Integration creates new process automation entity!

Fluke Corporation is integrating its Raytek, Ircon, and Datapaq product lines into a new brand: Fluke Process Instruments. All three companies have been part of the Fluke Corporation portfolio for some time.

"Fluke Process Instruments combines more than 125 years of experience in pioneering new technologies into one integrated company," said Fluke Process Instruments General Manager Ankush Malhotra. "By joining the three companies under a single brand, we can improve our communications and accelerate our product innovation. We are proud of the legacy these brands bring and will continue to grow them as Fluke Process Instruments."

Raytek, Ircon, and Datapaq branded products include a complete line of rugged and dependable infrared sensors, line scanners, thermal imagers, and temperature profiling systems for use in harsh, high-temperature industrial manufacturing environments. The company has launched a new website, and will operate all related global activities under the new corporate name.

20-channel temperature logger.

The new DATAPAQ® TP3 data logger provides more measurement channels, connectivity options, and ease of use for profiling and surveying in high-temperature heat treatment applications. With a ±0.3 °C (0.5 °F) accuracy, the all-new logger surpasses the most stringent requirements.

"We have worked towards this exciting launch for two years," states Elie El Choueiry, Furnace and Kiln Product Manager at Datapaq Ltd. "Compared to our previous, successful heat treatment solution TPAQ21, the new DATAPAQ TP3 provides even more detailed insight into high-temperature processes. It is more resilient and includes numerous new features, such as full connectivity including Bluetooth, fully certified TUS capability for AMS 2750E and CQI-9, integrated correction and calibration functions, and flexible charging with multiple battery options."

The new series comprises 20- and 10-channel loggers that store up to 3.6 million data points. One logger can perform up to ten measurement runs before data download. Thermal and ingress protection have been enhanced to ensure optimal performance in extreme applications, such as vacuum brazing, aluminum solution reheat, and water or gas quench. The DATAPAQ TP3 logger is being released along with new, durable thermal barriers for use with the industry-specific temperature profiling systems from Datapaq: Furnace Tracker® for metal-working, Kiln Tracker® for ceramics, and Oven Tracker® AutoPaq® for premium paint cure processes in the automotive OEM assembly market. Each profiling solution includes Insight™ analysis software and thermocouples tailored to the application.

Real-time data export via OPC and enhanced usability!

Datapaq has released its Insight Software version 7.3 with enhanced features for temperature profiling and analysis in all kinds of industrial heating processes. Insight now supports the real-time export of data via OPC ("Open Platform Communications"). OPC is an industrial automation standard that allows communication between a data source (the OPC server) and a software application (the OPC client). The data may include process data and records of alarms and events.

Responding to customer feedback, Datapaq adds many new features that make thermal profiling easier and more efficient.

With Insight acting as an OPC server, data can be passed directly from the logger to a user's own preferred OPC-client process-management application, thereby assisting with live process control and enhancing productivity. The software update furthermore introduces user-friendly tools to the industry-specific Food Insight and Oven Insight versions that support process optimization, helping users set up heating and cooling processes and adapt parameters without repeated trial runs.

Ten thermocouple channel model for glass tempering!

Datapaq is extending its Furnace Tracker product range with the addition of a new ten thermocouple channel model, designed specifically for use in low height furnaces. The data logger stores up to 18,000 readings per channel at intervals from 0.05 seconds to 10 minutes. Ceramic coated and laser welded, the 29mm (1.14in) high thermal barrier ensures long operational life.

The ten and four channel Furnace Tracker systems for glass tempering furnaces accurately measure temperatures from all types of glass, including hard and soft-coated low-E glass. Thus, users can optimize cycle times and reduce energy costs. The accompanying user-friendly software features comprehensive analysis and archiving functions and enables users to see quickly and easily what is really happening inside the furnace.

In-process temperature profiling for glass tempering furnaces

Datapaq has announced the first temperature profiling system designed specifically for glass tempering processes. It uses thermocouples to take measurements from the glass sheet while passing through the tempering furnace. The Furnace Tracker system for glass tempering furnaces accurately measures temperatures from all types of glass, including hard and soft-coated low-E glass. Thus, users can optimize cycle times and reduce energy costs.

The system includes a choice of fast response type-K thermocouples that can be cemented to the glass sheet under test. Up to four thermocouples are attached to a DQ1840 data logger, which records detailed temperature profiles. The logger is protected from the heat of the furnace by a low-height thermal barrier designed especially for glass tempering furnaces. The TB7528 thermal barrier measures a mere 1.14in/29mm in height with a 17 x 9in/430mm x 220mm footprint.

