Dear Reader,
 The new year has begun and not only the one based on the Gregorian calendar, but the one using the lunar/solar-cycle based Chinese calendar as well. Whether it is the year 2012 or the year 4710 (or some other year) depends on your point of view. Either way a new cycle begins full of the promise of a fresh start. As we all look forward to the coming months, BEI wishes you happiness, prosperity and good health. |
| Ready for its Close Up |
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It's hard to imagine when you invent a new category-defining product, that it will be anything but a good solution to a difficult technical problem. But much to our surprise the HS52 has made the transition from new kid on the block to featured video star in just a matter of months since it's introduction.
For those in the know, the HS52 is the first fully hazardous area rated hollow-shaft encoder that meets the U.S. UL explosion proof standard as well as the European ATEX flame proof standard for operation in explosive atmospheres. We understand that not everyone needs that level of sophistication in an encoder product, but if our engineering team can overcome the technical challenge of this environment, just imagine what we can do to help you with your demanding requirements.
Click the image and take a look at the "Interview with an HS52" |
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| There Really is a Santa Claus |
 "All parts of the human body get tired eventually - except the tongue."
"History is the sum total of things that could have been avoided."
"We all live under the same sky, but we don't all have the same horizon"
"In view of the fact that God limited the intelligence of man, it seems unfair that He did not also limit his stupidity."
"The one sure way to conciliate a tiger is to allow oneself to be devoured"
Strong sentiments from a man who lived through a very dynamic part of history in Europe in the past century.
Though not generally a household name these days Konrad Adenauer left an indelible mark in the culture, structure and political landscape of Germany that persists today. Deemed by his teachers as an "average student" he nonetheless distinguished himself by his dedication, clever ideas, and vision.
His political career started fairly early when he first served as vice-mayor of Cologne beginning in 1907 at the age of 33. As a post war driving force in Germany, his various administrations were not without controversy. However, history leaves no doubt that his efforts led directly to reconciliation with France, and the democratization of West Germany after WWII. To read a more detailed description of Konrad's life and accomplishments (and Time magazines 1953 "Man of the Year"), just click on his picture, above. |
| Can You Solve It? |
It's hard to imagine all of the potential environments that industrial products could operate within and mysterious failure modes can arise, even in straightforward applications. This issue dates back a few years, but here's a case in point. We got a call from our customer who seemed to be wrestling with a noticeably high encoder failure rate in one of his five identical installations.
His operation consisted of five screw feed machine stations each powered by an identical motor, with an identical controller and a variable frequency drive (VFD). Each motor used a hollow-shaft encoder for feedback. Four of the encoders were just fine, while the fifth just seemed to need replacement every few months due to worn bearings. What could possibly be going on?
A. The nature of VFD's is that they operate at switching frequencies in the tens of kilohertz. This produces short duration, high voltage spikes which can appear on the motor shaft. If the encoder is not properly isolated, then these voltage spikes will find a path to ground through the encoder bearings. We worked very closely with the customer to review his installation and discovered that the isolation washer on the tether arm had not been in use from the beginning. Each subsequent installation had just followed the pattern of the one before it, perpetuating the problem.
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| Crystal Art |
 Artists get their inspiration from a wide variety of sources: nature, humankind, imagination and sometimes it's the medium itself. The medium is especially important when we are talking about sculpture. And even more important when we are talking about ice.
There are not too many places where accomplished ice sculptors can express themselves, given the ephemeral nature of the medium, but Fairbanks, Alaska is clearly one of the places that attracts a high caliber of practitioner. As you can see by the illustration, fantastic creations are the order of the day. Just click the picture and you can share in the delight that these artists create. If you're inspired, you may even want to attend this year's festival from February 28th through March 25th. |
THANK YOU
Hope you enjoyed this month's newsletter and the you are staying warm this winter, wherever you are. Keep us in mind for your position sensing needs and as always feel free to drop us a line if there is anything we can do to help with your automation project.
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| Spotlight |
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Understanding the world of of potentially explosive environmental hazards is not a simple task. That's why we wrote the comprehensive summary on the subject. Don't take a chance, call the experts in this area - call BEI. To read all about it - just click the picture, above. |
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