What's New at Congress 2002
Vibration indicator
The Model 683A from the IMI Sensors division of PCB Piezotronics, Inc. is a panel-mount, digital vibration indicator with alarm. The device operates from ac or dc power and provides excitation for ICP accelerometers or 4-20 mA, loop-powered vibration sensors. An LED display provides scaling and menu-driven setup of up to four set points, each with individual status indicators and relay outputs. An adjustable time delay eliminates false alarm trips due to momentary vibration upsets.
Self-clinching studs
PEM Type HFHD high-strength, self-clinching dog-point studs from PEM Fastening Systems enable reliable and secure attachment of vehicle components and reduce the number of required parts for quicker assembly and neater, lighter component designs. The dog-point feature ensures quick nut positioning and assembly while protecting first threads from damage. The units can meet increasingly stringent automotive industry certification and quality standards. Applications include bumper supports, engine brackets, airbag assemblies, and fuse terminal posts.
Test and device automation
A modular, PC-based system from PEUS-Systems Inc. considers the complete testing, archiving, management, evaluation, and quality control needs of modern testing laboratories in the automotive industry. It focuses on the automation and integration of all measuring devices on test cells as well as portability, open interfaces, and compliance with international standards. The system can be extended for integration of additional tests, test cells, and devices, including central parameter and data management, networking, and global data access. It provides interface drivers to all existing devices.
Driver attention
Pi Technology's Phantom system allows the driver to manually activate controls without removing concentration from the road ahead. The system tracks the location of the driver's hand through a combination of proximity sensors on the instrument panel, and the display shows a graphical map indicating the closest control to the hand. When a control is touched, there is an immediate visual indication of that control. The system also features SWorD, a display unit built into the upper rim of the steering wheel. It uses a combination of LEDs and an eight-character matrix display to provide text and graphics information. Because the top of the wheel is visually located at the bottom of a driver's peripheral vision, it can be glanced at while looking in the direction of travel. The display is only activated when necessary.
Level sensor
The LS-60 level sensor from Power Components of Midwest, Inc. features enhanced plastic components, internal contacts, and concentricity, resulting in improved trip accuracy and reliability. The height is reduced and o-ring seals are added to the top and bottom to ensure the hermeticity necessary to survive harsh conditions. The standard top-mounted bubble level makes calibration easy, and the new mounting bracket offers additional mounting options. Custom x and y trip angles can be created quickly and with minimal expense.
Xenon arc testing
Q-Panel Lab Products' new Q/B filter for the Q-Sun xenon test chamber is an affordable product that meets the spectral requirements for SAE J1885 and SAE J1960. The filter has equivalent transmission to the quartz inner filter/borosilicate outer filter combination. A full-spectrum, full-featured chamber, the Q-Sun is used to test materials for weatherability and light stability. It uses xenon arc lamps to simulate the entire spectrum of sunlight, including UV, visible light, and infrared. Filters are used to achieve an appropriate spectrum based on test protocol or application.
