Datastick Systems, Inc. —  News Release
MEDIA CONTACT:
Penny Melrose, CEO
Phone: (408) 987-3400
Fax: (408) 987-3402
Email: findout@datastick.com

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Datastick ships new portable BAL-2000 Balancer single-plane or two-plane balancing system with laser tachometer

September 17, 2008, SANTA CLARA, CA — Datastick Systems, Inc., today announced the first customer shipment earlier this month of its new Datastick® BAL-2000™ Balancer, a portable, USB-powered balancing system for Windows desktop and laptop computers, said Michael Scandling, Datastick Vice President of Marketing at the PdM Predictive Maintenance Technology Conference in Omaha. The single-plane or two-plane balancing system includes a phase-reference laser tachometer and one or two ICP®-type accelerometers.

“Being a portable, stand-alone balancer and not an add-on to a vibration analyzer, the BAL-2000 enables one person to be balancing one piece of equipment while another is collecting vibration measurements elsewhere. It enables both instruments to remain simple to use,” said Derek Norfield, Datastick Director of Applications and author of the book, Practical Balancing of Rotating Machinery, who demonstrated the Balancer at the show. Norfield develops and delivers training in balancing and in vibration collection and analysis for Datastick, and works with end-users as well as consultants to provide solutions in balancing and vibration analysis.

Datastick is known for its VSA™-series line of handheld Vibration Spectrum Analyzers and software for the handheld and PC that are used in conditions-based monitoring of rotating machinery for predictive maintenance and troubleshooting.

Datastick Balancer systems include the BAL-2000 module that attaches to the USB port of the PC or laptop, one or two ICP-type accelerometers, magnetic mounts and cables, and BAL-2000 software for Windows XP or Vista.

“The Balancer is powered by the USB port of the laptop and uses any ICP®-compatible accelerometers. The laser photocell enables mounting the phase pickup up to two feet or even more from the shaft with the reference mark,” Norfield said. “It is a Datastick product, so of course the BAL-2000 Balancer has been designed for ease of use. Simple but effective is what I like.”

The phase-reference laser tachometer has programmable gain for optimizing performance in any environment. The visual readout shows signal level and phase tracking using an analog waveform. An adjustable low-pass filter enhances phase signal stability.

Datastick Systems, Inc., develops cost-effective handheld test and measurement software and hardware for a broad range of industrial, environmental, commercial, research, and scientific markets. Datastick is located at 3350 Scott Blvd., Building 50, Santa Clara, CA 95054. Contact Datastick at (408) 987-3400, www.datastick.com, or findout@datastick.com.

Datastick is a registered trademark and VSA is a trademark of Datastick Systems, Inc. Microsoft, Windows, and Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.ICP is a registered trademark of PCB Group, Inc., Depew, New York.