Advertorials

The ADAPT is a novel way many top end calibration laboratories are connecting sensors and sources to measuring equipment such as platinum resistance thermometers (PRTs) to a temperature indicator and performing simulations.

Use 1:  The ADAPT can be used as a break-out box to connect 1 or 2 resistance thermometers to a single channel of a temperature indicator or a logger. Ideal for connecting various types of inputs to instruments that use connectors such as those made by Lemo which are fitted to the Isotech MilliK, see Figure 1.

Figure 1:  Connecting 1 or 2 PRTs to a channel of an Isotech MilliK.

Use 2: As Use 1 above but connecting resistors into a meter.

Figure 2:  Connecting a standard resistor to a digital multimeter and using the other terminals shorted to zero the meter.

Use 3:  Connecting 1 or 2 voltage signals to a voltmeter.

Figure 3A:  Thermocouple simulation, method 1.

Figure 3B:  Thermocouple simulation, method 2.

Use 4:  The ADAPT can be used to do simulation calibrations of resistance thermometer based temperature indicators:

A variable resistance is connected to the single lead to act as the resistance source. One set of terminals is connected to a reference standard meter such as a digital multimeter.  The other set of terminals is connected to the unit under test (UUT).

First the switch is set so the resistance is fed into the reference meter and adjusted until the meter reads the value to be simulated.  The switch is then moved to apply this resistance to the UUT and values taken.  Finally the switch is moved back to check the reference is still reading the set value.

Figure 4:  4-wire PRT simulation using the standard to set the correct resistance value, before applying it to the unit under test.

Use 5:  One set of terminals can be shorted together to be used for ‘zeroing’ a meter whilst the other set of terminals are used as the signal input. See figure 2 and figure 3B.

Use 6:  Calibration of 3-wire PRTs using a 4-wire resistance meter can be performed. ‘Measurement 2’ in Figure 6 below is how the ADAPT should be wired and ‘Measurement 1’ illustrates how the first measurement is made but for clarity does not show the connections required for ‘Measurement 2’.  The value from ‘Measurement 1’ has the lead wire error in it of 0.31ohms.  ‘Measurement 2’ measures the common lead wire resistance of 0.62 ohms which is twice the resistance of the third wire because the wires are twice as long.  This value is therefore halved and taken away from ‘Measurement 1’ to give the correct resistance of the PRT.

Figure 6:  3-wire measurement using a 4-wire meter.

www.benrhos.co.uk

Designed with you in mind, the Rapidox 2100 has recently undergone a facelift with exciting enhancements! An accurate and reliable gas analyser originally created in the year 2000 with many still in service today!

Enhanced with a five-point calibration option, this ensures accuracy and repeatability. Additionally, the updated separate zirconia oxygen sensor connected via a 2m cable, provides an improved sensor heater design with a faster response time and superior service life.

Additional features on the new Rapidox 2100 oxygen gas analyser include:

• A new OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screen with four lines of information
• New simplified menu system and measurement scale/unit readings
• Pressure and humidity measurement parameters
• Enhanced air calibration with auto pressure and relative humidity correction
• Updated and enhanced alarms with new latching and hysteresis functions
• Simplified menu system with redesigned data entry system
• Full diagnosis menu including sensor life time monitoring
• New live R-squared monitoring to indicate calibration quality
• Modbus RTU digital communication
• Updated password menu allowing partial or full protection of critical menu features
• Date and time with new formats including ISO standard formats
• Superior sensor clean function allowing enable and disable by the user

The Rapidox 2100 is ideal for those who want to measure low ppm oxygen analysis in high temperate vacuum and high temperature applications such as in; gas production testing, additive manufacturing, combustion, gloveboxes, inert gas blanketing, manufacturing and within metal heat treatment.

For more information on the new Rapidox 2100 oxygen gas analyser, please get in touch with our sales team by calling +44 (0)1480 462142 or emailing sales@cambridge-sensotec.co.uk.

Using leading edge technology, Datum Electronics Ltd. designs and manufactures a range of rotary and static torque sensors, ideal for a wide range of industrial design & testing applications looking to measure torque and power. The cutting-edge 425 Series represents the entire spectrum of mechanical coupling configurations, including standard off the shelf models, along with shaft to shaft, flange, keyway, existing converted shaft components and other bespoke solutions.

