Gas flow calibrator
SIERRA INSTRUMENTS, MONTEREY, CALIF. The Cal=Trak XL primary standard gas flow calibrator is for high flows up to 500 slpm. Useful for calibration of gas measuring instruments, including mass flow meters and controllers, it offers accuracy of ± 0.25 percent of reading. The dimensionally based primary accuracy of the Cal=Trak XL is claimed to be superior to pressure-based secondary methods and is backed by a rigorous uncertainty analysis. Like all members of Sierra’s Cal=Trak Series, the Cal=Trak XL is a primary standard piston prover that operates with the press of a button, assuring end users calibration accuracy, convenience, ease of use, and productivity. At 24 in. wide, 30 in. high, and 12 in. deep, the Cal=Trak XL fits on any laboratory bench. It can be used in the manufacture, inspection, validation, and recalibration of mass flow controllers, flow meters, and other varieties of flow equipment with flow rates too high for common primary standard devices.

Click here for more information.

Filter fan
OMEGA ENGINEERING INC., STAMFORD, CONN. Omega’s new series of filter fans has an easy-mounting axial fan and a self-adhesive seal on the mounting frame that prevents dust and water from entering the cabinet. The functional design of the intake and exhaust fan hoods prevents direct infiltration of falling water and dust. The design also provides air channeling, which makes the filter fan quiet in operation. The filter material is temperature resistant to 100°C and moisture resistant to 100 percent RH, and can be cleaned by washing or vacuuming for reuse. This product is CE compliant. The price starts at $73.

Click here for more information.

Tube bender
HORN MACHINE TOOLS INC., MADERA, CALIF. Unison, a British-based company, has a new version of its all-electric twin-head CNC bending machinery offering much broader application versatility. Among the new features is the ability to bend to smaller radii with a shorter distance between bends. It also has enhanced control and HMI software that includes a monitoring facility to help users deal with variations in material quality. These additions are intended to enhance the value of a bending machine concept that has helped manufacturers of symmetrical parts to slash energy costs. Most twin-head benders in use today are powered hydraulically. Unison is using all-electric machines in this sector, and in tests with a major furniture frame maker, it has demonstrated comparative power consumption reductions of 90 percent, according to the company. Unison’s product is available through Horn Machine Tools in North America.

Click here for more information.

Load cell interface
LOADSTAR SENSORS INC., FREMONT, CALIF. The DI-1000 digital load cell interface is designed to work seamlessly with conventional resistive load cells. The DI-1000 provides a simple, convenient method to convert the millivolt output from a load cell into a PC-friendly digital USB output. A user can plug a load cell into one end of the DI-1000 and plug the other end into a PC and get a PC-ready load cell. The DI-1000 provides many key features to simplify the process of building a PC-friendly load measurement system. It is compatible with any PC running Windows XP or Vista and one can view loads on demand or in streaming mode.

Click here for more information.

Mini accelerometer
DYTRAN INSTRUMENTS INC., CHATSWORTH, CALIF. The company’s miniature triaxial accelerometer is designed for modal analysis testing. The new Model 3263M8 is a high-sensitivity (100 mV/g) accelerometer that has a broad frequency response (0.3 to 10,000 Hz). It features a lightweight titanium housing, a single four-pin connector and a 4-40 tapped hole. This accelerometer is unusual because the labels of the axes x, y, and z are laser marked in a large font size on three orthogonal faces, which aids the user in orienting the sensor. The Model 3263M8, priced at $1,060, was designed for use in numerous applications: modal analysis; noise, vibration, and harshness; environmental stress screening, and general purpose vibration. 

Click here for more information.

Digital power supply
LAMBDA AMERICAS INC., SAN DIEGO, CALIF. Lambda has added digitally controlled modules to its NV-Power family of configurable ac-dc power supplies, enabling increased power output of up to 1,450 W peak rating for 10 seconds. The new modules enable the company to satisfy the increasing demand for low-profile configurable power solutions from 350 W to above 1,000 W for broadcast, instrumentation, medical equipment, automation, routers, servers, and security networks. The modules incorporate many innovative design features, including a new integrated magnetic transformer that allows for small size and increased efficiency. Digital control allows customizations based on the application’s requirements, such as modified current-limit or start-up characteristics. Additionally, the input to output isolation meets the 4 kV ac reinforced requirements for medical use.

