Product category:
Monitoring and sensor equipment and systems
News Release from: Micro-Epsilon UK | Subject: Non-contact sensor, the Optris CT
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 23 November 2007
Cool infrared thermometers operate in
250 deg C
Infrared thermometers operate in 250 deg C do not need any cooling when checking materials on production lines and in process environments.
For use in high temperature production lines and process environments, a novel infrared thermometer measures the precise temperature of materials, such as fabric and web, working in ambient temperatures of up to 250 deg C, without any need for cooling Developed by precision sensor manufacturer Micro-Epsilon, the non-contact sensor, the Optris CT hot, represents a genuine leap forward in its sensor class, said Micro-Epsilon
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 23 May 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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It measures temperatures from -40 deg C up to +975 deg C in ambient temperatures of up to 250 deg C without any cooling of the sensor head.
The company said it has been made possible through several new design features: new detector materials; a new mechanical design and new high temperature cabling.
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Potential applications for CT hot include the following.
* Ovens, dryers, heat treatment lines in the metal and glass industries, paper, plastic, textiles and semiconductor manufacturing.
* The control of drying and finishing processes of textile fabric, carpet, paper, cardboard, corrugated paper, plasterboard sheets, timber and plastic scompounds.
* Multiple CT hot sensors can be used inside heat treatment lines with several process chambers to measure temperatures of the web or fabric at different points over the length and width.
The benefits for the user are that information can be obtained about the drying curve of the material, moisture content, non-uniform application of coatings and bonding.
Engineers can optimise energy consumption, speed and product quality, by reducing the process temperature once the product is at its desired temperature.
The narrow beam optics on the CT hot enables oblique aiming, which means the user can now measure thick fabrics or light fabrics (e g, curtains) using the same sensor without any calibration adjustment.
Micro-Epsilon also gave th example of heat treatment lines.
These are often built inside a machine in a very compact design, in order to optimise process efficiencies.
In these applications, sighting tubes for temperature sensors can no longer be positioned outside the process chamber.
Compact, non-contact, infrared sensors are therefore required inside the chamber itself.
The CT hot with a compact head and no requirement for additional cooling, fits easily into the restricted space.
General manager at Micro-Epsilon Optris, Ulrich Kienitz, said: "In textile or fabric drying processes, for example, companies can position multiple CT hot sensors along the inside of an oven or drying machine, which is typically around 30m in length.
The sensors are able to monitor the temperature of a complete sheet or strip of fabric.
By analysing the data from the sensors and looking for unusually high temperature gradients and fluctuations, operators can gauge the humidity of the material and change the process operating conditions such as speed".
* Competing sensors - competing sensors generally use a much lower optical resolution, said Micro-Epsilon.
The CT hot offers selectable 10:1 and 2:1 optics, whereas most competing sensors use 1:1 or less.
The CT hot also has a faster response time (30ms) compared to other sensors, which typically offer response times in seconds.
Having a smaller head size is another key advantage for the CT hot when it comes to installing the sensors inside restricted spaces.
Another key advantage of the CT hot sensor over competing sensors is that it measures temperature of materials at an oblique angle, around 20 to 30 deg to the material.
As Kienitz explained to manufacturingtalk.com: "No re-calibration adjustment for the emissivity of different fabrics or materials is necessary. Request a free brochure from Micro-Epsilon UK ...
By viewing different thicknesses of material at a angle rather than head on, the CT hot sensor creates a homogenous emissivity area to be measured, which makes temperature measurements faster, more reliable and more accurate.".
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