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Charge amplifier converts piezoelectric outputs

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Nov 23, 2005

A rugged charge amplifier is designed to meet the need for an easy to use means of converting the charge output of piezoelectric transducers to a proportional voltage for control and recording.

The new Type 5073A from Kistler is a rugged charge amplifier designed specifically to meet the need for an easy to use means of converting the charge output of piezoelectric transducers to a proportional voltage for control and recording purposes in manufacturing systems.

Available with between one and four channels with wide, variable measuring ranges from +/-100 to +/-1,000,000 pC with each channel having two independent, switchable on-line measuring ranges.

Housed in a rugged metal case, the Type 5073A is tolerant of supply voltage variations from 18 to 30V and can be supplied with protection up to IP65 for use in industrial environments.

Basic settings can be made via the RS-232C serial interface whilst the LabView software, supplied as standard, provides a more detailed and flexible configuration capability.

The output signals may be used for monitoring, closed-loop control and process optimisation applications.

The floating potential digital inputs for reset/measure and range selection make the Type 5073A ideal for integration into machine control systems With quality control systems relying increasingly on automatic monitoring of manufacturing processes, the new charge amplifier from Kistler provides a flexible and reliable method of acquiring data from piezoelectric sensors in the manufacturing environment.

* About Kistler Instruments - established in Wintherthur (Switzerland) in 1957, Kistler is represented in over 50 countries and has subsidiaries in Germany, France, Italy, UK, Japan, USA, China, Korea and Singapore.

With a staff of 650, the Kistler Group is one of the world's leading providers of dynamic measuring instrumentation.

The Kistler Group achieved turnover of SFR 150 million in the 2004 financial year.

Kistler's core competence is the development, production and use of sensors for measuring pressure, force and acceleration.

Kistler's know-how and electronic systems can be used to prepare measuring signals for use in analyzing physical processes, controlling and optimizing industrial processes, improving product quality in manufacturing and improving performance in sports and rehabilitation.

Kistler offers a comprehensive range of sensors and systems for engine development, automotive engineering, plastics and metal processing, installation technology and biomechanics.

Heavy investment in research and development, 15% of staff worldwide are engaged in research and development, has generated a number of innovations using piezoelectric, piezoresistive and capacitive techniques to provide solutions to numerous force, pressure and acceleration measuring problems.

These innovations include the world's first commercial quartz sensor, two-wire constant current technology to integrate sensors with microelectronic circuitry, high-temperature pressure sensors for use up to 400 deg C and three-component force measuring sensors.