Click here for more information.

Electronic latching valve
CLIPPARD INSTRUMENT LABORATORY INC., CINCINNATI, OHIO. The two- and three-way electronic latching valve has many of the same features as the company’s EV valve line, including small, compact design, quiet operation, and a single moving element. A balance of forces—through the precise placement of a permanent magnet in the valve core—produces a bi-stable valve. A short pulse of current opens the valve, which latches open indefinitely after the current stops with no power required. A subsequent pulse of current in the opposite direction closes the valve. According to the company, this valve consumes less energy and produces less heat than a standard solenoid valve when used in extended duty cycle applications.

Click here for more information.

Cutting tools
AUTOMATIONDIRECT, CUMMING, GA.  AutomationDirect’s line of RUKO cutting tools includes step drill bits, jobber length drill bits, machine taps, and knockout punches. High-performance split point step drill bits are CBN (cubical boron nitride) ground from a solid hardened form to provide spiral flutes without burrs and a superior cutting edge. Each step has radially adjusted relief, relating directly to the diameter of the step. The CBN-ground point ensures centering and spot-drilling, even in thin-walled material. Step drill bits are available in titanium nitride-coated high-speed steel. They are designed for sheet metal working in electrical, sanitary engineering, heating technologies, automotive, mechanical engineering, switching systems, and aviation applications. Step drill bits come individually and in a three-piece kit. Prices start at $14.75.

Click here for more information.

Pressure compensation device
OMEGA ENGINEERING INC., STAMFORD, CONN. It has become increasingly important to provide a protected enclosure environment for valuable electrical and electronic components. In a tightly closed enclosure, pressure differentials can occur during extreme temperature variations, such as day/night operation. When this occurs, the risk of dust and humidity being absorbed into the control panel increases significantly. The DA084 series has a high degree of protection and has a NEMA 3 (IP45) rating. The easily installed, specially designed pressure compensation plug DA084 permits a controlled change in pressure. The DA084’s material is plastic according to UL94 V-0 and this series comes with an operator’s manual. This product is useful for the automotive and petroleum industries. The price starts at $6.

Click here for more information.

Mid-shaft mounting
ACCUMETRICS ASSOCIATES INC., SCHENECTADY, N.Y. Operators of large synchronous ac motors and brushless generators who want to protect their equipment from catastrophic failure, but do not have the end of shaft available for mounting monitoring equipment, can now use a new mid-shaft mounting option for Accumetrics’ earth fault resistance monitor, or EFREM. This item is a wireless digital telemetry system that continuously monitors and charts ground fault severity, providing predictive maintenance condition monitoring. EFREM combines advanced ground fault measurement techniques with innovations in digital telemetry technology. Previously, EFREM was limited to end-of-shaft mounting. The new mounting system uses a two-piece wraparound metal collar with embedded telemetry electronics that can be clamped mid-shaft to gather data in real time from the working motor or generator.

Click here for more information.

Check valves
THE LEE CO., WESTBROOK, CONN. Useful in purge air, water injection, and liquid fuel applications, the company’s power generation Chek valves are field serviceable, allowing the user to disassemble and service the valve using a rebuild kit. Available with or without a removable, washable Hi-Bar safety screen, the Chek valves are designed according to specific customer requirements and can operate at temperatures up to 450°F. The valves feature low leakage and high flow.

Click here for more information.

Positioning stage
EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONS, SUNNYVALE, CALIF. The SMS 12 positioning stage combines a high-quality cross roller bearing stage and an almost-zero backlash drive mechanism. The unit has up to 12 mm of travel, 2g maximum acceleration, a maximum velocity of 250 mm per second, positioning accuracy to ±2 micrometers, and ±1 µm bidirectional repeatability. The stage is useful for optical focusing, scanning interferometry, surface structure analysis, disk drive testing, autofocus systems, biotechnology, and other micropositioning applications.

