Instrumentation Monthly Test | Measurement | Control
In less than two weeks, the popular Sensors & Instrumentation exhibition will be taking place at the NEC, Birmingham. Exhibitors will be showcasing the latest solutions – ranging from sensors, transducers, transmitters, and test and measurement equipment, to monitoring, data acquisition equipment, calibrators, connectors and much more. Pre-register now via the website.
If you’re interested in purchasing, specifying or using sensors, instrumentation, or test and measurement equipment, then a visit to Sensors & Instrumentation 2015 is a must.
Birmingham’s NEC will be the venue for the two day event, and here visitors will get the chance to see the latest technologies, witness product launches, demonstrations and displays, speak to knowledgeable members of staff, and listen to a variety of interesting seminars and conferences. Visit the website –www.sensorsandinstrumentation.co.uk – for full details on this year’s seminar and conference programme.
Your free visitor pass will also enable you to attend a number of co-located events: The Machine Building Show, MicroNanoMems and the PPMA Show.
So visit the website now and register to attend the events, which will be taking place on 30th September and 1st October.
A wide range of products will be showcased at this year’s show, so here’s a guide to what you can expect to see:
Sensors, transducers & transmitters
For a start, Micro-Epsilon will be displaying its full range of sensor technologies including the scanCONTROL 2610-25 SMART series of 2D/3D laser profile sensors. These offer a plug-and-play solution on the integrated sensor controller for simple measurement tasks such as step, angle, seam and groove inspection. Visitors will also get a chance to see a demonstration of the high speed ACS7000 online colour measurement system, which recognises reference colours by comparison and identifies individual colours from their coordinates in the colour space. This is suitable for a wide range of inline measuring tasks where colours and shades have to be examined on the fly to high accuracies.
Also on the stand will be the eddyNCDT 3100, said by the company to be a world first in eddy current displacement measurement, and the compact themoIMAGER TIM 640 VGA-resolution infrared camera. There will also be a demonstration of the capaNCDT 6200 which will be measuring the deflection of granite stone to nanometer accuracy; and a demonstration of the optoCONTROL 2520 self-contained optical laser micrometer with Ethernet interface.
Kistler will be launching three new products. The first is the Acoustic Emission Sensor, which has an integral impedance converter for measuring acoustic emission (AE) above 50kHz in bearing based machining structures, high pressure vessels, compressors and valves. The second will be the Type 601C miniature pressure sensor. This is available in both charge output and voltage output types, and is suited to applications where very small pressure pulses need to be measured. Thirdly, visitors will be able to see the new LabAmp Type 5165A. Suited for use with the 601C sensor, this enables the measurement of dynamic signals from a wide range of piezoelectric, Piezotron (IEPE) and voltage outputs.
Southern Temperature Sensors will be bringing two new product ranges to the UK. The company has been appointed as a UK representative for SKS Automation of Finland, and so will be displaying a range of temperature sensors suitable for use in extreme and hazardous conditions. The company also represents BCM Sensor Technologies of Belgium and will be displaying pressure sensors, transmitters and transducers from the company. BCM manufactures its own sensor dies and builds instruments from scratch, allowing for versatility in the specification to suit customer requirements.
Another exhibitor is Advanced Hall Sensors (AHS), which specialises in the design and manufacture of semiconductor Quantum Well Hall Effect (QWHE) sensors. Its products are used in some of the most demanding environments. The company has also developed a Hall Effect magnetic field sensor component that is made from the compound semiconductor Gallium Arsenide (GaAs). Find out why by visiting the company at the show.
New ranges of ATEX certified industrial pressure transmitters and submersible level transmitters will be showcased by Impress Sensors & Systems. Visitors will be able to see, for example, the IND range of ATEX industrial pressure transmitters which have a piezoresistive ceramic or stainless steel silicon pressure sensor installed in a stainless steel housing, providing it with excellent media compatibility across hazardous gas or dust environments. Also on show will be the IWSL range of ATEX-certified level transmitters which are designed for continuous submersion in a range of liquids including water, fuel, oil and chemicals. The IMTG range of gauging level transmitters, also designed for continuous submersion, have been redesigned and the range has now been extended – find out more about these at the show. Visitors will also be able to view an RS485 ASCII version of the IMTG range, plus stainless steel pressure sensors with a digital i2C interface. The DCT 532 series has the digital i2C interface, making it suitable for a wide range of pressure measurement applications.
