Dear Reader,
It seems that every year the month of August
has a few surprises for us. The recent East
Coast hurricane, Irene, and the scorching
heat wave through the mid-section of the
U.S. are just a few notable examples. Let's
add in the Libyan situation and the U.S.
and European debt crises and it's enough
to make us wish for cooler and calmer times.
Fortunately with September nearly here, the school year starting up and autumn on the horizon, things should be settling down. At least we can hope so. In the meantime, it looks like getting down to work is the best course of action and if BEI can help you get there, then give us a call or send us an email. We're here to help.
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| Get in Line |
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 Despite that fact that a lot of the equipment in this world goes 'round and 'round', every now and then you need to get your measurements straight. That's why we introduced the LT25, linear transducer. Using the field proven precision of the H25 as the measuring engine coupled to a precision retractable cable spool, the LT25 may be just what you've been looking for.
It's perfect for controlling saw cuts, taking measurements in difficult environments, positioning ball screw-driven platforms, medium scale pick-and-place operations and so on. The coated stainless steel cable is long-lasting and durable even in wet or dusty work areas.
The LT25 produces a standard encoder output. so it works with your existing industrial controllers - no need to do an A/D conversion. The measuring range of 125"accommodates a wide range of common linear industrial measurements and the compact size makes for easy installation.
If that wasn't enough, it also comes in an intrinsically safe version, should you require operation in potentially explosive areas.
When you think of the LT25, think versatile, rugged, easy to install. Just click on the picture to see a PDF specification sheet.
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| Famously Funny |
"I have an everyday religion that works for me. Love yourself first, and everything else falls into line."
"I think knowing what you cannot do is more important than knowing what you can."
"I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done."
"In life, all good things come hard, but wisdom is the hardest to come by."
"One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself."
"The more things you do, the more you can do."
Most everybody the world around has heard of or knows of Lucille Ball. At one time she was one of the most recognized female comedians on the planet. But she also had a more practical, business-savvy side to her life as you can see by the notable quotes above.
Lucy had a hard upbringing in New York. Her father died when she was three and when her mother re-married a man who didn't especially like children, she was forced to move in with her step-grandmother. Her first attempts at theater school resulted in a letter from the school's owner to her mother stating, "she's wasting her money".
The hard-working Lucy, though kept at it and eventually worked her way into Broadway shows and eventually movies where she met and married Desi Arnaz. The energy between the two allowed them to build their mutual careers. Starting with a vaudeville act, their routines later evolved into the wildly popular TV show, "I Love Lucy".
To read more about Lucy's life and the story about her famously red hair, click on her picture, above.
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| Can You Solve It? |
Sometimes I like to use this space, not to present a brain teaser, but to cover a topic of interest to our readers. One thing that seems to have popped up recently as an area of interest appears to be environmental sealing. So let's take a look at the issue.
Most industries have adopted the IP system which usually is expressed as a two digit code. The first digit expresses resistance to dust and the second to water, e.g. IP 65. If you want a detailed description of this system, you can click here.
In the world of sensors and encoders in particular there is no standardization as to how the IP rating is to be applied. For example, if the connector on the body of the sensor does not have sealed connector pins it may only have an IP50 rating. If that same connector has an O-ring around the base, and you connect it to it's mating cable assembly so that the O-ring makes a seal, then it may now have an IP66 rating. So which is the proper rating? It turns out that either can be used - so you need to know how the rating was achieved. In our example, if you were servicing this equipment and left the connector off of the sensor overnight and it rained - you might have a problem.
When in doubt, check with the manufacturer as to how they specify their environmental ratings and if any special testing is available. At least that way you know what you are getting. |
| Art Meets Engineering |
 When you mash together sophisticated motion control algorithms, miniature mechanical design and music, you get dancing robots! Take a look at this video and marvel at the sophistication and just the pure whimsy of these miniature machines and their humanlike movements.
It's mesmerizing and entertaining to say the least. And for some of us perhaps a bit inspirational to know what fanciful trajectories the human thought process can take. Click the link and enjoy - but watch your volume setting, the background music is just a little bit loud. |
THANK YOU
I hope you found something useful in this month's newsletter and that you'll feel free to pass along this copy to your friends and colleagues. As always, call or email if there is anything that BEI Sensors can do to help with your project.
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| Spotlight |
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Easy Data Conversion
So you've set up your test stand and you're struggling to get data from your encoder into your computer. No worries, the BEI Encoder-to-USB converter can work with standard quadrature or SSI signals. It can read two encoders on demand or (with a special feature) can operate in data-logging mode. Click the picture to read a PDF.
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