FUTEK Sensor Reliability - Progress Update 1 Billion and 78,000,000 Cycles

This post was written by Ehsan Mokhberi who is the Business Development Manager for Futek. He discusses Futek Sensor's product reliability and their meticulous testing procedures to produce quality sensor products that last.  For more information about Futek's product line in Australia & New Zealand, please contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

Application Note 142 - Product reliability is an essential aspect of overall product quality. Therefore, we test. And test again. And in our case, we tested for almost 15 years straight.

If you've ever visited our headquarters, you might have noticed a compressed air test stand in our lobby. Well, that test stand has been going strong since 2001 performing a fatigue-test on our LSB302 S-Beam Load Cell.

Why? Well, for two reasons. First, as a testament toward our reputation of being one of the highest quality sensor manufacturers. Secondly, to see how well our load cell would perform if overloaded to 113% of its rated output.

The LSB302 model that we chose for this quality assurance test has a capacity of 100lb. We've been loading it at 113 lb. Learn more here.

New Extrusion Profiles for Pixalux

New Extrusion Profiles in Production! Pixalux Manufacturing have developed 2 new extrusion profiles currently in production that will be available early 2017.  'T' profile for vertical surface mounting A profile enabling a signage solution similar to the freestanding extrusion profile but in a slimline package designed for permanent fixture. Once fixed, the extrusion flanges can be dressed for seamless integration. Great for applications like retail header-boards!

'Ω' (omega) profile for rebated fixtures This profile can be used to create a rebated floating shelf, but is also suitable for vertical orientated applications too. In the horizontal configuration pictured below, the slot in the wall helps to cantilever the panel, and the rear protrusion of the panel ensures accessibility for wiring.

For further information on the Pixalux Manufacturing Products, please contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

Ipetronik M-UNI2 8 Channel Voltage & Temperature Measurement System

The Ipetroniks M-UNI2 meets the high demands for reliability and flexibility, especially for price sensitive mobile testings as well as for test bench applications.

Eight analogue inputs can be configured individually via IPEmotion either for thermal elements Type K (NiCr/NiAl) or voltage (+/-30V). The CAN measurement data output works according to ISO 11898-2 standard.

Typical utilisations are measurement applications with mixed temperature and voltage, such as:

1.     Aggregate and component testing

2.     Thermal management applications

3.     Voltage monitoring/analysis of vehicle supply networks

4.     HVAC analysis 

Features include:

8 K-Type Thermocouple / Voltage Inputs, CAN-Bus

• 8 analogue inputs for temperature/voltage
• Temperature using thermocouples type K (NiCr/NiAl)
• Voltages up to +/-30 V
• Cold junction compensation
• Linearisation look-up table
• Measurement data output to CAN 2.0 B according to ISO 11898-2
• Complete galvanic isolation (inputs, CAN, power supply, enclosure)
• Designed for engine compartment applications

If you like further information on any of the Ipetroniks M-UNI2 and reside in Australia or New Zealand, please contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au 

For outside this area, contact IPETRONIKS on +49 7221 9922 333 or support@ipetronik.com

RLDA Validation of Harvesting Machines

Situated in Lower Bavaria, ROPA is an innovative company which develops and produces harvesting machines, i.a. sugar beet harvesters. In-field testing plays an essential role in the construction phase.

For the RLDA (Road Load Data Acquisition) validation of their beet harvesters, ROPA uses an IPETRONIK modular data logger system solution. The respective modules collect signals from the strain gauge inputs as well as other analog signals and transfer them to a CAN bus. 

The data logger FLEETlog2 records these data together with internal process parameters (e.g. temperatures, pressure values in the hydraulic system, etc.) and signals of the power train (acquired with the J1939 protocol from the control unit) time-synchronously.

One crucial factor for ROPA’s decision in favor of the IPETRONIK system was the on-board online possibility to classify data and directly transfer them to IPEcloud via modem.

Please refer to the application note "Structural testing of harvesting machines" for more details.

