Asphalt, which is manufactured in asphalt mixing plants for the construction and road building industry, consists mainly of bitumen and gravel of different grain sizes. Other materials, such as binders, sand, stone chips and special additives are also mixed in.
Depending on the temperature and the mixing ratio, the final product is either a tar-like liquid or a relatively solid material. Composition and properties vary depending on what the asphalt is used for.
The mixture is prepared in an electronically controlled process in which the individual components are brought together in a specific order and mixed. Temperatures up to 180°C, steam, intense filling noise, different repose angles as well as the extremely sticky and abrasive product place heavy demands on the level measuring system.
In order to maintain the quality of the asphalt mixture for an extended period, the asphalt is stored in temperature controlled containers. Vega’s radar sensor VegaPuls 68 monitors the level continuously without touching the medium and unaffected by the difficult conditions, ensuring a smooth production process.
VegaPuls also monitors the level during filling and emptying. The level data is forwarded to the downstream VegaMet 381 signal conditioning instrument and displayed there. This unit also provides a switching contact as dry-run alarm to prevent the feed unit from running empty. By using these systems in conjunction with one another, optimal utilisation of the costly container volume is ensured.
Enhanced automated weld inspection system
Sensors & Transducers
SmartRay is offering the release of new hardware for its weld inspection system, JOSY, delivering elevated performance and flexibility in the process.
Read more...Leaders in sensor technology Gail Norton Instrumentation
Sensors & Transducers
Photoelectric eyes have always needed perfect working conditions, but in the workplace there is no such thing. Steam, water, light and dirt interfere with most photoelectric eyes, but never with a Telco sensor.
Read more...Easy parameter setting of vision sensors ifm - South Africa
Sensors & Transducers
Contour verification and object inspection are two of the most important functionalities in industrial imaging. With the new O2D5xx series, ifm now offers a solution that perfectly masters both functionalities
Read more...A fresh approach to dairy processing VEGA Controls SA
Level Measurement & Control
Ensuring the quality and safety of milk throughout the production process is of the utmost importance in the dairy industry. The VEGABAR pressure transmitters are suitable for hygienic applications. They are an asset in the dairy industry and have been used with success for measuring the milk level and the process pressure in storage tanks.
Read more...Keeping a close eye on product quality and purity Endress+Hauser South Africa
Sensors & Transducers
Colour measurements are necessary in many processes to avoid product losses and ensure safe production and batching. The Memosens Wave CKI50 process spectrometer from Endress+Hauser is a compact, robust and process-friendly device allowing quality, batching and phase checks to be performed by a single instrument for the entire visible colour spectrum.
Read more...A cure for measurement headaches in contract manufacturing VEGA Controls SA
Editor's Choice
A contract manufacturing organisation provides support to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the manufacturing of medications, formulations and substances. VEGA’s measurement solutions offer accuracy and reliability for monitoring levels and pressures during the manufacturing process.
Read more...The sensory reaction of building management systems Schneider Electric South Africa
Sensors & Transducers
Today’s building management systems (BMS) cannot function properly without sensors. This is so critical that if sensors start failing, they can become ‘blind’.
Read more...Advanced sensor technology to reduce vehicle fatalities Senseca
Sensors & Transducers
Measurement technology plays a critical role across a range of industries. This is especially true when supplying highly accurate and reliable data for road management entities that assist drivers of vehicles experiencing hazardous weather conditions.
Read more...High-precision automated inspection
Sensors & Transducers
Delivering advanced inline metrology to an expanding range of challenging industries, SmartRay is launching the smallest field-of-view 3D sensor of its cutting-edge ECCO X series.
Read more...Long-range laser distance measuring sensor Vepac Electronics
Sensors & Transducers
The MS-100A is a long-range laser distance measuring sensor with a range of 150 to 1000 mm. This sensor excels in applications requiring extended measurement capabilities, such as quality control and logistics.