What's New In Industry articles from May 2008

What's New In Industry archives from May 2008

WHAT'S NEW: On the faster track.
May 31, 2008... Fast Track prototyping service from electronic manufacturing services provider AWS Cemgraft can turn around prototype or urgent low-volume requests in five to ten days as standard: if really urgent, the company has managed to deliver in...

WHAT'S NEW: Switching compatibility.
May 31, 2008... From Pressure Vacuum Level (01892-664499, web www.pvl.co.uk) comes a range of industry standard, heavy-duty level switches offering compatibility with - and a cost-effective replacement for - Soltaron Mobrey heavy-duty level switches. PVL...

WHAT'S NEW: Drive beats the jet test.
May 31, 2008... Motor Technology has designed a servo system to drive a rotating drum at high speed in the exhaust of a test rig designed to replicate a jet engine combustor. The rig, which was project managed and built by Howco Oilfield Services based on a...

WHAT'S NEW: Lighter winds.
May 31, 2008... Renold Clutches & Couplings, Cardiff, has helped to design a new transmission system for wind power turbines that makes them lighter and more efficient in operation. Renold's team modified an overrunning sprag clutch and vee pulley assembly...

WHAT'S NEW: Recycling in the loop.
May 31, 2008... Spurred on by its commitment to the environment, conveyor belt manufacturer Habasit Rossi is introducing a closed loop recycling initiative to its workplace and customers. Recycling specialist Sonoco is helping help Habasit achieve its...

WHAT'S NEW: 90-Minute sessions for training and development.
May 31, 2008... Creativedge Training and Development has developed 24 high-impact 90- minute training sessions for busy people. Aptly named Rapid Results, these flexible training sessions have been designed to really get people switched on! Sessions 'cut to...

WHAT'S NEW: Conference highlights truck safety.(Conference notes)
May 31, 2008... Announcing the key topics for Safe Operations - this year's National Fork Truck Safety Conference - the Fork Lift Truck Association has a hard-hitting message for those who underestimate the possibility of a truck tipping over in their...

WHAT'S NEW: Safe lifting at the double.
May 31, 2008... Environmental, engineering and safety demands have led logistics provider Wincanton to choose specialised scissor lifts from LAWECO for double-deck trailer loading bays at the distribution centre of a major high street retailer. The...

PROCESS & PLANT CONTROL: Valve package in control.
May 31, 2008... Tyco Flow Control has been selected to supply valve and control packages to British Sugar's bioethanol production plant at Wissington as a result of offering Foundation Fieldbus and AS-Interface compatible valve controls for hazardous areas....

PROCESS & PLANT CONTROL: Bulk storage for milk.
May 31, 2008... Project management and control specialist FMA Process Enginering has completed two major finished milk bulk storage projects at Dairy Farmers of Britain's Blaydon site near Newcastle. These turnkey projects, valued at about #850,000, involved...

PROCESS & PLANT CONTROL: Generating pure nitrogen.
May 31, 2008... From the Process Filtration Division of Parker Hannifin comes the NitroFlow Lab, a self-contained generator that produces up to 32 litres/m of pure LC/MS grade nitrogen at pressures up to 8 bar. A combination of compressor, filtration, and...

PROCESS & PLANT CONTROL: Plant safety all locked in.
May 31, 2008... One of the largest oil-refining projects in China, the Xinjiang Dushanzi Project, is due to have over 700 Netherlocks valve safety devices installed. HQCEC, the EDC contractor for this China National Petroleum Company project, recently bought...

PROCESS & PLANT CONTROL: Actuators operate with an air of efficiency.
May 31, 2008... On a torque for torque comparison, the recently extended G Series actuator range from Tomoe Valve is said to use 30 per cent lower air consumption than its rack and pinion equivalent. "It is becoming increasingly important for the industry...

PROCESS & PLANT CONTROL: Dry gas samples for analysis.
May 31, 2008... Key expertise in the drying and conditioning of gas samples is offered by Brunswick Instrumentation, UK distributor for Perma Pure advanced gas conditioning technologies. Brunswick can advise on specification and selection of chillers or...

PROCESS & PLANT CONTROL: System offers burst detection by wireless.
May 31, 2008... Combining the latest wireless technology with the proven Flo-Tel non- invasive detection system, Elfab's new ATEX-approved Radio-Tel burst detection system is suitable for the largest sites and offers real-time process monitoring of disc...

PROCESS & PLANT CONTROL: Keeping out the moisture.
May 31, 2008... One of the main problems with temperature sensors is the ingress of moisture which can seriously affect the sensor performance - the weakest point often being the lead/sensor interface. So ATC Semitec has developed a range of TPE...

