- Email: [email protected]
Intelligent data collector
NDT&E
Vol. 28. NO. I, pp. 55-60, 1995 Cooyright C 1995 Ekevier Science Ltd Priated*in Greai Britzin. Al! rig&s reserved
ruiernatiotzal,
0963~8695/95 $10.00 + 0.00
The MIZ-22
is a portable,
dual-frequency eddy current instrument from Surrey Materials Inspection Systems that combines high-speed 3 6-bit circuitry, advanced mixing technology and alarm circuitry in a lightweight, portable unit that can be operated from a rechargeable 3c:iery or AC power supply. ??e results of the two frequencies can also be ‘mixed’ to suppress or enhance signals and thereby improve the signal-to-noise ratio. Two Types of mix are available: the first allows the suppression of unwanted signals; the second enables the signals of interest eo be enhanced, whilst suppressing unwanted signals. These mixes can eliminate or minimize variables caused by probe lift-off or an uneven test surface. Varying gap thicknesses between surfaces can also be mixed out to differentiate between flaws and gaps. In the case of overlapping aircraft skins, where gaps can be caused both by a void between layers and by corrosion, mixing the signals effectively isolates corrosion. The liquid crystal display presents the phase and amplitude vectors of the eddy current signal as a two dimensional Lissajous display. It can display up to two X-Y signals simultaneously for signal comparison and analysis (ie frequency 1, frequency 2, or the mix channel). Two alarm circuits can be set to be
Dual frequency eddy current instrument available from Surrey Materials Inspection
triggered from either display. For further versatility, a built-in buffer allows isolation and display of a separate portion of a signal for on-screen manipulation or mixing. Surrey Materials inspection Systems, Alan Turing Road, Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey GUZ 5YF, UK
Intelligent
collector
data
Entek Scientific, the leading supplier of predictive maintenance (PM) software, has entered the systems business with the introduction of a rugged, intelligent data collector together with a full line of transducers and accessories. Enhancements to the company’s Emonitor suite of PM software have also been announced to support the new hardware, including the first Windows-based version of the
55
Systems
company’s automatic machine fault identification program. Building on the company’s widely recognized Emonitor marque, the new capability, designated Emonitor System, signifies a major change in the company’s approach to the PM market. In the vanguard of the Emonitor system is a new PM data collector. called the Emonitor Dataline, which offers enhanced levels of flexibility and freedom to users of the walk-around data collection approach. Unlike older, route-based collectors, which impose a rigid order on the type and sequence of measurements, the new system uses innovative Pathfinder technology to optimize routes and put measurement control where it is needed - in the hands of the user in the field. Frequently, computer-planned routes make it difficult to take into account the site layout,
=New equipment resulting in inconvenient data collection; Dataline allows planned measurements to be taken in the most optimum sequence - and the collector remembers the new sequence for future measurements. When routine readings indicate a fault is developing, extra data can be collected, including measurements from other points on the machine. If, during a route, an unscheduled machine is exhibiting signs of stress, measurements can be taken from that machine and stored for later analysis. An optional bar code reader enables measurement points to be identified rapidly, increasing the reliability of scheduled measurements and identifying additionally acquired data. All measurements are time and date stamped. Weighing less than 2 kg in its IP65 casing, the unit offers data collection under a wide variety of environmental conditions without the need for a carrying case which might obscure the display or hamper manual operation. The collector's use of plug-in, nickel-cadmium battery packs extends operating time in the field to six hours from a single pack. The unit's back-lit screen uses cold cathode fluorescent technology for clarity under a wide range of ambient light conditions and offers a graphical user interface to simplify operation. A wide range of signal processing and display functions are provided by the collector's built-in computing power to facilitate on-site decision-making by maintenance staff. Rapid display of time and spectrum waveforms help identify the location for remedial action and, with Envelope Signal
Linear X-ray detectors from Thomson Tubes Electroniques provide direct digital outputs
Processing (ESP)integrated into the unit, quickly identify faults in rolling element bearings. The internal memory stores 800 points with overall and spectrum measurements; its use of a PCMCIA interface removes any storage restriction, whether for measurements or routing information, and opens up the way for additional software capabilities and modern integration. The unit can be used with an extensive range of transducers, including triaxial accelerometers for fast data acquisition and processing, and an infrared probe for non-contact temperature measurement. A separate pulse input enables measurements to be accurately synchronized to machine speed measured with, for example, a photo-optic probe, Hall-effect position sensor or laser tachometer. The company has enhanced its Emonitor for Windows software family with the release of two new products: Emonitor-SE and Emonitor-lite, and introduced full open database support across a client-server network.
Entek Scientific Corporation, European Marketing Centre, The Maltings, Charlton Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 5QE, UK
56
Linear X-ray detector Linear X-ray detectors from Thomson Tubes Electroniques provide direct digital outputs for real-time data processing, suitable for automatic inspection equipment in industrial NDT. The standard TH 9558 detector array has 1024 pixels with a pitch of 0.225 mm, giving a corresponding sensitive length of 230 mm. The object to be tested is scanned line by line as it moves through a collimated X-ray beam. The minimum integration time per line is 5 ms, resulting in scanning speeds of up to 4.5 cm s -1 . Versions with 256, 512 and 768 sensitive elements (58, 115 and 173 mm sensitive length) are also available. The array includes a separate preprocessing unit which drives the detector and corrects the gain and offset of each pixel. The output is in 12-bit parallel symmetric pairs (RS 422) for high contrast resolution. The standard unit as typically used operates with an X-ray energy range between 20 keV and 1 60 keV.
