月: 2023年7月

What Is a Soil Hardness Tester?

A soil hardness tester, also known as a penetrometer, is an instrument that measures the physical hardness of soil or ground.

They are mainly used in the fields of agriculture and civil engineering (geotechnical engineering, etc.).

Uses of Soil Hardness Testers

Soil hardness is used as one of the indicators for soil diagnosis in the fields of agriculture and forestry. For example, if the soil is too hard when planting trees, the root system will not develop sufficiently, resulting in poor growth. Soil may have been compacted by heavy machinery, and penetrometers are useful in such cases. They are also used to evaluate the soil used as a foundation for building and road construction. Although used relatively infrequently in the field of greening, they are sometimes used in rare cases, such as sprayed greening of slopes.

What Is a Tachometer?

A tachometer is a device that measures the instantaneous speed of rotation. It includes a totalizer, which measures the total number of revolutions. It is used to measure the rotational speed of engines, motors, generators, etc.

In the past, analog tachometers were used to measure rotational speed by converting mechanical phenomena into frequency, but in recent years, optical tachometers have become the mainstream, as they are non-contact and can instantly measure rotational speed. 

Uses of Tachometers

Tachometers are used to measure the rotational speed of various machines. An example is an engine. The rotational speed of an engine has a great deal to do with its power and torque. If the speed is too high, the engine loses stability and may be damaged. In addition, the rotational speed must always be measured in order to convert the speed into gearboxes of automobiles and other vehicles.

Furthermore, they are also used to verify the rotational speed of air conditioning and ventilation equipment. These rotational speeds are directly related to performance and are therefore useful in terms of performance evaluation.

Principle of Tachometers

Tachometers have long been used to measure rotational speed based on mechanical action, but in recent years, optical tachometers have become the norm.

Optical tachometers are non-contact and do not damage or wear out the tachometer or the object being measured. They also use lasers or LEDs as the light source. These are used in different ways depending on the application.

Here we introduce their applications and features:

• LED
  LED light sources cause a slight scattering on the lens, which increases the measurable range depending on the distance to the object to be measured. However, the light intensity is lower than that of a laser, making it difficult to measure objects at a distance.
• Laser
  Laser light sources have high light intensity and luminance, making it possible to measure objects at great distances. However, this performance reduces the measurement range. In addition, the laser light must be applied stably and without blurring in order to make correct measurements.

What Is a Suction Lifter?

A suction lifter is a device that uses the suction properties of rubber or other materials to adhere temporarily to an object.

Suction lifters can be used to suction heavy objects without handles, such as refrigerators and furniture, to make them easier to carry. In the home, they are useful for moving.

One-touch suction lifters can lift a weight of about 25 kg, even for small objects. They are equipped with a vacuum pump, have even stronger suction, and some products can lift up to 200 kg.

Uses of Suction Lifters

Since suction lifters can be attached to flat surfaces, they are used to transporting heavy and difficult-to-carry objects. Since the suction lifter has a handle, it can be attached to a position that is comfortable for the user to hold and stabilize the object.

Glass and other large objects can be easily carried by attaching suction lifters. They can also be used for furniture, refrigerators, machinery, metal plates, and other objects with smooth surfaces.

Because of its uneven surface,  a suction lifter cannot be attached to cardboard, cloth, etc.

Principle of Suction Lifters

Suction lifters consist mainly of a handle made of aluminum or ABS and a rubber pad. The circular rubber pad is placed in flat contact with the target surface. By operating a lever or piston, air is sucked in to reduce the pressure, resulting in suction.

Products with a vacuum pump have stronger suction. The maximum adsorption capacity varies depending on the product, so check before use.

There are two types: a double type with two suction lifters and a single type with one suction lifter, with the double type having a larger maximum suction capacity.

If the surface of the pad is covered with dust, oil, or scratches, the adsorption capacity will decrease. If the rubber is deteriorated, the adsorption capacity will decrease, so the rubber pad should be replaced and maintained periodically.

There are also suction lifters that use porous carbon material in the suction area to adhere to large glass pieces. Large glass is adsorbed by sucking it up from the outside of the porous carbon with a vacuum pump to reduce the pressure. Porous carbon has holes evenly spaced, so that there is no bias in the adsorption force and a wide range of adsorption can be achieved in a stable manner.

What Is a Cooling Water Circulator?

A cooling water circulator is a device that controls the temperature of samples and equipment by cooling and circulating water inside the equipment.