According to Acal BFi, by combining many established sensor manufacturers in a single line card, it can help you detect, measure and monitor just about anything. Its sensors range from the smallest MEMS devices for interactive gaming to platinum sensors which can measure temperatures from -196 to +1000°C. Sensors, however, are a key enabler in the realisation of the Internet of Things (IoT), so take the time to visit the company to find out more. Acal BFi can also help you specify the right sensor for your application – it offers, for example, over 50,000 different sensor products from Honeywell alone, so there are many decisions to be made. Custom sensor probes, assemblies and housings can also be provided.
With its ability to design, develop, source, deliver and support sensor solutions for a wide range of industries and applications – from agriculture and construction to autosports and research – Variohm will feature a wide range of technologies on its stand. Visitors will be able to see products such as sensors and transducers for measurement of linear position, vibration, force & torque, pressure and temperature, as well as load cells, displays and interfaces.
Through its APC-Hero division and under its GREENWAVE initiative, APC Technology Group delivers a range of products and services which address two fast growing markets – Cleantech, and the Internet of Things. As, an example, it provides sensors with energy harvesting capability, communicating via wireless protocol to nodes and gateways collecting data being sent to a central processing unit via Cloud platforms. Applications include SMART City solutions – such as smart parking, structural health, quality, lighting plus much more. Visit APC-Hero at Sensors & Instrumentation to find out more.
Pressure-Sensor.com is capable of handling OEM projects, custom and standard sensor platforms. Its sensor design and development program, using multiple technologies, enables it to offer high performance solutions for force, displacement, distance, strain, pressure and temperature measurements. It core expertise, however, lies in the area of pressure sensors. So, the company will be displaying a wide range of sensors, with a choice of threads and connectors, at this year’s event. It will also be exhibiting ceramic sensors to meet high volume applications, and showcasing specialised sensors for UREA pumps and tanks. Sensors with Bluetooth connectivity will be demonstrated on screen during the show.
Test, measurement & control
Among the accelerometers, cables and instrumentation featuring on DJB Instruments’ stand will be the new range of B&K replacement clip mounted accelerometers. Visitors will also be able to find out about the CV9, an IEPE/Charge signal conditioning unit; and see a demonstration measuring the vibration of a butterfly in flight using the miniature IEPE A/128 accelerometer.
One of the solutions featuring on Bronkhorst’s stand will be the mini CORI-FLOW Series ML120 Coriolis Mass Flow Meters and Controllers for (ultra) low flow ranges. These offer flow ranges from 50mg/h to 200g/h, measured with an accuracy as high as 0.2% of reading. The range is available with both analogue and digital communication, RS232 and various fieldbus options.
Among other products on show will be Vapour Delivery Modules (VDM); and the El-Flow Prestige thermal mass flow meters and controllers. According to the company, the principal benefits of EL-Flow Prestige are based on such factors as advances in flow-signal processing, highly stable flow control, advanced control valve design, reduced power consumption, etc.
Knick will be presenting its new Analytics products, including Digital MemoSens technology. The MemoSens inductive sensor connector system transfers both energy and data without contact between electrochemical sensors and analysers. Products available include Portavo, a portable analyser for pH, oxygen and conductivity, with Memosens technology; the Stratos Evo process analyser for Memosens or analogue sensors; the Stratos process digital multiparameter devices with Profibus and Fieldbus Foundation outputs; and a full range of Memosens and Analogue sensors. Visitors will also be able to get to know the company’s signal conditioners, isolators and transducers.
Dwyer Instruments will be displaying the Model UHH2 universal handheld test instrument. This, the company explains, provides the functionality and versatility of the Mobile Meter Software App on a rugged IP68 Android-based handheld. With this, wireless anemometer, hygrometer and pressure probes communicate to the handheld using Bluetooth SIG wireless technology and can all be displayed simultaneously. Each UHH2 includes a base unit,
UHH-BTG wireless mobile gateway, two USB charging cables, charging block, plus much more.
Monitoring & data acquisition
A new solution for eDrive testing will be showcased on HBM’s stand. This is a robust, integrated system for measuring the performance and efficiency of electric motors and inverters, and features the company’s torque sensor.
Visitors will also be able to see a range of data acquisition systems and sensors, plus the FIT7A digital load cell which meets the needs of demanding requirements of weighing in modern manufacturing lines. To illustrate its capabilities, the company will be exhibiting a model truck fitted with HBM strain gauges and data acquisition equipment.
National Instruments will be showcasing the NI SC Express – a family which combines data acquisition and signal conditioning into a single module for high performance and reliable sensor measurements. CompactRIO will also be on show, as will NI Virtual Bench, an all-in-one instrument that integrates a mixed-signal oscilloscope, function generator, digital mutimeter, programmable DC power supply and digital I/O. Find out about these and other solutions during the show.
