This section provides an overview for gradiometers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 5 gradiometer manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked gradiometer companies as of November, 2024: 1.Columbia Research Laboratories, Inc., 2.GEM, 3.Shinwa Rules Co., Ltd..
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Categories Related to Gradiometers
A gradiometer, often referred to as an inclinometer, is an instrument designed to measure angles of inclination relative to the horizontal plane. It is commonly used for assessing the slope of surfaces like roofs and inclined terrain. While levels are a common tool in many toolboxes, gradiometers are more specialized and are typically used by professionals such as carpenters and service engineers.
There are two primary types of gradiometers: the bubble tube gradiometer, which is affordable and widely used for basic measurements, and the laser gradiometer, preferred by professionals for more precise measurements.
Gradiometers have various applications in construction, civil engineering, and surveying. They are instrumental in determining the angles of inclined surfaces, such as those found in steel structures. Some models feature a magnet on the back, allowing them to attach to metallic surfaces like rebar for stability during measurements.
The bubble tube gradiometer relies on visually reading the position of bubbles within a liquid-filled tube, making it less precise than laser models, which are used for more exacting surveys.
The bubble tube gradiometer consists of a small cylindrical glass tube with a liquid and a small air bubble. When this tube is aligned perpendicular to gravity, the bubble settles at the tube’s center, indicating a horizontal alignment. This tube is mounted on a base, enabling the measurement of horizontal planes and angles of inclination.
To measure an inclined surface, the gradiometer is placed on the object, and the tube is rotated until the bubble centers in the tube, indicating the angle of inclination. The tube typically has reference lines for fine adjustments, allowing users to align the bubble within these lines for accurate readings.
Some gradiometers allow angle readings without rotating the bubble tube, offering an alternative measurement approach.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Reiker Inc., originally established in 1917 as Rieker Instrument Company Inc. and headquartered in Aston, Pennsylvania, United States, is a developer, manufacturer, and distributor of electronic measuring equipment and sensors. The company's portfolio includes accelerometers, inclinometers, and gradiometers, which are integral to various aerospace applications, such as aircraft fuel system attitude indicators and tilt switches. Since 2010, Reiker Inc. has ventured into new sectors, including the development of systems for gathering traffic information for transportation departments. Additionally, the company launched its 2100 series of rugged, military-grade polycarbonate inclinometers, which are designed to be customizable to any specification.
Columbia Research Laboratories, Inc. is an ISO 9001, AS9100, and MIL-STD-810-certified manufacturer of industrial sensors that was established in 1953 in Woodlyn, Pennsylvania, USA. The company’s product lineup includes piezoelectric accelerometers for measuring shock, vibration or acceleration in high-frequency, low shock environments, as well as dynamic pressure sensors for measuring pressure fluctuations in liquids or gasses. It also offers strain gage sensors for measuring stress in metal structures or components. The company chiefly serves clients in the defense, military, and aerospace industries. Some of its notable clients include NASA and the US Department of Defense.
Shinwa Rules Co. was founded in Niigata, Japan, in 1971. Shinwa Rules Co. develops a variety of measuring products including calipers, thermometers, hygrometers, laser optical apparatuses, and sheet heating elements. Above these, Shinwa develops metallic rulers and squares. Additionally, Shinwa operates as an OEM supplier for special calibrations and machine tools, special surface fabrication, and etching on metallic parts.
GEM, since 1980, has been a manufacturer of magnetic for applications such as mineral exploration, education & research, unexploded ordnance, archaeology, and earthquake research. The company is located in Vienna, Austria, and develops technologies such as advanced quantum magnetometers such as Overhauser, optically pumped potassium and proton precession magnetometers. The technologies are used in signal processing, hardware & console design, custom systems, and software. The company provides ground, airborne, UAV, and monitoring solutions and specifications.
Bartington Instruments Limited founded in Witney, Oxfordshire, UK, in 1985, is a manufacturer of magnetometers, gradiometers, and magnetic susceptibility instruments. The company’s product portfolio includes aerospace magnetometers, Helmholtz coil systems, gradiometers, and data acquisition units. Its Helmholtz coil systems are used in satellite calibration and calibration of compasses found in consumer electronics such as mobile phones. It serves the industries of defense, aerospace, geophysics, archaeology, and oil and mineral exploration. The company’s products are ISO9001 certified.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | GEM |
30.0%
|
2 | Columbia Research Laboratories, Inc. |
26.7%
|
3 | Shinwa Rules Co., Ltd. |
20.0%
|
4 | Bartington Instruments Limited |
16.7%
|
5 | Rieker Inc. |
6.7%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the gradiometer page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 2 | 40.0% |
Japan | 1 | 20.0% |
Canada | 1 | 20.0% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 20.0% |