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.

Website relaunch

A new website has just been released for the Ircon pyrometer brand. Sites in German, French, Spanish, and Chinese will follow shortly.

Established on the market since 1962, Ircon infrared pyrometers perform with accuracy and repeatability in the harshest and most volatile conditions, where precise temperature measurement and control is required.

The new website presents the wide range of Ircon products for non-contact temperature measurement in industrial processes. The application-driven content will help guide visitors to the temperature measurement solutions best suited for their industry or need. Users can quickly find the optimal infrared solution simply via their application in metals, glass, or plastics processing, in the manufacture of photovoltaic modules, the packaging or paper industry, and other areas.

The site also contains comprehensive information on temperature measurement via infrared technology, tutorials on specific applications; contact forms for pricing, service, and calibration requests; and hotline numbers for the international service network. Further information includes news, dates, events, and an employment portal for jobs within the Fluke Group.

Infrared linescanners & thermal imaging system

Advanced linescanning solution provides real-time thermal imaging in harsh industrial environments

Ircon® has introduced the ScanIR® 3 infrared linescanners and thermal imaging system. The ScanIR3 Series includes a choice of eight models that provide accurate, real-time thermal imaging in a wide variety of industrial applications, including continuous sheet and web-based processes, as well as discrete manufacturing.

Combined with Ircon ScanView™ Pro software, the scanner is designed for reliability and continuous operation in harsh industrial environments. Its robust housing incorporates standard water-cooling and air purge, and also features built-in laser sighting. A rugged processor box provides universal input and output (I/O) capabilities in the field without the need for an external computer.

It provides accurate, real-time thermal imaging in a wide variety of industrial applications and it has one of the fastest scan speeds in the industry and offers complete data about even the highest-speed manufacturing processes. Unlike point sensors that measure a single point, the linescanner measures multiple temperature points across a scan line. Its motorised mirror scans at rates up to 150 lines per second, allowing rapid detection of temperature non-uniformities and hot spots. Rotating optics collect infrared radiation at 1024 points within a 90-degree field of view, and industry-leading optical resolution (up to 200:1) enables detection of smaller temperature anomalies. A two-dimensional image is formed as the material moves across the linescanner's field-of-view.

The ScanIR3 system is exceptionally easy to deploy and manage: a single bundled sensing head cable with a one-click connector to the scanner allows for fast and trouble-free installation. The unit's processor box supports various industry interfaces, including Ethernet, fiber optics (optional), and analog/digital I/O.

In addition, the multifunctional software allows custom configuration of instruments operating parameters, and display of thermal images and temperature profiles on a standard personal computer (PC). This enables real-time thermal imaging for temperature monitoring, display and analysis-users can quickly detect a hot spot or non-uniformity before it becomes a problem. The software includes features to subdivide thermal images from the ScanIR3 linescanner into portions of specific interest. Temperatures in each portion can be processed for a certain math function, such as average, maximum, or minimum temperature. In case of a thermal defect, a fail-safe alarm is triggered and logged. The software also includes a movie playback function for stored thermal images.

For interfacing with other control systems, temperatures are available as current or voltage analog outputs by virtue of the analog output modules provided as an option with the processor box. No PC is necessary to provide these outputs. It is also possible to output temperature values in a network via an OPC or DDE server. Users can specify security passwords and access levels with multiple language support.

It is offered with an optional modular, high-temperature enclosure system specifically designed to protect the scanner from exposure to ambient temperatures up to 1994°F (1090°C). While protected in this enclosure, the linescanner can operate comfortably in high-temperature processes, such as those seen in manufacturing steel and other metals, as well as glass and a variety of minerals.

IR thermometer range extended

New features for a wider range of industrial applications

The IRCON Modline 7 series from Raytek, has been extended with two new infrared thermometers and a new processor box. The new 7V line has been especially designed for the semiconductor industry, while the 75 series now comes with a new high temperature model dedicated to heat treating & annealing.

Ircon’s Modline 7 Series includes eight specialized sensor lines for rugged applications. The new PROC-7 processor box enables remote configuration.

With these additions, the Modline 7 series includes eight distinct thermometer lines for various application fields including glass manufacturing and forming, ultra-thin glass production, semiconductor processing, and industrial furnaces. The modularity of the series helps users reduce installation efforts, since the installation hardware and application software is identical for all sensors and each model features an extended measured temperature range, with the entire series covering a -40..+3,000 °C range.

The common Windows ModView Pro software platform facilitates multiple product configurations. Users can set up and monitor sensors either via the rear panel of the sensor, the ModView Pro software included in delivery, or the new PROC-7 processor box. This optional self-contained control unit was designed to operate all Modline 7 sensors independent of ModView Pro software and enables remote sensor health check, for instance in hard-to-reach or hazardous locations.

The IP65 (NEMA 4) sealed sensor systems provide high-resolution optics, very good repeatability, and fast response times. The stainless steel enclosure integrates motorised focus control and both through-the-lens and laser sighting. The thermometer´s sensing head can operate as a stand-alone sensor, provid-ing simultaneous analog and digital outputs of process temperatures.

