Product News is but a sampling of the many, many products we've seen recently. The ones included this month reflect a trend, are different enough to make me sit up and take notice, or are nice implementations of current technology.
At the end of the section is this month's Readers' Choice, awarded to the product that garnered the most notice from readers of Sensors Express (www.sensorsmag.com/express) in recent weeks.
By the way, all the products you see here (and many more) were covered first in Sensors Express. Sign up to receive as little or as much news as you like; just select areas of interest when you sign on.
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¼ DIN Controllers
Platinum Q Series controllers from Athena Controls, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA, include the Models Q100 and Q400 temperature controllers and the Model Q5000 process controller. The Q100 offers up to 0.1% input accuracy and features 4 standard outputs, current transformer input, transmitter power supply, and 2 fuzzy-tuning frequency methods. The Q400 adds 3 digital inputs and offers optional analog control or retransmission output. The Q5000 offers increased update times, 5 outputs, 3 digital inputs, remote set-point and potentiometer inputs, transmitter power supply, and valve drive output software. (800-782-6776, [email protected], www.athenacontrols.com)
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DA for Palm Handhelds
Datastick Systems, Inc., Campbell, CA, offers the DAS-1254 and DAS-1294 hardware modules that attach to Palm PDAs for DA as well as 3 new software applications for Palm handhelds. The DAS-1254 and DAS-1294 have four and eight 12-bit analog inputs, respectively; you attach your analog sensors to the hardware modules. Datastick Connection 3.5 displays sensor data in real time with 4 viewing modes. Datastick Connection Plus 3.5 adds 3 alarms per channel, independent channel assignment, digital control logic, and level-sensitive automatic data logging. Datastick Connection Lite displays data in real time. (408-871-3300, [email protected], www.datastick.com)
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Programmable Analog Building Blocks
Anadigm, Inc., Tempe, AZ, offers the Customer Collection of configurable analog modules (CAMs) that can be downloaded to the company's field programmable analog arrays (FPAAs). The CAMs implement a software-controlled function in the FPAA, which is an analog equivalent of an FPGA. The first collection includes a sawtooth and square wave oscillator, triangle- and square-wave oscillator, sum/difference stage with biquadratic filter, multiplier with low corner frequency LPF, and voltage-controlled S/H. (480-344-5284, [email protected], www.anadigm.com)
Load Cell Signal Conditioner
Operating on voltages as low as 10 VDC, the Model DCA from Interface, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ, supplies excitation voltage to the load cell and amplifies the output signal to either ±5 VDC, ±10 VDC, or 4–20 mA. The unit is 2.5 by 3.7 by 2.25 in. and has a compact, watertight NEMA 4X-rated enclosure for use in wet environments. You can also order a board-only version of the DCA. (800-947-5598, [email protected], www.interfaceforce.com)
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High-Res Mini Spectrometer
The HR4000 from Ocean Optics, Inc., Dunedin, FL, is a high-resolution miniature fiber-optic spectrometer suited for applications such as wavelength characterization of lasers, absorbance of gases, and determination of elemental atomic emission lines. The device has a 3648-element CCD array detector for optical resolution to 0.02 nm (FWHM) and is responsive from 200–1100 nm, although both spectral range and optical resolution vary based on your choice of diffraction grating and entrance slit. (727-733-2447, [email protected], www.oceanoptics.com)
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Machinery Fault Detector
The Model 682A05 from PCB Piezotronics, Inc., IMI Div., Depew, NY, is a dual 4–20 mA output, DIN-rail-mount machinery fault detector designed to capture the earliest signs of bearing deterioration. The first output measures peak g levels over a specified time interval and uses a 1 kHz/5 kHz selectable high-pass filter. The second output measures overall vibration levels from 10 Hz to 1 kHz, in user-selectable units. The company is ISO 9001 certified. (800-959-4464, [email protected], www.imi-sensors.com)
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Vortex Shedding Meter
CoolPoint from Universal Flow Monitors (UFM), Inc., Hazel Park, MI, is a vortex shedding meter for flow transmission and monitoring of water, water-based machine coolant, and water/glycol coolant in building engineering, manufacturing, and industrial processing applications. Available in pipe sizes from 0.25–2 in., for flow ranges from 0.4–200 gpm, the meter is sold by pipe size and offers ±1% of actual flow repeatability. (248-542-9635, www.flowmeters.com)
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Magnetostrictive Position Sensor
Designed for high reliability and durability under harsh environmental conditions, Temposonics R Series noncontact linear and absolute position sensors from MTS Systems Corp., Sensors Div., Cary, NC, are digitally based smart sensors with sensing resolutions as low as 1 μm, diagnostic LEDs, and external programming capability. Features include a reduced electronics envelope, a full line of analog and digital serial outputs, reverse polarity and overvoltage protection to 36 VDC, improved shock and vibration resistance, and inline pushbutton or PC software programming. (919-677-0100, [email protected], www.mtssensors.com)
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USB Temperature Data Logger
The EL-USB-1 from Saelig Co. Inc., Pittsford, NY, is a thumb-drive-sized logger with a –25°C to 80°C measurement range and memory for up to 16,382 readings. A long-life replaceable lithium battery lets the unit log data continually for at least 1 yr. Red, green, and orange flashing LEDs indicate status. Recording parameters are software selectable. Data are downloaded to any USB 1.1 port on a PC via the configuration software. (585-385-1750, [email protected], www.saelig.com)