Thomson Tubes Electroniques, BP 121, F-78148, Velizy Cedex, France
Vol. 28. NO. I, pp. 55-60, 1995 Cooyright C 1995 Ekevier Science Ltd Priated*in Greai Britzin. Al! rig&s reserved
ruiernatiotzal,
0963~8695/95 $10.00 + 0.00
The MIZ-22
is a portable,
dual-frequency eddy current instrument from Surrey Materials Inspection Systems that combines high-speed 3 6-bit circuitry, advanced mixing technology and alarm circuitry in a lightweight, portable unit that can be operated from a rechargeable 3c:iery or AC power supply. ??e results of the two frequencies can also be ‘mixed’ to suppress or enhance signals and thereby improve the signal-to-noise ratio. Two Types of mix are available: the first allows the suppression of unwanted signals; the second enables the signals of interest eo be enhanced, whilst suppressing unwanted signals. These mixes can eliminate or minimize variables caused by probe lift-off or an uneven test surface. Varying gap thicknesses between surfaces can also be mixed out to differentiate between flaws and gaps. In the case of overlapping aircraft skins, where gaps can be caused both by a void between layers and by corrosion, mixing the signals effectively isolates corrosion. The liquid crystal display presents the phase and amplitude vectors of the eddy current signal as a two dimensional Lissajous display. It can display up to two X-Y signals simultaneously for signal comparison and analysis (ie frequency 1, frequency 2, or the mix channel). Two alarm circuits can be set to be
Dual frequency eddy current instrument available from Surrey Materials Inspection
triggered from either display. For further versatility, a built-in buffer allows isolation and display of a separate portion of a signal for on-screen manipulation or mixing. Surrey Materials inspection Systems, Alan Turing Road, Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey GUZ 5YF, UK
Intelligent
collector
data
Entek Scientific, the leading supplier of predictive maintenance (PM) software, has entered the systems business with the introduction of a rugged, intelligent data collector together with a full line of transducers and accessories. Enhancements to the company’s Emonitor suite of PM software have also been announced to support the new hardware, including the first Windows-based version of the
55
Systems
company’s automatic machine fault identification program. Building on the company’s widely recognized Emonitor marque, the new capability, designated Emonitor System, signifies a major change in the company’s approach to the PM market. In the vanguard of the Emonitor system is a new PM data collector. called the Emonitor Dataline, which offers enhanced levels of flexibility and freedom to users of the walk-around data collection approach. Unlike older, route-based collectors, which impose a rigid order on the type and sequence of measurements, the new system uses innovative Pathfinder technology to optimize routes and put measurement control where it is needed - in the hands of the user in the field. Frequently, computer-planned routes make it difficult to take into account the site layout,
=New equipment resulting in inconvenient data collection; Dataline allows planned measurements to be taken in the most optimum sequence - and the collector remembers the new sequence for future measurements. When routine readings indicate a fault is developing, extra data can be collected, including measurements from other points on the machine. If, during a route, an unscheduled machine is exhibiting signs of stress, measurements can be taken from that machine and stored for later analysis. An optional bar code reader enables measurement points to be identified rapidly, increasing the reliability of scheduled measurements and identifying additionally acquired data. All measurements are time and date stamped. Weighing less than 2 kg in its IP65 casing, the unit offers data collection under a wide variety of environmental conditions without the need for a carrying case which might obscure the display or hamper manual operation. The collector's use of plug-in, nickel-cadmium battery packs extends operating time in the field to six hours from a single pack. The unit's back-lit screen uses cold cathode fluorescent technology for clarity under a wide range of ambient light conditions and offers a graphical user interface to simplify operation. A wide range of signal processing and display functions are provided by the collector's built-in computing power to facilitate on-site decision-making by maintenance staff. Rapid display of time and spectrum waveforms help identify the location for remedial action and, with Envelope Signal
Linear X-ray detectors from Thomson Tubes Electroniques provide direct digital outputs
Processing (ESP)integrated into the unit, quickly identify faults in rolling element bearings. The internal memory stores 800 points with overall and spectrum measurements; its use of a PCMCIA interface removes any storage restriction, whether for measurements or routing information, and opens up the way for additional software capabilities and modern integration. The unit can be used with an extensive range of transducers, including triaxial accelerometers for fast data acquisition and processing, and an infrared probe for non-contact temperature measurement. A separate pulse input enables measurements to be accurately synchronized to machine speed measured with, for example, a photo-optic probe, Hall-effect position sensor or laser tachometer. The company has enhanced its Emonitor for Windows software family with the release of two new products: Emonitor-SE and Emonitor-lite, and introduced full open database support across a client-server network.
Entek Scientific Corporation, European Marketing Centre, The Maltings, Charlton Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 5QE, UK
56
Linear X-ray detector Linear X-ray detectors from Thomson Tubes Electroniques provide direct digital outputs for real-time data processing, suitable for automatic inspection equipment in industrial NDT. The standard TH 9558 detector array has 1024 pixels with a pitch of 0.225 mm, giving a corresponding sensitive length of 230 mm. The object to be tested is scanned line by line as it moves through a collimated X-ray beam. The minimum integration time per line is 5 ms, resulting in scanning speeds of up to 4.5 cm s -1 . Versions with 256, 512 and 768 sensitive elements (58, 115 and 173 mm sensitive length) are also available. The array includes a separate preprocessing unit which drives the detector and corrects the gain and offset of each pixel. The output is in 12-bit parallel symmetric pairs (RS 422) for high contrast resolution. The standard unit as typically used operates with an X-ray energy range between 20 keV and 1 60 keV.
Thomson Tubes Electroniques, BP 121, F-78148, Velizy Cedex, France