What's New In Industry articles from July 2007

What's New In Industry archives from July 2007

WHAT'S NEW: A safer lift for large machinery.
July 27, 2007... Promac Window Machinery Sales has improved the loading and handling of extremely large pieces of machinery by replacing a counterbalance forklift with a Combilift four-way truck. Promac supplies PVC, glass and aluminium machinery to the...

WHAT'S NEW: Driver keeps watch.
July 27, 2007... Allegro MicroSystems' A2550 automotive grade relay driver IC incorporates a 5V voltage regulator, watchdog and reset circuitry, and three low-side DMOS relay driver outputs to provide robust performance over extended voltage and temperature...

WHAT'S NEW: Protection for power cables.
July 27, 2007... From cable and hose management specialist Metreel comes a new range of plastic energy systems. These cable protection systems (CPS) include solutions for unsupported, sliding, vertical hanging and standing, side- mounted, opposite,...

WHAT'S NEW: Imaging camera to put up the shutters.
July 27, 2007... It never 'blinks' and it's never 'blind' - Thermoteknix says its new thermal imaging camera is the world's first alpha silicon-based focal plane array unit with shutterless XTi technology. Unaffected by shock or vibration, the MIRICLE 110KS...

WHAT'S NEW: Cut compressor energy costs.
July 27, 2007... A new design of inlet guide vane is set to bring a significant reduction in energy consumption to Ingersoll Rand's Centac series of centrifugal air compressors. The IGV will be fitted as standard to Centac C700 series machines of 350 to 700kW,...

WHAT'S NEW: Leading the pack.
July 27, 2007... Proseal has designed and launched a sandwich pack denester to handle the growing number of cardboard skillet packs being introduced. Able to handle virtually every cardboard sandwich pack design currently available, the unit can be...

WHAT'S NEW: Surface mount for transducer.
July 27, 2007... LEM has extended its range of current transducers designed to operate from a single 5V power supply with the new HMS model which measures just 16 x 13.5 x 12mm and integrates a primary conductor. It is directly surface-mounted onto a PCB,...

WHAT'S NEW: Gathering data in harsh areas.
July 27, 2007... Designed for use in harsh environments, the Model 8580 and 8590 fork lift-mounted computers available from Psion are rugged wireless units based on the industrial XTX processor board standard. They will integrate easily with Psion...

WHAT'S NEW: Aluminium in profile.
July 27, 2007... Aimed at designers seeking lightweight bearings with high capacity, a profiled rail and carriage motion guidance assembly from Euro-Bearings uses a profiled aluminium rail with hardened bearing steel inserts on both the rails and aluminium...

BEARINGS & SEALS: High-load bearings come out of the cage.
July 27, 2007... While caged roller bearings have been developed to eliminate the friction and heat generation caused by contact between rolling elements moving at high speeds, these designs are typically unable to offer the same high capacity load capabilities...

BEARINGS & SEALS: Rolling out a maintenance-free solution.
July 27, 2007... Plastic bearings specialist igus has rolled out lubrication-free ball bearings as the first step in a range of technically optimised polymer ball bearings offering a predictable service life. The inner and outer races and cage of these...

BEARINGS & SEALS: Software aids taper mounts.
July 27, 2007... An intelligent software programme from Schaeffler UK helps engineers select the correct mounting method when mounting rolling bearings with tapered bores - either directly onto a tapered shaft or with an adapter sleeve onto a cylindrical...

BEARINGS & SEALS: Lube options extend bearing life.
July 27, 2007... Two new additions to SKF's range of lubrication products for the food and beverage industry are designed to increase uptime, extend component service life and cut maintenance costs, particularly where cold environments can cause corrosion of...

BEARINGS & SEALS: Seal of approval.
July 27, 2007... The Poole-based custom rubber moulding specialist DP Seals has added ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 approvals to its ISO 9001:2001 accreditation. As part of its manufacturing processes, DP's custom-built presses generate high pressures and...

BEARINGS & SEALS: Bearings steeled for a longer life.
July 27, 2007... NSK has worked with major steelmakers to develop a package of high- performance bearings, matching specific application requirements to provide extended uptime and reduced maintenance costs, despite operating conditions of extreme heat, water...

BEARINGS & SEALS: Seal products on their metal.
July 27, 2007... Moontown's metal sealing products are designed to solve problems where the use of elastomeric or PTFE products is excluded due to temperature, pressure, radiation, permeability, corrosion or fatigue considerations. Generally for static...