All sensors are available with integrated water cooling to handle ambient temperatures up to 175 °C or with a WJ-7 water jacket for ambient temperatures up to 315 °C. An optional air purge collar keeps the lens free of debris in hot dusty environments and avoids unwanted condensations on the lens due to intensive cooling.

Combined with an extended five year warranty, the Modline 7 provides best-in-class solutions for demanding industrial environments. With this completion of the Modline 7 Series Ircon provides continuation over several years of the very successful Ircon Modline family

Infrared sensors for semiconductor sector

Versatile sensor system meets a wider range of industrial application requirements and features extended five year warranty

Ircon has introduced the new 7V Series of infrared sensors to the Modline^®7. The new models provide solutions for the semiconductor industry and are one of eight in a series launched by Ircon earlier this year.

Combined with Ircon ModView™ Pro software and an extended five year warranty, the Modline 7 provides best-in-class solutions for demanding industrial environments. The new PROC-7 processor box allows full sensor operation through a push button panel and is part of a full line of accessories offered for the Modline 7 series thermometers.

The Modline 7 is a rugged, IP65 (NEMA 4) sealed sensor system with the flexibility to meet nearly any continuous temperature monitoring and control requirement. The thermometers are used in a wide range of industrial applications, including semiconductor manufacturing, metals processing, furnace refractory, primary and secondary glass, as well as plastics thermoforming.

It offers exceptional versatility with extended temperature ranges (-40° to 3000°C/5432°F), high-resolution optics and fast response times. The thermometer's sensing head can operate as a stand-alone sensor, providing simultaneous analog and digital outputs of process temperatures. Motorized focus control and both through-the-lens and laser sighting are standard on all units.

The new thermometer's intuitive sensor design features integral water-cooling in a stainless steel enclosure. The high-temperature water jacket with integrated air purge capability reduces installation and setup time and is intended for use in ambient temperatures up to 315°C/599°F. An optional air purge collar accessory enables the lens to be cooled and kept free of debris in hot dusty environments.

In addition, the unit's standardised installation accessories and common Windows ModView Pro software platform minimise multiple product configurations at the user's facility. Sensor setup and monitoring can be accomplished either from the rear panel of the instrument or from the ModView Pro software. This allows for remote PC-based sensor configuration, temperature monitoring, trending and archiving via an intuitive graphical user interface. For example, users can change the temperature display from degrees Fahrenheit to degrees Celsius, adjust emissivity levels, scale the range, focus the sensor, activate filters (e.g., peak hold, valley hold, and averaging) and save data for future reference or graphing.

Modline 7 Series thermometers use high-speed digital signal processors with an RS-485 serial data communications networking capability that supports up to 32 sensors. The ModView Pro software is included at no additional cost with all new Modline 7 Series thermometers.

Infrared thermometers

Versatile sensor system meets a wide range of industrial application requirements

Ircon® has introduced the Modline® 7 Series of infrared thermometers. Combined with Ircon ModView™ Pro software and a variety of accessories, the Modline 7 Series provides best-in-class solutions for demanding industrial environments.

The Modline 7 is a rugged, IP65 (NEMA 4) sealed sensor system with the flexibility to meet nearly any continuous temperature monitoring and control requirement. The thermometers are used in a wide range of industrial applications, including semiconductor manufacturing, metals processing, furnace refractory, primary and secondary glass, as well as plastics thermoforming.

The Modline 7 offers exceptional versatility with extended temperature ranges (-40°F to 5432°F/3000°C), high-resolution optics and fast response times. The thermometer's sensing head can operate as a stand-alone sensor, providing simultaneous analog and digital outputs of process temperatures. Motorized focus control and both through-the-lens and laser sighting are standard on all units.

The new thermometer's intuitive sensor design-with integral water-cooling in a stainless steel enclosure or high-temperature water jacket-reduces installation and setup time. The water jacket is intended for use in ambient temperatures up to 599°F/315°C with an integrated air purge capability. An optional air purge collar accessory enables the lens to be cooled and kept free of debris in hot dusty environments.

In addition, the Modline 7 standardized installation accessories and common Windows ModView Pro software platform minimize multiple product configurations at the user's facility. Sensor setup and monitoring can be accomplished either from the rear panel of the instrument or from the ModView Pro software. This allows for remote PC-based sensor configuration, temperature monitoring, trending and archiving via an intuitive graphical user interface. For example, users can change the temperature display from degrees Fahrenheit to degrees Celsius, adjust emissivity levels, scale the range, focus the sensor, activate filters (e.g., peak hold, valley hold, and averaging) and save data for future reference or graphing.

The sensor system also features preset alarms for early warning detection, system on/off control or quality record keeping. A programmable relay output can be triggered automatically by product temperature (process alarm), sensor internal temperature (sensor alarm) or manually.

Modline 7 Series thermometers use high-speed digital signal processors with an RS-485 serial data communications networking capability that supports up to 32 sensors. The ModView Pro software is included at no additional cost with all new Modline 7 Series thermometers.