MAC MultiAmplifier Card and IMUX Multiplexer
Low-cost Tension Indication From Multiple Sensing Points

Industrial electronic devices that amplify the millivolt level signals put out by strain-gauge tension transducers (load cells) are typically single channel, allowing for tension and display output from a single sensor point only. Dover Flexo Electronics, Inc. (DFE) has just released two new products: the MAC MultiAmplifier Card and the IMUX Tension Multiplexer, which combined allow multi-point tension monitoring at a considerably lower cost than using multiple single-channel indicators to perform the same task.

The 5.5 x 7 inch MAC circuit card amplifies the signals from up to eight sets of tension transducers (or load cells), supplying a corresponding number of 0-to-10VDC signals proportional to tension. These signals may be used as inputs to drives, PLC's or other tension monitoring or closed-loop tension control devices. An additional 0 - 1mA (or 0 - 100µA) is supplied as a meter output.

Alternatively the 0-to-10V MAC outputs can be connected to the IMUX Multiplexer accessory for multi-channel tension signal display. The IMUX with switch and meter is used to select (and display) between multiple (up to 32) 0-to-10VDC inputs from MACs or other tension amplifier devices. The IMUX is fully enclosed, can distribute 24VDC power for up to four MAC cards, and may even be used to display signals from other 0-to-10VDC devices used in the web process.

Applications for monitoring tension from multiple web-path points include newspaper printing presses, textile manufacturing, and wire and fiber winding. A technical product bulletin provides more detail.

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