What's New In Industry articles from September 2005

What's New In Industry archives from September 2005

Air apparent.
September 30, 2005... Atlas Copco is seeking out Britain's oldest working compressor, regardless of make - and offering its owner a choice of rewards. On offer is either an all-expenses paid trip to Atlas Copco's Antwerp manufacturing plant to see the latest...

Go by the book.
September 30, 2005... From infrared thermometry provider Raytek comes a new 40-page handbook for companies handling or producing temperature-sensitive perishable goods. Temperature Measurement - Food, Cosmetics, Flower and Plants offers practical tips on how...

Making a mark.
September 30, 2005... New series of MC2000 SuperFast marking systems available from Quality Tooling (North-East) are offered in either portable, bench-top, multi- purpose, integrated or special purpose formats. They can be used on all types of materials (plastics,...

Think flexible.
September 30, 2005... Time-to-market is critical in new product development, so BSI has launched 'flexitest' testing services to help get products through the development cycle quickly by booking blocks of test capacity in advance, using hours as and when...

Telemetry right out of the box.
September 30, 2005... An 'out of the box' M2M telemetry solution from Comtech enables users to monitor, control and manage their network of remote equipment via the Internet. Consider any type of equipment deployed at remote locations where on-site management or...

Testing on the move.
September 30, 2005... Speed, accuracy and convenience are the main advantages claimed for on- the-spot sampling and testing of thermal oils offered in a state-of-the- art mobile lab. by Heat Transfer Systems (HTS). The service offers on-site analysis and...

Cutting installation costs without a trace.
September 30, 2005... New IP65 protected HT Series 'thermostat in a box' from Spelsberg aims to remove assembly and specification cost from installing thermostats in trace heating applications. The lower temperature versions are ideal as frost protection for...

F1 calipers put to the test.
September 30, 2005... Engineers at Computer Controlled Solutions (CCS) used National Instruments LabVIEW graphical development environment and NI DAQ and motion control products to build a dynamometer designed to test calipers and brakes on Formula 1 cars. With a...

Low-cost VMC gets smaller.
September 30, 2005... Responding to demand for an even smaller low-cost VMV than its Mini Mill 560, XYZ's new 450 machine is a 7.5hp, 60-80,000rpm VMC of solid cast construction weighing 1900kg. The 450's box slides are induction hardened, ground and...

Truck training.
September 30, 2005... Leading lift truck training accreditation body RTIB has been working with virtual design specialist Aims Solutions to produce a convenient, easy-to-use truck training tool. 3rd Level is accessible to all abilities and is the first in a...

A chaotic life on the ocean waves.
September 30, 2005... A linear generator test rig for cutting edge research into wave generation has been set up in the EnergyLINK Laboratory at the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) in Northumberland. Designed by a team at Durham University's Dept. Of...

Take a closer view of PC data.
September 30, 2005... Lightweight SV-6 PC viewer from MicroOptical Corporation lets you to tap in to your computer's information and read it right in front of you, even when you are remote from it. Available from Pacer Components, this latest version interfaces...

Bar code reader tunes in via radio waves.
September 30, 2005... By combining bar code reading, radio transmission and batch functionality, Sick's IT5620 device claims to set new standards in mobile hand-held scanning, offering users new levels of freedom in a variety of data collection operations. ...

Gasket gives a bettter seal.
September 30, 2005... Made from exfoliated graphite and based on proven corrugation technology, Beldam Burgmann's Corratherm Gasket is aimed at the petrochemical, chemical and offshore markets and is seen as a replacement for tang graphite, spiral wound, metal clad...

Plant Maintenance: Analysis system right on target.
September 30, 2005... CitectIIM Performance is said to be the first manufacturing execution system (MES) to provide powerful analytical capabilities that enable companies to increase profits by proactively targeting performance improvements in Overall Equipment...

Design Components: Winning the ratings war.
September 30, 2005... The difference between an electrical enclosure offering IP54 and IP65 protection can make the difference between a well specified junction box that meets cost, pressure and protection requirements and a failed installation due to moisture...

