T&M and Monitoring

The inspecting of Cavities, Inside Engines, Pipes and under floorboards will be easier in 2008 and you will also be able to record what you see with the new LCD Endoscope from Dart Systems Ltd.

Marine Simulation LLC announced the release of Volume One of the ROVsim® Undersea Pilot Series™. The Undersea Pilot Series™ is a collection of physics accurate, visually realistic and highly configurable Remotely Operated (submerged) Vehicle (ROV) simulators intended for ROV and marine professionals and based on Marine Simulation's ROVsim® simulator. By implementing the very latest technologies for real-time 3D visualization, it is able to simulate a wide range of mission variables: from changing currents and visibility, to electronics and gear failures.

Michell Instruments are delighted to announce they have received confirmation of the accreditation by FM Approvals for the intrinsically safe version of their Easidew Transmitter. In addition to its ATEX certification, this allows the Easidew TX I.S. to be used in hazardous area applications within the USA.

Fluke has introduced the Fluke VR1710 Voltage Quality Recorder for single-phase power quality troubleshooting and preventative maintenance applications. Designed as an easy-to-use solution for detecting and recording power quality problems, the VR1710 is a single-phase plug-in voltage quality recorder that can help maintenance and facilities personnel in utilities, industrial environments and large service organisations to maintain the power quality essential to business operations.

Fire-Lite Alarms, part of Honeywell’s Life Safety Group, announces the availability of virtual fire alarm control panel monitoring software from SIS. Now building owners, security offices and other third parties can supervise multiple fire alarm panels from one PC via this low cost monitoring solution. Fire-Lite’s panels, IPDACT Internet communicator and VisorALARM IP receiver, together with SIS software and a UL listed computer, are all one needs for a complete, UL 864 9th Edition compliant monitoring package.

SKF has developed the Wireless Machine Condition Detector (WMCD), which can be used with its MARLIN handheld data manager to provide a flexible solution for carrying out operator inspections quickly and safely. The system uses smart studs and temperature magnets to measure and record vibration, enveloped acceleration and temperature, enabling operating costs to be reduced considerably as part of a condition based maintenance programme.

Newly available from Armstrong Optical Ltd of Northampton is the RUBY non-contact spectrocolourimetry system that is able to supply up to 2000 spectra per second for the analysis of, for example, reflectance of diffusing materials, intensity and colour of light sources and displays, and the transmittance of filters and liquids.

To provide a direct interface from all ESAB cutting and marking process and provide real time monitoring, controlling and reporting of the processes, ESAB Cutting Systems has instructed PDM (Production Data Mangement) software. It will assist users in realising lower operational costs and reduced cycle times whilst giving total transparency to all cutting and marking activities.

SKF has launched an innovative and intrinsically safe handheld data collection and analysis system, for use in all ATEX Zone 1 operating environments. Called the Marlin S-Pro IS, the new instrument is lightweight, compact and simple to use, yet incorporates a powerful Intel® XScale processor both to ensure fast and accurate data handling and to support complex on-screen graphics; these are viewed on an integral high resolution 3.8” backlit colour display.

A free guide to calculating hourly rates for manufacturing has been launched by production software specialist, PSL DataTrack. The guide is particularly useful for those involved in batch production or prototyping and features an easy-to-use table for costs and times, along with helpful hints and a 'dos and don'ts' section.