Board connector.

Samtec has released its 1.0 mm vertical compression mount board connector, the 100-CM Series. Designed for next-generation millimeter-wave test and measurement applications for W-band and into D-band (DC to 120 GHz), the 100-CM’s wide performance margin delivers greater reliability, precision, and repeatability through upper-limit frequencies without having to transition to complex waveguides or more expensive 0.8 mm equipment.

The solderless compression mount design enables field-replaceable functionality and layout flexibility by allowing the connector to be used in a range of PCB locations. Unlike soldered board interfaces, compression mount technology helps simplify installation, replacement, and evaluation while supporting repeatable millimeter wave performance.

Another key differentiator of Samtec’s 100-CM Series compression-mount interconnect is its alignment features. Alignment grooves milled into the connector foot, paired with fiducials on the PCB, ensure the alignment pin is centered on the landing pad. This precise positional accuracy facilitates peak connector performance and optimal signal integrity. Performance is specified at a VSWR of 1.25:1 from DC to 40 GHz, 1.4:1 from 40 GHz to 110 GHz, and 1.6:1 from 110 GHz to 120 GHz, including microstrip PCB launch.

Samtec 1.0 mm vertical compression mount jacks mate with 1.0 mm low-loss flexible microwave cable assemblies, including Samtec’s proprietary and highly stable-over-flexure Nitrowave® cables (LL095 and LL110 Series). Nitrowave cable’s novel construction, including a Dynamic Performance Layer (DPL), supports reliable, repeatable measurements in demanding lab environments.

At millimeter-wave frequencies, connector launch design becomes increasingly critical. Samtec offers signal integrity support, including board launch optimization, e-field simulation, and 3D modeling, to help ensure maximum system performance. Contact RFgroup@samtec.com for RF launch optimization and design support.

The extended frequency range of Samtec’s 100-CM connectors provides engineers additional margin when developing and validating advanced RF, microwave, and high-speed digital systems.

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@SamtecInc  @TechWireIntl #Electronics #PAuto

Compressor booster performance.

 An advanced test cell has been developed to monitor the functionality and performance of a compressor manufacturer’s compression boosters prior to dispatch. Humidity measurement represents a key element of the testing procedure and the company’s engineers have therefore deployed the latest Indigo-compatible, plug-and-play Vaisala humidity and temperature probe HMP4. Developed specifically for high pressure applications, the HMP4 is ideal for applications of this nature.

Vaisala’s Marc Mangelschots says: “The new Vaisala Indigo family takes industrial measurement to a new level, with interchangeable probes, smart transmitters and Indigo Insight PC software; helping users to streamline their processes and make more informed and timely decisions.”

The boosters are compact, transportable diesel driven piston compressors that increase air pressure from a 25 bar input pressure to a 350 bar discharge pressure. The boosters are supplied to customers around the world in rental, service industry and well drilling applications. Their popularity is due to their transportability, reliability, ease of use, compact footprint, safety and efficiency. 

Humidity is an important factor in the performance of compressors because the compression of atmospheric air causes the condensation of water in the compressed air line. Drying is therefore necessary, and the techniques for removing moisture from compressed air include cooling plus separation, over-compression, membranes, absorption and adsorption drying.

Explaining the role and importance of the humidity and temperature probes in the test cell, Marc says: “The HMP4 humidity probes are used to measure moisture content in both the suction and discharge air. This allows the operators to estimate the performance of the booster at different humidity levels and to evaluate the water separation efficiency of the water scrubbers on the booster. These measurements also enable estimation of the heat load on the booster coolers, which is derived from condensation during intercooling.

“The test cell therefore performs a vital role in ensuring the quality, reliability and performance of the boosters. This is especially important because our client’s customers frequently operate in remote locations where reliability and low maintenance requirements are essential.”

Designed to operate under high pressure, the Vaisala Humidity and Temperature Probe HMP4 is usually deployed in industrial applications involving high pressures and where measurement performance and stability are essential. In common with Vaisala’s other humidity sensors, the HMP4 sensor offers a number of major advantages including long-term stability and insensitivity to condensation, dirt and most chemicals. 

The probe employs Vaisala’s HUMICAP® technology, which is a capacitive thin-film polymer sensor consisting of a substrate with a thin film of polymer deposited between two conductive electrodes, which electrically forms a capacitor. The sensing surface is coated with a porous metal electrode to allowing the humidity to freely move into the active polymer. The thin-film polymer either absorbs or releases water vapor as the relative humidity changes, and this alters the dielectric properties of the polymer film and thereby the capacitance of the sensor, which is converted into a humidity reading. Humidity measurement accuracy is ±0.8%RH, and temperature accuracy is ±0.1 °C.