PROCESS & PLANT CONTROL: Tank agitators show the gentle touch.
May 31, 2008... Alfa Laval's new energy-saving tank agitators have been designed to provide gentle product treatment and low energy usage in a wide range of mixing and blending duties to ensure product homogeneity, maintain suspension and aid fermentation...

PROCESS & PLANT CONTROL: All change for centrifugal pumps.
May 31, 2008... New stainless steel sanitary centrifugal pumps in a range of specifications have been introduced by Wright Flow Technologies (formerly Johnson Pump). The TRA 500 series offers interchangeability with major brands of centrifugal pumps to provide...

PROCESS & PLANT CONTROL: Panel offers easy control.
May 31, 2008... ABB has introduced a range of control panels for its AC500 PLCs, giving users a clear, easy to use way of controlling any automated process. Available in various options, the CP400 operator terminals provide immediate access to a wealth of...

PROCESS & PLANT CONTROL: Measuring through the dust.
May 31, 2008... The KTEK LM80 Lasermeter range of level transmitters from Allison Engineering offers high accuracy, non-contact and continuous level measurement. The units are said to be very effective in situations involving bulk solids and opaque...

PROCESS & PLANT CONTROL: When pumping gets tough.
May 31, 2008... Varisco J series of pumps from The Pump Company have been designed for tough applications. With rapid self-priming and easy installation, they can be located in a dry place with only the suction pipe immersed in the liquid. J series...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: When 'safe enough' isn't good enough.
May 31, 2008... There is no such thing as 'safe enough' when you've got people's lives in your hands - 'safe enough' just isn't good enough, says Reg Barker, health, safety and facilities officer for Malvern-based Automated Packaging Systems. Reg...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Tray sealer geared to high-speed food production.
May 31, 2008... Proseal has extended its GT tray sealer range with a new model. An enhanced version of its F45 Tray Sealer, the new GT1 has been designed to meet the demanding requirements of high-speed food production lines and offers the same benefits of...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Going softly softly with glass containers.
May 31, 2008... Designed to ensure the smooth on-line operation of container labelling, the new Container Transfer System from Newman Labelling Systems removes the need to transfer glass containers manually to a labelling machine or use a synchronised screw...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Auto-splicing speeds strapping process.
May 31, 2008... Enhancements to Mosca's MCB-2 in-line squarer bundler strapper for the corrugated industry involve auto-splicing and hinge-top opening for improved performance and user operation. "The MCB-2 is designed for easy installation and...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Laser makes its mark on stainless.
May 31, 2008... Manufacturers specify stainless steel for a variety of consumer and industrial products because of its corrosion resistance, durability, and aesthetic appeal. Stainless steel performs well in both high- and low-temperature environments and the...

PACKAGING&LABELLING: 'Thinking' printer problem Solver for solvent use.
May 31, 2008... New addition to the 6900 continuous inkjet printer range from Linx Printing Technologies is said to be able to reduce solvent usage by up to 40 per cent. The Linx 6900 Solver is said to "think as it inks". Using a new ink system and...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Printer now offers Datamatrix codes.
May 31, 2008... New version of Wolke's m600 thermal ink jet printer is available from Sunala. The m600 Advanced is able to print variable Datamatrix codes to ECC 200. These are increasingly being adopted due to their greater flexibility and accuracy...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Compact labeller.
May 31, 2008... Compact version of the Weyfringe RTL label print and apply system has been designed to fit into restricted areas. The unit has a reduced chassis size and media configuration allowing it to be positioned within spaces which traditional...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Bar code support at Halewood.
May 31, 2008... The Widnes-based industrial control technologies specialist Denca Controls has been awarded the 2008 calibration, service and support contract for all fixed and hand-held bar code readers at the Jaguar and Land Rover manufacturing plant,...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Printer offers a fast rewind.
May 31, 2008... The new CL-S700R industrial printer from Citizen Systems Europe features an internal rewinder, making it extremely simple to print labels in batches or individually. Like the existing CL-S700 models, the printer is easy and fast to load and...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Shredding for packaging.
May 31, 2008... Harrod Horticultural is an expanding supplier of garden products, despatching several thousand parcels each month. As an Eco-friendly solution for void fill and protective packaging, Harrod selected an Easypack Shredder to convert surplus...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Leading the pallet Evolution.
May 31, 2008... The result of over four years' intensive development, the range of 'Evolution' pallets made 100 per cent from recyclable material offers users a cost-effective replacement for wooden pallets. At a time when rising timber prices are...

