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“Why Has My Pulse Flow Meter Sensor Failed?”

The majority of flow meters with a pulse output use a rotating element with internal magnets. These magnets trigger a solid-state sensor giving a pulse output proportional to the liquid flow rate.

Titan Enterprises Ltd, who has been designing and manufacturing flowmeters for over 40 years, explains some of the reasons why these sensors might fail and what can be done to prevent damage that can lead to costly repairs and process downtime.

High quality Hall effect sensors are typically used within Titan’s pulse precision flow measurement devices. The sensors operate between 4.0Vdc and 30Vdc, however, there are a number of scenarios that will cause the Turbine and Oval Gear flow meters to fail, even though the installer believes the flow device has been installed correctly.

If a flow sensor fails, it may be for one of the following reasons:

• Incorrect Wiring: Care must be taken when wiring the sensor power supply and pulse output of the flowmeter. The sensor is unable to cope with incorrect wiring – reverse polarity or short circuiting can cause the sensor to fail suddenly, completely and permanently.
• Unregulated Power Supply: Exceeding the maximum 30Vdc to the Hall Effect sensor will damage the unit. A good quality regulated DC power supply is recommended for powering a pulse flow meter.
• Electrical Interference / Voltage Spikes: Other connected equipment containing inductors (coils), or electromagnetic components (such as solenoid valves or pumps) can produce high voltage spikes when switching. These spikes can be a hundred to thousands of volts and if on the same circuit, will damage the flowmeter sensor beyond repair.

Electrical interference can also occur even without a direct connection if cabling is routed close to high-power equipment.

A failure mode that is commonly seen, is where a simple solenoid valve is operated on the same power supply as the flowmeter. When the solenoid de-energises in 1ms it produces a spike of 100s of Volts. Some of this voltage spike feeds through to the sensor, momentarily exceeding the 30Vdc maximum of the sensor causing it to fail.

What can be done to prevent catastrophic failures in flow measuring systems?

Neil Hannay, Senior R&D Engineer with Titan Enterprises observes: “The majority of damage tends to be caused during the installation of the flowmeter. Minor errors can result in a non-operational meter before the customer has even started, leading to costly repairs or replacements, as well as process downtime, that can be avoided.”

Titan Enterprises produce over 70,000 flowmeters each year that are used in a wide variety of industries, processes and applications, so troubleshooting for customers is not uncommon, particularly for those who are unfamiliar with Titan’s flow metering products.

Neil says: “Titan provides written data and instruction sheets with all our flow meters, and we have also published some installation tutorial videos to help our customers and prevent any mis-wiring that can damage the units.”

The following installation checklist will go a long way to preventing common causes of pulse flow meter sensor failure:

For further information on Titan’s flowmeter and instrumentation range or to discuss any process and technical issues, please contact Titan Enterprises on +44 (0)1935 812790 or sales@flowmeters.co.uk. Visit our website at www.flowmeters.co.uk/

Drawing upon over 40-years of flowmeter innovation – Titan Enterprises Ltd is a leading manufacturer of high-performance flow measurement solutions, including the Atrato ultrasonic flowmeter, Oval Gear flowmeters, low flow Turbine flow meters and a flow instrument range. Titan’s company philosophy of “pushing the envelope by trying to do things a little different and better” has resulted in sales of over 2 million flowmeters and components into 50 countries worldwide and a repeat purchase percentage of 95%. All flow meters produced by Titan Enterprises are designed and manufactured to ISO9001 and calibrated to an uncertainty of ±0.25%.

Mueller Electric, best known as the inventor of the crocodile clip over 100 years ago is also a manufacturer of a wide range of connectors, adaptors and cable assemblies, including;

Banana Plugs

Banana Plugs Banana plugs are a single-wire electrical connector used for joining wires to equipment.  A banana plug is a cylindrical pin/plug that has sprung metal “leaves” that bulge outward, though variations on this exist for different applications. The springs produce a snug fit and good connectivity in a socket as well as preventing the pin from falling out. The diameter of the pin is usually 4 mm (which is why it’s also referred to as a 4 mm plug).  The back of the pin is connected to a wire which is screwed, soldered, or crimped into place. Often there is insulating plastic over part of the connector.  These are used at the ends of patch cords for electronic test equipment, speaker wires, and probe leads.