Design Components: Dynamic solutions to linear demands.
September 30, 2005... Aiming to offer a more versatile alternative to pneumatics, Parker Hannifin's new PowerRod actuators and cylinders combine high velocity, acceleration, accuracy and repeatability. With their IP67-rated forcer, stainless steel thrust rod...

Design Components: Combat EMI interference.
September 30, 2005... Chomerics has increased its range of EMI shielding products with the addition of CHO-MUTE RF absorber material. Available in two grades, it can be used to eliominate EMI and EMC problems in applications such as transmitters, receivers,...

Design Components: Cable on the bus.
September 30, 2005... New series of bus cables from igus are specifically for use with constantly moving energy chain systems in industrial applications. Chainflex CFBUS cables have abrasion-resistant TPE outer jackets and are now available for standard field bus...

Design Components: Valve on the rails.
September 30, 2005... Motion and fluid control specialist Norgren has introduced a new manifold for its Watson Smith VP12 miniature proportional valves. The manifold is DIN rail mountable and maintains the compact advantage of the VP12. Offering ease of use and...

Design Components: Chain provides a link to lower costs.
September 30, 2005... Tsubaki is aiming for a higher benchmark for lube-free chains with its new BS/DIN Lambda chain, which combines the benefits of non-lube operation, superior wear-resistance and improved operating life in a convenient 'easy-disassemble' design...

Design Components: Coupling copes with greater misalignment.
September 30, 2005... A special flexible coupling constructed from standard parts using four flexing elements instead of two has effectively doubled the component's misalignment capacity. The unit was created by coupling specialist Monninghoff from one of its...

Design Components: Zero backlash coupling.
September 30, 2005... Zero backlash couplings became central to Huco's product range in the mid-80s. Now, there is a new stainless steel version aimed primarily at applications in food and pharmaceutical manufacturing where principle considerations are zero...

Design Components: Material can model and make.
September 30, 2005... Rapid prototyping systems manufacturer Stratasys has introduced a new modelling material blend of polycarbonate and ABS plastic. Available through Laser Lines, PC-ABS is a blend often used in manufacturing today's plastic products, but is...

Design Components: If there's space, there's brass.
September 30, 2005... Richco's new brass and metal spacers are for use in the PCB market - two mild steel types and, for the first time, two RoHS-compliant brass spacers. The different materials accommodate different chassis and sheet materials. Zinc-plated...

Design Components: Switches see the light.
September 30, 2005... Crisp blue and white LED illumination options are offered by EAO for its Series 84 range of pushbutton switches. They supplement the current green, yellow or red choice of single or multi-chip LEDs. These low-profile, flush-mount...

Design Components: Chain upgrade.
September 30, 2005... Renold's A&S roller chain has been upgraded to enhance wear and fatigue- resistance and improve its all-round durability. Rather than weaker curled bushes used on some other types, A&S chain uses solid, extruded bushes and rollers, a...

Design Components: Cage fasteners save OEM time.
September 30, 2005... Two new fasteners from Heyco, NY-Cage nuts and Metal Turn-In Cage nuts, suits applications in, typically, the automative and domestic appliance sectors. Easily installed, they claim time savings over weld-nuts/studs and rivet nuts. ...

Design Components: Bearings offer more options.
September 30, 2005... The choice of Greenlign plastic housed bearings available from R A Rodriguez has been expanded to eight types for use in food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries where non-corrodible housings and stainless steel bearings are essential. ...

Design Components: Fittings go techno.
September 30, 2005... Camozzi Pneumatics has extended its range of pneumatic fittings with a high-performance Compact series in techno-polymer. They maintain the connection specs. and high tolerances of the current range of Camozzi fittings: maximum flexibility...

Design Components: Stainless collars.
September 30, 2005... For harsh, wet environments, Ruland Manufacturing is offering stainless steel shaft collars to prevent corrosion. Type 303 stainless, with its passivated surface finish, resists water and many commercial grade chemicals such as chlorine and...

