Low-Cost triaxial MEMS capacitive accelerometer module family

Silicon Designs, model 2445 series, a family of single-ended low-noise analog MEMS capacitive accelerometer modules, designed to support a variety of low-to-medium frequency triaxial measurement requirements.

The rugged design of the model 2445 features three orthogonally mounted low-noise MEMS capacitive sensing elements, packaged in a nitrogen-damped, epoxy sealed lightweight aluminum housing, finished with a ±5V single ended output. The outputs are referenced to external ground. Units are available with individual standard measurement ranges from ±2 g to ±400 g, with all designed for reliable operation over a temperature range of -55°C to +125°C. Non-standard units with enhanced measurement and temperature ranges, as well as alternative housings and outputs, are available upon request. The model 2445 features a six-wire connection with an instrumentation amplifier on each axis, for higher drive capability and low-impedance output. Both on-board voltage regulation and an internal voltage reference eliminate the need for precision power supplies and help ensure low power consumption. In addition, the model 2445 is relatively insensitive to temperature changes and gradients. Units respond to both DC and AC acceleration.

All model 2445 modules are shipped from the factory fully calibrated, each serialized for traceability, with all products manufactured in the USA.

For further information about the new model 2445 or other Silicon Designs products, view website: www.silicondesigns.com 

Relocation reflects ompany's rapid sales growth and development objectives

Silicon Designs, Inc. a global industry leader in the design, development and manufacture of industrial-grade MEMS capacitive accelerometer chips and modules, has successfully relocated its world headquarters to a 59,000 square foot sales, engineering and manufacturing facility, located at 13905 Northeast 128th Street, Kirkland, Washington, USA.

Originally built in 2002, the new Silicon Designs global corporate headquarters includes a $1 million USD custom renovation, including substantial investments in capital equipment, toward creation of a state-of-the-art in-house MEMS fabrication facility. This includes 4,000 square feet of fully dedicated clean room manufacturing space.  The facility enhancements will allow for continued addition of staff and technology, in response to growing customer and industry demand for Silicon Designs products, while allowing the company to keep pace with its aggressive sales growth objectives.  A formal facility grand opening is scheduled for June, 2012.

Silicon Designs' world headquarters is a 59,000 square foot sales, engineering and manufacturing facility, located  in Kirkland, Washington, USA.

Founded in 1983, the privately held Silicon Designs specializes in the design, development and manufacture of highly rugged industrial grade capacitive accelerometers with integrated amplification. As the OEM of its own MEMS-based accelerometer chips and modules, Silicon Designs is able to ensure quality, offer custom design and still keep prices highly competitive. Carefully regulated manufacturing processes ensure that each sensor is consistently made to be virtually identical, allowing users to swap out modules with little or no testing modifications, saving both time and resources.  This also allows test engineers to provide a quick plug-and-play solution for most any application with total trust in the accuracy of sensors used within published specifications.

The company also continues to expand its sales representation network, particularly within the oil and gas market.

For further information on Silicon Designs products and partnership opportunities, view website: www.silicondesigns.com

Versatile direct operating gas pressure regulator series

The BelGAS division of Marsh Bellofram offer its Type P133, a versatile direct operating pressure regulator, designed with high-performance gas monitoring and reduction capabilities within industrial and residential environments.

The Type P133 provides a wide range of pressure capabilities within a single regulator, from 2" of water column up to 10 psig, the compact Marsh Bellofram Type P133 reduces the effects of supply pressure changes on output pressure via a balanced diaphragm design for accurate control.  With user selection of appropriate options, the regulator can be further utilized in either low- or high-pressure applications. Units are designed to reliably operate over a temperature range of -20° to +150°F (-29° to +66°C). In addition, the bubble-tight shut-off feature makes the Type P133 ideal for use with residential and light industrial heaters and industrial burners, as a reliable means of supplying gas to furnaces, burners, light industrial heaters and other appliances. No seat-to-seat adjustment is required.

For further information about the Type P133 direct operating gas pressure regulator or other pressure regulator products available from the BelGAS division of Marsh Bellofram, view website: www.marshbellofram.com  Refer to page 396

King-Gage® Marine and Offshore Tank Level and Draft Monitoring System

Marsh Bellofram Corporation has introduced the King-Gage® LP3™ Marine System, a complete tank liquid level and vessel draft measurement solution, designed to ensure continuous high-accuracy monitoring of multiple service and ballast water tanks within marine and offshore environments.