BEARINGS & SEALS: Bushes keep it plain and simple.
July 27, 2007... Plain sliding bushes are being supplied by Euro-Bearings as a drop-in replacement for any standard recirculating ball bushing. A range of aluminium housings into which these bushes can be fitted is also offered, while shafts, shaft support...

BEARINGS & SEALS: Guides offer roller or ball option.
July 27, 2007... RSD linear bearings from Micromech are compact guides for precise linear motion that combine high accuracy with reliability. Depending upon load requirements they can be fitted with ball or roller cages with alternately crossed rollers....

DRIVES & CONTROLS: Control drawn into the web.
July 27, 2007... For many years businesses have improved operational performance and efficiency through automation and control. There are many examples of successful auto-mation projects bringing tangible gains to businesses, and once a company has seen the...

DRIVES & CONTROLS: Driving towards reliability.
July 27, 2007... New three-tiered variable speed drives service programme from ABB has been designed to help users prevent downtime and production loss by maximising the reliability of drives over the products' entire lifecycle. Three levels of service -...

DRIVES & CONTROLS: Geared up for flexibility.
July 27, 2007... To meet the needs of OEM designers and maintenance engineers who demand high levels of performance and flexibility from smaller, more cost- effective units, ZF has launched a new range of compact WTE (WT Economy) single stage right-angled...

DRIVES & CONTROLS: Drives enhanced by feedback support.
July 27, 2007... Parker Electromechanical has enhanced its Aries low-cost, all-digital servo drives with the addition of resolver feedback support, further increasing the versatility of the Aries drive platform and permitting the user to integrate the drives...

DRIVES & CONTROLS: Back-up system has the edge.
July 27, 2007... The volumes involved in the production of paper demands most of the work be undertaken on fully automated machines and systems. As any failure on these machines could have serious commercial and financial consequences, a major manufacturer in...

DRIVES & CONTROLS: Servo motors take the direct route to efficiency.
July 27, 2007... New SKA range of direct drive servo motors from Motor Technology aims to provide a solution for machine builders looking to increase energy efficiency yet reduce drive components. Direct drive motors are fitted directly to the load,...

DRIVES & CONTROLS: Indexer boosts throughput.
July 27, 2007... From Danaher Motion, the rotary index product set is a precise, repeatable and flexible solution in a compact package said to deliver a significant increase in throughput compared with mechanical indexers. Limited by a fixed number of...

FASTENING & JOINING: Micro joining brought right down to size.
July 27, 2007... The latest automated assembly system from MacGregor Welding Systems is designed to fabricate miniature sensor modules for use in analyser equipment. It takes individual component parts and assembles them completely automatically - a process...

FASTENING & JOINING: Adhesives structured for design projects.
July 27, 2007... Araldite 2000 Plus is a new portfolio of structural adhesives optimised to help industrial engineers bring complex plastic and metal-based design projects to life. They are said to form the only product family offering solutions based on...

FASTENING & JOINING: Cold process a boost to welding productivity.
July 27, 2007... High-quality results and economic benefits are being reported by early users of the Fronius Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) welding process. Offering less distortion and uniform seams with no spatter, CMT is just as suited to the small firm with one...

FASTENING & JOINING: Panels and sheet get a quick fix.
July 27, 2007... Four new types of spring steel fasteners from Anixter Components, formerly Heyco, provide OEMs with a reliable and strong method of securing panels and sheets that would otherwise be incapable of accepting a thread. Easy to install and once in...

FASTENING & JOINING: Strong fixing for thin sheet.
July 27, 2007... Poppit panel fastening system by BigHead simplifies and speeds mounting of internal/external panels and cladding where instant demount may be needed. The adhesive-based procedure is said to 'de-skill' installation and ensure exact alignment...

FASTENING & JOINING: Gently does it.
July 27, 2007... New knurl pins from Spirol Bissell, the distribution division of Spirol Industries, are ideal for fastening soft materials and thin cross sections, where their multi-crested design evenly distributes the retention force. They are available in...

FINISHING & MATERIALS: Surface finishes to cut down friction.
July 27, 2007... A new range of high-performance ptfe-impregnated materials has been developed by Tecan to cut the abrasion and galling caused by day-to-day metal-to-metal contact in high value equipment, typically in medical, aerospace, defence and...

FINISHING & MATERIALS: Shut that door.
July 27, 2007... Supagraf Boilermaster braided graphite ribbon gaskets from James Walker combine high performance boiler door sealing at higher temperatures and pressure with excellent resistance to oxidation and chemical attack, plus reduced maintenance...

FINISHING & MATERIALS: Bearing materials called to the bar.
July 27, 2007... Plastic bearings specialist igus now offers its iglidur bearing material as a stock bar, allowing users to employ this self-lubricating polymer in any machined component. Available as 60mm diameter rod in either iglidur W300 or 'J' forms,...