The off the shelf industry standard, the M425 in-line contactless torque Sensor have been designed to fit with most general applications and is an ideal solution for anyone looking to measure torque or power on a rotating system, such as an engine, a drive line, a transmission or a pump, in real time.

If you need to mechanically attach your torque transducer in-line using flanges, the FF425 Sensor will do the job. With flange couplings at either end, FF425 has been specifically designed to fit easily into most drive trains, reducing the cost of installation.

If you don’t have enough room to fit a transducer in-line, have shaft alignment concerns or expect higher rpms, the RS425 Torque Sensor, with high torsional stiffness, provides a reliable and highly accurate torque measurement solutions or many practical applications, such as transmissions, powertrains, wind generators, gas turbines, and many more. 
 

Covering an extensive torque range as standard from 0-10Nm to 60kNm, the 425 Series transducers are easy-to-install and can operate at high rpm, providing you with data accuracy of better than 0.1% and high resolution (up to 24 bit). We also can supply transducers down to as little as 3Nm and up to 14MNm, as in the world’s largest torque transducer weighing in at around 5 Tonnes, that we have just delivered to our satisfied customer.

All our transducers are supplied with free simple to use utility and display software and a come complete with a certificate of calibration, valid for 12 months. In addition, 425 Series Torque Sensors are compatible with our Datum Universal interface with built-in display, giving real-time data, with additional analogue and serial data outputs, if required.

Designed and built with reliability and repeatability in mind, the Datum 425 Series Torque sensors range is the reliable and trustworthy choice for validating product performance and optimising efficiency.

Datum Electronics Ltd. specialises in the design and manufacture of torque & shaft power transducers and measurement systems, we also offer services such as installation and service of our products and solutions worldwide.

For more information about Datum Electronics and our products, please visit http://www.datum-electronics.co.uk, give us a call on  +44 (0) 1983 282834 or email at web@datum-electronics.co.uk

Rotronic has enhanced its temperature measurement device portfolio. With the latest handheld instruments (TP31 series) you can precisely measure surface, liquid and core temperatures conveniently and precisely. With the infrared thermometer with dual lasers and the folding thermometer with its rugged immersion/insertion probe you can meet the requirements of increasing regulation in the food and other industries. With their convenient features and ease of use the new temperature handhelds from Rotronic are suitable for many varied applications.

Infrared digital thermometer (TP31-IR)

The TP31-IR, determines surface temperatures quickly without contact using infrared measurement technology and is available in two versions with different focal points and measurement ranges (12:1 optics for -50 to 650 °C or 30:1 optics for -50 to 1000 °C). 

Thanks to an adjustable emission level and a double laser, which serves as a visible target, the hot surfaces of a wide range of materials can be measured precisely using their different emissivity values.

Folding digital thermometer (TP31-S)

The compact TP31-S with HACCP certification (ISO22000: 2005) indicates temperatures from -50 to 300 °C quickly and reliably in liquids and penetrable materials (core temperatures). The simple operation ensures efficient temperature measurement.

The rugged probe can be folded out to an angle of 180° to the display, and thanks to its robust design, can penetrate semi-solid and viscous plastic materials under considerable force. With an IP65 protection rating, the TP31-S is easily to clean under running water.

Technical information about all the temperature measurement solutions available from Rotronic can be found on our website www.rotronic.co.uk

Rotronic has enhanced its temperature measurement device portfolio. With the latest handheld instruments (TP31 series) you can precisely measure surface, liquid and core temperatures conveniently and precisely. With the infrared thermometer with dual lasers and the folding thermometer with its rugged immersion/insertion probe you can meet the requirements of increasing regulation in the food and other industries. With their convenient features and ease of use the new temperature handhelds from Rotronic are suitable for many varied applications.

Infrared digital thermometer (TP31-IR)
The TP31-IR, determines surface temperatures quickly without contact using infrared measurement technology and is available in two versions with different focal points and measurement ranges (12:1 optics for -50 to 650 °C or 30:1 optics for -50 to 1000 °C). Thanks to an adjustable emission level and a double laser, which serves as a visible target, the hot surfaces of a wide range of materials can be measured precisely using their different emissivity values. 

