PRODUCTS & PROCESSES
PhoenixTM address the Thru-process Temperature Profiling product material mix challenge !
A key component in any thruprocess temperature profiling system is the thermocouple . Obviously at the end of the day the quality of any temperature data recorded is greatly influenced by how accurately and repeatably the thermocouple sensor “ Hot Junction ” can be secured to the product surface . In the automotive manufacturing market with a drive to reduce CO2 emissions , as part of climate change regulations , car body weight reduction strategies have forced the use of new materials . The traditional steel body shell is now made up often of a complex mix of materials such as steel , aluminium , alloys , and composites . At the same time body shell designs have become more complex and detailed . Both situations create a challenge to the appropriate type of thermocouple to allow easy , reliable , and efficient attachment to the material type being measured . One thermocouple design alone will now not suffice . To address the problem PhoenixTM offers a comprehensive range of thermocouple designs developed for the challenge in hand .
For routine temperature monitoring of steel , as part of paint / powder coating cure QA the default thermocouple type has been the offset magnetic thermocouple . The thermocouple design allows quick , easy but accurate and repeatable placement of the measurement sensor on the steel surface . Contact of sensor with substrate is achieved by a sprung steel arm separating the magnet and hot junction . The PhoenixTM magnetic thermocouples are uniquely designed to allow sensor replacement to keep consumable costs to a minimum . In the paint operation damage to the PTFE cable especially if 3m or more in length is
Offset Magnetic Thermocouples
inevitable over time with moving cables across the hostile hot sharp edges of the car body shell .
To address the ever increasing space limitations in many applications the standard magnetic thermocouple design has been complemented by the MiniMag thermocouple . With a compact profile the sensor can be mounted in the tightest of
MiniMag Magnetic Thermocouple
recesses . Incorporating the hot junction into the low mass base of the housing , accurate and repeatable contact with the substrate , hence measurement , is guaranteed on attachment . The sensor can be attached to the smallest area of metal ( 23 mm diameter ) so ideal for even formed and curved body shells . Provided also with a user replaceable cable , consumable costs are minimised .
To address the aluminium challenge where obviously a magnet will not help , a unique long reach clamp thermocouple has been developed . The clamp allows secure fixing on inner structural metal work and a user customised sprung arm
AL Clamp Thermocouple
58 APRIL 2022 twitter : @ surfaceworldmag