Tools of the Trade
Alignment kit
The Microgage alignment kit from Pinpoint Laser Systems provides measuring information to plant engineers on machine alignment to improve operating efficiency and reduce downtime. The compact unit, which contains a laser transmitter and digital receiver with readout, sets up in minutes to provide precise measurements of machinery straightness, surface flatness, rail and slide parallelism, and squareness for production equipment. It includes a rotating base for establishing precise planes, a right angle laser splitter for squaring equipment, several mounting fixtures for adapting the laser to production machinery, and a computer interface with software drivers.
Stud welder
The Studhorse 1200 portable drawn arc stud welder from ARCON Welding, LLC uses a power supply that is based on inverter technology. The unit has a mass of only 36.5 kg (80 lb) and generates an output of 1200 A. It can weld studs up to 16-mm (5/8-in) weld base diameter and can be powered from a 40-A utility breaker at 480 V, 3-phase, or from a 30-A time-delay fuse. Output current is infinitely adjustable.
Heat flowmeter
KEM's HFM-215 multiple point heat flowmeter measures heat flow in areas such as industrial furnaces and manufacturing plants. By testing more than just temperature, it enables the evaluation and management of thermal insulation, energy control, and heat-flow balance. The flowmeter can process data from up to 12 different sensors and show the results on its 5.5-in colored digital display via data logging setup, trend, or bar graph. The unit features e-mail and Web capabilities, Ethernet, and data-capture software.
Nano-sized connectors
Nano-sized connectors from Tyco Electronics have single-row contacts spaced on 0.635-mm (0.025-in), or, for dual-row connectors, 0.317-mm (0.0125-in) centerline spacing. With the acquisition of Nanonics Corp., the firm can supply Dualobe, strip, hermetic, nano-axial, and environmentally sealed nano-sized connectors. With Tyco's nano-contact system, a burnished gold bore and surface make up the entire pin and socket. Both the pin and socket are seamless to provide maximum contact area.
Pressure transmitter
The PTX 7200 Series of rugged industrial pressure transmitters from Druck Inc. combines modular design with advances in ASIC technology and surface-mount electronics for many industrial applications. The 316L SS housing and Hastelloy C276 diaphragm are NACE MR-01-75 compatible, providing hostile media compatibility. The sensors use Druck's piezoresistive silicon technology and have an operating temperature range of -18 to +99°C (-40 to +210°F).