Folding digital thermometer (TP31-S)
The compact TP31-S with HACCP certification (ISO22000: 2005) indicates temperatures from -50 to 300 °C quickly and reliably in liquids and penetrable materials (core temperatures). The simple operation ensures efficient temperature measurement. The rugged probe can be folded out to an angle of 180° to the display, and thanks to its robust design, can penetrate semi-solid and viscous plastic materials under considerable force. With an IP65 protection rating, the TP31-S is easily to clean under running water.

MMS Electronics Ltd has available an exceptionally versatile line of alphanumeric and graphic displays.  12 different COG/DOG display sizes to choose from. The alphanumeric displays are available is 1×8, 2×16, 3×16 and 4×20 (line x char). The EA DOGM204-A is a high-contrast easy-to-read STN and FSTN display. Supply voltage +3.3V without need for a negative voltage. Current only 250µA (Backlight off) or as low as 3mA with a white LED backlight.  

The integrated SSD1803 offers 4bit, 8 bit, 4-wire SPI or 2-wire I²C interface. Bottom or top view direction. Selection of 3 different fonts: Cyrillic, English-Japanese and European. View area 63x26mm.

The EA DOGM204W-A and EA DOGM204N-A with FSTN pos. technology are readable without backlight.  For applications where a backlight is required these DOG display are simply plugged into the LED backlight modules. Four colours are available white, amber and a dual green/red LED backlight. The dual backlight option is ideal for applications where a green (normal) or red (warning) status indication is required. Display and backlights are ordered separately.

The display height is 2.8 mm high (without the backlight) and 5.8 mm including the LED backlight. The display can be soldered directly into the PCB or plugged into a 2.54 mm pitch socket. There is no need for screws, spacers or connecting leads, saving assembly time and cost.

FSTNpos, FSTNneg, STNpos and STNneg technology and four different backlights colours are available. Twelve variations of this display can be created by selecting the display glass and backlights.  For example we can supply from stock with no MOQ a black display with green or red characters. Partnumber: EA DOGM204S-A + EA LED66X40-GR.

The EA DOGM204 uses the SSD1803A  display controller with graphics RAM and 4/8 Bit, SPI and I²C interface. Contrast setting is software adjustable but only needs to be set once. The contrast is kept constant over the entire temperature range with the integrated temperature circuit. Operating temperature for the display is -20°C to +70°C.

Download from www.mmselectronics.co.uk the DOG-simulator and experiment with all possible display and backlight combinations on your desktop. The DOG-simulator tool also communicates to the EA 9780-3USB demo board. Without any programming text is or bitmaps are dragged into the simulator and shown on the display. Text typed in the editor is immediately displayed on the connected display.  The EA 9780-3USB test board can be used with all available alphanumeric or graphic DOG displays.  

To help the developer create font header tables for the display MMS Electronics has available font generator software on a memory stick. The EA USBSTICK-FONT software can generate Cyrillic, Greek and Arabic fonts.   When the EA 9780-3USB demo board is connected to the computer with the software then the characters in the selected font is shown on the DOG display.

There are a further 12 displays sizes in the EA DOG display series with 4 bit, 8bit, SPI and I²C interface. Alphanumeric displays in 1×8, 2×10, 4×10, 2×16, 3×16 and 4×20  (Lines x Char) and many graphic displays.   See www.mmselectronics.co.uk/lcddog.htm further details.

As part of the “Arduino meets DOG” campaign MMS Electronics supplies Arduino compatible display shields. Developers have free-of-charge access to all of the documentation required to connect a DOG displays to an Arduino. The support package includes circuit diagrams, EAGLE PCB layouts, component placements and sample programs for operating the display on an Arduino Uno.

MMS Electronics Ltd is an authorised distributor for Electronic Assembly Gmbh / Display Vison, IcNexus, Storm keypads, Smartec sensor and Excelera frequency products.

Display products include: Dot matrix LCD, TFT, OLED, ePAPER modules, DOG chip-on-glass, wireless displays, eDIP intelligent displays, Windows, Linux and Android OS displays with I2C, serial and USB interface, display bezels, serial and USB interface boards, analogue and resistive touch-screens and keypads. 

Please contact MMS Electronics Ltd with your display or sensor enquiries.

