Blogs
Wireless Measurement of Very Small Gap Changes Inside Rotating Machinery
Solar, Semiconductor Measurement of Ungrounded Targets Thickness, Metrology Description Description This application note describes how to use capacitance for the non-contact, wireless measurement of very small gap changes (distances) between a device and a grounded target. It uses the textile industry as an example, but any industry that uses machinery with continuously rotating drums or motors can benefit from this approach to remote measurement. Capacitance is highly accurate and can support the use of probes that are wireless. In our example, a capacitive sensing system from MTI Instruments eliminated concerns about establishing and maintaining [...]
Thickness Measurement of Dielectric Materials
Thickness Measurement of Dielectric Materials Manufacturing EV Battery Production Thickness, Distance --- Description --- Introduction Many applications, both in manufacturing and research, require precise material thickness measurements. This becomes especially difficult if the material is moving, is non conductive and/or translucent to clear. The specifics of your application may make accurate measurements difficult; many circumstances prohibit contact measurement, and make laser measurements difficult or impossible, for example with thin clear materials such as glass, sapphire, plastic . In cases such as these, capacitance measurement provides a highly accurate and cost-effective solution. [...]
Windshield Manufacturing
Industry Automotive Applications Oil Film Measurement Type Level Description In order to maintain proper profile and thickness within a glass furnace the extrusion plate spacing must be maintained at a predetermined gap. Unfortunately, due to process changes and temperature swings this gap can fluctuate significantly in short periods of time. This variation causes the glass thickness to change (check out our glass thickness measurement devices to accurately measure thickness), producing uneven temperature gradients and creating potentially weak glass panels. To control this critical parameter the manufacturing process requires automated active feedback [...]
Comparing Non-Contact Sensors: Capacitive vs. Eddy Current Sensors
Comparing Non-Contact Sensors: Capacitive vs. Eddy Current Sensors Comparing Non-Contact Sensors: Capacitive vs. Eddy Current Sensors Manufacturing EV Battery Production Thickness, Distance This application note from MTI Instruments compares two types of non-contact sensors: capacitive and Eddy current. It describes their basic operating principles, includes a quick comparison table, and offers recommendations for use. Capacitance Sensors: Basic Operating Principles Capacitive probes use electric fields to measure the distance from the sensor face to the target surface. A guard ring around the capacitive sensor in the probe steers the direction of [...]
BRAKE ROTORS THICKNESS VARIATION
Industry Automotive Applications Brake Rotors Thickness Variation Measurement Type Surface Description Driving cross country or cross town, we give little thought to the operation or complexity of our vehicle braking systems. They only cross our mind when we absolutely need them; we never stop to think about the extensive design and testing that makes them such a lifesaver. Take the brake rotor for example. Under normal operating conditions it’s subjected to extreme temperatures and forces, which can cause rotor distortion and potential failure. To make certain it can withstand [...]
Ideal Charge Amplifier for Piezo Electric Transducers
Ideal Charge Amplifier for Piezo Electric Transducers Aviation (Turbine Engines), Automotive Research and Development, Industrial Manufacturing Vibration Monitoring: Turbine Engines; Vehicle Testing Pressure Monitoring: Combustion Engines; Pumps, Turbines Amplitude Measurements:  Acceleration, Vibration, Pressure Description Ideal Charge Amplifier for Piezo Electric Transducers Piezoelectric-type transducers such as accelerometers used for turbine vibration measurement and pressure transducers used for combustion dynamics monitoring (CDM) produce a high-impedance charge output that must be conditioned and amplified before transmission across system cabling and into measurement instrumentation. Challenge A piezoelectric transducer is a sensor that produces a [...]
OIL FILM THICKNESS MEASUREMENT
Industry Automotive Applications Oil Film Measurement Type Level Description A top marine engine manufacturer commissioned MTI Instruments to design and manufacture a non-contact sensor to measure the microscopic oil film layer between the engine cylinder wall and the piston ring. Engine testing is normally performed through a range of low RPM’s to high RPM’s (400- 6000) with piston linear speeds approaching 500 inches/second and at various torques. A measuring system with high frequency response and small sensor size was essential to keep engine machining to a minimum while not altering [...]
Extruder Die Flatness
Extruder Die Flatness Industrial Extruder Die Flatness Thickness Description Introduction: Extruder dies have a flatness specification that must be maintained or the parts being extruded will be out of tolerance and non-conformant, resulting in scrap and disruptions. Periodic inspection of the die for flatness, deformation, burrs, or other irregularities is required. Situation: A tool and die company approached MTI Instruments, requesting assistance with a new method for inspecting their 20 ft long die. Contact gauges on a gantry had been the previous method; Non-contact was now the preferred practice. Solution: [...]
Cement Board Quality Control
Cement Board Quality Control Industrial Cement Board Quality Control Dimensions Description Introduction: Cement backer board is used as underlayment for tile floors, walls and counter tops. It is also used as exterior sheathing and in exterior stucco systems. Cement backer board has proven to be more durable than virtually any other underlayment if quality control and thickness is maintained. The Problem: A major cement board manufacturer was faced with the challenge to improve a board production line throughput and decrease the amount of waste in the process. Too thin of cement board [...]
DC Motor / Commutator Bar
DC Motor / Commutator Bar Industrial Dc Motor / Commutator Bar Depth Description Using a MTI Microtrak 4 laser triangulation sensor to measure a DC motor’s armature / commutator bar run out. We fitted a DC motor armature (rotor) in a lathe to spin it. The MTI laser head a DTS 50-20 has 50 mm standoff and a 20 mm measuring range. The laser was placed in a FS-5 magnetic  mount fixture and pointed at the commutator bars. The lathe was spun at 180 RPM and the commutator bar run out [...]