Banana Jacks

A Banana Jack is another word for the female connector that the banana plug is inserted into.  Jacks have different kinds of pins on the front end which allow them to connect or plug into many different electrical items.

Binding Posts

The binding post is also called a “5-way” or “universal” post because there are 5 ways to attach a wire to it. They are a type of wire terminal found on speakers, receivers, and amplifiers as well as test and measurement instruments, high-voltage test equipment and various handheld devices.  Binding posts accept bare wire and four different types of connectors: pin connectors, spade connectors, banana plugs, and dual banana plugs. Banana plugs are inserted into a hole in the back of the binding post.

Dual Plugs & Posts

Dual plugs are simply two plugs together. They are designed for use with amplifiers or speakers that use traditional binding posts.  Dual Binding posts are two posts together – often what a dual plug will plug into.  Dual plugs and posts make it safer to plug in two wires with no chance of stray wire strands creating a short across contacts.

BNC Connectors

BNC connectors—or Bayonet Neill-Concelman—are a common type of RF connector that utilizes BNC cables. Typically, these types of connectors are used with aviation electronics, test equipment, amateur radio antennas and military equipment, but more recently, they have been used in surveillance systems.

SMA Connectors

SMA (Subminiature version A) connectors are semi-precision coaxial RF connectors developed in the 1960s as a minimal connector interface for coaxial cable with a screw-type coupling mechanism.

Alongside a wide range of 700+ connector styles, Mueller manufactures and supplies a wide range of cable assemblies which can be viewed on the Mueller Electric Website.

You can view our full range by visiting our on-line catalogue.

If you don’t see what you need or you have bespoke requirements please get in touch, we have developed and manufactured new solutions for a wide range of applications and industries.

Mueller Electric Europe

Unit 9, Castle Park Industrial Estate, Queens Drive,
Nottingham NG2 1AH, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 1159 933300
Fax: +44 (0) 1159 933301

E-Mail: thearn@muellerelectric.com

Website: https://www.muellerelectric.com

Since Mueller Electric was established in 1908 the company has innovated and developed to become one of the world’s leading suppliers of crocodile clips, sometimes called alligator clips, electrical connectors, wire and cable, cable lugs, test leads and patch cords, and cable assemblies for factory automation and temporary protective grounding.

With a Head Office and manufacturing facility in Akron, Ohio, the company operates in Europe through a regional Sales Office, Warehouse, and Distribution Centre in Nottingham.

ifm electronic has launched an easy-to-use plug-and-play data acquisition solution that allows IO-Link sensors to send process values to the cloud even from locations where no network connection is available. The new IO Key supports up to two IO-Link sensors and transmits data via the GSM mobile network. It is fully preconfigured and requires no SIM card.

Users can visualise and analyse the data acquired by the system with a web-based dashboard that also offers options for setting limit values. If these values are exceeded, warnings can be sent automatically to the plant operator either by email or by text message. Additionally, all data from the sensors can be summarised and reported as required.

Ideally suited for monitoring and evaluating the operation of remote sections of a plant, such as tank farms or compressed air storage vessels, ifm’s new IO Key needs only a 24 V DC power supply and access to the GSM network. No connections to a controller, PC or the company network are required. To suit the widest range of user requirements, it is offered in versions that transmit data to the cloud once per day, once per hour, once per minute and once every ten seconds.

IO Key modules feature compact construction and use standard M12 connectors for sensor connections. They have an IP65 ingress protection rating which means that they can be used in almost any industrial environment.

The presence of liquids and demanding hygienic requirements dominate the application field of medical device technology. Product developers are faced with the task of balancing functionality, protection and design at a top level. The miniature connectors of the binder 770 NCC series are an exemplary success – which also benefits industrial users.

binder, a leading supplier of industrial circular connectors, presents overmoulded cable connectors of the 770 NCC (Not Connected Closed) series. When mated, the products meet the requirements of protection degree IP67 and are thus dust-tight and protected against temporary submersion. When unplugged, they offer IP54 protection against contact, dust and splashing water from all sides. The series is mainly designed for use in industrial and healthcare environments where liquid media typically occur. The connectors are equipped with an easy-to-use but reliable bayonet locking system that ensures quick and safe mating and unmating.

