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Magsoft Corp has released new versions of its Flux tools—finite element method-based, computer-aided-engineering software packages for the analysis and design of electromagnetic and electromechanical devices, machines, and processes. The new releases feature a redesigned Microsoft Windows interface that enables users to work in several new areas. Those areas include external circuit and drive connection for all conductors; solid-body motion coupling for either linear or rotational displacements; a transient solver with motion-induced eddy currents; parameter controls for geometry shape, location, and position, mesh distribution, physical properties, and electrical inputs; and a direct coupling of the company’s Flux2D software with MATLAB/Simulink products from MathWorks Inc. Magsoft Corporation, 1223 Peoples Avenue, Troy, New York 12180, http://www.magsoft-flux.com

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Lake Shore Cryotronics has introduced the Model 475 Hall Effect Gaussmeter, which makes use of digital signal processing to provide enhanced capabilities. The instrument/probe combination can measure static DC magnetic fields with an uncertainty of ±0.05%, and offers full-scale ranges from 35 mG to 350 kG (35 T) and a display of ±350 000 counts. An AC measurement mode enables DC to 50-kHz reading capability with low-pass and band-pass filtering. The 475 also has a high-speed interface that can provide 1000 readings per second and can capture peak fields with resolution in the submillisecond range. Standard features include temperature and frequency indication, built-in field control, alarms and relays, analog voltage outputs, and computer interfaces. A variety of gaussmeter probes are available for different applications. Lake Shore Cryotronics Inc, 575 McCorkle Boulevard, Westerville, Ohio 43082, http://www.lakeshore.com

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GMW Associates offers two new types of integrated Hall effect sensors from Sentron (Switzerland) that respond to a magnetic field parallel to the chip surface. The Type CSA-1 single-axis and the Type 2SA-1 two-axis are integrated CMOS systems that include the Hall element, biasing circuit, amplifier, and a programmer for gain, offsets, and temperature coefficient. Both devices are based on a new, patented, integrated-magnetic-concentrator technology that involves a ferromagnetic layer to provide a high magnetic gain. The resulting sensitivity is very high (up to 30 V/kG). The CSA-1 can measure AC and DC currents by sensing the magnetic field emanating from an adjacent wire or a trace on a PC board. Applications for the two-axis device include 360° absolute position rotary sensors, two-axis joy sticks, and two-axis tilt sensors. GMW Associates, 955 Industrial Road, San Carlos, California 94070, http://www.gmw.com

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The Model SMM-770 Scanning Magnetic Microscope from Tristan Technologies has been configured to measure magnetic susceptibility above the planar surface of insulating, conducting, or ferrous material samples. Either DC or AC fields can be applied to samples as large as 30 × 30 cm and imaged with a high-T _c superconductor SQUID sensor. An AC-field option allows a small vertical AC field to be imposed on the sample, a capability of interest when eddy current measurements are desired. The sensor can resolve magnetic features of room-temperature objects as small as tens of micrometers. The SMM-770 system allows computer-controlled scans of objects with 12.5-µm stepping capability; submicrometer stepping is available. Tristan Technologies Inc, 6185 Cornerstone Court East, Suite 106, San Diego, California 92121, http://www.tristantech.com

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ETS-Lindgren has announced the Single Knife Edge (SKE) door for EMI/RFI (electromagnetic/radio frequency interference) shielded enclosures. The SKE door features a precision-formed knife edge, a recessed contact mechanism, and a two-point latching system; it may be installed in new or existing modular, welded, panformed RF-shielded enclosures, as well as anechoic chambers. Because of its strength, its rigidity, and a surface that is flush with the inner chamber wall, the SKE can optimize the application of resistive and ferrite tile absorbers. The standard SKE door provides shielding attenuation levels of 110 dB at frequencies up to 1 GHz and 100 dB up to 18 GHz. The doors measure 3 × 7 ft, with custom sizes up to 25 × 25 ft available. ETS-Lindgren, 400 High Grove Boulevard, Glendale Heights, Illinois 60139, http://www.lindgrenrf.com

