Plant Engineering articles from September 2008

Plant Engineering archives from September 2008

High-viscosity drum pumps.
September 15, 2008... Staff The FPUD500 series of high-viscosity drum pumps comes with TEFC- or air-driven motors. The pump tube is constructed modularly and supplied separately to provide flexibility. The pump tubes are rated to 200 F, 15,000 cps viscosity,...

Composite hoses.
September 15, 2008... Staff Composite hoses consisting of multiple layers of thermoplastic fabrics and films, held in place by internal and external wire helices, are manufactured under tension to make them self-sealing. TIFT-Compoflex and Willcox Hose...

Viscosity sensor.
September 15, 2008... Staff The CE- and ATEX-compliant MXBOC viscosity sensor measures viscosities from 0.1 to 100,000 CPS, requiring 40-psi dry air and a three-way, 24-Vdc air valve. PLC-compatible, it's designed for both water and solvent-based applications...

Liquid level switches.
September 15, 2008... Staff Available in side-mount, vertical-mount and temperature/liquid level models, liquid level switches also come in high-performance versions. Produced in brass, stainless steel and plastic, the electromechanical switches open or close...

Sun-readable operator panel.
September 15, 2008... Staff The EXTER sun-readable HMI features a bright display, a polarization filter and an anti-reflection filter. Suitable for applications with varying light conditions, the panel accommodates most major automation brands; more than 100...

Tube expander kits.
September 15, 2008... Staff Suitable for fabricating and maintaining boilers, heat exchangers and condensers, MILLHOG tube expander kits are supplied with a 6-foot hose whip, an in-line air filter, an oiler, quick-disconnect couplings and tools. Configurations...

Industrial Ethernet switches.
September 15, 2008... Staff The 852 series of Ethernet switches provides a selection of scalable solutions for network infrastructures. The series ranges from simple Ethernet switches to configurable, multifunction Ethernet communication switches. Features...

Compact ball screw.
September 15, 2008... Staff The SBK ball screw is available with screw shaft outer diameters ranging from 15 to 32 millimeters and nut diameters from 38 to 58 millimeters. A re-circulation structure, where balls are picked up in the tangential direction and the...

Precision screwdrivers.
September 15, 2008... Staff FELO precision screwdrivers feature handles that are designed to be used either in a finger-tip, precision mode or a full-grip, high-torque mode. Each screwdriver blade is machined to exacting standards, and the screwdrivers are...

Power supplies.
September 15, 2008... Staff Second-generation STEP general-purpose power supplies have expanded voltage and current ranges. The power supplies feature a voltage-versus-current characteristic output, and upon heavy load demands, they provide a constant current...

Syphon elbow.
September 15, 2008... Staff Constructed of stainless steel to provide corrosion resistance, the pinless syphon elbow is designed for use in steam-heated rotating cylinders. The patent-pending design eliminates the hinge pin and features an integral locking...

Tank covers.
September 15, 2008... Staff Aluminum-tread WEATHER GUARD transfer tank covers allow users to match steel transfer tanks with existing aluminum-tread truck storage equipment. The covers are made of heavy-gauge aluminum to provide durability and are manufactured...

Cabling.
September 15, 2008... Staff The Compact Link Selector connects POWERLINK-controlled nodes. Operating as a stand-alone unit, it facilitates operation of multiple POWERLINK devices as needed on one network with cable redundancy. When expanded with two active hub...

Stretch wrapper.
September 15, 2008... Staff The Lan-ringer overwrap stretch-wrapping system handles loads up to 4,000 pounds and 82 inches diagonal, depending on the model. Designed to wrap product that is moved on a conveyor, it features a Power-Thru conveyor; stabilizers...

Gearmotors.
September 15, 2008... Staff The VWDIR line of fractional horsepower gearmotors is designed for a variety of commercial and light industrial applications. The motors range from 1/30 to 1/2 hp, with output torques from 12 to 800 inch-pounds. The selection...

Fiber laser.
September 15, 2008... Staff The F-series fiber laser is available in 10- and 20-W versions that combine YAG technology with fiber optics to accommodate precision marking. Capable of printing bar codes, logos and technical drawings, the laser can mark on...

Brushless servo motor.
September 15, 2008... Staff The BSM132 brushless servo motor reaches 20 hp and is expandable to 34 hp with optional blower cooling. It provides continuous stall torque from 620 to 1,060 pound-inches and is capable of speeds up to 5,000 rpm. Features include...

Tire pressure monitor kit.
September 15, 2008... Staff The Tire Pressure Monitoring System kit is designed to help with TPMS sensor maintenance during tire and rim changes. The kit features a sliding, adjustable torque scale and an audible alert that indicates when the predetermined...

Ball bearings.
September 15, 2008... Staff Y-bearing-mounted housed ball bearing units are designed to perform at low speeds at temperatures ranging from -238 to 660 F. They feature large radial internal clearances consistent with expected operating temperatures; steel or...

Field test instruments.
September 15, 2008... Staff The CalMaster 2 suite of electromagnetic flowmeter test instruments comprises two stand-alone electronic test instruments. The tool verifies calibration to within A1% while the magmeter remains in operation. A 15-minute test covers...