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ZigBee Development Platform
The CC2420 ZigBee Development Kit from Chipcon AS, Oslo, Norway, lets you map a ZigBee logical device to full- and reduced-function devices using the CC2420 (a single-chip, IEEE 802.15.4-compliant, ZigBee-ready RF transceiver that operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band). The kit contains 5 CC2420 demonstration boards, an evaluation board, an evaluation module, and the Figure 8 Wireless Z-Stack. The demonstration boards contain the RF transceiver and necessary support components to develop a fully functional IEEE 802.15.4 or ZigBee device. (47-22-95-85-44, [email protected], www.chipcon.com)
Simultaneous-Sampling DA Devices
National Instruments Corp., Austin, TX, offers the simultaneous-sampling PCI/PXI-6143, PXI-6132, and PXI-6133. The PCI-6143 and PXI-6143 are 8-channel, 16-bit devices that sample at 250 Ksps/channel and feature digital triggering, 8 digital I/O, and two 24-bit counter/timers. The PXI-6133 and PXI-6132 are 8- and 4-channel, 14-bit devices that sample at 2.5 Msps/channel and feature flexible input ranges, up to 32 Msamples of onboard memory, analog and digital triggering, 8 hardware-timed digital I/O, and two 24-bit counter/timers. ([email protected], www.ni.com/contact)
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1.3 Mpixel Smart Camera
The VC2068/E smart camera from Vision Components GmbH, Hudson, NH, has built-in Ethernet/TCP/IP capability and can acquire full-frame 1240 x 1024 pixel images at 10 frames/s while executing real-time image processing. The camera includes TCP/IP, UDP, FTP, and SMTP communications protocols; socket support; a telnet server; and an http server. Features include 2x binning, pre-emptive multitasking, 16 MB SDRAM image/data memory, 2 MB flash EPROM for program and data storage, and a built-in MMC. (603-598-2588, [email protected], www.vision-comp.com)
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Magnetic Flowmeter
The Admag AXF from Yokogawa Corp. of America, Newnan, GA, retains the features and functions of other Admag flowmeters and adds an optional enhanced 165 Hz dual-frequency excitation method as well as diagnostics to detect electrode coating. The flowmeter also offers an optional replaceable electrode design. Features include the ability to display 4 different levels of coating and provide an alarm function, accuracy of 0.35% of reading, minimum fluid conductivity of 1 μS/cm, and a 3-line display with IR switches. (770-254-0400, www.us.yokogawa.com/mi/haccp)
Trace Analyzers
Tiger Optics, LLC, Warrington, PA, offers the MTO-LP-H2O trace moisture analyzer and LaserTrace-O2 module, both of which use cavity ring-down spectroscopy to detect moisture and contaminants. The trace moisture analyzer is designed to measure moisture in hydride gases and detects water down to single-digit ppb levels in milliseconds. The LaserTrace-O2 has a detection range down to 100 ppt and lets you perform remote monitoring of up to 4 different analytes, at 4 sample points, for as many as 4 different gases. (215-343-6600, [email protected], www.tigeroptics.com)
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Industrial Ethernet Switch
SF (standard function) unmanaged Ethernet switches from Phoenix Contact Inc., Harrisburg, PA, offer eight or sixteen 10/100 Mbps ports and a range of 1 or 2 multimode 100 Mbps glass fiber port options. The switch offers redundant power supplies, alarm contact, auto negotiation, and cable auto crossing. The company is ISO 9001 certified. (800-586-5525, [email protected], www.phoenixcon.com, www.ethernetrail.com)
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Image Acquisition Board
The X64-LVDS from Coreco Imaging, St. Laurent, QC, Canada, is a high-performance, 64-bit image acquisition board for parallel output digital area and linescan cameras compatible with LVDS and RS-422 standards. The card is PCI-slot compliant and is compatible with 8-, 10-, or 12-bit LVDS and RS-422 digital area or linescan monochrome or RGB cameras. Image acquisition rates are up to 600 MBps with transfer to host memory at 528 MBps and 32 MB of local buffer memory. (514-333-1301, [email protected], www.imaging.com)
Fiber-Optic Gyro
Designed to demanding military standards, the DSP-4000 Series from KVH Industries, Inc., Middletown, RI, is available in single- and dual-axis configurations and features an all-fiber design, analog and digital outputs, and max input rates of ±375°/s (digital) and ±100°/s (analog). The 5.68 3 6.41 3 3.5 in. device weighs <5 lb., and offers 4°/h/Hz (digital) and 6°/h/Hz (analog) noise, instantaneous bandwidth of 50 or 500 Hz (digital) and 100 Hz (analog), ±10 VDC differential analog output, and RS-232 asynchronous digital output. (401-847-3327, www.kvh.com)
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TDR Level Meter
Designed to measure distance, level, and volume of liquids, pastes, and solids, the OPTIFLEX 1300 C TDR level meter from KROHNE, Inc., Peabody, MA, uses guided radar and features sharper pulses to allow the device to detect and measure interfaces as thin as a 50 mm film of oil on water in a large tank. The meter can also locate the product's true surface, despite strongly agitated surfaces. Max. measuring range is 4–35 m, depending on probe type. The company is ISO 9001 certified. (800-356-9464, [email protected], www.krohne.com)
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Data Logger
Scientific Technologies Inc., Automation Products Group, Logan, UT, offers the Data Dolphin 128 (DD-128), which features a 24-bit A/D section that provides 8 differential bipolar inputs with resolution down to 90 nV, allowing you to connect most sensors directly to the logger. Four additional inputs let you select pulse, status, or analog capability. The DD-128 has a waterproof case, 1 MB of nonvolatile flash memory, and an operating temperature range of –40°C to 75°C. Software for data collection and programming is included. (888-349-7098, [email protected], www.stiapg.com)
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