Technical Articles
Technical article: developing turbine oils beyond RPVOT downloadweblink
The selection of a turbine oil that performs under the most demanding conditions of peak and base load applications has a direct impact on the reliability and profitability of a power generation operation. Unplanned outages from lubrication failures result in costly downtime and possible equipment damage. However, according to Exxonmobil, it is difficult to accurately evaluate the performance of turbine oil in service from basic laboratory test results.
White paper: trench-etched resonant pressure sensor — TERPS downloadweblink
High-precision pressure sensors based on resonating techniques have been manufactured for many years but use large transducer components and often have unwieldy media isolation techniques. This paper from GE Measurement and Control presents a MEMS resonant pressure transducer (RPT) that is produced using a flexible fabrication route to allow pressure ranges from 1 bar to 700 bar in fully oil-isolated hermetic packages without compromising sensor performance. The key aspects of the fabrication ..
Technical article: to heat or not to heat — that is the question downloadweblink
The argument over the pros and cons of whether or not to install heated water safety showers has possibly run its course with the ANSI.Z358.1-2009 standard now recommending 15 minutes of tepid water drench time for all emergency showers. However, with safety officers and purchasing/facility managers mindful of the fact that it is no longer an option to give their workforce cold water safety showers direct from the mains, the right decision is difficult to make about what safety equipment ...
White paper: analysis of artifact calibration effectiveness for a multifunction calibrator downloadweblink
An analysis of as-found, as-left and production data for a large sample (more than 250) of multifunction calibrators from a few months old to more than six years old shows that the instrument is generally very conservatively specified and that artifact calibration does return the instrument to essentially the same level of accuracy it had when manufactured.
Technical article: characteristics of universal limit switches for liquids downloadweblink
Limit switches for liquids are used throughout process engineering as standard. For economic reasons, it is recommended that all technical solutions should be reduced to one universal measurement principle. In this article from Endress and Hauser, the requirements of such a universal limit switch are discussed and summarised using a vibronic limit switch as an example.
Application note: fast charge circuits for nickel cadmium batteries downloadweblink
According to Linear Technology, the safe, fast charging of nickel cadmium (NiCad) batteries is required for many applications. A short charge time requires high current. A potential difficulty with high-current charging is battery heating. Excessive internal heating degrades the battery and can cause gas venting to the outside atmosphere. Fast charge schemes based on monitoring cell voltage during charge suffer because cell voltage is not necessarily indicative of the battery’s charge ...
White paper: medical device used in minimal invasive surgery uses Bürkert gas control unit downloadweblink
Minimal invasive surgery (MIS) offers patients many advantages and is constantly being further developed. With the help of insufflators, which make it possible to raise the abdominal wall in specific areas by pumping CO2, MIS is now possible in places formerly considered unsuitable for this surgical method. For use in such devices, Bürkert has developed a new generation of gas control units that are compact, lightweight and cost effective.
White paper: industrial vending solutions help a planet — one dispense at a time downloadweblink
Industrial vending systems — such as Apex Supply Chain Technologies’ Edge 5000 or Edge Autostore — allow manufacturers to eliminate waste and redundancy while reducing the use of raw materials, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This white paper presents a common scenario proving the environmental credentials and benefits of industrial vending systems.
White paper: analysis of solid tantalum capacitor leakage current downloadweblink
The leakage current of a solid tantalum capacitor is the sum of several independent factors. From measurements of leakage over a range of test conditions, some degree of separation of these components of the current can be achieved and so the relative importance of factors leading to high leakage can be assessed. There is a background level present directly related to dielectric absorption and it contributes to the loss factor of the capacitor. It is not a true leakage. On top of this ...
Technical article: 10 points to consider when choosing a laser welding system download
Purchasing a laser welding system for the first time can be tricky. How do you know that you are talking to the right companies? Do they have the best system for your application? This technical article from Rofin-Baasel is intended to simplify the selection process.
White paper: a guide to selecting electrically conductive adhesives downloadweblink
As electronic circuits become more complex, engineers are finding new ways to assemble and package them. As this paper from Master Bond explains, electrically conductive adhesives provide durable bonds with conductive paths to suit a variety of electronics applications. They can be engineered to combine bond strength and electrical conductivity with other service-critical properties.
