MPR-1 Mag Plotter for Rotary Cathode Magnet Bars

The MPR-1 Mag Plotter automatically measures the magnetic field of a rotary cathode magnet bar. It is capable of measuring a 152" long magnet bar with an angular span of +/-45 degrees. It accomplishes this by rotating the magnet bar for each linear pass of the gauss meter probe. The system adapts easily to measure shorter magnet bars.

System includes

  • Sturdy aluminum frame with leveling legs and casters
  • 3 channel gauss meter, Lakeshore model 460 with RS232 interfaceMPR-1 Mag Plotter for Rotary Cathode Magnet Bars
  • 3 axis magnetic probe, Lakeshore model MMZ-2502-UH
  • Motorized probe holder, 152" travel, height adjustable from 0 to 50mm from surface of backing tube
  • Belt driven linear slide for probe motion in X axis
  • Motorized magnet bar holder with a +/-45° rotation capability
  • Panasonic PLC for machine control (source code included)
  • Custom operator interface running on Windows XP PC (source code included)
  • PC with Windows XP or equivalent.
  • Microsoft Excel for plotting

The PLC software controls the probe location, magnet bar rotation and gauss meter to automatically collect position data and magnetic data from X,Y, Z and user defined V channels from the Gauss Meter. This data is output to an Excel file on the PC via a serial port using CITECT HMI software. User input includes, X and angular starting position, X and angular span (scan length), and X and angular scan pitch (distance between measurements).

Key Benefits

  • Robust and simple design
  • Easy to use, runs unattended
  • Reduces down time by allowing user to test magnet bar before committing it to long pump down and vent cycles
  • Helps confirm adjustments to field tunable magnet bars
  • Allows the development of in-house pass/fail tests for magnet bars
  • Aids in magnet bar R&D work