FINISHING & MATERIALS: Lubricants meet increasing gas engine use.
July 27, 2007... Dedicated range of lubricants under the Texaco Geotex brand meets the requirements of today's high-output gas engines used increasingly in power generation, combined heat and power, and gas compression applications. They provide optimum...

FINISHING & MATERIALS: Coatings that leave tools cold.
July 27, 2007... PVD nitride coatings for tools are conventionally applied by arc evaporation at temperatures between 400 and 450degC. Now, an arc technology developed by Oerlikon Balzers Coating allows coating at temperatures as low as 200degC, making it...

FINISHING & MATERIALS: Long-term protection for moulds/mouldings.
July 27, 2007... Crystic Mouldguard is a new, peelable, protective coating from Scott Bader that provides easily removed protection for FRP moulds and mouldings against the detrimental effects of transportation or storage or during periods of non-use. Steel...

FINISHING & MATERIALS: Coating repels oil and dust.
July 27, 2007... All new Rittal TopTherm PLUS enclosure cooling units are being supplied with RiNano Technology on the condenser coil. RiNano is a thin coating which repels oil and dust particles and prevents them from attaching to the condensers. The...

FINISHING & MATERIALS: Sensing abrasive plastics.
July 27, 2007... Special version of Kistler Instruments' Type 6182B miniature mould pressure sensor is for use when moulding plastics materials reinforced with glass-fibre and other abrasive materials. The Type 6182BCE has a chromium-plated front face but is...

FINISHING & MATERIALS: Airless blast options.
July 27, 2007... Wheel blast machinery from Guyson International offers a choice of machine configurations, including revolving table, tumble belt, overhead (hanger) conveyor, roller conveyor, flat belt conveyor and other work transport systems. Operation...

FINISHING & MATERIALS: Rough 'n' tough.
July 27, 2007... Sandvik's CC6060 and CC6065 round inserts are aimed at medium to roughing operations on heat-resistant super alloys. Machining productivity improves by increasing the feed rate, but it is tough on applications with mild interrupted cuts...

FINISHING & MATERIALS: A paint spraying tip from the USA.
July 27, 2007... Range of cost-effective airless spray tips, guards, extensions and swivel heads made in the USA by TriTech Industries is being offered in the UK by Cambridgeshire-based Airblast. Tri-Tech's T93R reversible spray tip range consists of the...

FINISHING & MATERIALS: Tool up for nano growth.
July 27, 2007... From Surrey NanoSystems comes a new growth tool for carbon nanotube fabrication that offers material growth at both standard (450 to 1000degC) and lower temperatures. The Nanogrowth 1000n is designed for nanomaterial fabrication and comes with...

FINISHING & MATERIALS: Sealant gives EMI shielding.
July 27, 2007... New corrosion-resistant, electrically conductive sealant from Chomerics, CHO-BOND 1016 is a single-component RTV silicone filled with nickel-plated graphite particles. The material is ideal for use between aluminium surfaces on outdoor...

FINISHING & MATERIALS: Link promotes deburring.
July 27, 2007... The Deburring Centre is forming links with universities to explore ways of promoting and developing the process. Universities, it seems, have similar views to industry, says the Centre. For while many boast about higher technology subjects...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Conveyors go with the flow.
July 27, 2007... Fast construction combines with easy cleaning options and low maintenance with Rexroth's VarioFlow chain conveyor system. And now there is a new VarioFlow S option available for use in food and packaging applications. With a VarioFlow...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Boost for picking efficiency.
July 27, 2007... Automotive component manufacturer FCC Europe Ltd has improved small component picking efficiency and first in, first out stock rotation at its factory in Milton Keynes through the introduction of dynamic live picking based around full-width...

HANDLING & STORAGE: High capacity trucks at the double.
July 27, 2007... New high-capacity three-wheeler electric reach trucks from Sidetracker handle loads up to six tonnes, making them ideal for double-deep handling applications in combination with reduced aisle widths. The 2.5 tonne maximum lift capacity of...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Repeat success for conveyor installation.
July 27, 2007... Following the success of Astec Conveyors' first installation of a hi- tech hub-style sortation system at the TNT Birmingham depot, the company has completed a further project for TNT at Preston. In conjunction with TNT, Astec designed a...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Low headroom hoists.
July 27, 2007... Kito ER series of electric chain hoists from J D Neuhaus aim to improve handling efficiency in a range of general industrial, engineering and other demanding work environments. Models with top hook suspension come in 12 lift capacities...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Pallet truck's power copes on the slopes.
July 27, 2007... Security printers Portals of Basingstoke, producer of specialist paper- based products including UK passports, Microsoft manuals and most of the world's travellers cheques, recently sought to replace its traditional hand pallet trucks with...