Part numbers mentioned in this article:

EA DOGM204W-7

EA DOGM204B-A

EA DOGM204S-A

EA DOGM204N-A

EA LED66x40-W

EA LED66x40-A

EA LED66x40-GR

EA 9780-3USB

MMS Electronics Ltd

Tel 01943 877668

www.mmselectronics.co.uk

Bronkhorst UK has been working with a manufacturer of contact lenses to improve the dosing of cleaning solution within their manufacturing process. The customer, a leading supplier of daily contact lenses to the global market, needed to significantly increase their productivity whilst simultaneously tightening process parameters and increasing quality. A partnership between the engineering teams developed a tween-solution dosing system that ensures both complete mixing and a highly accurate and repeatable dosing rate even with a variable main water flow. This ensures that a uniform and strictly controlled concentration of the cleaning agent is applied to the process machinery after each production run. This, in turn, ensures the integrity of every production run, surpassing each quality inspection and, most importantly of all, fulfilling the demanding needs of the ultimate consumer. Consumer image is therefore maintained whilst reducing down-time, scrappage and waste.

Having identified various options, the team determined that the best solution for global implementation was the design of a compact system ideally configured to simply retro-fit onto the existing production machine. Dimensions needed to be exact, all wetted parts needed to be 316 stainless steel and the liquid process connections needed to be Tri-Clamp®. Further discussions culminated in the decision to utilize Coriolis Technology further enhanced by Master/Slave ratio control. The main, variable, water flow is measured by the Master Coriolis Meter and an output signal sent to the Slave. The slave consists of a Coriolis Flow Controller with the control device being a close-coupled pump. Using the in-built PID function of the instruments and the Bronkhorst FLOWBUS communications protocol resulted in a small network within which the instruments worked in unison. A single dosage rate command meant that the operator could very simply, and in real-time, adjust the dosing ratio as set by the process requirements for that day or even for that “run”. With a flow rate of 1000 kilograms/hour for the main water feed and 1 kilogram/hour for the concentrated cleaning agent the flow-rates proved to be ideal for the low flow experience and expertise of Bronkhorst.  All the necessary parts were supplied and fitted, including valves, filters, connectors, a static mixer and the stainless steel housing. In doing so the cabinet was virtually “plug and play” thereby minimising time and cost for installation.

Bronkhorst has developed the technology and knowhow to be able to offer chemical dosing systems with its Coriolis Flowmeter range using its CORI-FILL firmware. This is further extended by utilizing Master/Slave Dosing and mixing. Bronkhorst is able to offer accuracy of +/-0.2% Reading with the instruments being certified to ATEX Zones 1 and 2. On-board PID control is standard as is over-run protection and a self-learning function. The turn-down ratio is 2000:1, with flow rates down to 0.1 grams and lower depending on application. The physical size (“the smallest Coriolis instrument in the world”) has proven to be perfect for multiple injection points within a confined space. The Coriolis system can be integrated with virtually any pump technology, control valves or indeed shut-off valves should the application demand it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAgjHZVMNNE

CORI-FILL is suitable for a whole range of batching, blending, dosing, filling a sterilization applications. The market place this is aimed at is vast and as we have found over the years it is being used from very low dose amounts to high volumes.

With the conventional methods of using a mass/volume flow meters, separate shut off valves and batch controllers or gravimetric processes using weighing scales where fluids are dosed one by one this can be time consuming, sometimes inaccurate and costly as there also is some need for engineering experience to tune the system correctly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt1Igq9rOag

Using the Bronkhorst CORI-FILL system which is very much a plug & play type system this can make life for the end user so much simpler. Using one of our Coriolis instruments with a close coupled pump or valve the CORI-FILL system is neat and compact so requires little installation space. What this means is that the pipe lengths from raw ingredients to the process can be kept short to ensure the optimum condition of fluids. The CORI-FILL system can offer to the end user an improved accuracy of dosing and this can also bring shorter production times.

The use of a pump alone certainly has its place across industry as invariably “they do exactly what it says on the tin”. However, on occasion, there are benefits in coupling a flow-meter to directly control the speed of the pump.  These benefits can be summarized as:

Accuracy – the delivery of the pump will be controlled to exactly the required amount and can be data-logged for accountability purposes.

Increased Yield – with tighter process controls the final product quality can be increased whilst also decreasing waste and re-work.