Background: NCC – Not Connected Closed
Typically, connectors only comply with the protection degree specified in their data sheet when mated. When unplugged, covers or flaps are often used to protect them from environmental influences. However, these elements may affect ease of handling or interfere with the visual appearance of the system design. NCC is different: here, as a special design element, a spring-loaded plastic cover is located inside the connector housing. It encloses the pins in a contact-proof manner, protects them from particles, dust and splash water and protects against mechanical impact from the outside.

Design meets functionality
The use in medical engineering applications particularly challenges the design and manufacture of circular connectors. On the one hand, smooth product surfaces are required for hygiene reasons. They prevent the accumulation of dirt and reduce the risk of contamination. On the other hand, in clinical applications, for example, mobile devices often have to be connected to others on site – in as little time as possible and without the risk of contaminating the unmated flange part of the connection. Furthermore, medical device manufacturers demand a visually attractive design that fits seamlessly into the typical colour and shape schemes of this market segment. In addition, the connector manufacturer is faced with the task of using one and the same tool for producing the black and white versions – despite the different materials – while maintaining tight tolerances. Similar requirements apply to applications in industrial measurement and control technology, where the products have to withstand harsh process or climatic conditions. With the overmoulded cable connectors of the 770 NCC series, the developers and production specialists at binder have succeeded in meeting these challenges comprehensively.

770 NCC series specifications
The 770 NCC series of 8-pin cable connectors with bayonet lock – in straight design – are equipped with moulded, UL-approved PUR or PVC cables, making field assembly unnecessary. They are offered with standard cable lengths of 2 m and 5 m; other lengths are available on request. The cable cross-section is 8 x 0.25 mm² and the cable jacket diameter is 6.0 mm. The bending radius of the cables in move is at least ten times the cable diameter – and at least five times the diameter for fixed cables. The maximum resistance of wire amounts to 79 Ω/km. The overmoulded cable connectors are designed for a rated voltage of 175 V at a rated current of 2 A and withstand impulse voltages of up to 1750 V. Their operating temperature range extends from -25 °C to +85 °C; the mechanical service life is specified at 5000 or more mating cycles.

About binder
binder is a family-owned business that is shaped by traditional values. Based in Neckarsulm, Germany, it is one of the leading specialists in the area of circular connectors. binder has been synonymous with the highest quality since 1960. We work with 45 distribution partners on five continents and employ 1,800 staff worldwide. The binder group is comprised of the binder headquarters, 16 affiliated companies, two systems providers and an Innovation and Technology Centre.

Figure caption:
Overmoulded cable connectors with bayonet lock of the 770 NCC series are optimised for fast, reliable mating in harsh environments as well as for demanding hygiene requirements. Photo: binder

Fields of application:

• Medical device engineering
• Industrial applications
• Measurement and control technology

Features:

• Termination: PVC/PUR cable
• Locking system: Bayonet
• Pin count: 8-pin
• Protection degree: IP67 when mated
• EMI capability: unshielded
• Bayonet ring: black (colours upon request)
• Mating cycles: > 5000

Company address:

Franz Binder GmbH & Co.
Elektrische Bauelemente KG

Roetelstrasse 27

D-74172 Neckarsulm/Germany

Tel. +49 (0) 7132 325-0

Fax +49 (0) 7132 325-150

info@binder-connector.de

www.binder-connector.de

Press contact:

Patrick Heckler

Tel. +49 (0) 7132 325-448

E-Mail p.heckler@binder-connector.de

Have you completed a project or launched a problem-saving solution for airborne emissions or air quality monitoring?

If so, you can now submit an abstract for a presentation to be delivered at AQE 2022 – an international conference on air quality and emissions monitoring which will run on 12^th and 13^th October in Telford, UK.

All abstracts must present novel applications or techniques and must foreground technical concerns. Topics include: waste-to-energy applications, smart sensors, air quality, data interpretation, compliance, biogenic carbon emissions, mercury and methane monitoring. (For more suggestions, take a look at our Abstract Submission page.) Submissions will close on 1^st July.

