Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed to at least specify, document and prototype a device, such as a gauge, having specific user interface elements to meet individual customer/market needs. The method includes displaying, with a graphical user interface, an image of a customer-selected gauge type; enabling the customer to specify, with the graphical user interface, individual ones of a plurality of gauge parameters in a self-documenting fashion; in response to a selection of at least one type of gauge parameter, updating the displayed image to correspond to the selected gauge parameter; and developing at least one prototype gauge for the customer based on the selected gauge parameters and the self-documentation. In the preferred embodiment the method also includes manufacturing gauges based on the selected gauge parameters and the self-documentation.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a shaft sensor for a machine, the shaft sensor including: first and second disks, fixedly orthogonally attached to a portion of a shaft of the machine, the portion of the shaft being subject to torsion, and the first and second disks being operatively attached to the portion of the shaft at spaced apart locations along the portion of the shaft; and a sensor assembly, including first and second sensors, disposed in sensing relationship with the first and second disks to sense relative position of the first and second disks resulting from torsion of the portion of the shaft and to output a signal representative of at least one parameter related to torsion of the shaft. In another preferred embodiment, the shaft is discontinuous and the first and second disks are attached, respectively, to first and second portions of the shaft and have a resilient member disposed therebetween.