Sensors Help Maintain Quality

Resistant temperature detector assemblies are available with a choice of screw cover head types for a wide variety of process control applications. Tudor detectors provide precise temperature measurement and consist of a fine-diameter platinum circuit embedded in ceramic and encased in a stainless-steel sheath. Screw cover materials include cast aluminum, thermoplastic, epoxy coated, or cast iron. Tudor probes may be ordered with 2, 3, or 4 leads in five standard resistance ranges, from 100 to 1000 . Athena Controls Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA.

A sensor with alarm is a cost-effective, single-use, and programmable monitor designed to record temperature fluctuations of packages during transit and storage. The Xi3 microelectronic sensor features mean kinetic temperature display, full parameter selection, thermistor accuracy, and ease of use. TCP/Reliable Inc., Edison, NJ.

Noncontact infrared pyrometers are accurate, rugged, and easy to use. The OSP500 to OSP2000 series offer laser pointing; some offer a circular laser option. No focus is required. The unit displays current, average, minimum, maximum, and change in temperature. Thermocouple input is offered in Types K and S for emissivity determination. A software package is available on selected models. Omega Engineering, Stamford, CT.

A photoelectric sensor has a very small pinpoint beam to allow the detection of minute targets without the use of a laser beam. The E3G-L1 sensors' beams are 1 mm in diam with a range of 5 to 50 mm. The sensors incorporate a one-touch threshold sensitivity teaching adjustment with precise distance-setting capabilities. The optical system achieves stable detection of ob-jects regardless of glossiness, color, material, surface irregularities, or inclination. Omron Electronics Inc., Schaumburg, IL.

An inspection and analysis device for glass containers performs high-resolution defect detection and dimensional measurement in key regions of a container. The VIP1000 permits qualification of containers according to defect size and type. A VIP1000 brochure is available; it contains information on the operating principle, features, functions, and specifications of this vision-based system. AGR International Inc., Butler, PA.

An economical single-board machine vision system is offered for OEMs and system integrators. The VC series of industrial smart cameras are suitable for performing a variety of inspection, orientation, and recognition tasks. The VCSBC13 offers a resolution of 500 x 582 pixels and the VCSBC11 offers a resolution of 752 x 582 pixels. Cambridge, MA.

A measurement device determines the level of liquids through the wall of a container. The Sonometer 30 works by utilizing an acoustic energy transducer that is mounted in direct contact with the outside vessel wall. The transducer emits a short pulse of acoustic energy, which penetrates the wall, travels through the liquid, and returns to the transducer. The transit time and other factors reveal the liquid level. HiTech Technologies Inc., Yardley, PA.

A pressure-indicating film aids in R&D and quality control for applications such as validation and calibration of sealing die pressure during drug packaging. Super Pressurex assesses compression magnitude and distribution between any two mating or impacting surfaces with high resolution. When inserted between interfacial surfaces, the film instantly and permanently changes color to reveal minute measurements of dispersion and degrees of pressure. The color's intensity is proportional to the amount of force applied. Sensor Products Inc., East Hanover, NJ.

An ultrasonic sensor with teach-in eliminates the limitations associated with interfering objects and confined spaces. The UDDK 30 can fade out interfering objects. The sensor features an elliptical measuring area with an opening angle of 8° and easy, one-touch setup. Baumer Electric Ltd., Southington, CT.

A low-cost, compact thermocouple offers accurate, surface temperature measurement. The True Surface Thermocouple (TST) is designed to measure flat surface temperatures in multiple locations and to reduce sensing errors associated with ambient air flow. Features include an isothermal measuring junction, a molded insulator, and a temperature rating of 200°C. Watlow Electric Manufacturing Co., St. Louis, MO.

A flat-profile proximity sensor series offers high speed and high sensitivity in the reliable detection of a wide variety of label edges. The Ultrasonic sensors can detect clear labels on clear webs in addition to standard and irregularly shaped labels of all types, sizes, and colors. The flat-profile sensors offer the reliable detection of tamperproof safety seals, flat caps, paper and film edges, tape, perforations, and bag seams. Hyde Park Electronics Inc., Dayton, OH.

Real-time recording with alarm function is available on a temperature data logger. The PC transit thermometer has an LCD option to provide a visual and audible indication of exposure to temperature extremes without the need to download data to a PC. The PCT-2000-DLM single-channel temperature recorder senses and records up to 2000 temperature and time readings from –40° to 70°C. The PCT-IE-DLM and PCT-E2DLM dual-channel data loggers capture 8000 temperature samples from the internal and external probe sensors. Telatemp Corp., Fullerton, CA.

An optical sensor is designed for presence sensing and color mark detection in the drug packaging industry. The MiniPro sensor offers washdown capability, a range of installation solutions, and a variety of snap-on universal and custom glass fiber-optic cables. Temperature rated –45° to 275°C (–50° to 525°F), fiber-optic cables allow beam shaping or remote mounting of the sensor. The MiniPro offers sensing modes that include diffuse, wide-angle diffuse, fixed-focus diffuse, retroreflective, through-beam, and fiber-optic. Balluff, Florence, KY.