Load Cells in Process Measurement

Strain gauges and load cells are found throughout
industrial processing applications.

In industrial application of process measurement and control, principles of the physical sciences are combined with technology and engineering to create devices essential to modern high speed, high accuracy system operation. Years of research, development, and the forward march of humanity’s quest for scientific knowledge and understanding yield packaged devices for process measurement that are easily applied by system designers and operators.

Load cells are the key components applied to weighing component or processed materials in modern processing. They are utilized throughout many industries related to process management, or just simple weighing operations. In application, a load cell can be adapted for measurement of items from the very small to the very large.

In essence, a load cell is a measurement tool which functions as a transducer, predictably converting force into a unit of measurable electrical output. While many types of load cells are available, the most popular cell in multiple industries is a strain gauge based cell. These strain gauge cells typically function with an accuracy range between 0.03% and 0.25%. Pneumatically based load cells are ideal for situations requiring intrinsic safety and optimal hygiene and, for locations without a power grid, there are even hydraulic load cells, which function without need for a power supply. These different types of load cells follow the same principle of operation: a force acts upon the cell (typically the weight of material or an object) which is then returned as a change in a reference value. Processing the value yields an indication of weight in engineering units. For strain gauge cells, the principle of deformation applies, where extremely small amounts of deformation, directly related to the stress or strain being applied to the cell, are output as an electrical signal with value proportional to the load applied to the cell. The operating principle allows for development of devices delivering accurate, precise measurements of a wide range of industrial products. Advantages of load cells include their longevity, accuracy, and adaptability to many applications, all of which contribute to their usefulness in so many industries and applications.

Analynk manufactures process measurement and control equipment that utilizes strain gauges in their operation, as well as signal alarms and transmitters that will convert strain gauge output signals into common process control signals. Equipment for further establishing wireless connections among measurement and control devices is a specialty of Analynk Wireless. Share your process measurement and connectivity challenges with the industrial wireless experts at Analynk, leveraging your own process knowledge and experience with their specialized application expertise to develop effective solutions.

Wireless Access Point Enclosures for Hazardous Areas

One of  many variants of access point enclosures for
hazardous areas

Wireless access point enclosures for use in areas classified as hazardous are designed and certified for use in those locations within chemical plants, refineries, oil and gas platforms, mining facilities, grain processing, plastics processing and more. These specialized enclosures also provide an additional level of security for wireless access point by preventing tampering, vandalism, and theft.

It can be advantageous for the wireless network gear in the processing or manufacturing section of a facility to conform to certain information technology standards established for the larger scope of the organization. There can be real benefits to standardizing on particular brands or types of hardware. The tasks involved with back end management of network infrastructure are less complex when all the equipment is of the same vendor and product family. Provisioning, which includes initial setup, long term management, and unit loss management, is simplified when all the units are the same. Process engineers and operators pursue the same goal in standardizing on particular transmitters, valves, or other components that have multiple installations throughout a facility. Difficulty can arise when the IT team's chosen wireless access point needs to be installed in an area classified as hazardous due to the potential for ignition of flammable or explosive gases and vapors.

Analynk's industrial wireless access point enclosures are designed for Class 1, Division 1, Hazardous Locations, Groups C & D, ATEX Zone 1. Standard models are available to accommodate Symbol, Cisco, Meru, Aruba, HP, and Motorola access points. Each unit arrives with an enclosure fitted with mounting holes for the required antenna set and cabling, custom interior mounting plate for the designated access point, explosion proof antenna set and cables to connect the antenna set to the access point. Analynk's hazardous area enclosures for wireless access points deliver a ready-made solution for installing wireless access points in hazardous locations.

Analynk Completes 15 Years of Product Innovation

Analynk completed 15 years of successful wireless equipment
innovation and manufacture.