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Aerotech’s ADRT series Direct-Drive Rotary Stage uses a slotless, ironless motor design to provide superior angular positioning and velocity control in indexing, high-speed laser machining, and precision wafer inspection uses. This device has all the advantages of a brushless direct-drive motor: no brushes to wear, no gear trains to maintain, and high acceleration and high speeds. Low inertia and zero backlash make the ADRT ideal for applications requiring frequent directional changes. When coupled to the company’s MXH series resolution multipliers, the device can achieve resolution as fine as 0.12 arc seconds. Also available is a motor/rotary encoder combination that is directly coupled to a common shaft. The absence of gear trains and mechanical couplings means that no position errors are caused by hysteresis, windup, or backlash. Aerotech Inc, 101 Zeta Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15238-2897, http://www.aerotech.com

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The MicrostatBT system from Oxford Instruments was designed for magneto-optical imaging and high-resolution microspectroscopy in the presence of DC magnetic fields up to 5 T and at low temperatures. The independent magnet and sample cryostats provide benefits of a modular approach, such as enabling different points on the sample to be positioned in the field center without removing the sample from the cryostat and allowing the sample to be changed while the magnet remains cold. Applications of the MicrostatBT include Kerr and Faraday effect measurements, flux visualization of superconducting materials, the measurement of dimensional changes of magnetostrictive materials, and micro-Raman or micro-photoluminescence spectroscopy for studying microstructures. Oxford Instruments America Inc, 130A Baker Avenue, Concord, Massachusetts 01742-2121, http://www.oxford-instruments.com

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Polytec PI has introduced HERA, a series of long-travel, precision-guided, PZT (lead zirconate titanate) nanopositioning/scanning stages for applications such as nanometrology, scanning microscopy, microlithography, and mask alignment. The HERA stages feature linear travel ranges up to 600 µm—said to be the largest in the industry—subnanometer resolution and stability, submillisecond response and vibration-suppression algorithms that allow faster settling and higher throughput, and integrated capacitive position feedback. To drive the stages, the company offers high-speed digital and analog low-noise, closed-loop controllers with features such as auto-linearization for high-speed scanning applications. Polytec PI Inc, 16 Albert Street, Auburn, Massachusetts 01501, http://www.polytecpi.com

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Quater Research & Development has released the Model XYZ-500 MIMT, a motorized micropositioner that provides high-precision, three-axis motion with 0.5-inch movement on each axis. It uses three stepping motors that are attached to precise gear heads (121:1 standard) that drive a 100 threads-per-inch screw. The resulting resolution ranges from 0.48 µm per step down to 0.0105 µm per step, depending on the gearbox supplied. High-quality, 440-stainless steel is used for the bearings—either ball or cross roller bearings are available. The positioner’s remote control can be by either computer or a joystick. The XYZ-500 MIMT is intended for automating the positioning of probes, test heads, lasers, and optics, and general scientific applications. Quater Research & Development Inc, 16081 Southeast Evelyn Street, Clackamas, Oregon 97015, http://www.quater-research.com

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FARO Technologies has announced the Titanium FaroArm, the latest addition to the company’s portable coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) that offer all of the ergonomic advantages of the earlier Platinum series. The new FaroArm enables users to inspect, reverse engineer, or perform accurate CAD-to-part analysis on parts, fixtures, and assemblies, and is said to be much lighter than a standard, portable CMM. The Titanium series feature accuracy to 0.001 inch, a 3.5 inch o.d. mounting ring for attachment to granite or metal surfaces, overload sensors that sound an alert when users stress one of the six axes, internal counter-balancing, and universal probe calibration. The Titanium FaroArm interfaces with the company’s FARO CAM2 software for applications in metal forming, molding, fabricating, casting, and assembly. FARO Technologies Inc, 125 Technology Park, Lake Mary, Florida 32746 http://www.faro.com