Design Components: Bus power.
September 30, 2005... Rittal's component adaptors range from 12 to 250A, mount directly onto the busbar system and come pre-wired or with terminals for self-wiring. Said to offer a cost-saving, flexible and simple control panel design solution for power...

Design Components: Compact cylinder sensor fits in a snap.
September 30, 2005... Following on from its T-slot cylinder sensor, ifm electronic has launched a unit offering the same benefits for the established C-slot, now widely used in short-stroke cylinders and grippers. Fitting sensors to C-slots in pneumatic...

Design Components: Laminate offers high stability.
September 30, 2005... A new epoxy glass fabric laminate from Tufnol, designated Grade 10G/48, is manufactured in an epoxy resin system specially formulated to produce a material with good dimensional stability and strength retention. This is further enhanced when...

Design Components: Film protects keyboards.
September 30, 2005... Autotex polyester film from Autotype Int. is being used by membrane keyboard manufacturer Hoffman+Krippner in the production of keyboards for industrial and computer equipment for use in demanding environments that are subject to high levels of...

Finishing & Materials: Micro system gives near-dry machining.
September 30, 2005... Patented near-dry machining micro-lubrication system, which ensures cleaner machine operations, reduced fluid consumption, improved tool life and eliminates waste disposal, has been developed by ROCOL Lubricants. Accu-Lube combines a...

Finishing & Materials: Advanced paint system cleans up for aerospace.
September 30, 2005... An advanced spray gun paint dispensing system from 3M is delivering impressive results in trials at one of the UK's major aerospace companies. During the trial, adoption of the system resulted in a 75 percent reduction in the use of Toluene...

Finishing & Materials: Super thin conveyor steel suits pick of the crop.
September 30, 2005... A breakthrough in steel belt processing technology has enabled Sandvik Process Systems, a product area within Sandvik Materials Technology, to launch a range of super-thin stainless steel conveyor belts. Sandvik 1700SA stainless belt grade...

Finishing & Materials: On the level.
September 30, 2005... New dispensing unit for use with self-levelling two-part epoxies has been introduced by Henkel Loctite Adhesives. The Dual Gear Pump Dispenser can be used for continuous beading or timed potting applications at manual work stations. Mixing...

Finishing & Materials: Big freeze frees bolts in a Flash.
September 30, 2005... Designed to release severely corroded ferrous metal fasteners quickly, CRC's Ambersil Rust Flash is said to out-perform 'ordinary' penetrating sprays on regular or severe corrosion by up to ten times. With conventional penetrating...

Finishing & Materials: Fasterprototypes.
September 30, 2005... Offering prototype micro metal parts and concept part validation services, photo-chemical machining specialist Tecan can despatch components in as little as five days from receipt of order. Applications are in electronics, medical, optical,...

Finishing & Materials: Hydraulics come clean.
September 30, 2005... A high level of component cleaning is being achieved by a Midlands hydraulics equipment manufacturer using MecWash Systems' technology. A MecWash Midi at Hydraforce combines rotational washing technology with ultrasonics to meet stringent...

Finishing & Materials: Pump powers glass art.
September 30, 2005... The University of Sunderland's Glass and Ceramics Department at the spectacular National Glass Centre has taken delivery of a waterjet cutting machine to enable artists and small companies produce an unlimited range of profiles in glass or...

Finishing & Materials: Puttin' on my top hat.
September 30, 2005... Thermistor manufacturer GE Infrastructure Sensing has increased production facilities by adding a fourth Carbolite top-hat furnace for processing ceramic sheet at temperatures up to 1300 degrees C. The company's thermal sensors are used in the...

Finishing & Materials: Great impressions.
September 30, 2005... Quality Gauging Systems is now sole European distributor for Reprorubber, an exotic metrology-grade, self-curing rubber product from the US that allows users to create virtually perfect replica castings of internal and external forms with zero...

