Long-life gauges have six-year warranty
22 Aug 2000
The 3D Instruments pressure gauges, introduced by UK agent Flotech Solutions, are said to set a new standard of reliability and long-term accuracy. 3D stands for `direct drive difference' and refers to the inconel Bourdon tube in the form of a helical capillary, directly coupled to the pointer needle, which moves over a 270 degrees scale. The small volume of the capillary means that only small and low cost chemical process seals are needed.
All the gauges have a six-year warranty and are expected to exceed the life of any other pressure gauge, even liquid-filled types. 3D gauges use an anti-vibration helix to stabilise the readings, and accuracy is unaffected even by 150 per cent overpressure.
Life tests have shown the instruments maintain calibration even after 250 000 cycles of 80 per cent of scale swings. The standard product available from Flotech is a 4.5in diameter gauge in an ABS case.