Click here for more information.

Shaft adapters
STERLING INSTRUMENT, NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. Shaft adapters eliminate the need for special shafting. There are 21 inch (U.S.) size and 27 metric size stainless steel adapters, identified as the S52FCY Series, that are high precision, with tight tolerances on bores, shank, and bore/shank concentricity. The female end of the adapter is designed to fit 14 shaft diameters, ranging from 0.12 to 0.4998 in. (3 mm to 12 mm) and incorporates the Fairloc integral fastening system. Fairloc is a patented integral hub fastener that eliminates marred shafts. Fairloc hubs permit frequent phase adjustment, timing, and position adjustment, while adding positive metal-to-metal fastening strength along both hub sections.

Click here for more information.

Air amplifier
EXAIR CORP., CINCINNATI, OHIO. The 3-in. adjustable air amplifier is for cooling, drying, venting, and exhausting applications. It produces a high-volume, high-velocity airflow to cool parts like the glowing hot ends of axles (see photo). The output flow can be tuned to the application from a “blast” to a “freeze.” It cuts compressed air use by entraining 24 parts room air to one part compressed air. Noise level is low at 83 dBA. According to Exair, this product can help companies reduce their utility costs by using less compressed air while boosting efficiency.

Click here for more information.

Composite bearings
LM76, EAST LONGMEADOW, MASS. Low-cost, self-lubricating Minuteman series Teflon composite bearings are useful for applications that involve linear, rotary, or oscillating motion. The self-aligning bearings have a very low coefficient of friction, dampen vibrations, tolerate shock, are lower in cost, and can handle 10 times the load of conventional linear bearings, according to the company. The bearings can be submerged; washed down with water, high-pressure steam, or chemicals, and can operate in harsh abrasive contaminated environments.

Click here for more information.

Pressure switches
UNITED ELECTRIC CONTROLS, WATERTOWN, MASS. Two new pressure switch models have been added to UE’s 12 Series product line. The P4 and P9 models have an adjustable set point range to 12,500 psig, among the highest settable pressure ranges for a mechanical pressure switch, according to the company. A choice of  l/4-in. NPT (female), l/4- or 3/8-in. medium or high-pressure (male or female) autoclave connections are available. The snap-action Belleville spring assembly provides vibration resistance and set-point stability. These switches are designed to meet the increasing demands of high-pressure oil and gas drilling and safety shutdown.

Click here for more information.

Auxiliary cooling
UNIFIN INTERNATIONAL, LONDON, ONTARIO. The ForZairT heat sink auxiliary transformer cooler is portable and efficient, allowing increased overload and extending transformer life. It can be installed on a transformer quickly to immediately reduce the temperature of the dielectric cooling oil. With its small footprint, low profile, and quick-connect hoses, this cooler can be transferred readily from one overloaded substation to another, providing quick relief wherever it is needed most. The ForZairT line of coolers features Unifin’s Mono-Aluminum Extruded Fin-Tubes and plate fin technology, both of which provide heat transfer efficiency and durability. These coolers use Cardinal transformer oil pumps, with a glandless design that prevents leaks in demanding transformer oil applications. 

Click here for more information.

Mechanical goniometers
AEROTECH INC., PITTSBURGH, PA. AGC motorized mechanical goniometers are used in applications where 90 degrees of angular travel are needed with the payload at the center of rotation, or where two axes of rotation are needed about a common point. AGC goniometers can be mounted to standard optical tables, as well as standard Aerotech rotary stages, to provide roll, pitch, and yaw about a common 3-axis intersection. Performance includes ±12 arc sec accuracy, ±10 arc sec repeatability, 3.5 arc sec resolution, a maximum speed of 78 degrees/second, and a maximum load of 50 kg. This flexible stage series is useful for optical alignment, payload tip/tilt, beam steering, sensor calibration, laser applications, automated manufacturing and/or testing, and multi-axis diffractometer systems.

Click here for more information.

Click here for more information.