HANDLING & STORAGE: New lifts for Hymo's 40th.
July 27, 2007... Hymo has commemorated its 40th anniversary by adding two new models to its Maxima range of lift tables. The BX22 offers a lifting capacity of 2.0 tonnes which can be lifted to a maximum height of 800mm in 34 seconds, while the BX10 can...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Automation line for green vehicles.
July 27, 2007... A steel slat conveyor system engineered and built by Excel Automation has become central to creating the efficient build programme for the latest in environmentally-friendly, electric urban delivery vehicles. The new vehicles, produced by...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Hyster's new man at the top.
July 27, 2007... Hans Seijger has been appointed MD of Hyster Europe, Middle East and Africa. Mr Seijger was previously MD at DAF Trucks Deutschland. Ralf Mock, MD of Hyster's parent company Nacco Materials Handling Goup, said: "Hans' very strong...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Handling without damage.
July 27, 2007... Aimed at 'tricky' product handling problems where mechanical grippers or vacuum cups could damage expensive and delicate items, Bosch Rexroth's Non-Contact Transfer (NCT) units enable designers, makers and users of automation systems to...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Lifting device with a head for safety.
July 27, 2007... A leading manufacturers of high shear mixer heads approached Packline to assist in the development of a lifting device they could offer customers as a safe, reliable means to handle their range of mixer heads. Using technology from their...

HANDLING & STORAGE: All geared up for efficiency.
July 27, 2007... Handling specialist Demag Cranes & Components has supplied suspension cranes incorporating its KBKII/KBKIIR monorail system to clutch manufacturer SSS Gears as part of an upgrade to its two fitting shops. Each system comprises two 14.5m...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Trucks take the narrrow route.
July 27, 2007... Home accessories and furniture retailer Heal's has maximised storage and handling efficiency at its new distribution centre by adopting narrow aisle racking and warehouse trucks from Atlet, including two Omni DCR combination pallet...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Boom a real boon.
July 27, 2007... Designed for simplicity of operation with minimum maintenance requirements, the BestReach telescopic gravity roller boom conveyor from Best Diversified Products is offered as a standard module or custom-designed and manufactured to meet...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Storage by the book.
July 27, 2007... Britain's biggest mail order bookseller has appointed Flowstore Systems to assist in the reconfiguration and extension of the carton live storage system which they installed some 20 years ago. BCA recently streamlined operations at its...

HANDLING & STORAGE: A lift for building products.
July 27, 2007... From industrial manipulators manufacturer Famatec comes the Friendly-V vacuum lifter that offers adjustable vacuum plate positions so that the wide range of products and materials can be handled. Load capacities run from 150 to 400kg, and...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Jewellery on the move.
July 27, 2007... European Conveyor Systems has installed an automated order picking and despatch system at the 6000m2 Sussex distribution centre of fashion and costume jewellery supplier Icon Live. Carton flats for orders are assembled on the unit's...

HANDLING & STORAGE: The blindingly obvious choice.
July 27, 2007... An articulated Aisle-Master forklift has transformed handling and storage procedures in the 30,000ft2 Droitwich facility of window blind specialist Alutrade Products. Works Manager John Hipkiss sought an improvement on the...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Pottery at a push.
July 27, 2007... Two Nu-Star Power Pushers have been recently supplied to the Denby Pottery Company in Derbyshire to push and pull pots to and from the kilns and to manoeuvre loaded kiln cars in and out of the kilns themselves. Denby's kiln technician...

HANDLING & STORAGE/LOADING BAY: Ramping up efficiency.
July 27, 2007... Carpet tile manufacturer Sanquhar Tile Services has overcome the lack of a loading bay at one of its factories - and boosted efficiency - by installing a mobile yard ramp system from Thorworld Industries. Each month Sanquhar receives a...

HANDLING & STORAGE/LOADING BAY: A lift for loads.
July 27, 2007... For applications such as vehicle loading, machine filling/feeding, order picking and raised storage, sara scissor lifts come in standard capacities up to 8.0 tonnes with lift strokes to 1600mm. If needed, higher load bearing, non-standard...

HANDLING & STORAGE/LOADING BAY: Dock shelter at the double.
July 27, 2007... Double-deck trailers can make environmental and economic sense. But taller trailers can mean problems at the loading bay, where a large range of vehicle heights may be difficult to handle. Stertil's WIS inflatable dock shelter can solve...

