Contents:

Tradeshows:

AHR Show
http://www.ahrexpo.com
Chicago, IL
Jan. 23-25, 2006
Booth #6226

MDM West
http://www.mdmwest.com
Anahein, CA
Jan. 31 - Feb. 2, 2006
Booth #1678

HL Planartechnik GmbH (www.hlplanar.com) specializes in thin-film metallization processes, producing sensors in four main categories: (1) infrared thermopiles used in appliance, automobile, medical and other applications for non-contacting temperature measurement; (2) magneto-resistive sensors that measure changes in magnetic fields to determine position, angle, rotation, or current; (3) mass air flow (MAF) sensors to measure the changes in air flow and other gases for use in automotive, medical and industrial applications; and (4) MEMS-based inclination sensors for the precise measurement of level, angle or tilt in construction equipment, automobile and aerospace applications. HL Planar has a production and development facility with a Silicon MEMS fab in the heart of Germany’s technology corridor.

“I am extremely pleased to announce the acquisition of HL Planartechnik by Measurement Specialties,” commented Frank Guidone, Company CEO. “The combination of proprietary and complimentary IP, existing product platforms, and a very talented and experienced technical management team make HL Planartechnik an excellent addition to the company.”

“HL Planartechnik considers the acquisition by Measurement Specialties a perfect move at the right time,” said Hubertus von Janecek, Managing Director of HL Planartechnik. “It is the logical and meaningful continuation of the company’s development which started 17 years ago. MEAS offers HLP complimentary strengths and access to resources, such as production in China and continued investment in promising development projects.

Commented Johannes Herrnsdorf, founder and Managing Director, “Bringing the MEMS chip production process to new sensor applications was the original vision of the founders of HL-Planartechnik back in 1988. Indeed, today there are many exciting silicon sensor chips, however many lack electronics to make them truly plug and play. Combining HLP’s MEMS development and production capability with Measurement Specialties’ systems integration experience will allow us to accelerate our growth and provide greater value to our customers.”

For more information about HLP, contact Hubertus von Janecek at hubertus.vonjanecek@hlplanar.de or +49(0)231/9740-0.

Measurement Specialties also announced in December it has reached agreement to acquire ATEX, a sensor specialist serving the European Motorsports markets. Founded in 2000, ATEX specializes in providing vibration, pressure and force sensors to Formula One racing teams.

“ATEX will be able to leverage our growing investment in accelerometer development across an expanded customer base,” noted CEO Frank Guidone. ATEX principle shareholder Dominique D’Antonio commented: “This transaction will allow ATEX to expand its product offerings and have new access to advanced, reliable technologies – most notably in pressure sensing and load cells. This, coupled with Measurement Specialties worldwide sales and technical support, will dramatically enhance our service to our customers.”

ATEX and Measurement Specialties will be celebrating this new union by exhibiting together at Autosport International Show this week, January 14-15, at Birmingham England. Visit us at the APEX booth #E27 to see our expanded product lineup.

For more information about ATEX, visit their website at www.atex-f1.com or contact Dominque D’Antonio via phone at + 33 1 34 81 22 72 or contact@atex-f1.com.

Test and measurement specialists can now take advantage of our revamped stocking program to ensure fastest possible delivery of miniature pressure transducers, load cells, accelerometers and electronics. The Measurement Specialties stocking program now offers dozens of the most popular sensor models from the former Entran product lines to suit a variety of applications.

For helping identifying the right product for your use click here.  If you require additional application engineering support contact us at 757-766-1500 or sensors.help@meas-spec.com.  Links to PDF datasheets are available by clicking the product names below. Products are available for purchase online or by calling Customer Service at 757-766-1500 or 800-745-8008.

Stocking Program Products

(click on the model name below for a product datasheet)

BUY end-user products on-line  - click here

Accelerometers
EGAX in 4 ranges from 10 to 1000g
EGCS-D1S in 4 ranges from 5 to 1000g
EGCS-S425 in 500 or 2000g
EGCS3-D in 25 or 100g

Pressure Transducers
EPX-V01 in 5 ranges from 10 to 5000 PSI
EPXO-X01 in 3 ranges from 200 to 5000 PSI

Load Cells
ELA-B2 in 3 ranges from 100 to 1000 lbs
ELFM/S-B and T in 3 ranges from 5 to 100 lbs
ELKM in 3 ranges from 500 to 5000 lbs
ELPM-T in 4 ranges from 25 to 1000 lbs
ELW-D in 3 ranges from 10 to 500 lbs

Electronics
MM40 Display meter
PS-30 and PS-30A Power Supplies

Test Applications
Wind Tunnel
Aircraft Body and Wing Dynamics

Parts & Components Vibration Testing
Drop Tower Testing
Ejection Seat Testing
Brake Dynamics
Hydraulic Pressure Measurements
Brake Studies
Aerodynamic Load Measurements
Automotive Testing
Crash Barrier Testing
Deceleration Sled Testing
Motor Sports – Trajectory Mapping, Wheel Monitoring, Structural Monitoring
Guidance Control
Blast Testing of Munitions - Blast Back Pressure Measurements
Impact Pressure of Projectiles
Munitions Casing Structural Studies – For optimizing blast effect
Biomedical Testing

Accelerometers measure shock and vibration by providing an output signal proportional to the object to which they are attached. The stiffer the mounting, the higher the natural frequency of the mounted accelerometer. Magnetic mounting of accelerometers provides the least stiffness, while screw or stud mounting provides the greatest. For those applications where holes cannot be drilled into the structure or the design of the accelerometer does not allow for screw/stud mounting, adhesive solutions are the most practical.

For best performance, Measurement Specialties suggests using cyanoacrylate adhesives — a generic name for methyl-2-cyanoacrylate, which can be purchased under such trademarks as Super Glue, Loctite® or Krazy Glue©. Another form, 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (trade name Dermabond®), has many medical uses and causes less irritation to one's skin than methyl-2-cyanoacrylate. Cyanoacrylate sets in less than 60 seconds, with full strength reached in two hours.

Below are some critical guidelines to consider when evaluating your accelerometer installations:

Accelerometer Installation Guidelines

1. Mounting surfaces must be clean and free of any residue from epoxies, waxes, paint or other foreign materials.
2. The mounting surface should be flat and even.
3. Prolonged inhalation of vapors can be harmful!
4. Avoid contact with your skin.
5. Use acetone to soften cured cyanoacrylate for accelerometer removal.
6. Cyanoacrylate is available for temperature ranges from -18° C through 125° C.
7. Use the thinnest layer of cyanoacrylate possible for best frequency response.
8. Exposure to moisture in the air causes cyanoacrylate to set. Store the material in an airtight container with a package of silica gel.
9. Use a razor blade to remove the accelerometer after the cyanoacrylate has been softened by acetone. Prying the sensor loose with  a screwdriver may damage the unit.
10. Hot wax or glue can be used for non-permanent installations.

Measurement Specialties Vibration Design Center (VDC) in Aliso Viejo, California spearheads the company’s global initiative to expand its accelerometer and vibration sensing businesses among customers in the automotive, medical, military, aerospace and consumer goods industries. VDC builds on the application capabilities of Measurement Specialties’ sensing technologies based on silicon MEMs, piezoelectric polymer film, piezoelectric ceramic and bonded gage. Call (949) 716-5377 or email vibration@meas-spec.com for application assistance.