Finishing & Materials: Auto-lube for conveyors.
September 30, 2005... Auto conveyor lubrication system from Castrol shows that the best defence against equipment failure and downtime is proper lubrication and cleanliness. By automating conveyor lubrication, Castrol's Lubecon system can increase conveyor...

Handling & Storage: Robot for fast palletising.
September 30, 2005... With its 2091mm reach, a new fast and flexible medium-payload (40kg) palletising robot from Kuka Automation + Robotics suits a range of manual, time-consuming applications such as order picking and assembly. The four-axis KR40PA robot is...

Handling & Storage: Still keeps carbon plant production moving.
September 30, 2005... Materials handling needs at Chemviron Carbon's plant near Wigan are being met by Still Materials Handling. equipment. CC produces over 100 activated carbon and emission control products for industries ranging from food and drink to print,...

Handling & Storage: Operational savings from store to saw.
September 30, 2005... Major improvements in some overall machine processing efficiencies, with gains in production and logistics, are claimed for the combined cassette storage and store-to-saw technologies offered by Kaltenbach and Remmert. The collaborative...

Handling & Storage: Alliance aims to advance air film technology.
September 30, 2005... A collaboration between the Hovair division of British Turntable and the University of Bolton has been formed to advance air film technology, a well- established method of moving heavy loads by floating them on a thin cushion of compressed...

Handling & Storage: Kitchen rolls.
September 30, 2005... Two MasterMover pedestrian tugs have been supplied to kitchen manufacturer Regency Kitchens. The machines use a patented weight transfer method to move wheeled and semi-wheeled loads of 50-64,000kg, allowing one person to manouevre a load...

Handling & Storage: Portable bund meets storage regs.
September 30, 2005... Designed to provide secondary containment for dealing with leaks or spills from mobile equipment such as compressors, pumps and generators - as well as on-site temporary bunding for drums and IBCs - the Tribund system from Darcy Products is...

Handling & Storage: Roll handling at a push.
September 30, 2005... Leading elastomer roller coverings supplier Stowe Woodward is using a Nu-Star Super Pusher for pushing and pulling its roll handling bogies on site. As part of a recent restructuring programme, paper and industrial rolls from around the...

Handling & Storage: Gas-powered performance.
September 30, 2005... From Translift Bendi, the Series 3 gas Bendi is a two-tonne capacity truck able to lift one tonne to 9m while working in aisles only 1.6m wide. Its 4x4-wheel drive suits it for outdoor work, even on slippery surfaces, while its mast claims...

Handling & Storage: Partners in safety.
September 30, 2005... Forklift safety and management systems from two suppliers of complementary equipment are offered following a partnership between Lammerholm Electronics, supplier of ShockSwitch impact sensors and fleet management systems, and Safety Systems &...

Handling & Storage: Conveyors mix and match.
September 30, 2005... Modu plastic slat band conveyors, are now available from agent Monk Conveyors, with four models offering chain widths of 63, 83, 140 and 305mm. These units are compatible both with existing flat band conveyors and Monk Automation's standard...

Handling & Storage: Healthcare on the move.
September 30, 2005... A new conveyor system from Okura Automation is aiding Laleham Healthcare package fish oil supplements. Combined with a packaging machine from Stickpack, the conveyor utilises the standard Belcon Mini belt conveyor, enhanced by a Carryline...

Handling & Storage: Tanks provide seamless store.
September 30, 2005... Balmoral Group has supplied two C35000 chemical storage tanks to Abingdon-based Basildon Chemicals to contain silicone stocks used in cosmetics and related products for the beauty and personal care industries. "The one-piece rotomoulded...

Handling & Storage: On a Roll.
September 30, 2005... Industrial castors and wheels with load capacities ranging from 50 to 11,500kg are currently available from Baz-Roll Products. Jacking castors, screw jacks, roll locks, gate castors, pneumatic wheel castors and spring-loaded castors are also...

