Originally Published April 2000

EQUIPMENT NEWS:
TESTING AND INSPECTION EQUIPMENT
 

Handheld calibrator

Portable pressure and temperature measuring is possible with a handheld calibrator. Optional modules allow anyone to tailor the calibrator to specific needs. With precision up to 0.025% of span, the calibrator is the most accurate tool of its kind, according to its manufacturer. It has a wide selection of interchangeable ranges (0.25 in.H₂O through 10,000 psi), and its dual-range capability lets the user monitor two ranges simultaneously. Dresser Instrument, 250 E. Main St., Stratford, CT 06614-5145.

Leak, flow, and functional test machines

Machines capable of testing a wide variety of medical devices and subassemblies for leaks, correct flow rate, and other functional characteristics are available for medical device manufacturers. The machines can be configured to test medical devices using a variety of techniques including pressure drop, mass flow, and helium mass spectrometry. Machines with multiple stations are available for high-speed production-line testing. Automatic sorting of good and reject parts can be provided as well as complete test information for statistical process control. Uson, 5215 Hollister Rd., Houston, TX 77040.

Leak/flow calibrator

A leak/flow calibrator checks the calibration of leak/flow measuring instruments, master leaks, and master jets. It is designed to perform four different kinds of measurements: multiple-range leak/flow, test pressure, atmospheric pressure, and temperature. The method of measurement was pioneered and patented by the manufacturer. ATEQ Corp., 42000 Koppernick Rd., Canton, MI 48187-2409.

Process verification test and analysis system

Housed inside a compact panel-meter enclosure, a full-waveform, signature analysis and test system is supplied with an easy-to-use Windows-based setup program. The system is designed to be used in a wide range of applications in manufacturing, assembly, quality audit, and development environments where measurement and data analysis are required. The Sigmeter can be used with virtually any analog transducer to capture and process the waveforms created during each step of the assembly process. Sciemetric, 27 Northside Rd., Nepean, ON K2H 8S1, Canada.

Wire-fatigue tester

A wire-fatigue tester is designed for wet and dry conditions. The system is based on a rotating beam fatigue theory for testing fine wires and cables. It features an eight-digit LCD and automatic cycle termination. The unit operates on 115 V, offers two basic speeds of 290 or 3600 rpm, and is available in either 50- or 60-Hz configurations. Valley Instrument, 6188 Myrtle Hill Rd., Valley City, OH 44280.

Stent testers

Stent, stent graft, and vascular graft accelerated durability testers deliver exact volumes with every stroke thanks to a positive-displacement pumping system. According to the manufacturer, these hardwired systems guarantee consistent and precise geometric changes in each and every cycle, unlike inherently variable electrodynamic pumps that require constant laser updating. Laptop computers with LabView-based software for control and data acquisition collect data in support of submissions to FDA and other regulatory agencies. Anywhere from 6 to 22 samples are submersed, heated, and tested at speeds up to 50 Hz. Dynatek Dalta Scientific Instruments, P.O. Box 254, Galena, MO 65656-0254.

Automatic porosity and smoothness tester

An automatic densometer and smoothness tester combines the features of traditional porosity and smoothness testers and provides results in seconds. With a range of 0–50,000 Gurley seconds, the Model 4340 can test a variety of materials, including uncoated and coated paper and board, wovens and nonwovens, and plastics (including membranes and films). Gurley Precision Instruments Inc., 514 Fulton St., Troy, NY 12181.

Tensile and compression testers

Simple and inexpensive instruments for tensile and compression testing are available in testing capacities up to 5000 lb and can be supplied with a wide variety of stock and custom fixturing mechanisms. Standard models range in scope from hand-operated test stands to variable-speed motorized systems under full computer control. Suitable for both the production floor and the QC lab, these rugged devices are recommended for checking packages, wire, cable, surgical instruments, tubing, bandages, and related products. Com-Ten Industries, 6405 49th St. N., Pinellas Park, FL 33781.

Force-measurement stand

The Model TSAH force-measurement test stand makes repetitive testing easy with adjustable travel stops. The lever-operated unit can be mounted on a bench or wall, and its rack-and-pinion mechanism allows for a total of 8½ in. of travel. The unit measures 26 x 6 x 7 in. and weighs 13 lb. It can be supplied with an optional digital travel display. Mark-10 Corp., 458 W. John St., Hicksville, NY 11801.

Air-leak tester

Users of the Q6000 air-leak tester will be able to perform multichannel synchronous and asynchronous testing. They do not have to wait for other users to load and connect all the test pieces before the leak test can be started. Up to four intelligent detector modules can be connected to the control unit for remote programming with up to 10 programs each. Each of the gas boxes functions independently of the others irrespective of their power or operational status. Program editing or removal can only be carried out with the password-protected control unit. ITI Qualitek, 267 Boston Rd., North Billerica, MA 01862-2310.

Force and torque measurement

When used with a digital remote indicator, precalibrated load cells and torque transducers allow accurate measurement of forces and torque in areas inaccessible to conventional force gauges. The all-metal digital remote indicator features breakaway and peak torque measurement, high and low set points, 100-test memory, 1000-Hz sampling rate, precalibrated load cells and torque sensors, and RS-232 and Digimatic data collection capability. Shimpo Instruments, 1701 Glenlake Ave., Itasca, IL 60143-1072.

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