BUILDINGS & MAINTENANCE: Custom build.
July 27, 2007... Timber, board and building materials supplier Stamco has three Sussex facilities, the showroom, warehouse and offices at Eastbourne (above and on our cover) being a design/build project by Lindab Building Systems. Every Lindab building...

BUILDINGS & MAINTENANCE: Make a connection.
July 27, 2007... Kee Klamp has extended its range of corrosion-resistant Kee Lite fittings with an adjustable elbow fitting, designed to help make tubular structure assembly quicker and easier. The LB54-66 fitting provides an in-line angle connection, variable...

BUILDINGS & MAINTENANCE: High tolerance floor fixings.
July 27, 2007... Steelwork connection specialists Access Technologies has updated its popular Floorfix range with the addition of the new, easy to work with Floorfix HT (high tolerance) fixing clip. Part of the BeamClamp range, the Floorfix HT is designed...

BUILDINGS & MAINTENANCE: Healthy expansion.
July 27, 2007... Witney-based manufacturer of diabetes monitoring equipment, Abbot Diabetes Care, has expanded its production facility utilising Toledo partitioning system from Troax. For the extension, Toledo's double-skin steel partitioning was used to...

BUILDINGS & MAINTENANCE: Success from the floor up.
July 27, 2007... Floring specialist Flowcrete has supplied a durable, functional floor to the Sheffield facility of Gripple, the manufacturer of wire joining and tensioning devices. Flowcrete's Flowshield SL, in pastel blue, has been installed in the...

BUILDINGS & MAINTENANCE: Real flooring.
July 27, 2007... Slater's Ales of Stafford recently relocated their brewery to larger premises in order to cater for an increase in demand for their range of real ales. The premises required a new 300m2 resin floor to be installed, and it was vital that the...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Software eases over-printing.
July 27, 2007... Print software specialist Scan Logic has released version 7.1 of its EPWin digital print software for PDF over-printing. EPWin enables the user to create a PDF file containing the data to be over-printed. It is simple to use, making it quick...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Real-time data.
July 27, 2007... Soft furnishing distributor Primeur has implemented a high-tech wireless paperless data collection and communication system designed, supplied and installed by Barcoding.co.uk. The WiFi bar code solution has boosted efficiency and accuracy,...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Ink jet coding suits growing needs.
July 27, 2007... Florida-based Pacific Tomato Growers is using Linx Printing Technologies' 4900 Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ) printers to deliver a cost- effective method of applying clear, precise codes onto its primary packaging. Pacific has 15,000 acres in...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Permeation testing lab.
July 27, 2007... Systech Instruments has introduced a testing service for companies that cannot justify the purchase of the necessary equipment. The Systech permeation laboratory provides cost-effective measurement of oxygen permeation in films, bottles and...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Desktop printers stay smart.
July 27, 2007... Three new desktop printers from Citizen Systems Europe come in a dark grey colour to improve their appearance in industrial applications where dirt and grime are present, making them easier to maintain. The compact CLP-521, 621 and 631 have an...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Customised solutions.
July 27, 2007... From bespoke packaging and mirror-welded containers to vacuum-formed i nserts, EPP foam inserts and made-to-measure inserts, there are over 2400 SSI Schaefer containers in production that meet the requirements of today's fast moving...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Making a mark.
July 27, 2007... Plastics are excellent materials for CO2 laser processing due to their high absorptivity and low thermal conductivity at the appropriate wavelength. With polyethylene the cutting mechanism is vaporisation - the material is simply vaporised...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Keep the lid on.
July 27, 2007... A recent Packaging Automation installation is helping a supplier of livestock tags to UK farmers keep costs down in the face of the new postal charging system introduced by the Royal Mail. Ritchey plc installed a PA210 tray sealer on hire after...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: A clear solution for vodka.
July 27, 2007... MOCAP's Cleartec packaging tubes are being used to dazzling effect for exclusive bottles of vodka. DIVA vodka comes in a hand-designed cologne type bottle with a central 'wand' column containing 72 sparkling Swarovski crystals. This Cleartec...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Heat sealer sets the pace.
July 27, 2007... Based on customer feedback and industry need, heat sealing specialist Proseal has launched the Proseal GT2, capable of sealing up to 75 packs/min yet totally portable for a flexible tray sealing solution that the food industry demands. ...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Waste not.
July 27, 2007... Supported with funding from the Waste & Resources Action Programme Innovation Fund, International Food Partners commissioned Ceetak to develop the Integrity Seal System - designed to assist manufacturers reduce the amount of plastic film...