Over more than a decade, AQE has cemented its reputation as one of the leading conferences in the sector, becoming an essential event in the industry’s calendar. Before an international audience, AQE will showcase the latest instruments and services for air monitoring from over 100 companies. Over two days, attendees can take their pick from a range of certified technical workshops on applications, regulations, and emerging technologies. Highly regarded by professionals throughout the air quality and emissions monitoring sectors, AQE 2022 promises to be a unique opportunity for dialogue between process operators, environmental managers, policymakers, researchers and regulators.

For updates on AQE and other events, follow Envirotech Online.

From 12^th to 13^th October 2022, the 10^th Water and Wastewater Monitoring conference will again be held in-person in Telford, England. Registration costs absolutely nothing.

Over more than a decade, WWEM has cemented its reputation as one of the leading conferences in the sector, becoming an essential event in the industry’s calendar. Before an international audience, WWEM will showcase the latest instruments and services for water- and wastewater- process monitoring from over 150 companies. At no extra cost, attendees at WWEM 2022 can sit in on over 80 CPD-certified technical workshops on applications, case studies, regulation, and emerging technologies.

Highly regarded by professionals throughout the water and wastewater sectors, the conference promises to be a unique opportunity for process operators, environmental managers, policy-makers, researchers and regulators. Be the first to know about upcoming regulation, familiarise yourself with the latest technological developments, and make connections with key decision-makers, regulators and suppliers. If you test, analyse, monitor or treat water, WWEM 2022 will help to supply you and your business with all of the contacts, technical advice and industry news that you’ll need to thrive.

In 2022, WWEM will run side-by-side with the 12th International Conference and Exhibition on Air Quality and Emissions Monitoring. Excitingly, those registered to attend either WWEM or AQE will be able to enter the exhibition halls and seminar rooms of both. Now, attendees will have access to an even greater range of information, experts, suppliers and decision-makers from many different sectors – all under one roof! At both WWEM and AQE, complementary lunches will be available and onsite parking remains free-of-charge across the two days.

Continuous innovation is a priority for the manufacturing industry to maintain a strong footing in an economy that is under constant flux.

Over the last 40 years, Titan Enterprises has provided optimised liquid flow metering solutions for a diverse range of industries and process applications, its design and engineering expertise being fundamental to the company’s success.

Established in 1981, Trevor Forster, Managing Director of Titan Enterprises, founded the company with the aim of producing modestly priced, high-quality, low flow measuring devices for OEM customers.  Trevor recognised from the outset that improvisation and creativity were the key to securing their footing in the market, delivering affordable and lasting solutions that resolved issues for their customers.

“In the early days we made our own flow rigs from a laboratory balance with control electronics provided by a friend,” Trevor recalls, “and we used low-cost aluminium tooling until we could afford fully hardened steel ones.”

“More than once we’ve been told ‘You can’t do that’, but we’ve just done it anyway! The way we work with customers from research, development, through to production has enabled us to solve a lot of OEM application issues,” Trevor adds. “Through that process, we’ve helped customers decrease their assembly times, improve efficiency, and provide extra functionality.”

Titan’s R&D is primarily driven by customers looking for solutions that will support their specific applications and deliver more efficient, reliable and accurate results. R&D projects could be anything from testing new materials for longer life, chemical inertness, robustness, testing under high pressure or temperature or software development. Design improvements and technological advancements are focused around finding innovative solutions for our OEM customers, pushing the boundaries of both the physical properties and performance of the products.

Some of Titan’s most popular flow meters have been born out of collaborations. “We have a proud history of working with some of industry’s key players, such as Coca Cola Enterprises Ltd, RS Components and Vianet, to industry specialists like Formula 1, Paxman Coolers, Stored Crop Conservation and Green Fuels,” Trevor says. “Our USP is our flexibility, adaptability and ability to work with customers to understand their applications and find workable solutions.”

In 1986, Titan was approached by the Virgin Atlantic Challenger II team.  They were searching for a flowmeter manufacturer who could supply a device to measure their fuel consumption on their Trans-Atlantic Blue Riband attempt.  We developed a unique hybrid inserting one of our Pelton wheels into the throat of a venturi meter which proved to give an acceptable overall pressure loss and excellent linearity. Richard Branson completed the crossing in the Virgin Atlantic Challenger II, in three days, eight hours and 31 minutes, beating the 1952 record set by the United States.