Vaisala is the original innovator of the thin-film capacitive humidity measurement technology, which has become the industry standard in humidity measurement. In fact, this Vaisala technology has been employed by a variety of space agencies. NASA, for example, used it on missions to Mars, and famously in 2015, enabled the Mars Science Laboratory, the Curiosity rover, to find the first traces of ancient water on Mars.

The HMP4 is one of Vaisala’s latest smart, plug-and-play probes, and is compatible with the Indigo series of transmitters. Conveniently, for field calibration, device analytics, and configuration functionality, the probe can be connected directly to a PC through Vaisala Insight PC Software.

The HMP4 probe can be used as a stand-alone measurement instrument through the Modbus RTU interface. However, the test cell has been fitted with the Vaisala Indigo520 Transmitter. Marc says: “In this application the most important feature of the Indigo520 transmitter is the digital communication that is used to send data to our automated data acquisition system.

“The accuracy and reliability of the sensors is of paramount importance, but particularly useful additional feature of the probes is their LED-indicator (green/red/blinking) which allows for easy troubleshooting during test cell start-up.”

@VaisalaGroup @_Enviro_News #Manufacturing #Pauto

Submersible load cells!

“The DDEN series of submersible load cells was originally developed for a marine customer in Italy to measure precise mooring tension of buoys in the sea, as part of a wave energy research project. The DDENs compact design, IP68 submersible sealing and stainless steel construction made it ideal for use in this application and in numerous applications since then.” Peter Lewis Managing Director of Applied Meausurements.

"Don’t wait for better weather to do your tension and compression monitoring, use our DDEN series of submersible load cells. High humidity environments and flood risk locations are no match for this load cell."  With its IP68 fully submersible rating and robust stainless steel construction, it can accurately measure tension and compression down to 10m underwater (with greater depths available on request). The DDEN’s electrical termination is a tough IP68 multi-core cable connected through an IP68 cable gland, which further supports its fully submersible sealing.

Compact
The DDEN series of submersible load cells are unique in their compactness over their wide capacity range of 250N up to 50kN. Even at the top end of the capacity rating, the unit dimensions do not change – with a diameter of just 44mm and a length of 65mm. Along with its compact size, the DDEN submersible load cells also come with integral male threads for in-line mounting. Its compact size and in-line mounting enables the load cells to be installed in a wide variety of applications where conventional load cells such as s-beams will not fit. The image below shows our miniature ICA amplifiers fitted inside the DDEN submersible load cell. These miniature ICA amplifiers give a direct amplified output from the sensor, offering outputs in; 0-5Vdc, 0-10Vdc, 4-20mA and ±10Vdc. The DDEN submersible load cell is then sealed with ‘O’ rings to allow for permanent use underwater whilst still maintaining its compact size.

Low Deflection and High Natural Frequency/Applications
In addition, the DDEN’s low deflection and high natural frequency also makes the load cell perfect for cable tension monitoring, marine and offshore applications, mooring lines, hydrodynamic and materials testing. We are pleased to have seen the DDEN series of submersible load cells being used in a number of other applications too such as mast stays on racing yachts, which must be kept tuned to a very high level at all times.

Customisation Available
This fantastically flexible DDEN submersible load cell can be customised to suit your specific application from thread length, spherical seating rod end bearings, female adaptors, cable length, various analogue outputs such as millivolt, 4-20mA, 0-10Vdc and greater submersible depths.

Peter Lewis continues: “We can customise the DDEN series of submersible load cells for specific applications, whilst still offering the customers the same lead time as our standard range.”

Strain rings are overload-safe and save time

With the strain ring series DSRC, Baumer offers flexible solutions for measuring cyclical processes such as tension, compression, and torque. The strain rings offer a good repeatability of 0.1 per cent F.S. Based on the patented STRAIN-MATE principle, the measuring elements of the sensor invariably function in the force shunt circuit, so the sensors cannot be overloaded. Due to their rugged mechanics, the strain rings of the DSRC series are practically indestructible and thus have a very long service life. As the rings can be screwed on, there is no need for surface preparation before installation. Compared to bonded sensors, this quick and easy installation saves significant amounts of time and money.

All strain rings of the DSRC series have a measuring range of ± 1000 microstrains, with 1 microstrain equal to a strain of 0.001 millimetres per metre of shaft. The output signal per 1000 microstrains is 1 mV/V with completed full bridge. In addition to their good repeatability of 0.1 per cent F.S., DSRC strain rings feature a total combined error of < 1 per cent F.S. and a rise time (on steel) of < 1 millisecond.

DSRC AX is a version with an axial connector, while the other products of the series come with a radial connector. All DSRC strain rings are made of anodised aluminium, with a protective foil of stainless steel, and comply with protection class IP54.

The strain rings of the DSRC series measure surface strain on axles, beams, and cylinders. Applications include measuring the clamping force in injection moulding and pressure casting machines, presses, or dies. Strain rings are also frequently used for calibrating these machines.