By maintaining the temperature of industrial, measuring, and food processing equipment at a constant level, it is possible to adjust conditions for product manufacturing and process control.

The temperature setting range of cooling water circulators is from -20°C to 30°C. The appropriate cooling water circulator is selected based on its cooling capacity and installation location.

Uses of Cooling Water Circulators

Cooling water circulators are used in various applications in the automotive industry, semiconductor manufacturing, industrial machinery, machine tools, analysis equipment, and food processing industries.

Examples of use include:

1. Temperature control of machine tools, cooling and heat retention of measuring machines
2. Indirect cooling and cleaning of raw materials in food processing plants
3. Temperature control of metalworking machinery
4. Electron beam cooling of measuring equipment
5. Temperature control of heat generated during grinding in polishing machines
6. Cooling of nozzles in plastic molding machines and injection molding machines
7. Cooling of the heat source in the light source of electron microscopes
8. Removing reaction heat during pharmaceutical production
9. Temperature control of printing machines

Principle of Cooling Water Circulators

Cooling water circulators are classified by their cooling method and circulation method.

There are two types of cooling methods: air-cooled and water-cooled, and two types of circulating systems: closed circulating and open circulating.

1. Air-Cooled Type

The air cooling type uses a fan to cool the liquid, and the heat removed is discharged to the outside. It has a relatively simple structure and allows for downsizing, but has the disadvantage that the temperature of the installation site becomes higher because the heat is discharged to the outside.

2. Water-Cooled Type

The water-cooled type cools by circulating water. Since cooling water is circulated by a pump, no heat is generated. It is more efficient and less noisy than the air-cooled type, but its structure is more complicated. Liquids used in the water-cooled type include tap water, antifreeze, ethanol, and methanol.

3. Sealed Circulation Type

In the sealed circulation type, the parts involved in cooling, such as the heat exchanger, are sealed. Since these parts are sealed and therefore prone to rust, it is necessary to drain the condensation of water that forms near the connectors.

4. Open Circulation Type

In the open circulation type, the cooling water circulator is placed in a tank filled with water.

What Is a Cooled CCD Camera?

A Cooled CCD Camera is a digital camera with a cooled CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor as the light receiving element.

Also called a “charge-coupled device,” a CCD is a type of image sensor; CCDs are used to convert light energy into an electrical charge, which is then captured as image data. In particular, they are often used in photography, video production, astronomy, and other fields.

A CCD camera has a large number of light sensors (pixels) arranged on a light-receiving surface, each of which produces an electric charge corresponding to the intensity of the light. These charges are read back as analog signals and converted to digital signals, allowing CCD cameras to achieve high image resolution, dynamic range, and low noise performance.

They are also excellent for capturing images in the dark and detecting weak light sources. However, CCD cameras are relatively sensitive to light, and noise increases with longer exposures.

Uses of Cooled CCD Cameras

Cooled CCD Cameras are mostly used for photography (where images are obtained as digital signals through the light receiving element) when connected to a PC, or for photography requiring long exposures such as astrophotography due to the noise reduction caused by cooling.

In the research field, it is also used for DNA analysis and spectroscopic analysis. It is also used to detect (photograph) faint chemiluminescence, which requires signal integration through long exposures, and to capture luminescence imaging images in combination with electron microscopes and optical microscopes, taking advantage of the CCD’s multichannel detector aspect.

Principle of Cooled CCD Camera

A Cooled CCD Camera uses a Peltier element to cool the CCD to enable long exposures, and a CCD camera uses an image sensor (photosensor) to accumulate an electrical charge from external light, which is converted to an electrical signal by an A/D converter to obtain a digital image.

When used at room temperature, a phenomenon called “dark current” occurs even when the camera is not receiving light, and this is a major cause of noise. This is not a problem for normal photography with exposures of only a few seconds or so, but for long-exposure photography, the noise caused by this dark current can have a significant impact.

Since photography and management of the cooling temperature is performed by a PC with dedicated software installed, a connection to a PC is essential when taking pictures with a Cooled CCD Camera. Because of its ability to reduce noise, a cooled CCD camera is useful for astronomical photography with long exposures with the shutter open, and for chemiluminescence detection photography, in which faint luminescence is detected by accumulating signals through long exposures.

How to Select a Cooled CCD Camera

1. Resolution

Resolution is an important factor that indicates the detail and accuracy of an image. The resolution to choose depends on the application and purpose of use.

Higher resolution is suitable for observing minute objects and detailed structures, but it also affects file size and processing speed, so it should be adjusted according to the purpose and application.