Work on developing a viable, accurate ultrasonic meter began in 2001 when Titan commissioned The Cranfield Institute of Technology to develop the device in collaboration with our own R&D team. The resulting patented ultrasonic technology led to an expanding line of Atrato® ultrasonic flowmeters which had the adaptability to provide solutions for a number of OEM issues. Trevor reflects: “From the outset in 1981 I wanted a non-invasive flow measurement solution and our patented ultrasonic technology is giving us that.”

“We also did some extensive pioneering work with a USA medical company to produce a disposable ultrasonic flowmeter that would measure the volume of liquid manually injected into a patient,” Trevor continues. “We are currently extrapolating our technology for use in other applications where, for example, it can reduce downtime for cleaning as the ultrasonic meters have no moving parts.”

In 2014, Titan was approached by a Formula 1 racing team to design bespoke flowmeters for two very niche applications:  direct fuel and engine oil flow measurements were required for the F1 racing cars. For the fuel system, Titan developed an ultra-lightweight oval gear meter capable of being safely housed inside the fuel tank itself and submerged in the fuel.  F1 vehicles typically run without cooling fans so measuring the oil flow on engine test required a flowmeter accurate to 200^oC with no undue pressure drop. Both modified oval gear flow measurement designs provided accurate flow measurement, whilst housed directly in or around the noisy electrical environment of the F1 vehicle.

“We do not shy away from spending on Research and Development. Industry doesn’t stand still and investing in R&D is paramount to us staying ahead of the game and taking advantage of the latest technologies. Our R&D spend is 20% of our turnover where the norm is 8-10%,” Trevor says.

The focus technology for Titan at present is our ultrasonic liquid flow measurement devices. Taking our Atrato® ultrasonic flowmeter product design understanding, we have pushed both electronics and physical design to improve the overall performance window. We have recently launched our new software interface for the Atrato, greatly improving its functionality.

Trevor concludes, “When you are confident in your own capabilities, willing to take a few risks, invest resources into R&D and know what your customers and market want, taking on challenges can be very fruitful.”

It is this extra investment and ongoing high R&D spend that will see Titan Enterprises at the forefront of their sector for years to come.

To discuss an optimised flow measurement device for your OEM application please contact Titan Enterprises on +44 (0)1935 812790 or email sales@flowmeters.co.uk.

M12 connectors are circular connectors with a 12 mm locking thread and have become the standard for use in factory automation applications, they come in many different shapes and sizes, when you select a cable it is important to choose the right length, the correct number of pins, jacket material, and just as importantly the right coding for the application.

There are many different types of coding for instrumentation cables, but why are they coded, what are they all for and where should they be used?

Each code is used for a specific application, the coding indicates different keyways to ensure that connectors mate / cables connect with those that they’re intended to, and prevent the opposite, for example, ensuring an AC power cable is never mated with an ethernet cable.

From the outside, connector housings look the same but there are many different and diverse internal configurations.

Most users of M12 cables are familiar with codes A through D and possibly X.

A Code

A-code (also known as Micro-DC) is the most widely used coding in factory automation applications of all the types. These connectors are used in data applications primarily involving DC power.  A-coding is used for attaching actuators, attenuators, sensors, AI-vision systems, motor-operated switches and other devices. A-coded connections are also used to transfer up to 1-Gbit of data in Ethernet applications and can have anywhere from 2 to 17 pin positions.

B Code

B-code is unique in that it contains a reversed single keyway, which allows 2 unique M12 connections to be mounted on the same panel without the risk of incorrectly coupling connections to equipment with varying voltage and amperage.  B-coding is used in fieldbus connections involving Profibus and Interbus. B-coding connectors typically have anywhere from 3 to 5 pins.

C Code

C-code (also known as Micro-AC) is strictly used in cases where AC current is involved, such as with AC actuators, sensors and other AC devices, it is not as commonly used as the other types. Connections with C-coding all have extended grounding pins and double keyways for added safety, to prevent them from being mistaken for other similar-looking connections and being coupled with the wrong cables. C-coding connections have anywhere from 3 to 6 pins.