Technical article: high-efficiency elevator buckets — modern vs traditional design downloadweblink
According to 4B Braime Elevator Components, an elevator bucket is no longer just an elevator bucket. Recent advances in design technology have brought the advent of the modern high-efficiency centrifugal discharge elevator bucket. High-efficiency elevator buckets push the traditional limits of carrying capacity, input flow and discharge, construction materials and diminished shipping space.
Technical article: grease — its components and characteristics downloadweblink
Depending on the application, grease can present several benefits over fluid lubrication. Greases provide a physical seal preventing contamination ingress, resist the washing action of water and can stay in place in an application even in vertically mounted positions. Greases are suitable for applications where relubrication is infrequent or economically unjustifiable, due to the physical configuration of the mechanism, the type of motion, the type of sealing or the need for the lubricant ...
White paper: supplying high-quality parts for fuel-cell test stands from one source downloadweblink
The basic principle of the fuel cell is simple, yet its power spectrum is more than convincing: fuel cells are highly efficient, low in emissions and virtually noise free. Before affordable, commercially viable fuel-cell systems can be produced, however, intensive research and development efforts are needed. Test stands for the analysis of entire fuel-cell systems or single components such as bipolar plates or membrane electrode assemblies play a key part in this process. Bürkert Fluid ...
White paper: solder pad geometry studies for surface mount of chip capacitors downloadweblink
Solder pad geometry for surface mounting chip capacitors has been examined visually for three types of defects. Visual defects observed as a function of solder pad geometry were opens, misalignment of chips (rotation) and drawbridges. Geometry of the solder pads was seen to play an important role in the visual defects observed. Of particular importance were the overlap of the pad and the capacitor, the width of solder pads and the extension of the solder pad outside the capacitor (in ...
Technical article: peristaltic pumps play key role in rectifying pH balance of mine water
Technical article: Solartron Metrology focuses on laser triangulation for linear measurement
Technical note: thermal-imaging cameras — a fast and reliable tool for testing solar panels
Technical article: refrigeration lubricant selection for industrial systems
Application note: Linear Technology discusses step-down switching regulators
White paper: dielectric response analysis and PD testing of HV bushings
White paper: monitored cooling for robot spot welding units
White paper: ELM security system — electronic locking and monitoring
Technical article: Fronius looks at thermal welding processes in shipbuilding sector
White paper: surface-mount zero-defect design check list
Technical guide: basic hygrometry principles from GE Sensing
Technical guide: Sierra Instruments focuses on clean energy technologies
Technical article: thermal imaging enables effective identification of solar cell defects
Technical article: food waste disposal and anaerobic digestion
Technical article: radiometric measurement technology for maximum safety and reliability
Application note: Fluke UK investigates the costs of poor power quality
White paper: reliable moisture determination in power transformers
Technical article: EMKA's locking technology update — April 2013
Technical article: why uninterruptible power supplies are in such demand
White paper: Bürkert technology aids the development of Plasmajet virtual scalpel
White paper: SMD tantalum capacitors break limit of 200°C for continuous operation
White paper: understanding machine vision verification of 1D and 2D barcodes
White paper: understanding the role of auto ID in the FDA’s UDI initiative
White paper: eight tips for optimal machine vision lighting
White paper: Microscan evaluates barcode reading technologies
Tutorial: overview of sensor signal paths
Technical article: improved possibilities for testing of line differential protection
White paper: pre-parameterisation of control systems facilitates their commissioning
Technical article: UPS applications and selecting uninterruptible power supplies
Technical article: nozzle spray coverage
White paper: AVX discusses surface-mount ceramic resonators
Tutorial: Maxim Integrated Products provides overview of industrial motor control systems
Application note: coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microspectrometer
Application note: Linear Technology focuses on high-efficiency linear regulators
Product overview: step-by-step selection process for three-ball rotary solenoids
Technical article: Omicron demonstrates time saving and simplification of protection testing
Application note: Fluke explores the hidden cost of 'low-cost' calibrations
Tutorial: LEDs for general lighting — what they offer and their design in retrofit lamps
Technical article: power solutions guide from Critical Power Supplies
Technical article: key considerations when measuring droplet size
White paper: innovative valve body concepts simplify design of complex valve interfaces
Technical article: general guide to machining nickel-iron alloys
White paper: reliability management of tantalum capacitors
White paper: improving process efficiency in plastic processing using new valve concept
White paper: AVX discusses the ripple rating of tantalum chip capacitors