A strip chart recorder is nothing but an electromechanical which is able to record an electrical or a mechanical input trend onto the piece of paper which is referred to as the chart and hence the name of the device chart recorder. These recorders might be able to record a number of inputs with the use of pens of different colors and also may be able to record those inputs onto the strip charts or the circular charts as well. These strip chart recorders might be completely mechanical with the clockwork mechanisms or electro-mechanical mechanisms along with an electrical clockwork mechanism that helps to drive the chart with the pressure or the mechanical inputs or completely electrical without the use of any of the mechanical components.
How They Are Built?
The chart recorders are usually built in the three primary formats which are listed below.
- Strip Chart Recorders – These recorders have a long strip of paper that is ejected out of the recorder.
- Circular Chart Recorders – These recorders have paper on a disc that is rotating which has to be replaced at regular intervals of time. But these are more compact in nature and amenable to being enclosed behind glass.
- Roll Chart Recorders – These recorders are quite similar to the strip chart recorders except in the case of the recording of the data. In this recorder, the data is stored on paper which is in the form of a round roll, and the unit of generally enclosed in full.
The Chart Drive
The chart or the paper is actually driven past the pen at a rate that is steady in nature which is done with the help of an electrical driving mechanism or a simple clockwork mechanism. The most common method is using a small synchronous motor that rotates at a constant speed relating to the power frequency. A gear train is also used for the propelling of the paper. The strip chart recorders consist of two-speed gear trains which allow the higher speed paper for use of initial adjustments of the process or for the purpose of following the process upsets. The medical and the scientific recorders allow a greater range of very accurately controlled speeds that are to be set. Now, as per the recorder used, either the paper chart is moved or the carriage of the pen has two axes of motion. The modern strip chart recorders use a disposable cartridge that combines a fiber-tipped pen and ink reservoir.