Available in 8-, 16-, 24- and 32-tank configurations, the King-Gage® LP3™ Marine System is supplied with all necessary measurement modules, signal conditioning, data acquisition and network communications links for high-accuracy, high repeatability tank level measurement and readout capabilities. When used along with two-wire level sensors, hydrostatic pressure or D/P transmitters, supplied LP3™ analog input modules provide complete 4-20 mA sensor transmitter signal loop processing, with signal scaling of specific tank geometries for the accurate calculation of a volumetric measurement. The processor references a capacity profile to correlate transmitter output with actual tank geometer, and formats directly as total weight or liquid volume.  The system further serves as its own power supply and external excitation source. With level calculations made on the basis of hydrostatic liquid depth pressure, the system measures total product mass for precise material accounting. An intuitive LCD color touch screen displays transmitter outputs and is housed within a corrosion resistant NEMA-rated stainless steel enclosure or flush mounted remote panel.

Featuring its own built-in onboard web server, King-Gage® LP3™ Marine System software is designed for ease of use, providing a high degree of security, with three levels of password data security access for local or remote administrative functions. Network access further extends LP3™ system functionality with remote monitoring and control achievable via Ethernet and digital serial communications ports, or using any standard PC with Internet browser.  

The King-Gage® LP3™ Marine System allows a user to simultaneously view inventory levels for up to 24 tanks with dynamic horizontal bar graphs representing percent of full status. A concise listing by tank name, service designation, and current level affords quick status review during loading or refueling. Up to eight graphic tank view representations may be displayed concurrently on each screen. A simple bar graph icon conveys tank level status at a glance, while total volumetric or mass is digitally displayed. Drill down details via the color touch screen allows quick access to details, including engineering unit selections, tank capacity and communications status. Configuration settings are readily visible from each tank detail screen.  Display of King-Gage® LP3™ Marine System configurations are stored in Flash memory, while application data is further isolated within a non-volatile RAM data page.  LP3™ can also receive tank level data from remote King-Gage® LP2 digital indicators via a RS485 serial port. The two-wire multi-drop communications scheme provides local readout with less cabling, making the system ideal for use in engine room environments.

For further information, view website: www.marshbellofram.com  Refer to page 396

Smart multisensor metrology system boasts
impressive measurement capacity despite small footprint

OGP, the Derbyshire based supplier of coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) for smart metrology, offer its CNC 670 multisensor smartscope system to the UK and Europe. The machine is the biggest in the company's range to date and its impressive XYZ range means it's even capable of measuring components as large as an automotive engine block. Despite its remarkable size, the intelligent use of space in the mechanical design of the system means it retains a relatively small footprint.

Other suitable applications include medical component manufacture, pharmaceuticals and plastics, aerospace, military engineering and scientific measurement. In addition, the CNC 670 is ideal for measuring large electronic components such as flat panel displays and masks or fixed arrays or assemblies of smaller parts.

The CNC 670's multisensory measurement capacity makes it highly adaptable. In addition to the video measurement, there is the option to combine laser and/or touch probe technology. Each sensor performs a different measurement function and the combination of all three in a single package means that the end user can save time, increase accuracy and consolidate all quality processes into one automatic procedure. It also cuts down on the required production space and keeps capital expenditure and maintenance bills manageable by using only one machine.

The CNC 670 is fitted with a large magnification 12:1 range zoom lens that calibrates itself automatically after each magnification change. It also features a stable granite bridge that provides excellent metrological stability across the entire X-axis, while dual Y axis scales assure high accuracy and repeatability. The DC motor and drive package provides XY travel of 200 mm/sec. As a result, the system is able to produce accurate and repeatable measurements in a short space of time and within the constraints created by the manufacturing workflow.

LED illumination, including green back light, white coaxial TTL surface light and OGP patented programmable SmartRing™ lights, means that the CNC 670 can address most lighting needs with ease. Optional measurement software provides 3D capability with full sensor and rotary integration.

"The marching army cost of products manufactured inaccurately can add up very quickly," explained Chris Fulton, technical engineer at OGP. "The cost calculation of getting it wrong is the cost of manufacturing the product first time around plus the cost of replacing or correcting the first batch and the lost income that results from not being able to manufacture something else why you are correcting your mistake. This is before one even considers the cost of borrowing whilst not being paid and the potential loss of business. It gets more and more expensive the more errors you make," continued Fulton. 

"As a result OGP recognises the inherent value of accurate measuring technology in the manufacturing process and strives to supply innovative products that achieve it with ever increasing efficiency. The Smartscope CNC 670 is a prime example," concluded Fulton.

For further information, view website: www: http://www.ogpuk.com  or e-mail: chrisf@ops-uk.com or Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ogpuk