D Code

D-code is specifically used in network cables for industrial Ethernet applications to transfer data up to 100-Mbits. The insides of cables with this type of coding consist of either 4 wire connectors (D-coding) with 2 pairs of Cat 5e cables or M12 8 wire (A-coding) connectors with 4 pairs of Cat 5e cable.

D-coding can also be used with Profinet, Ethernet/IP and EtherCat systems. D-coded connections usually have 3 to 5 pins.

X Code

X-code has been introduced more recently and is quickly becoming a standard for use with high-speed industrial Ethernet applications. X-coding has is able to transfer large amounts of data at high speeds, up to 10-Gbits of data.  X-coding is expected to eventually replace A and D coded parts for Ethernet applications.  X-coding applications include high-speed industrial Ethernet and Cat6A, this code always has 8 pins.

New Codes

There are more codes in addition to these and some have been designed to replace existing codes.

These include L, S and T for Power applications, and P code for applications requiring quick connect / disconnect.

Mueller M12 Cables

Mueller Electric’s M12 instrumentation cables include one of the most reliable and efficient connection standards for industrial machinery and industrial automation applications. With a small footprint, high-performance capabilities and extremely low failure rate, this range is ideal for not only for sensor connections but also for various fieldbus systems.

With a high degree of mechanical and electrical stability, Mueller M12 cables provide a cost efficient and flexible plug-and-play connectivity solution for onsite installations. This decreases downtime in process control and industrial automation applications. Features include:

• Industry-standard screw-locking mechanism
• IP67 or higher degree of protection
• A, B, C, D & X-Coding options
• Field-installing cable and panel-mount options
• Moulded straight and right-angle variants
• Pin range – 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12 and 17 positions
• Shielded options PVC or PUR

You can view our range by visiting our on-line catalogue.

If you don’t see what you need or you have bespoke requirements please get in touch, we have developed and manufactured new solutions for a wide range of applications and industries.

Mueller Electric Europe

Unit 9, Castle Park Industrial Estate, Queens Drive,

Nottingham NG2 1AH, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 1159 933300

Fax: +44 (0) 1159 933301

E-Mail: thearn@muellerelectric.com

Website: https://www.muellerelectric.com

Specialist enclosures manufacturer ROLEC has launched advanced new aluDOOR – the next generation of hinged-lid housings for harsh outdoor and indoor industrial applications.

Elegant new aluDOOR is a tough, go-anywhere enclosure that is rated IP 66, IP 67 and – on request – IP 69K. It can be mounted on walls, bulkheads, machines and desks.

These diecast aluminium housings are effectively ‘compact cabinets’. They feature a hinged lid that can be specified with or without a recess for a membrane keypad or product label. The lid opens 100° for easier access. A2 stainless steel lid screws and threaded inserts ensure a corrosion-resistant assembly in extreme conditions.

Fitting the lid is quick and easy. The lid with integrated hinge pin is pushed into place then secured with two tamperproof Torx T25 (M5) screws. Then the lid is shut and locked down with two more T25 screws. Extruded aluminium trims conceal and protect the lid screws and mounting screws.

Separate mounting screw channels mean aluDOOR can be installed ‘lid closed’ – safeguarding the electronics. The seal is a new foamed-in polyurethane gasket that offers greater protection because it is continuous – there is no join that could eventually become a weak point. Inside the enclosure, there are threaded pillars for mounting internal components such as PCBs, mounting plates and DIN rails.

Smart, modern aluDOOR is available in 10 sizes from 120 x 90 x 70 mm to 280 x 170 x 90 mm. The standard colour is anthracite grey (RAL 7016) with matt silver powder-coated lid trims.

Options include special colours on request, anthracite grey (RAL 7016) lid trims, a mounting plate, and an EMC gasket.

Customisation options include CNC machining, engraving/laser processing, photo-quality printing of legends, logos and graphics, display windows and assembly.

For more information, view the ROLEC website: https://www.rolec-enclosures.co.uk/en/enclosures-accessories/aludoor/

ROLEC will be exhibiting aluDOOR and other industrial electronic enclosures at Drives & Controls 2022, 5-7 April 2022, NEC Birmingham (OKW Enclosures Ltd Stand K124, Hall 10).

