June 2021Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
When a local fire pump test facility needed to eliminate human error from its test procedures, it contacted Instrotech for advice. Sales account manager, Tinus Ludik, recommended an Optris Xi80 infrared camera, which combines the benefits of infrared cameras and infrared thermometers, be installed to replace the existing handheld temperature ‘gun’ that was in use to monitor the temperature of the pumps under test.
Levey’s PumpTest Lab (LPL), in Pretoria, measures the temperature of the fire pump units it tests and certifies them for a wide range of industries. “Recently, we conducted a test run of the fire pump set of an industrial fire sprinkler system, which typically runs for six hours,” says MD, Francois Levey. “During the test, the unit’s thermostat failed to open. This led to its overheating and catastrophic failure, with a resultant replacement cost of R200 000. On Instrotech’s advice, we decided to purchase the Optris Xi80 thermal camera to prevent such incidents happening again in the future.”
Francois Levey (left), Dewald Scholtz (centre) and Tinus Ludik attend a pump test.
While using the Xi80 and PIX Connect standard software for the temperature measurement, LPL realised that it needed even more features. Pieter Deysel, Instrotech MD, explains: “The possibilities and applications of Optris’ Xi80’s technology are virtually limitless. However, Optris is realistically not able to customise the unit for every specific customer application. And in this case, LPL wanted not only to measure temperature, but additional parameters like pressure and flow as well. In other words, LPL required a customised solution.”
Enter Dewald Scholtz of Rhizoo Christos Technologies (RCT), who came in and utilised the Optris Software Development Kit, supplied with the Optris PIX Connect software, to develop software specifically to address the ‘picture-in-picture’ function LPL required. With an additional high-resolution camera, LPL can now access a custom-developed user interface and switch between the different live camera feeds, with customised probe placements, to see exactly how the pumps are performing.
Scholtz elaborates: “It is crucially important for any company that supplies sensors to provide some sort of interface for a custom solution, adaptable to a variety of industry and application needs. This enables solutions that satisfy the exact requirements of every client, which is exactly what was done for LPL.”
In addition, RCT has written software for LPL’s customers, giving them secure login access to see, in real-time, the performance of their pumps during their equipment’s test run.
Clog-resistant nozzle for powerful stationary tank cleaning
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
As EXAIR and BETE continue to build on a strong partnership, EXAIR has recently added a selection of BETE products to the site, including the innovative BETE HydroClaw tank and vessel cleaning nozzle.
Read more...Clog-resistant nozzle for powerful
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
As EXAIR and BETE continue to build on a strong partnership, EXAIR has recently added a selection of BETE products to the site, including the innovative BETE HydroClaw tank and vessel cleaning nozzle.
Read more...Why your next oscilloscope should Comtest
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
The PC-based USB oscilloscope is a cutting-edge, adaptable alternative to traditional benchtop oscilloscopes that’s redefining test and measurement.
Read more...The critical role of temperature measurement in flame hardening Instrotech
Temperature Measurement
Flame hardening is a heat treatment process widely used on parts made from mild steels, alloy steels, medium carbon steels and cast iron. Accurate temperature measurement is not just important, but critical for the success of flame hardening.
Read more...Noncontact infrared temperature control in aluminium rolling process Instrotech
Temperature Measurement
The aluminium rolling process is critical to the aluminium manufacturing industry, where precise temperature measurement is essential for ensuring high-quality product output and protecting equipment. The Optris long-wavelength camera can accurately measure strip temperatures in cold rolling and coiling applications.
Read more...Rotary atomisers for efficient paint spraying Instrotech
Sensors & Transducers
Painting the bodywork is an integral component of vehicle manufacturing. Keller supplied intrinsically safe pressure transmitters and intrinsically safe temperature sensors to a client producing paint robots for the car industry.
Read more...Automated test and measurement Comtest
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Comtest, in partnership with global brands, provides customised solutions with integrated hardware and software for efficient testing and data collection.
Read more...Quality process control instrumentation Instrotech
Temperature Measurement
Instrotech is a leading provider of high-quality process control instrumentation and industrial automation solutions that are designed to optimise efficiency, reliability and safety across industries.
Read more...Advanced field calibrator and communicator
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
The Beamex MC6 is a high-accuracy field calibrator that offers automatic calibration capabilities for pressure, temperature and various electrical signals.
Read more...Inline particle measurement Mecosa
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Part of the SOPAT family, Parsum has for more than 20 years stood for the measurement of particles in a running process - without sampling and without a laboratory.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version