PACKAGING & LABELLING: Cutting the cost of bespoke labels.
May 31, 2008... A Toshiba/Solo labelling solution has reduced labelling costs by over 400 per cent for Wichita, the designer and manufacturer of pneumatic and hydraulic equipment. The Toshiba B-SV4T desktop printer with Solo software was installed by ERS...

COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEMS: Drive down production costs.
May 31, 2008... Having only one moving part spinning in a magnetic field, the Quantima Q-drive compression assembly forms the heart of a new compressor design from CompAir. Its rotor and direct-driven compression elements are levitated by active...

COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEMS: Cutting down losses boosts energy efficiency.
May 31, 2008... State-of-the-art compression elements based on Atlas Copco's patented asymmetric rotor profiles, which drastically reduce volumetric losses, are a key element in the energy efficiency of the company's latest GA range of oil-injected...

COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEMS: Making the most of tools' exhausted air.
May 31, 2008... A new compressed air technology called the Exhausted Air Recycling System (E.A.R.S.) is said to be able to redefine the production of compressed air and produce substantial benefits including reduced energy costs, lower carbon emissions,...

COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEMS: Medicine for air systems.
May 31, 2008... If you don't have the right tools or the right 'medicine' to diagnose and treat your compressed air problems, then you are faced with loss and potential compressed air sickness, says Beko, who is offering a full line of compressed air...

COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEMS: Keeping the noise down.
May 31, 2008... New CLEAN-AIR oil-free compressors from Abac are much quieter, more robust and more efficient than previous models. Designed for demanding hygienic air applications across a range of industries, the Prime Range of compressors is available...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Know your storage and racking.
May 31, 2008... To maximise efficiency of a storage facility - the building and its internal storage installation - you must first consider the prime objectives of the operation. This could vary from simply holding material in long term storage, where items...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Excel takes on Translift EMS UK business.
May 31, 2008... Following withdrawal from the market of Digitron-Translift, the automated systems supplier and licensee of Translift's Electric Monorail Components and Systems (EMS), Excel Automation has concluded a license agreement with TL-Systems AG, the...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Staying safe when working at height.
May 31, 2008... Height Safety Solutions, a specialist division of lifting services provider Morris Material Handling, is installing a turnkey working at height safety solution at the Lochaber/Kinlochleven facility of Rio Tinto Alcan in Scotland. The largest...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Safe trucks get even safer.
May 31, 2008... Toyota Material Handling says it has made the safest truck range in the world even safer with the launch of the Tonero engine-powered forklift. Combining Toyota's System of Active Stability (SAS), Operator Presence Sensing and enhanced...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Storage system aids upgrade recognition.
May 31, 2008... A worldwide name in marine turbo-charger technology, ABB is conscious of the need for quality suppliers who can support its quality ethos, and its relationship with Lista recently resulted in an accolade as regards ABB's internal assessment...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Battery power at St Pancras.
May 31, 2008... The #800m refurbishment of St Pancras and the opening of the Eurostar terminal have received a lot of media attention lately. Working quietly (literally) behind the scenes is a fleet of Linde materials handling equipment powered by Exide...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Quicker picking.
May 31, 2008... Orthopaedic and advanced medical technology specialist Stryker has increased productivity, achieved quicker picking times and gained back valuable space thanks to a better storage solution to house all medical parts within its distribution...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Trucks aid storage efficiency.
May 31, 2008... A fleet of ten Aisle-Master articulated forklifts has helped bring a 30 per cent increase in storage capacity to the Chadderton, Manchester, warehousing facility of Tetrosyl, the manufacturer and supplier of car care brands such as CarPlan,...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Conveyor solution on a roll.
May 31, 2008... A leading rigid presentation packaging manufacturer introduced Best PowerFlex powered roller mobile conveyors into its system to improve movement of product during packaging collation at its production plant. The conveyors improve the flow of...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Safer lifting.
May 31, 2008... Logistics specialist Wincanton has installed a special LAWECO scissor- lift vehicle loading platform as part of a package of loading bay equipment supplied at the NDC it runs near Tamworth for a major DIY chain. It was decided to build a...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Speeding up pallet handling.
May 31, 2008... Responding to the warehouse and logistics industry's requirements for an innovative forklift attachment to aid faster handling of palleted commodities, B&B Attachments' new Layer Master is a new clamp specifically designed to cope with...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Dolly minds the step.
May 31, 2008... From LINPAC Allibert comes a novel kerb climbing dolly that makes moving trays stacked with merchandise from van to pavement and into the store, easier, quicker and safer. A simple yet effective tool, it has been developed for LA's client...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Precise conveying.
May 31, 2008... Following acquisition of the intellectual property rights of PJ Automation (PJA), Excel Automation has introduced a Hazmac-style range of side-friction precision conveyor systems. General manager Gary Sweeney says the addition of the Hazmac...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Roll out the battery.
May 31, 2008... Nissan has developed a safer and faster alternative for its three-wheel TX counterbalanced series with a specially developed battery roll-out system. By using this new rig in conjunction with a pallet truck, the risk of overhead working can...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Award for a 'greener' truck.
May 31, 2008... Because it uses less fuel than any other truck, and thanks to its other environmentally-friendly aspects, the STILL RX 70 25-35 range of IC- engine counterbalance fork lifts has won the Fork Lift Truck Association 2008 Environment Award. STILL...