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Magnetic Shield Update is a quarterly newsletter that contains engineering notes, case studies, and general articles about this field. Published by Magnetic Shield, the newsletter also appears on the company’s Web site. Magnetic Shield Corp, 740 North Thomas Drive, Bensenville, Illinois 60106, http://www.magnetic-shield.com

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A new power supply catalog and handbook is available from Kepco. Included in its 164 pages are revised and updated applications information, a glossary, and full specifications on current products and several new products, such as a group of bipolar, four-quadrant, 1-kW power supplies. Kepco Inc, 131-38 Sanford Avenue, Flushing, New York 11352, http://www.kepcopower.com

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Thermo Vacuum Generators has released a 365-page color catalog with complete specifications for thousands of high-vacuum and ultra-high-vacuum components. Also included are tables of vacuum data and guidelines for vacuum design. Thermo Vacuum Generators, 355 River Oaks Parkway, San Jose, California 95134, http://wwwthermovacgen.com

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The Model 5698 Working Standard SPRT from Hart Scientific features a strainfree, 25-ohm, pure platinum sensor. It meets the ITS-90 ratio requirements for SPRTs and covers temperatures from −200°C to 661°C. Long-term drift, which the company defines as the change in output resistance at the triple-point of water after 100 hours at 661°C is—after converting to temperature—less than 6 mK and typically less than 3 mK. The 5698 is enclosed in a 485-mm quartz sheath and requires 1 mA of excitation current. Calibration options include both fixed-point and comparison calibrations. Also available from the company are SPRT readout devices such as the model 1590, which reads the 5698 within an uncertainty of 1 mk at 0°C. Hart Scientific Inc, 799 East Utah Valley Drive, American Fork, Utah 84003-9775, http://www.hartscientific.com

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Advanced Research Instruments has introduced the PRM-400, a precision dual ratemeter/photon counter. Capable of operating at speeds of more than 500 MHz with zero dead-time operation, the PRM-400 features what is sometimes referred to as back-to-back counting: One of the dual counters is counting while the other is unloading its data. The switching from one to the other is automatic and instantaneous so that there is no loss of counts. The two counters can also be configured for a background subtraction. The instrument includes gated inputs, a 1024-point first-in-first-out data storage, and a time base that provides ranges from 10 µs to 10 s. Each channel has an analog output and a user-specified value for a threshold control of the preamplifier/discriminator. Advanced Research Instruments Corp, 5151 Ward Road, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033, http://www.aricorp.com

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Amptek has announced the LASER-X, a laser-activated x-ray tube system for portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF). It is designed to simplify the XRF process by providing a grounded anode, variable voltage and current, and ease of operation. It features a 35-kV/100-uA power supply (adjustable over the range 10-35 kV) with a solid silver target, a collimated, beryllium oxide end window, and control electronics. The x-ray beam spot size is 1 mm in diameter and is directed 45° from the axis of the tube. The internal miniature x-ray tube may be separated from its enclosure where space is limited. The LASER-X is designed to replace radioisotopes in XRF-analysis applications. The laser-activated cathode allows an instantaneous on—off, thus prolonging battery life (a regulated +12-V supply may be used instead). Amptek, Inc, 6 De Angelo Drive, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730, http://www.amptek.com

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Dynaflow has released its DynaJets high-efficiency water jet nozzles that produce an extremely erosive environment said to enable significant increases in cleaning, cutting, and drilling rates as compared to conventional jet nozzles. DynaJets use cavitation, acoustic excitation, and turbulent jet interruption and structuring through passive manipulation of the flow to create large high-frequency stresses on the target surface. The result is high-efficiency jets for both submerged and in-air applications such as surface cleaning, stripping, and rock cutting. Dynaflow Inc, 10621-J Iron Bridge Road, Jessup, Maryland 20791, http://www.dynaflow-inc.com

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