2. Pixel Size

Pixel size indicates the physical size of an individual pixel. The larger the pixel size, the higher the sensitivity, but the resolution is generally lower. The appropriate pixel size depends on the characteristics of the object being observed and the shooting conditions.

3. Noise Level

Noise is a factor that directly affects image quality. Cooled CCD Cameras can reduce noise by cooling the sensor, but noise levels vary among models and manufacturers. Noise level is especially important for dark or low-light conditions. 

4. Operating Speed

Operating speed indicates the speed of image acquisition and data transfer. High operating speeds are required for continuous shooting and fast imaging applications. It is important to check the frame rate and data transfer rate of the camera and select the appropriate speed for the intended use.

5. Cooling Capacity

Cooled CCD Cameras are equipped with a cooling system to cool the sensor. Cooling capacity is important to maintain a constant sensor temperature. Check the efficiency of the cooling system and the range of cooling temperatures to select the appropriate cooling capacity for the environment and application in which it will be used.

6. Interfaces and Compatibility

In order to use a Cooled CCD Camera, an interface that allows data to be exchanged between the camera and a computer or control unit is required. Common interfaces include USB, FireWire, and Gigabit Ethernet. It is important to check compatibility with the system to be used and select an appropriate interface.

Other Information on Cooled CCD Cameras

Cameras Using CMOS Sensors

In recent years, more and more cameras are replacing CCD cameras with CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) sensors, which are less expensive, more energy efficient, and offer faster data readout.

However, with the exception of some specialized applications, they can be inferior to CCD cameras in terms of image quality and sensitivity.

What Is a Low Temperature Dryer?

Low Temperature Dryer is a device that uses lowered temperature air to dry materials.

They are used for drying wood, food, pharmaceuticals, paper products, etc. Unlike conventional hot-air dryers, Low Temperature Dryers use relatively low temperature air (approximately 15°C to 35°C) to dry materials while reducing energy consumption. Energy and quality-related innovations have been developed to suit a variety of products and materials.

Because they can dry stably throughout the year and are not affected by outside air or humidity, they are widely used in the food processing industry.

Applications of Low Temperature Dryer

Low Temperature Dryers are mainly used in food processing, wood processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, paper industry, and in the drying of biological samples.

1. Food Industry

In food processing, drying using low-temperature air minimizes deterioration of taste and nutritional value. The drying process is efficient throughout the year while maintaining temperatures similar to those of drying using outside air.

Evaporation of moisture allows for longer shelf life while maintaining food quality.

2. Wood Processing Industry

Wood drying is important to improve product quality and longevity. Low Temperature Dryers are used to dry wood to the proper moisture content to minimize splitting and warping and improve the stability of the processed product. This is especially useful to avoid wood deterioration caused by high temperatures.

3. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Low Temperature Dryers are used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and medical devices to maintain product stability and quality. They are especially useful when high temperatures may affect the efficacy and safety of drugs.

4. Paper Industry

Low Temperature Dryers are used in the production of paper and paper products to control humidity and maintain uniform quality. Uniform drying prevents paper from drying shrinkage and distortion, resulting in the production of high quality products.

5. Drying of Biological Samples

Low Temperature Dryers are used in research and medical institutions to preserve and analyze biological samples. Since biomolecules can be damaged by high temperatures in tissues, low-temperature drying minimizes damage.

Principle of Low Temperature Dryer

Low Temperature Dryers come in a variety of types, depending on the application and target material. For industrial applications, large walk-in types are commonly used. Materials can be fed in using a conveyor belt or manually loaded and unloaded using a cart.

Air for drying is dehumidified and circulated using a heat pump system. The heat pump method is a technology that obtains thermal energy by transferring heat.

It is more efficient and environmentally friendly than acquiring thermal energy through combustion. This method is based on the Boyle-Charles law and the second law of thermodynamics. It has a long service life due to less deterioration of the equipment.

Types of Low Temperature Dryers

Low Temperature Dryer types vary by manufacturer, ranging from household size tabletop dryers to commercial size and larger unit-type dryers.

Low Temperature Dryers for home use are often used to make dried fruits and vegetables, as inexpensive ones can be purchased for several thousand yen. Low Temperature Dryers for commercial use include small unit type, parallel flow type, and reversing flow type.

1. Small Unit Type

The drying chamber and the main body of the dryer are integrated into a single unit, making it relatively compact for commercial use. Installation work is not required, so it can be installed anywhere where there is a power source.

Compared to the home-use type, it is capable of advanced temperature and humidity control, and can dry a large number of products. 

