Using technologies developed over many years of photographic film manufacture, Fuji Photo Film has created an extremely thin and stable film that can precisely measure pressure, pressure distribution and pressure balance. The film is a revolutionary material that can be sandwiched between two surfaces, allowing the measurement of pressure distributions that are normally hidden.
Called Prescale, the entire film functions as a sensor. Results from measurements can be immediately seen, with red patches appearing on the Prescale when pressure is applied. The red colour density changes from 0.1 - 1.4, according to the pressure level. Five kinds of Prescale are available to suit the very wide pressure range of 0.2 - 130MPa.
The clamping pressure of headbolts, the pressure that a tyre places on the pavement, the flatness of a bolt-up flange - all can now be revealed!
Film Structures
Prescale is available in two types:
Mono-sheet: The colour-developing material is coated on a polyester base with the micro-encapsulated colour-forming material layered on top.
Two-sheet:One film is coated with the micro-encapsulated colour-forming material and the other film is coated with the colour-developing material. Use two films with the coated sides facing each other.
When pressure is applied, the microcapsules are broken and the colour-forming material reacts with the colour-developing material. Red patches appear on the film. Five kinds of film are available, according to the required pressure level:
| Types of film |
Products size
W(mm)xL(m) |
Sheet type |
| Ultra super low pressure (LLLW) |
270x4 |
Two-sheet type |
| Super low pressure (LLW) |
270x5 |
Two-sheet type |
| Low pressure (LW) |
270x10 |
Two-sheet type |
| Medium pressure (MW) |
270x10 |
Two-sheet type |
| Medium pressure (MS) |
270x10 |
Mono-sheet type |
| High pressure (HS) |
270x10 |
Mono-sheet type |
Suggested Automotive Uses
1. Head/Block Pressure
Insert the Prescale between the block and the head and then torque the headbolts appropriately. Release the bolts and take out the Prescale on which red patches have appeared. Check that the red colour density on the Prescale satisfies the required pressure level and is even. Use HS, MS, MW film types.
2. Brake Pad Pressure
The film can be used to check the uniformity of contact pressure of the brake pad and brake lining. Insert the Prescale between the brake pad/brake lining and driving system. Apply the brakes. Take out the Prescale and check. The contact area on the Prescale should satisfy the required level and the red colour should be even. The contact area and the pressure uniformity should keep the required level under different conditions such as braking slowly, ordinarily and rapidly as well as at different temperatures and humidity. Use LW, LLW film types.
3. Carburettor & Oil Pan
Insert the Prescale between joining parts and join the parts. Set the bolt torque. Take out the Prescale and check it. The density of the red colour of the joining area on the Prescale should satisfy the required level and be even. Use MW, LW, LLW film types.
4. Clutch
Insert the Prescale between the clutch pedal and driving system. Step on the clutch pedal. Take out the Prescale and check the pressure. The contact area on the Prescale should satisfy the required level and the red colour should be even. The contact area and the pressure uniformity should keep the required level under different conditions such as at different driving speed as well as at different temperature and humidity. Use LW, LLW, LLLW film types.
5. Tyres
Attach the Prescale to the ground. Place a tyre on the Prescale and apply pressure, or have the tyre run on the Prescale. Check the pressure. The high pressured contact area on the Prescale should satisfy the required level and the red colour should be even. The contact area and the pressure uniformity should keep the required level under different conditions such as at different driving speed, at different curves in the road as well as at different temperature and humidity. Similar uniformity is required for the tyre which has run more than the regulated mileage. Use LLW, LLLW film types.
Film Analysis
The coloured pattern formed on the film can be analysed in three ways:
- A visual check to measure pressure, using the chart that is supplied with a Prescale set;
- The colour density measured with a special handheld device;
- A pressure imaging and analysis system used for more precise measurement and analysis.
The FD305E is a Fuji-produced handheld device that measures colour density on the Prescale film, converts this into digital data, shows the data on its display and also memorizes it. With the device connected to the PC and Pressure Analysis Software installed, further analysis can be made. For even more detail, a complete hardware and software package is available to analyse the film - as can be seen in some of the images included here.
Dollars
Pricing in the United States is:
Kinds of films |
Products size
W(mm) x L(m) |
Film type |
Pricing |
Ultra super low pressure (LLLW) |
270 x 4 |
Two-sheet type |
US$295 Plus tax |
Super low pressure (LLW) |
270 x 5 |
Two-sheet type |
US$295 Plus tax |
Low pressure (LW) |
270 x 10 |
Two-sheet type |
US$295 Plus tax |
Medium pressure (MW) |
270 x 10 |
Two-sheet type |
US$295 Plus tax |
Medium pressure (MS) |
270 x 10 |
Mono-sheet type |
US$295 Plus tax |
High pressure (HS) |
270 x 10 |
Mono-sheet type |
US$295 Plus tax |
http://www.prescale.com/
http://www.prescale.com/mb/eg/E_prescale.htm
In Australia:
Miller Graphic Pty Ltd
226 Alexandra Parade East
Clifton Hill
3068
Victoria
Phone +61 3 9481-2022
Fax +61 3 9481 2039
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