DC Motor / Commutator Bar
DC Motor / Commutator Bar Industrial Dc Motor / Commutator Bar Depth Description Using a MTI Microtrak 4 laser triangulation sensor to measure a DC motor’s armature / commutator bar run out. We fitted a DC motor armature (rotor) in a lathe to spin it. The MTI laser head a DTS 50-20 has 50 mm standoff and a 20 mm measuring range. The laser was placed in a FS-5 magnetic  mount fixture and pointed at the commutator bars. The lathe was spun at 180 RPM and the commutator bar run out [...]
Cement Board Quality Control
Cement Board Quality Control Industrial Cement Board Quality Control Dimensions Description Introduction: Cement backer board is used as underlayment for tile floors, walls and counter tops. It is also used as exterior sheathing and in exterior stucco systems. Cement backer board has proven to be more durable than virtually any other underlayment if quality control and thickness is maintained. The Problem: A major cement board manufacturer was faced with the challenge to improve a board production line throughput and decrease the amount of waste in the process. Too thin of cement board [...]
Extruder Die Flatness
Extruder Die Flatness Industrial Extruder Die Flatness Thickness Description Introduction: Extruder dies have a flatness specification that must be maintained or the parts being extruded will be out of tolerance and non-conformant, resulting in scrap and disruptions. Periodic inspection of the die for flatness, deformation, burrs, or other irregularities is required. Situation: A tool and die company approached MTI Instruments, requesting assistance with a new method for inspecting their 20 ft long die. Contact gauges on a gantry had been the previous method; Non-contact was now the preferred practice. Solution: [...]
Water In Oil
Industrial Water In Oil Level Description
Powdered Metal Level
Powdered Metal Level Industrial Powdered Metal Level Level Description Many precision and no-precision metal parts are made from powdered metal. The metal may be placed in a feed ram or delivered on a web/ belt. Some processes require monitoring of the powdered metal height and it may have to be kept level across the web. For small applications a single spot laser (Microtrak 4) or several lasers may be adequate to monitor the process (powdered metal height ) and call for more metal as the ram or belt supply gets too [...]
Ice Detection
Ice Detection Industrial Ice Detection Presence/Absence Description Introduction:  Ships take in water from outside the hull to cool the engines and other auxiliary equipment. The water usually comes in through a sea chest. “The sea chest provides an intake reservoir from which piping systems draw raw water. Most sea chests are protected by removable gratings (trash screen), and contain baffle plates to dampen the effects of vessel speed or sea state. The intake size of sea chests varies from less than 10 cm² to several square meters“(Wikipedia). Problem: Frazil are [...]
Fill Height Of Construction Blocks
Fill Height Of Construction Blocks Industrial Fill Height Of Construction Blocks Dimensions Description Introduction: When you construct a concrete block wall, the dimensions of the concrete block help ensure the structural integrity of the structure. Since the block is formed in a mold, the width and length are consistent; the height of the block is the variable. The amount of concrete dispensed in the mold, the pressure applied after filling the mold, and even sweeping the block after it is filled can all affect the overall height. The Problem: Many concrete [...]
Case-In-Point: Step Height Measurement (Thickness) of Copper Foil or EV Battery Film on a Roller Rig
Step Height Measurement (Thickness) of Copper Foil or EV Battery Film on a Roller Rig Leverage MTI Instruments’ digital Accumeasure system to measure the thickness of the material used as anode and cathode plates in rechargeable Li-Ion battery cells Many roll-to-roll finishing processes typically use a calender, or series of hard pressure rollers, to deliver smooth, high-quality products of plastic, textile, or paper (Fig 1). Ensuring a consistent material thickness, however, depends on the ability to monitor, and maintain, a precise gap between rollers. This application note describes a quick and easy means for roller gap measurement. Introduction [...]
Why You Need Automotive Cable Tests Before Cars Hit the Road
The automotive industry deals with some of the most technologically diverse pieces of commercially available machinery worldwide — cars and trucks. As these machines continue to evolve and the technology under the hood becomes more complex, ensuring that every wire, electrical connection, and more meets the strict safety standards remains a high point of emphasis. […]
MTI’s Wireless Gap Measurement Probe System Is Ideal for Rotating Machinery
The Accumeasure capacitance probe system offers major improvement over conventional eddy current probes; network up to four probes per system to deliver rich geometrical in-situ measurements in a variety of industry standard formats. Albany, NY—June 28, 2022—MTI Instruments, a US-based manufacturer of advanced test and measurement equipment, announces the introduction of its Accumeasure Wireless Gap Measurement Probe System. The system consists of up to four, battery-powered, wireless capacitance probes paired via Bluetooth to their receiving device. The wireless capability and compact form factor of the battery-powered probes are designed specifically to measure gap in difficult-to-reach or [...]








