The HMX handheld XRF film thickness and composition analysis measurement tool is suited to the needs of the fastener, connector and general metal finishing industries. The unit’s measurement capabilities include at-process measurement for quality control, plating line and analysis lab applications, and at-sample analysis in the factory or in the field along with alloy sorting and alloy identification for substrate materials management. The Batch Measurement mode lets the operator calculate the average thickness of a batch of small parts with a single measurement. Point and shoot and the analyzer automatically generates an average thickness for the entire lot. In addition, the unit is an XRF solution for measurement of large samples that commonly cannot be measured in chamber-based systems because of part size.

Matrix Metrologies Inc.
(631) 472-2400
www.matrixmetrologies.com
Reply 711

Hall Effect gages are particularly important in the blow molding industry for measurement of wall thickness in plastic bottles and similar containers, as well as many other situations involving relatively thin, nonmagnetic products such as aluminum containers, plastic and glass tubing, scientific glassware, and many small machined or molded plastic and composite parts.

On a recent Thursday morning, I went to New York for a plant visit. I live in Chicago, so instead of my usual drive, my morning commute was a two-hour flight. It was a short trip: one taxi picked me up at 6:30 a.m. and another one took me home 12 hours later. Though I only spent a few hours with the company, I considered the trip a success because I learned a lot and-no small miracle when flying out of O’Hare airport-both flights were on time.

New 3-D analysis capability in stereomicroscopy is available. Conventional stereomicroscopes now transform into true 3-D measurement devices with full analytical capability to generate profile, roughness, area and volumetric measurements.

Within the myriad of inspection systems and technologies available in the industry that are relatively inexpensive and can be fully automated, one inspection technology stands out-eddy current inspection. It is available to the machining industry in two forms: noncontact and contact.

Viewing and quantifying defect damage during a visual inspection has become a critical function of quality control engineers and all borescope operators. This need to quantify inspection data has driven borescope manufacturers to achieve higher levels of system performance.

HOLLY, MI-Quantech Contract Sorting Inc. (QCS) offers part inspection and sorting services to the machining and assembly industries. QCS forms the contract inspection arm of NDT Technologies.

TROY, MI-Test Equipment Distributors (TED), a provider of nondestructive testing equipment and services, serving the automotive, aerospace and other industries, names Rick Ballinger vice president.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM-Illinois Tool Works Inc., a designer and producer of engineered components, equipment, consumable systems and specialty products, announces the purchase of Albuquerque, NM-based Quasar International Inc., the inventor of process compensated resonant testing (PCRT), an NDT method.