DELTA, meanwhile, will be displaying THOR – its RFID temperature logger chip. This can be used to log, store and transmit temperature wirelessly or log, process and transmit data from external sensors. Customised versions can be developed to suit requirements. Visitors will also be able to find out about the company’s demo kit for use in R&D departments.
Alongside many new and existing products, Techni Measure will be demonstrating the Dytran Vibracorder, a miniature vibration data acquisition system. This comprises an internal tri-axial DC accelerometer and hardware for recording directly to SD card, and is supplied with software for data download, analysis and export. In addition to displaying sensors, transducers and accessories, the company will be introducing two brand new lines in fibre optic sensors and vibration calibration systems.
Anglia Components, Analog Devices and Honeywell Sensing & Control will be exhibiting solutions that address the key challenges in creating environmental monitoring solutions. ADI will demonstrate some of its latest environmental monitoring and chemical analysis solutions and reference designs; while Honeywell offers a broad portfolio of sensors and switches for various sensing and test and measurement applications. Find out more at the show.
Calibrating, weighing and more
Among the products featuring on Mettler-Toledo’s stand will be weigh modules and load cells. These are globally approved and ensure fast and accurate weighing and connectivity. At the show, find out about products like the IND570 industrial weighing terminal; the WMS high precision weigh module; and the Multimount weighing platforms.
FLIR Systems, meanwhile, will be showcasing the latest thermal imaging solutions for academic research. On display will be the FLIR X6580sc – an ultra-fast frame-rate camera which features a 640 × 512 digital InSb detector with spectral sensitivity from 1.5 to 5.5µm and an f/3 aperture. The camera connects to the company’s ResearchIR Max R&D software to provide comprehensive thermal imaging data acquisition, analysis and reporting capabilities. The company offers a range of thermal imaging microscopy solutions from its entry level A325sc camera to its state-of-the-art X8400sc High Definition (HD) camera, which will also be on display at Sensors & Instrumentation.
Fischer Connectors supplies precision connectors used in high-end instrumentation, with varied applications such as test and measurement, sensors, data acquisition or automation. At the show, the company will present its brand new ultra-resistance, miniaturised and fibre optic products. The Core Series is available in any size and configuration, for any application, and with waterproof sealing to IP68/IP69 mated and unmated. Products include the UltiMate connectors; the MiniMax Series, which is ideal for hand-held applications; and the FiberOptic Series which is designed for transferring copious data in harsh environments.
The latest innovations in pressure and temperature calibration and testing equipment will be shown by Chamois Metrology. These will include the Additel ADT 780 series pressure controller with internal pressure ranges from vacuum to 200 bar. This can be used in conjunction with the ADT780-1K-EPUMP 70 bar electric pump or the ADT780-3K-BST 250 bar gas booster. Also on show will be the Additel 761 portable automated pressure controller; and for those calibrations that require the accuracy of a dead weight tester Ar?m?ca offers standard models and automated dead weight testers with ranges up to 7000 bar and accuracies to 0.001% of reading.
Chamois Metrology has also announced its association with Isothermal Technology and will be showing examples of the company’s new look portable dry block temperature calibrators.
Weldlogic Europe will displaying an automatic welding solution for transducer manufacturers. The dual process AWS-6100 system provides a complete ‘ready-to-go’ package offering advanced levels of weld process control and automation. Typical applications for the technology include the manufacture of control and instrumentation products and the production of devices for the aerospace, medical and nuclear industries.
Another exhibitor is HTS Group, which specialises in delivering Process Systems, Electrical, Control and Instrumentation (EC&I) systems. During the event, the company will be launching a new suite of tools – SISSuite – to facilitate the management of Safety Instrument Systems. SISSuite offers an integrated suite of modules for the management of functional safety throughout the safety lifecycle. The modules are fully linked for appropriate data transfer.
Among the solutions being displayed by Linear Technology will be its LT3042, an ultralow noise, ultrahigh power supply ripple rejection (PSRR) low dropout voltage linear regulator; the LTC2000, a 16bit 2.5Gsps digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) with exceptional spectral purity of 74dBc SFDR at 200MHz output; the LTC2348-18, an 18bit, 8-channel simultaneous sampling successive approximation register (SAR) ADC; the LTC2875, a rugged, high voltage tolerant CAN (controller area network) transceiver; plus much more.
Visiting the show
The companies featured above are just a few examples of those exhibiting this year. Visit the website for more details on the show, exhibitors, the co-located events, and the seminar and conference programmes.