Analynk Wireless, LLC just completed its fifteenth year of operations, designing and manufacturing wireless comunications devices for use in the process control arena. Their simple to use and effective wireless devices can be combined with the company's Telmar line of wired process measurement and control instruments, or combined with instruments and equipment of the customer's choosing, to establish process connections across almost any distance.

Steady innovation and improvement, coupled with curiosity and a genuine desire to help customers meet the challenges of process measurement and control, have contributed greatly to the success of the company. New product versions, as well as expanded options, come in an almost continuous stream as Analynk innovates to meet customer application requests.

Share your process connectivity challenges with the experts at Analynk Wireless, leveraging your own process knowledge and experience with their industrial wireless expertise.

Off The Grid Wireless Communication for Process Measurement and Control

The Analynk preconfigured combination solar and battery
power unit enables simple off the grid implementation.

Remote process stations of almost any type requiring monitoring and transmission of measurement data can be accommodated easily with Analynk's solar power unit. The compact preconfigured unit needs just a selection of process measurement gear and a wireless transmitter to enable simple installation. Analynk has already done the design and assembly. The user installs their measurement gear and an Analynk transmitter, performs a quick setup operation, and the station is up and running.

In addition to the obvious advantage of enabling process measurement and transmission where power is not available, there may be instances where a wireless solution saves time and expense of extending a power circuit to the instrument location. The power supply unit comes complete with solar panel, battery, charge controller, and NEMA 4 enclosure. Options are available to accommodate specific installation requirements and custom units can be assembled for larger power requirements and other special applications.

The data sheet below provides more detail. Share your wireless process measurement and control connectivity challenges with Analynk for effective solutions.

Solar power supply for industrial wireless transmitters from Analynk Wireless, LLC

Updated and Expanded Wireless Equipment Enclosure Options

Analynk customizes wireless equipment enclosures to
provided customers ready to run solutions.

Analynk offers customizing and fabrication of wireless equipment enclosures to meet every customer requirement. Combining their industrial wireless transmitters, receivers, repeaters, antennas, and other components into a fully assembled package, Analynk can save customers time and cost with a complete and ready to run solution for establishing wireless process instrument connections across almost any distance.

The company recently updated the documented offering for enclosure options. If you have the old document, you should replace it with the newest version.

Share your industrial wireless connection requirements and challenges with the experts at Analynk. Combining your own knowledge and experience with their application expertise will deliver an effective solution.

It's Been A Good Year for Us.

Industrial wireless transmitter and receiver

Things have been busy at Analynk this year. As the year closes, we would like to extend our thanks to all those who supported us with their business and their efforts on our behalf. Working together, the Analynk organization accomplished some notable goals.

• Introduced several new hazardous area enclosures for wireless access point equipment.
• NEMA 4X designation on all explosion proof antennas
• Expanded line of specialty enclosures for wireless transceiver equipment
• New larger hazardous area rated RF enclosure for wireless equipment
• Custom designed OEM products or systems
• Continued expansion of 3D product drawing library
• Updated and expanded distributor network with seasoned professionals

Next year is already shaping up to be even better, with more innovative and creative products for establishing wireless process control connections across the room, across the property, and around the globe.

Integrating Products Into a Complete Solution

Explosion proof temperature transmitter, one of many
Telmar process measurement products.

Analynk Wireless manufactures equipment and crafts solutions for establishing wireless connections between process measurement and control locations, across the room, across the property, around the globe. As part of the company's product matrix, their Telmar branded products provide measurement points for complete application solutions. A review of the Telmar products.

• Pressure to current transmitters
• Current to pressure transmitters
• Pressure to voltage or current
• Current or voltage to pressure
• Voltage to current
• Current to voltage
• RTD
• Thermocouple
• Slidewire
• Tachometer
• Power supplies
• LCD digital meters
• LED Indicators
• Signal alarms

The Analynk application team can design and fabricate a complete package solution for your process measurement or wireless connectivity requirement. Share your ideas and challenges with the wireless and process measurement experts, leveraging your own knowledge and experience for an effective project outcome.