Sensor Review

Jack Hollingum

1998 Sensor Review

doi: 10.1108/02602289810226372

There was quite a high degree of product and process innovation at this year’s Control & Instrumentation Exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham, and exhibitors reported a better level of serious enquiries than last year, which could lead to future business. However, the three days of the exhibition were quiet, with fewer visitors than in the recent past. Possibly the location of the exhibition in Hall 6, some distance from the main exhibition area, meant that only visitors hoping to do business made their way there.

Kamal Goudjil; Ray Sandoval

1998 Sensor Review

doi: 10.1108/02602289810226381

The need for a small, low cost, simple, personal UVR detector has been motivated by the growing concerns about adverse health effects induced by UV radiation. SolarTech Enterprises, LLC has developed several such photochromic detectors for UV radiation detection. Broadband detectors (290nm to 400nm) and wavelength specific detectors for UVB and UVA regions of the spectrum have all been developed by SolarTech.

Colin Graves

1998 Sensor Review

doi: 10.1108/02602289810226390

Describes an “innovation” in machine vision technology from Cognex, UK called PatMax. This is technology implemented in machine vision software that “understands” images. Describes the benefits of PatMax according to Cognex, UK.

Claus P. Keferstein; Michael Marxer

1998 Sensor Review

doi: 10.1108/02602289810226408

Laser triangulation is a very efficient non‐contact point‐measurement procedure, very similar to a mechanical gauge, but much faster. However, the special characteristics of the laser triangulation sensor (LTS) must be taken into account for its use. The correct selection of sensor and test‐equipment verification, complying with norm ISO 9001, can be facilitated or implemented with the test‐bench for LTS, developed in the quality and production measurement technology laboratory of the Neu‐Technikum Buchs, Switzerland. A wide range of LTSs has been collated in a market analysis; differences of performance have been determined in a widespread comparison.

Uwe Has

1998 Sensor Review

doi: 10.1108/02602289810226417

Pyrolysis means to heat a material up to high temperatures at which its molecular structure is thermally cracked. The residues of the heated material are gases and ashes. In modern consumer ovens this method is used to clean the walls of the oven cavity. The cavity is heated up to about 480°C. At this temperature the dirt sticking on the walls is thermally cracked into gases and ashes. The approach of the system described in this paper is to estimate the quantity of dirt to be pyrolysed in the cavity. This is done by using a gas sensor. The sensor measures the concentration of the gaseous residues in the exhaust air of the oven. Evaluation of the sensor signal makes it possible to minimise the energy consumption during the process. Furthermore, the sensor can be used as a safety device.