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ASC Automated Core Analysis System
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1.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION The ASC Core Transport is an automated system for moving cores through the Bartington Instruments MS2C susceptibility sensor and collecting data along the length of the core. The core sits on a semi-cylindrical fiberglass core boat which is pulled through the sensor using a stepping motor with power being transmitted to the boat via a Kevlar reinforced cog belt. The core boat rides on two rails covered with replaceable, low friction Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) extrusion. The standard core track has an overall length of approximately 4.2 m and is designed to bolt to a bench or table top. The system is made up of three modular bolt-together sections which can be broken down for shipment. This design also allows for the addition of more track sections for mounting other sensors or accommodating longer cores. |
1.1 Core Track Overview
The "Basic" track system (Figure 1) consists of three rigid, square-tubular sections: 1) a 1.8 m aluminum "loading" section with photodetector scanner for core initialization, 2) a central 0.5 m nonmagnetic/nonconducting section with adjustable mounting fixture for the MS2C sensor, and 3) a 1.8 m aluminum "take-up" section.
The ends of each of the track sections have standardized end-plates which allow precise alignment between the sections and easy mounting of additional track sections. Along the entire length of the track (except through the Bartington sensor coil), the sample boat is supported by and slides on two round rails which are surfaced with Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) extrusions. UHMWPE has a very low coefficient of friction, similar to Teflon, but has much higher abrasion resistance. This design requires little or no maintenance and will avoid clogging and corrosion problems which might be encountered with a roller system. The UHMWPE extrusions slide onto each of the rails and are easily replaceable.
The core rides in a 1/4 round semi-cylindrical fiberglass boat which leaves the core unobstructed for scanning by logging instruments. The end caps of the boat are machined with lobes which fit around the two rails in order to prevent rotation in the track.
The nonmagnetic, nonconducting section is fabricated from 1.3 cm thick Micarta and incorporates a mounting fixture for the Bartington MS2C susceptibility sensor loop. Sensor loops of various sizes can be accommodated with the use of adapters/spacers to locate each sensor in the mounting bracket in the appropriate position.
1.2 Transport Drive Hardware Overview
The transport system is driven by a stepping motor with power being transmitted to the sample boat by a Kevlar reinforced cog belt. The belt is attached to both ends of the boat and the sample can be moved in either direction. The belt attaches to the boat via adjustable weak links which allow for proper belt tension, but prevent damage to the sample boat and belt in the event of mechanical interference. This ability to maintain proper belt tension eliminates slippage between the drive sprocket and belt.
An optical sensor is mounted on the inner end of the loading section, to initialize the sample position. Limiting switches are mounted on each extreme end of the track to stop the sample boat from being pulled into the pulleys in the event of a malfunction.
Motor drive hardware consists of the stepping motor and drive electronics with RS232 input for control of motor motion by supplied MAGTRAK software. Motor specifications are as follows:
1.3 MAGTRAK Software Overview
MAGTRAK is a Windows based integrated software package for automated movement of the core and collection, display and storage of incremental susceptibility data.
The automated analysis portion of the software provides 1) initialization of the movement parameters and drive system, 2) movement of the core to its "initial" position at the optical sensor, 3) incremental movement of the core through the susceptibility sensor, and 4) return of the core to its initial position.
The data collection/display/storage software collects the susceptibility versus position data, displays the data graphically on the CRT while the core is being analyzed, outputs it to a line printer, and stores it in an data base file which can be read by Microsoft Works (included and installed on the PC) or most of the other popular database programs. Operator inputs for data collection include 1) parameters to set up the data file, 2) spacing between measurement positions, 3) sensitivity of susceptibility measurement, and 4) length of core section being analyzed.
Please contact ASC Scientific at jtoth@ascscientific.com for a price quotation.
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ASC Scientific
2075 Corte del Nogal, Suite T, Carlsbad, CA USA 92011 - Tel. (800) 272-4327 - Fax. (760) 431-0904