If you like further information on any of the Ipetroniks Modulular DAQ System and reside in Australia or New Zealand, please contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  

For outside this area, contact IPETRONIKS on +49 7221 9922 333 or support@ipetronik.com

Crystal Group Rugged Server selected by Leidos for Real Time Signal Intelligence System

Crystal Group, has announced that Leidos selected Crystal Group’s RS378 3U rugged server for the Leidos eXpeditionary RT (XRT) system, a real-time signal intelligence system used by the U.S. Army.

Leidos’ XRT system is a scalable, high-performance computing platform that extracts real-time, context sensitive situational awareness conditions from enormous quantities and disparate sources of data.  The system conducts data analysis on-site and in real-time for in-theatre mission planning, intelligence and tactical operations that lead to identifying and locating the enemy.

The Leidos XRT System is integral to the Army’s operations in the battlefield, and we are proud to be a part of this capability,” said Crystal Group President, Scott Kongable. “Our rugged servers provide the reliability, portability and durability needed to operate in hostile environments while providing the high compute processing necessary to recognize and overcome potential battlefield threats.”

The RS378 Rugged 3U server is a high end computing performer that features Intel’s Sandy Bridge, Ivy Bridge, Haswell or Broadwell CPU options. The server is configurable with eight removable 3.5” HDD or 2.5” SATA or SAS bays and can be configured for up to 16 hot-swappable 2.5” HDDs in drive packs.  The system is expandable with up to seven full-height slots, and can be rack mounted on Delrin® glides, Jonathan® rails or fixed mounted. The system is 50cm in depth and weighs between 18-20 Kgs.

For further information on the Crystal Group Products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  

Outside this area, please contact Crystal directly on +1 877 279 7863

Stock up on some Futek Reaction Torque Sensors for 2017

Futek Advanced Sensor Technology company have a large range of their flange to flange Torque Sensor Series (TFF)  that vary in size, capacity for inline/reaction torque measurements in stock and ready to ship - why not stock up on some for 2017?

	TFF325 and TFF350 OEM Reaction Torque Sensor Flange-to-Flange Our TFF Series features two miniature OEM models  - the TFF325 and the TFF350. • 0.12 Nm to 150 Nm capacity range • Intended for high volume applications • Easily integrates into OEM applications Find out more
	TFF400 Reaction Torque Sensor with Thru Hole Center The TFF400 Series has the most flexible mounting interface per capacity range. • 0.04 Nm to 56 Nm capacity range • Built-in overload protection on lower capacities • Designed for Torque auditing Find out more
	TFF600  Robust Flange-to-Flange Reaction Torque The TFF600 accommodates applications that include automotive braking, engine and transmission dynos,  fastener testing, and more. • 225 Nm to 1130 Nm capacity range • Aluminum & stainless-steel construction • Inside diameter of 1.75 in. Find out more

If you like further information on any of the Futek  Sensor product range and reside in Australia or New Zealand, please contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au  

For outside this area, please contact Futek directly on +1 949 465 0900

Acromag announces the VPX6600 - a new 3U OpenVPXTM Single Board Computer

Acromag, Inc., the leader in industrial I/O, have announced the release of the AcroExpress™ VPX6600 3U OpenVPX single board computer. 

The VPX6600 series utilises the 6th Generation Skylake Intel® Xeon® processor and C230 PCH chipset for extensive I/O support. Expanded memory performance comes with up to 32GB of DDR4 ECC SODIMMs that are firmly attached to the board and are removable for security or upgrades. 

This SBC is designed for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) applications and manufactured to meet VITA 46.0 with a minimum 7-year life expectancy. A conduction-cooled version is also offered.

A superior array of backplane I/O options includes PCIe x4 data and expansion planes, optional SATA III expansion plane, Ethernet ports, RS-232/422/485 ports, USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports, DisplayPort 1.2 ports, SATA III ports, and audio. The Data Plane and Expansion Plane interfaces can be used to interconnect multiple VPX6600’s or to provide PMC/XMC support.

Acromag offers C libraries for VxWorks^® and other operating systems. These libraries provide generic routines (source code included) to handle reads, writes, interrupts, and other functions. 

The COTS product line of AcroExpress processor boards are RoHS compliant and ideal military applications that requires extensive specialised I/O support with advanced cooling management.

For further information on the Acromag Embedded Board Products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au 

Outside this area, please contact Acromag directly on +1 248-295-0310 or solutions@acromag.com