ROLEC ENCLOSURES LTD

Tel. (01489) 583858

Email: sales@rolec-enclosures.co.uk

Kemo Ltd is a world leader in the manufacture and supply of high quality signal conditioning and filter solutions. Originally founded in 1965 the Company is proud to be a British manufacturer and to provide an unrivalled level of technical application support for customers with all types of signal analysis issues. Products include electronic filters, charge amplifiers, IEPE/Voltage amplifiers, 4-20mA sensor conditioning as well as a wide range of other test instruments, low noise accelerometer cables and mounting accessories.

The start of 2022 was the launch of a new chapter in the history of Kemo. In January it was announced that the Company had been 100% acquired by Engineering & Scientific Engineering Group Ltd (ESIG) who brought with it an ambitious plan of growth, expansion and new product introduction.

Kemo has been synonymous with quality, precision and innovation for more than 57 years, during which time it has had different ownership but has continued to build its enviable reputation. The acquisition by ESIG provides the injection of new funding, idea’s and management to take the business into a new phase of expansion and growth.

The Company’s plans include new subsidiaries in the USA and India, both of which will offer sales, support for the entire Kemo product range as well as limited manufacturing for their respective local markets. The bulk of the Company’s instrumentation range will continue to be manufactured in the UK at the existing HQ based in Dartford, Kent.

Neill Ovenden the CEO of ESIG and the new Managing Director of Kemo said of the acquisition…. ‘I am excited and privileged to be able to lead the new management of Kemo Limited, the strong global reputation of quality and high performance product gives us a great base for our planned growth.’

In April the next major phase of new product introduction was completed and has now been officially launched to the global market, a full range of IEPE and piezoelectric accelerometers. As part of the Company’s new management structure Neill Ovenden brought with him over 35 years of test engineering and manufacturing experience, 10 of these years were spent as MD of DJB Instruments (UK) Ltd where he restructured the business and its manufacturing of accelerometers.

Neill continued ‘My experience of vibration and test engineering coupled with my time at DJB has given me the perfect base to introduce a new range of accelerometers as part of the Kemo range’…. ‘It’s a natural progression for me and for Kemo. The existing products are perfect companions for sensors and from the initial interest from existing customers it is clear the market is ready for a high quality accelerometer range built on solid engineering foundations that can be properly supported with genuine applications knowledge.’

The initial accelerometer range launched this month offers a mix of the products most requested by customers, from general purpose monoaxial IEPE and PE accelerometers through to miniature triaxial IEPE models. Based on shear design principles the range is primarily manufactured in Titanium for low mass and features fully welded construction. Additional product launches within the accelerometer range are due in May 2022 and these will include specialist shock testing monoaxial and triaxial accelerometers for testing up to 100,000g.

Kemo USA LLC which was also officially launched in April 2022 is a strategic step for Kemo and represents a commitment to building significant sales in the US market for its new accelerometer range as well as the signal conditioning and filter products. The new US based company is a joint venture with Skorchtek LLC who’s president Andy Cogbill has worked with Neill for many years. Skorchtek already boasts an ISO17025 accredited (A2LA) accelerometer calibration facility, the perfect support for the new Kemo accelerometer range.

Andy Cogbill added ‘The new Kemo USA company gives us a much stronger base to sell accelerometers, we have dedicated feet on the ground and a more competitive product with strong technical support.’ The Kemo instrumentation range already has an established customer base in the USA and the new company will provide full support to these customers.

The new Accelerometer range and some of Kemo’s established products will be on display at the upcoming Engineering Integrity Society exhibition at Silverstone on the 17^th May 2022, for more details why not visit to discuss your application.

Neill concluded ‘I have been involved in the testing industry my entire working life in various roles from testing assistant up to CEO but one thing has remained constant, I am always hungry to learn more from working with our customers and to stay involved with the hands on engineering. However I recognise I have amassed a wealth of applications knowledge and I will always apply what I know to support our customers and to educate the next generation of engineers via our training & consultancy business NDO Consultants Ltd.’

For more details please contact our sales team sales@kemo.com +44(0) 1474 705168 or visit the new website www.kemo.com

Selection of new Accelerometers from Kemo Limited

Existing Kemo Filter and Signal Conditioning products

Kemo USA LLC official launch