Roller conveyor drive.
September 15, 2008... Staff Specifically designed for decline conveyors with a fail-safe requirement, the EC100 RollerDrive features a mechanical rotor-locking break. The drive's spring-loaded failsafe brake prevents drifting on inclines while ensuring smooth...

In search of a wireless standard.(Brief article)
September 15, 2008... By Jack Smith, Managing Editor Although the yet-to-be-completed ISA100 standard promises to establish policies and procedures, as well as best practices for using wireless systems in an industrial environment, there are three "standards"...

Wireless choices for a new generation.
September 15, 2008... By Mike Bradley, Apprion Although wireless is heralded as the next big thing in automation and the production operations world, it certainly isn't brand new. The desire to use wireless technology to reduce costs and improve efficiency has...

System redundancy with WirelessHART.
September 15, 2008... By HART Communication Foundation In process automation, operators make decisions based on the data they have available. When one or more process variables or other types of information are not available, they must make those decisions...

Open-source radio technology: Now available for process engineering.
September 15, 2008... By Gerrit Lohmann, Robert Schosker Pepperl+Fuchs Following the technological progress of fieldbus in process automation, the next development step in field communication is that of solutions involving radio technology. Can radio technology...

Spanning the globe, and finding our common ground.
September 15, 2008... Bob Vavra, Editor The completion of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad proved once again that the people of the world can come together peacefully in pursuit of a common goal. In the Olympics, it's sport. It's not always perfect, but sport...

Fieldbus in focus: Understanding network similarities, differences.
September 15, 2008... By Jack Smith, Managing Editor There is no one-size-fits-all fieldbus. Individual buses are optimized for different characteristics. Building automation has different requirements from networks designed to support manufacturing processes....

Understanding ground fault protection.
September 15, 2008... By Ken Cybart, Littelfuse Equipment reliability is crucial for plants striving to be more competitive. Electrical ground faults can put equipment out of commission and, in serious cases, can lead to catastrophic fire. In addition, ground...

Electrical troubleshooting: 12-step program reduces downtime.
September 15, 2008... By Ron Widup, Shermco Industries Depending on the complexity of the problem, when performing troubleshooting activities the process may involve various levels of support and knowledge ranging from technicians, crew leaders, engineers and...

10 dumb things smart people do when testing electricity.
September 15, 2008... Staff Anyone who makes their living by working with electricity quickly develops a healthy respect for anything with even a remote chance of being "live." Yet the pressures of the getting a job done on time or getting a mission-critical...

ISA EXPO 2008 puts technical diversity on display in Houston.
September 15, 2008... Staff The keynote addresses at ISA EXPO 2008 at the Reliance Center in Houston Oct. 14-16 feature the evolution of wireless sensor networking, the possibilities of controlling low-energy nuclear reactions and an explanation of why we are...

Plant Engineering's new global focus.(Awards list)
September 15, 2008... Staff International edition to debut in fall; YAPFEST sponsorship highlights workforce development issues; 2009 Manufacturing Summit heads for Charleston Reaching out to new readers in new markets, and reaching out to current readers...

Industry initiative takes aim at arc flash risk.
September 15, 2008... Staff Each year, more than 32,000 U.S. workers in a wide range of industries sustain lost-time injuries due to electrical shock or burns, and more than 2,000 individuals die from electricity-related accidents on the job. In addition to the...

National Manufacturing Week takes a greener approach.
September 15, 2008... Staff When National Manufacturing Week opens Sept. 23, attendees can choose from design engineering to sustainability, interests of all kinds will be covered as the show again joins five other expositions through Sept. 25 at the Stephens...

Process manufacturing, automation, DCS market remain strong.
September 15, 2008... Staff The global DCS market is expected to grow through 2012, and the process automation market remains poised for long-term sustainable growth The market for process manufacturing and automation remains strong despite global economic...

Optimizing maintenance and reliability makes it part of the business plan.
September 15, 2008... By Terry Wireman, Vesta Partners LLC In Management 101, one of the first lessons taught is how to develop a business plan. the foundation for the business. Products and potential customers are identified, and a business structure is...

Using RCM to maximize the value of vibration testing.
September 15, 2008... By Bill Hillman, Ludeca Inc. When vibration equipment is purchased and brought into a plant, it is usually applied in one of two methods. Either machines that rotate or reciprocate are placed into vibration routes for testing, or machines...

How technology helps us face the real workforce challenges.
September 15, 2008... Staff Heading for an iceberg? For senior company executives, it really is the case that the most important asset in their organization is the people who work in it. But a well-trained, experienced, and highly motivated workforce...

More is better with predictive maintenance.
September 15, 2008... By Andy Page, Allied Reliability and Shon Isenhour, ABB Reliability Services When it comes to the application of predictive technologies, more can definitely be better. The use of a complement of predictive tools can more effectively...

Asset Lifecycle Management & The Digital Plant.
September 15, 2008... By Sid Snitkin, ARC Advisory Group Operating assets are more than the physical equipment one sees during a plant tour. Critical human and information assets lie "hidden" behind the equipment façade and their development must be...

Lubricant's impact on plant sustainability objectives.
September 15, 2008... By Greg Livingstone, CleanOil When one thinks of plant sustainability, the concept of proper lubricant management is not typically the first thing that jumps to mind. However, how lubricants are selected, monitored and maintained can have...