Reduce downtime – the control signal between the flowmeter and the pump can be monitored, and alarmed, for change of state diagnosis. Often this can be used for preventative maintenance thereby reducing down-time. 

Bronkhorst are specialists within the field of low to ultra-low flow liquid delivery, from milli-grams per hour through to thousands of kilograms per hour.

For more information please contact us;

Bronkhorst UK Ltd, Email: sales@bronkhorst.co.uk, T: 01223 833222

With 300+ high performance sensor products detecting 28 common and exotic gases, Shawcity’s range includes: 3, 4, 5 and 7 Series, MICROcel, MICROpel and Sensoric.
We are an EMEA strategic channel partner for City Technology, one of the world’s leading manufacturers in gas sensing technology. 

Shawcity’s latest products include the 4OXLL and 5OXLL long-life oxygen sensors, designed to work for seven years and to enhance response times. We also have the latest 4F and 4MF carbon monoxide sensors which provide superior long-term performance at temperature and humidity extremes, with fast response and recovery times.

We work closely with organisations operating in diverse fields including metal processing, chemical, automotive, agriculture, pharmaceutical, textiles, water & waste treatment, mining, pulp & paper, gas detection, petrochemical, utilities and university research.

Benefits Shawcity offers customers include: 1-1 technical support; Sensor advice for R&D and start-up projects; Availability of individual samples; Stock available for immediate dispatch and quantity breaks.

For more information contact the team on info@shawcity.co.uk, call 01367 899565 or visit www.shawcity.co.uk.

Following acquisition by Gasmet Technologies, Quantitech has invested in the resources necessary to design, deliver, install and commission complete integrated emissions monitoring systems, and a video has been published on the Quantitech website explaining the advantages of this new capability.

“Almost every industrial emissions monitoring application has different site-specific requirements, so it makes sense to be able to deliver bespoke systems,” says Quantitech Managing Director Ken Roberts. “With flexible multigas capability, Gasmet’s MCERTS approved FTIR analysers are able to monitor most of the key gases, but we are now delivering complete systems including additional analysers and data management systems for parameters such as particulates, oxygen and flow.

“As a Gasmet subsidiary, we provide the highest levels of expertise in FTIR gas analysis, and as a UK based team we are able to help customers ensure that their CEMS equipment is designed to provide cost-effective, accurate, trouble-free data.”

Quantitech’s new integrated continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) are described by the company’s Craig Day in a new video that is available from the CEMS application page on the Quantitech website www.quantitech.co.uk. In addition, both Craig and Ken will be available at the Quantitech stand (#62 &63) at AQE 2017 which takes place at the Telford International Centre on 24^th and 25^th May – registration is now available on www.aqeshow.com.

For further information, please contact:

Quantitech Ltd
Unit 3
Old Wolverton Road
Milton Keynes 

MK12 5NP
t. 01908 227722
f. 01908 227733
Email sales@quantitech.co.uk
Website: www.quantitech.co.uk

Lord Whitty has been announced as the opening speaker of the Air Quality and Emissions Conference at AQE 2017 in Telford. The two day event will start on Wednesday 24^th May with Lord Whitty’s presentation covering ‘Environmental Protection Legislation in the Post-Brexit Era.’

“AQE 2017 was created to underpin the monitoring that makes environmental protection effective,” says organiser Marcus Pattison. “The UK’s decision to leave the European Union has created significant levels of uncertainty, so AQE attendees will be very interested to hear Lord Whitty’s views; not least because every other aspect of AQE 2017 is focused on the implementation of environmental protection regulations.”

Lord Whitty is Chair of Environmental Protection UK (EPUK), a national charity providing expert policy analysis and information on air quality. He is also a Labour peer sitting in the House of Lords since 21 October 1996, and has held the governmental positions of Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) (Food, Farming and Sustainable Energy) (2003 to 2005), and Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) (2001 to 2003). He has been a non-executive director of the Environment Agency (2006 – 2012) and has also served on parliamentary committees addressing issues such as environmental protection, climate change, science and technology.

Registration for AQE 2017 is now open (www.AQEShow.com), with free entry to the Exhibition and Workshops, and a small charge for attending the conferences. Registered attendees will also receive free parking, lunch and refreshments.