HANDLING & STORAGE: The right container.
May 31, 2008... Greif's 25-litre HDPE Valerex container has been selected by Biokil Crown, manufacturer of chemicals for building renovation, as its standard 25-litre drum for solvent-based materials. Biokil Crown specialises in chemicals for renovation,...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Put the lid on it.
May 31, 2008... LINPAC Allibert's 80-litre Attached Lid Container (ALC) has been designed for use in the crate rentals, removals, storage and distribution sector. Its tamper-evident security combines unique seal fixing with corner tabs that lock the lid to...

HANDLING & STORAGE: The Bendi route.
May 31, 2008... When logistics services provider Euro Continental of Northampton looked to expand its storage business it turned to Translift Bendi to make best use of limited storage space and achieve impressive lorry turnaround times. The company...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Award for truck ergonomics.
May 31, 2008... For the second year running, Crown Lift Trucks has taken a major prize at the annual Fork Lift Truck Association Awards for Excellence (FLTA), held at the Birmingham Metropole in February. Crown won the Ergonomics award, one of the four...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Scaling up the WeighMaster.
May 31, 2008... B&B Attachments has updated its WeighMaster mobile weighing range with the WeighMaster 2000, a dynamic oil pressure weighing system designed for materials handling equipment including warehouse stackers, counterbalance, reach and order...

HANDLING & STORAGE: Trucks offer drive choice.
May 31, 2008... With applications in the timber, steel and aluminium, concrete, brewing, ports and chemical industries in mind, Yale's new VX Veracitor counterbalance trucks offer either diesel or LPG engines in 6000 and 7000kg capacities. The GDP/GLP60-70VX...

FASTENING & JOINING: Capturing fumes at source.
May 31, 2008... The dangers of fumes from welding have long been known. Fumes can damage the nervous system and respiratory tract, as well as having other adverse effects. Traditional capture hoods and nozzles can work well, but require an element of operator...

FASTENING & JOINING: Setting tool a force to be reckoned with.
May 31, 2008... Bollhoff Fastenings has introduced a new pneumatic setting tool to a market where many millions of blind rivet nuts are being used to place a reinforced thread into sheet metals, profiles and hollow sections. Using automatic force-control...

FASTENING & JOINING: Inserts withstand harsh conditions.
May 31, 2008... Designed for plastic and metal alloy applications, Trisert-3 self- tapping inserts from Tappex can withstand critical environmental conditions, such as marine and chemical/food processing, while still retaining excellent wear resistance and...

FASTENING & JOINING: One for the pot.
May 31, 2008... Master Bond's EP34CA is a polyfunctional, heat-resistant epoxy resin designed for use in high-performance composite structures and potting and casting applications. Used with select hardeners, it produces a low viscosity system well-suited...

FASTENING & JOINING: More steel fasteners join the Mini Club.
May 31, 2008... The use of pierce fastening technology from Profil UK continues to increase on the BMW Mini with the selection of the company's M8 x 25mm steel EBF studs to retain rear light clusters on recently-announced Mini Clubman models. Bringing...

FASTENING & JOINING: Turn up the heat on 'difficult' PCBs.
May 31, 2008... The PCT-1000 Programmable Preheater from OK International enables users to deliver more heat to difficult PCBs while maintaining high levels of thermal control and lower operating temperatures. Ideal for high thermal demand applications such...

PLANT MAINTENANCE: Packing passes sealing test.
May 31, 2008... Supagraf Premier compression packing from James Walker has beaten TA- Luft VDI 2440 emission control requirements by a significant margin to gain an outstanding rating in independent tests at the Amtec laboratory in Germany. Recorded gas...

PLANT MAINTENANCE: Torquing up the standard.
May 31, 2008... TruTorque is the outcome of a project by Norbar's design team to produce the best possible tool using the latest materials. Key objectives were to produce a wrench that is durable and will stay in calibration for as long as possible, even...