The nickel-chromium alloy and state-of-the-art welding technologies used in the construction of this thermal barrier ensure long operational life. All external surfaces have a ceramic coating that both reflects infrared heat and prevents metal contact with the furnace rollers, thereby minimizing heat absorption. Comprehensive analysis and archiving software also enables data export to other Windows® compatible programs.

Temperature profiling success stories online

Datapaq® has just digitally published Application Success Stories, an online anthology of end-user case studies describing the successful usage of Datapaq in-process temperature profiling products and systems in a broad range of industrial applications.

A sampling of the applications discussed in the digital publication includes: drying of contact paste in solar cell manufacturing, measuring the temperature profile of the drying/curing process of foundry feeding sleeves, HACCP validation for large cooked hams, and surveying multiple measurement points in the production of sterile silicone breast implants. A number of stories are also included for applications in the automotive industry.

Each success story presents a situational question, and details the solution and benefits achieved through implementation. The publication is available on the Datapaq website www.datapaq.com and can be viewed online on a computer or mobile device, and downloaded for later reading. In addition, Datapaq is running a special offer for new success stories submitted by end-users and published on the website. Visit our website to learn more.

Arlene Lucas-Starrh, Senior Global Marketing Communications Manager commented, "We are pleased to make these success stories available to those searching for a solution to their temperature profiling application. These are real customer experiences with our products, and users in similar circumstances will be able to find an answer that is relevant to their needs."

Temperature profiler's new website!

Datapaq®, has launched a new website. The new website provides quick and intuitive access to its versatile product line, as well as extensive resources for customers with demanding heating processes in industrial coatings, high-temperature heat treatment, electronics assembly, solar photovoltaic manufacturing, food production and kiln firing.

According to Nigel Fearn, General Manager for Datapaq, "The new enhancements will insure a superior and informative user experience for our visitors. Development and creation of the new content has taken nearly a year to complete, but we feel the new application-driven content will help guide visitors to the temperature profiling solutions best suited for their industry or need." Simplified site navigation and a new search capability make it quick and easy to find appropriate product or application information; software demonstration downloads allow visitors to "try before they buy"; and an online video library features examples of Datapaq products, as they would be used in various manufacturing environments.

Other website features include:

Product literature and software demo download availability in multiple languages
Convenient forms to request product or pricing information, product demos, or product service, repair and calibration
White papers and technical articles on temperature profiling in general, with industry-specific solutions
Datapaq news and events, including a schedule of tradeshow participation across the globe and the latest innovative new products
Employment portal accessing worldwide job opportunities within parent company Danaher

Datapaq plans to offer additional sites later this year, fully translated into German, French, Spanish and Chinese. Future website enhancements will include additional portal sites in Korean, Japanese and Italian.

"A worldwide leader in temperature profiling, Datapaq is an innovative, robust company with a secure future and long-term commitment to its customers and channel partners." On the new website, visitors can learn about The Datapaq Advantage. Datapaq is the preferred supplier of in-process temperature profiling solutions to the global industrial market, and is relied upon by thousands of satisfied customers to help maximize the potential of their industrial heating processes. Datapaq has the strength, knowledge and long-term experience to provide the best temperature profiling solution for a wide range of applications.

Temperature profiling

DATAPAQ, a Fluke company will present three new products for photovoltaic cell and module manufacturers at the 25th EU PVSEC in Valencia, Spain, 6th – 9th of September 2010. The new Datapaq products will also be displayed at Solarpeq/Glasstec exhibition in Düsseldorf, Germany, 28th of September – 1st of October 2010.

Datapaq designed the innovative SolarPaq systems to provide temperature-profiling solutions for the contact firing, anti-reflective coating and lamination processes. These operations are all key to the quality and performance of the photovoltaic cell and hence, module. The SolarPaq system travels through the furnace or thermal process, measuring a time temperature profile directly from the product.

The SolarPaq Anti-reflective Coating System provides temperature profiles from the solar cells as they pass through the silver nitride coating process. This is typically conducted using a plasma sputtering process and users can now for the first time monitor the cell temperature profile even with the plasma energized. This system has been designed so that it simply takes the place of one of the cells in the carrier, thus no modification is required to the expensive carrier.

Incorporating feedback from process engineers using this profiling system in contact firing furnaces, the SolarPaq Contact Firing Cell Clamp is paired with custom-designed thermocouple probes to ensure accurate and repeatable measurements—the foundation for any process optimization.

The SolarPaq Vacuum Lamination System is used to profile the final assembly stage of the solar modules. An all-new thermal barrier ensures that the data logger is protected from not only the heat of the lamination process, but also the external pressure that is applied. A unique external barrier frame eliminates the risk of any stress points being created on the vacuum membrane.

Routine temperature profiling gives you reliable data to optimize your process, prove process control and make corrections when required. By analyzing the profile you are able to verify products are of the highest quality, increase throughput, and solve production problems.