2. Parallel Flow Type

Parallel and uniform airflow allows for efficient drying. Also, even products that are sensitive to odors can be processed.

3. Reversed Flow Type

By alternating the flow of airflow in opposite directions, the parallel flow type eliminates unevenness in drying and enables more uniform drying than the parallel flow type. In addition, the size of the drying cabinet can be reduced to save space.

Since the airflow is reversed, there is no need to shift the drying position, which reduces labor and drying time.

What Is a Laser Distance Meter?

Laser distance meters are used for non-contact, high-precision distance measurement using laser light.

They use a visible laser with a wavelength of several hundred nanometers, enabling measurement with a high resolution of sub-micrometers. A laser beam is irradiated onto a corner cube attached to the sample, and the distance to the sample is measured by analyzing the phase difference of the reflected laser beam.

Laser distance meters are also available with optional software to measure the speed, acceleration, and displacement of the sample.

Uses of Laser Distance Meters

Laser distance meters are used for equipment that requires high-precision positioning, such as semiconductor, electrical, and electronic manufacturing equipment. They can also be used to measure the speed and position of chip mounters and printer heads that move at high speeds because they use light.

In addition, by using two laser distance meters to measure the distance between different locations on a moving part simultaneously, such as the stage of a device, it is possible to check for pitching or yawing of the stage and displacement within the same device.

Principle of Laser Distance Meters

The laser distance meters calculates the distance from the phase difference of the laser beam that is irradiated onto the sample and bounced back.

A small, lightweight corner cube is attached to the sample to reflect the laser beam. The laser light is irradiated onto this cube and the reflected light is analyzed.

Since the reflected light has a phase difference with respect to the projected light, interference occurs between these lights. Since the phase difference changes depending on the distance, the distance can be determined by analyzing the interference results.

The wavelength of the laser light is about 600 nanometers, and the measurement accuracy is very high at sub-micrometers.

Dynamic information, such as sample velocity, acceleration, and displacement, can also be obtained by fine-tuning the sampling pitch of the laser beam.

Some devices can sample at a period of up to 1 megahertz, making it possible to measure the speed of devices that move at high speeds or repeatedly move in minute, precise increments.

Types of Laser Distance Meters

There are various types of laser distance meters, depending on the application.

1. Laser Rangefinder

A typical laser distance meter is used to measure distances from a single point. They come in a variety of sizes, from palm-sized hand-held models to larger ones with a measuring range of several kilometers. They are commonly used on construction sites and in surveying.

2. Laser Interferometer

A laser interferometer is a device that uses interference of laser beams to measure distance. It splits the laser beam and detects minute changes in distance due to interference. It has extremely high measurement accuracy and is suitable for measuring minute displacements on the nanometer scale. It is used in fields such as microfabrication and optical device evaluation.

3. Laser Multi-Point Rangefinder (Laser Tracker)

A laser tracker is a device that measures the position and shape of an object by irradiating a laser beam onto the object and receiving the reflected light from multiple photosensors. It is mainly used in the industrial field to measure the position and shape of an object in machining and automobile manufacturing.

4. Laser Vibrometer

A laser vibrometer is a device that irradiates a laser beam onto an object and measures vibration and displacement based on the reflected light. It has extremely high measurement accuracy and is used for vibration analysis of machinery and evaluation of materials.

5. Laser Positioning System (Laser Tracking System)

These devices use laser beams to track the position and velocity of objects or moving objects. They are used in aerospace, robotics, motion capture, and other fields requiring high-speed, precise position measurement.

What Is a Reflow Oven?

A reflow oven is a device used to bond printed circuit boards and electronic components. Soldering is used to bond PCBs and electronic components, and reflow machines are used to paste solder automatically on PCBs and mount components.

Reflow refers to the process of applying solder paste to the necessary areas on the board and bonding electronic components to the areas covered with solder when mounting surface-mounted components on the board.

There are small reflow ovens used for prototypes and large reflow ovens used for mass production.

Uses of Reflow Ovens

Reflow ovens are used to paste solder automatically onto printed circuit boards and mount electronic components for surface mounting.

When soldering components to a printed circuit board, there is a method of actually bonding the electronic components by hand using a soldering iron, but this is a very difficult process when the number of components is large or when the bonding surface is extremely small.

In recent years, the miniaturization of mounted components and the densification of mounted components due to the high integration of circuits have increased, and there is concern that insufficient adhesion or shorts may occur when soldering is done by hand. Therefore, the use of reflow ovens, which enable precise surface mounting, makes it possible to assemble boards reliably.

