material and reports defects of 0.005 in. size and smaller. Clumps of transparent product and scratches on metallic surfaces are detected through continuous real-time inspection. Wintriss Engineering Corp.

Data acquisition system
Clinton, Mass. -Architect-MK3 is a data acquisition system that features specially designed, battery-operated, radio frequency transmitters which monitor and record process or environmental conditions without the need for wires between sensors and the receiver. The system features proprietary radio frequency encryption and decoding protocols to ensure error-free transmission for distances up to one mile. The system connects directly to a PC via RS-232 communications and uses factory-supplied software to analyze and store data. Clark-Instrument Solutions

Harsh environment tank weighing assemblies
Tustin, Calif. -Tank weighing assemblies enable load cells to be easily adapted to weigh contents of almost any tank or hopper and are ideal for food, chemical, and other industrial applications. These devices have been designed for hostile environments and are highly accurate with total system accuracy better than 0.1%. The accuracy endures through changes in humidity and temperature with a range of 0-150 °F. Units are available in an epoxy-painted or a stainless-steel finish. Capacities range from 50 to 300,000 lb. Hermetically sealed and NEMA 6 and IP67 sealed load cells are available, along with NTEP-certified accuracy ratings. Revere Transducers

Graphical tools
Middleboro, Mass. -SoftWire 2.0 is a graphical programming add-in for Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0. The software allows nonprogrammers to take advantage of the Visual Basic environment to quickly create powerful programs. According to its developer, no programming experience is required. SoftWire 2.0 expands existing capabilities to include advanced database, TCP/IP, arithmetic, financial, and analysis functions. The software also enhances existing graphical interfaces such as oscilloscopes, strip charts, digital voltmeters, among others, and increases functionality of their data acquisition properties. Third-party development kits are available. Computerboards Inc.