Lafarge, the world leader in building materials, is also the number one cement producer in the world. The company operates in 75 countries and employs over 75,000 people.

Producing cement is much like baking a cake. In order to produce the optimum batch of cement at the lowest cost, certain ingredients are required in specific amounts. These ingredients must then be mixed in a specific manner in the plant's raw feed mill and heated at exact temperatures in the pre-heaters and rotary kiln. Gypsum and other ingredients are then added to the cement mixture. If the ingredients are mixed too little or too long, or if the temperature is too low or high in the rotary kiln, the resulting batch may have imperfections. It also may have been more expensive to produce than necessary.

One challenge that Lafarge Cement had in making this process most efficient was getting reliable temperature measurement of their outside rotating kilns. Thermocouples in the kiln connected to indicators via slip rings gave poor performance as the slip-rings became dirty and worn. Maintenance costs and down-time of the kilns were high.

Lafarge solved this problem by using ELPRO's battery powered 905U-K wireless I/O units. The solution bypassed the problem slip-rings completely. The thermocouple connected to the 905U-K as an analog input via a local 2-wire temperature transmitter. The 905U-K is designed for ultra-low power consumption. The information is then transmitted to a 905U-1 which recreates the 4-20Ma signal for use in Lafarge's process control equipment. The user configures how often the wireless unit energizes its analog loop to take a measurement and transmit the value wirelessly. Lafarge designed their system for a 12-month battery life and change out the batteries (6 AA alkaline batteries) at every scheduled maintenance shut-down.

Weidmuller

The FOH201 is a compact and portable fiber optic handheld meter. This device provides absolute, accurate measurements complete with white light polarization interferometry technology which is patent pending. Designed to be paired with Omega's interferometric fiber optic sensors, the FOH201 is ideal for temperature, pressure, and strain measurements. The large LCD display is easily visible up close or at a distance, and the rugged casing and rubber boot provides protection against intensive handling and harsh environments. Recommended applications include temperature measurement in electrically noisy environments, including microwave manufacturing and testing.

OMEGA

The model 65HT-05 triaxial accelerometer is a miniature, high-temperature device packaged in a 10-mm cube of welded titanium construction and weighs only 5 grams. Using the latest in high-temperature device components and processes, its micro-electronic circuits are designed and built to specifically operate up to +175°C with a sensitivity of 0.5 mV/g. Suited for structural and component testing in a wide range of applications, its reduced size enables the test engineer or technician to measure the accelerations of three orthogonal axes of vibration simultaneously on lightweight structures with minimum mass loading effects.

Endevco

The LTT-Series TorqueLab is a new class of torque analyzers that offers portability, expandability and documentation control. Meeting the demands to test multiple torque ranges for various torque tools used in production, maintenance and calibration labs, the LTT features the new "EZ-Plug & Play" technology, which is an auto-recognition system with Mountz torque sensors. The LTT torque analyzer is designed for torque calibration, joint testing, auditing or for force and load measurement or verification of load cells. The "EZ-Plug & Play" feature facilitates and expedites the process of setting up and running tool tests, as well as the transfer, analysis and storage of test data for ISO/SPC documentation purposes.

Mountz, Inc.

The Series PTGA differential pressure piston-type gauge can be used to measure the pressure drop across filters, strainers, pump performance testing, and heat exchanger pressure drop monitoring. Its simple, rugged design possesses a weather and corrosion resistant gauge front with a shatter resistance lens. The Series PTGA contains a piston-sensing element, which provides differential pressure ranges from 0-150 PSID through 0-400 PSID with ASME Grade B accuracy. Constructed from aluminum or 316 stainless steel and available with two 1/4" FNPT end connections, the Series PTGA provides over-range protection rated to 5000 PSIG (340 bar).

Dwyer Instruments, Inc.

The DPG4000-KIT features the DP4000 digital gauge with a large, backlit, 5-digital display with 16.5mm digits, and 20-segment bar graph; a rugged stainless steel case that meets NEMA 4 (IP65) Rating, a pneumatic or hydraulic hand pump, and a selection of fittings and hose. A pneumatic pump is included in kits with ranges of 500 psi or below which are capable of generating 0 to 500 psi pressure or 0 to 28 inches of mercury vacuum. A hydraulic pump is included with kits for ranges of 1000 psi or higher. The DPG4000-KIT has a very high accuracy of +/-0.05% FS which makes it suitable for field calibration needs. This product is CE compliant.

OMEGA

Extech introduces its Heavy Duty Series of instruments, a new line of products specially designed to meet the needs of the HVACR industry. This durable series is comprised of four separate devices: the HD700/HD750, HD500, HD300 and HD200, most with optional IR Thermometer capabilities that are suitable for making non-contact temperature measurements for unsafe or hard to reach areas. The HD500 Psychrometer with IR Thermometer is a 3-in-1 combination meter with the functions of a humidity meter, Type K thermometer, and InfraRed thermometer.

Extech Instruments

The REED SST 882 is a portable, easy-to-use, compact-sized, digital infrared thermometer. A built-in laser pointer identifies target area, while backlighting illuminates display for taking measurements at night or in areas with low background light levels. Features include: overrange indicator, auto data hold (when trigger released) and auto shut off. Fixed 0.95 emissivity covers 90% of surface applications.

ITM Instruments Inc.

Dickson Compliance-Max™ calibrations combined with a Buddy System signup in the Dickson Calibration Club provides a means to demonstrate that instruments retain original operating specifications and that standard operating procedures ensure they do. Dickson Compliance-Max is the calibration method recommended for full ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 compliance and to maintain standards. Compliance-Max calibrations are A2LA-accredited NIST-Traceable 3-point calibrations that include both before and after calibration data. Dickson's Calibration Club is an automatic calibration reminder service for NIST-certified instruments of calibration schedules that must be followed to keep data loggers and chart recorders operating at original specifications. The new Buddy System option allows enrollees to include a co-worker for backup calibration reminders.

Dickson Company

The 10A Micro-Ohmmeter Model 6240 is a rugged, low resistance test er designed for both plant maintenance and field use. Utilizing a four-lead Kelvin method of testing, the unit accurately measures very low resistance within 0.25%. Resistance measurements are automatically calculated. The model 6240 has selectable test currents of 10A, 1A, 100mA and includes a polarity reversal function. The model 6240 is designed to conduct tests on both resistive and inductive material. Up to 99 measurements can be stored and printed directly to a printer or from a PC. The DataView® Software included allows you to configure the instrument, temperature compensate the test results, as well as, store data and print reports.

techniCAL Systems

The high-speed EyeCon™ 2000 laser line sensor provides system integrators with the technology to measure a wide surface area using a single Gigabit Ethernet connection. The EyeCon™ 2000 line sensor is not only designed for high frequency and accuracy measurement of mat surfaces and shiny black materials, such as rubber, but also for measuring thickness and width and profiling component preparation stock material. The sensor provides a profile rate of 4,000 samples per second. If the speed needs to be adjusted, the series provides a line laser profile rate of 2kHz for lower speed applications. Both profile rates are suitable for high production output at the rubber and tire factory.

LMI Technologies Inc.

most computer accessories. The tester comes standard with a 6-digit multimeter and 4-channel digital oscilloscope, five test loads, an 850VA AC power source and Intepro's PowerStar 5 software -- which makes design verification, production testing and repair of whole families of power supplies easy.

Intepro Systems America, LLC

Canadian Industrial Equipment News June 2008

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