Principle of Reflow Ovens

Solder is pasted on a printed circuit board, and surface-mounted components are placed on top of it.

In this process, the board, solder, and electronic components are heated to bond the board and components. The reflow oven can perform these processes automatically.

To use the oven, start by inputting the necessary data in advance before mounting the components. The required data includes information such as where on the printed circuit board the solder is to be applied, which electronic components are to be mounted where, and what temperature is needed to melt the solder. It is also necessary to check whether the temperature required for soldering is higher than the endurance temperature of the electronic components when melting and bonding the solder, and to set the heating temperature at what temperature and heating time for how many seconds. These settings are called temperature profiles. Some products can do temperature profiling automatically.

Since this is a very convenient device, it is useful for making prototypes in the development of products at manufacturers.

What Is Embossed Stainless Steel?

Embossed stainless steel is a steel sheet that has been specially processed to reduce frictional resistance and smooth sliding.

Since the processing increases strength, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the plate even if the strength is the same. This contributes to weight reduction and cost reduction.

This technology is utilized to prevent accidents involving falls and to create a clean environment.

Uses of Embossed Stainless Steel

Embossed stainless steel is used to reduce frictional resistance to facilitate smooth movement.

Examples of applications include shooters and hoppers in rice milling machines, shooters in automatic weighing machines, runner tables in bagging machines, shooters in presses, and shooters in vending machines. They are also used as runner table guides in photo developing machines, shelves in refrigerated showcases, bottom plates in showcases, and slides in parks.

They are also used in runner tables of packaging machines, runner tables of printing machines, and runner tables of bookbinding machines to prevent film and paper from sticking together due to static electricity.

Other Information on Embossed Stainless Steel

Features of Embossed Stainless Steel

Embossed stainless steel prevents film and paper from sticking due to static electricity, making pickup from the board easier. It slides smoothly due to lowered frictional resistance.

Due to the characteristics of the processed shape, the effect of improved friction is more effective when the contact is with a surface than when it is with a point or line. This technology can be used in the opposite direction to achieve the anti-slip function by increasing frictional resistance.

Being made of stainless steel, it has high corrosion resistance and improves scratch resistance before and after processing.

The embossing process, which makes the surface convex and concave, increases strength, allowing the plate thickness to be reduced even if the strength is the same. Thinner plate thickness contributes to weight reduction and cost reduction.

Design is excellent, and patterns, company names, product names, and marks can be drawn on the surface of the steel sheet, with line widths as small as 0.2 mm.

Various forming processes are also possible, including bending, close bending, drilling, spot welding, Tig welding, and pipe forming. Depending on the processed shape, the main steel plate thicknesses range from 0.25 to 2.0 mm.

What Is an Inline Fan?

An inline fan is a type of blower that incorporates a fan and an electric motor inside a casing to which sound-absorbing material is affixed.

They are used in various buildings, such as offices, hotels, movie theaters, and factories as air conditioning and ventilation equipment. Most of them are installed in such a way as to be suspended from the ceiling, etc., and are connected to ducts that serve as ventilation channels to transport air inside or outside a room.

Other types of inline fans include centrifugal and axial fans. Fans are characterized by higher pressure for centrifugal fans and higher airflow for axial fans.

Uses of Inline Fans

Inline fans are a type of blower used for air conditioning, air supply, and air exhaust in most buildings, including high-rise buildings, hospitals, hotels, schools, theaters, and factories.

Most of them are often installed in a suspended position, in line with ducts installed in the ceiling or elsewhere.

Most inline fans have a built-in diagonal flow fan as the fan. This diagonal flow fan is used when both air volume and pressure are required, and is therefore suitable for such situations as well as for use.

Principle of an Inline Fan

An inline fan consists of a diagonal flow fan, an electric motor, and a round or box container with sound-absorbing material attached to the inside. The fan may also incorporate a centrifugal fan.

Most fans are driven by a direct drive system that directly connects the fan to the electric motor, but belt drive systems are also used.

Recent boxes have a structure in which sound-absorbing material is placed to fill the gap between the fan and the box, and the fan is held in place by the sound-absorbing material.

A fan is a rotating machine that gives energy to air or other gases through its rotation. A centrifugal fan bends inhaled gas at a right angle and discharges it, while an axial flow fan used for fans sends the gas backward. Therefore, centrifugal fans have the effect of increasing speed and pressure due to centrifugal force, while axial fans have almost no such effect.