PLANT MAINTENANCE: Safer access.
May 31, 2008... Invicta's fork-mounted access platform is a proven, safe area from which to carry out routine maintanence, inspections and stocktaking. A range of models is offered, from an economical lift-up bar access version to the larger base-type with...

PLANT MAINTENANCE: Seal face in good shape after six years' hard use.
May 31, 2008... The durability and performance provided by John Crane mechanical seals has been proven during a recent scheduled maintenance shut down at a paper plant in Canada. A Crane Safematic seal was removed from the plant as a preventative maintenance...

PLANT MAINTENANCE: Steam traps bring a quick payback.
May 31, 2008... Ruabon Works, a specialist chemicals manufacturing site operated by Flexsys Rubber Chemicals, is making steam savings of 12 per cent from its batch reactor following the installation of Gardner Energy Management GEM Venturi Orifice steam traps....

PLANT MAINTENANCE: All you need: and nothing you don't.
May 31, 2008... Pirana browser-based computerised maintenance management system (CMMS) from Shire Systems is said to have been born out of the wish-lists of maintenance practitioners. Only the features they rate as vital have been included, making the...

PLANT MAINTENANCE: Faster i/r scanning.
May 31, 2008... Raytek's MP150 high-speed infrared Linescanner provides one of the fastest and most complete non-contact temperature measurement solutions available. With its on-board Ethernet TCP/IP communication capability, it has been specifically...

PLANT MAINTENANCE: Truck versatility for the IoM.
May 31, 2008... Truck Specialists has delivered a multi-purpose MAN truck equipped with a crane, hooklift and two separate bodies to B & C Transport Ltd. for a range of duties on the Isle of Man. Because of the size of the island, B & C wanted a versatile...

PLANT MAINTENANCE: Advanced design for blowguns.
May 31, 2008... Safety, comfort and versatility in use are key design features of an advanced new range of blowguns from Legris. These lightweight products come in standard and premium versions, with handles and triggers designed to provide the most natural...

PLANT MAINTENANCE: Water treatment on a grand scale.
May 31, 2008... Mining is important in Western Australia, contributing to over a third of its Gross State Product: the main resources extracted are nickel, iron ore and gold. However, due to the extreme climate, mining poses many problems: temperatures...

INSPECTION & MEASUREMENT: Torque put to the test.
May 31, 2008... A reliable method of measuring torque is essential in the development and production of small rotary components. It enables designers to perfect the 'feel' of their products and allows manufacturers to guarantee quality in production. ...

INSPECTION & MEASUREMENT: Software right up to standard.
May 31, 2008... A new version of the harmonic/flicker measurement software for Yokogawa's WT3000 precision power analyser has been released to comply with new international power-quality standards. The new 761922 measurement software has been developed in...

INSPECTION & MEASUREMENT: Touch of Genius with the sausages.
May 31, 2008... Although safety standards are essential in the food industry, they are just a starting point: most food manufacturers go well beyond the legal requirements to protect their good name. Pre-packed sausage and meat company Aldenhoven wanted the...

INSPECTION & MEASUREMENT: Vibration analysis in real-time.
May 31, 2008... The VibPilot is m+p international's new compact 4/8-channel hardware platform to meet the high requirements of today's vibration testing and dynamic signal analysis. It is based on the latest generation of IC technology and offers...

INSPECTION & MEASUREMENT: Testing out the testers.
May 31, 2008... From test instrument manufacturer Seaward Electronic comes a new checkbox to verify the in-service performance of portable appliance testers. In line with advice included in the latest IEE Code of Practice for In- Service Inspection and...

INSPECTION & MEASUREMENT: Screw-in probe for push-back testing.
May 31, 2008... New P206/G Series from Peak Test Services is a screw-in probe for the push-back testing of wire harnesses and connectors. The probe has been designed for 3mm centre applications, and has a working travel of 5mm. Working spring force is 15N....

INSPECTION & MEASUREMENT: Hire sector plugs into safety tests.
May 31, 2008... Hire and rental companies can meet their electrical safety testing responsibilities with the SafeCheck 8 safety tester now offered by Clare Instruments. This compact bench top product is said to be ideal for use in workshops in hire outlets,...

INSPECTION & MEASUREMENT: Load cell extends actuator capabilities.
May 31, 2008... Inmoco has extended the capabilities of its high-torque, long-life Exlar GSX and I ranges of electric linear actuators with an integral force measuring capability: a load cell embedded within the actuator. This option offers a direct method...