Handling & Storage: Stacker truck turns on the ac power.
September 30, 2005... The addition of ac drive motors to boost economy, energy efficiency and power is among enhancements to the new SBP10-16N series of pedestrian stackers from Mitsubishi. Offered in 1.0, 1.2 and 1.6 tonne capacities, the truck also boasts an...

Handling & Storage: Trucks offer diesel/LPG option.
September 30, 2005... Diesel and LPG options have been added to Sidetracker Engineering's range of multi-directional reach trucks and side loaders. With load capacities up to six tonnes, these new models are aimed specifically at outdoor working. Permanent...

Handling & Storage: Protection on the chain gang.
September 30, 2005... New addition to Renold's Klik-Top range of polymer block chain has a new design of synthetic clip to protect goods being conveyed. The clips have smooth, round edges so there are no sharp corners to damage conveyed goods. The U-type...

Handling & Storage: Storage for the future.
September 30, 2005... An electric Bendi forklift from Translift Bendi has helped Rolson Tools 'future-proof' its storage needs after moving to a new 38,000ft2 warehouse. In its old premises, Rolson used a reach truck and two counterbalanced forklifts, the latter...

Handling & Storage: System provides security in transit.
September 30, 2005... A contract to design and supply a handling system to transport stacks of tote trays through an automatic security wrapping system at Tesco's Milton Keynes distribution centre has been won by Conveyor Systems Ltd. To provide maximum security...

LINPAC Storage Systems: VNA racking for warehouse expansion.
September 30, 2005... As one of the UK's fastest growing manufacturers of hand and power tools, the Silverline Tools company has undergone rapid expansion. Based in Yeovil, the company has a purpose-built office and warehouse complex which has recently been...

LINPAC Storage Systems: Keeping the tyres rolling.
September 30, 2005... With a footprint of over 500,000ft2 and the provision to store over a million tyres, Goodyear Dunlop's Tyrefort is the largest tyre warehouse and distribution centre in the UK. Situated alongside the M6 in Birmingham, over 150 people work in...

LINPAC Storage Systems: Storage without the snags.
September 30, 2005... To complement its Document and Linshelf ranges, LINPAC Storage Systems has developed a fully adjustable range of shelving for archive or library uses. Its double-skinned uprights and hidden shelf suppoprt clips give totally snag-free storage,...

Handling & Storage: Softly, softly.
September 30, 2005... Heavy-duty FBCN four-wheel electric forklifts from Mitsubishi boast cushion tyres to minimise truck dimensions, and provide excellent traction on smooth surfaces, low rolling resistance, reduced energy consumption, better stability and greater...

Handling & Storage: Keeping clean for food.
September 30, 2005... Midlands fruit importer Minor, Weir and Willis has taken delivery of its first Komatsu materials handling equipment, ten MWPF-1R pallet trucks and an FB18M-2R battery-powered forklift, supplied by local dealer Compact Fork Trucks. "We...

Handling & Storage: Spacesavers.
September 30, 2005... Aimed at retail and manufacturing sectors, Palletower's new cost-saving roll pallets are constructed in zinc-plated steel and in two formats. They offer significant improvements in space utilisation: nestable types fold inside one another,...

Handling & Storage: Linking the load.
September 30, 2005... Utilising its established Radiolink Plus range, Straightpoint has launched a low-cost telemetry loadcell system for use on cranes, hoists and on-vehicle lifting systems. Users can choose from a range of loadcells from 100kg to 200 tonnes - this...

Handling & Storage: Cranes help boost steel stocks.
September 30, 2005... Materials handling specialist Demag Cranes & Components has helped treble the storage capacity at NSD's Scunthorpe steel stockholding facility. NSD's sustained growth called for an increase in storage capacity and in January 2004 the...

Handling & Storage: Turning on the crane power.
September 30, 2005... Celsuis First has chosen Metreel's Pro-Ductor system as the power supply for six aisle cranes at its main cold store distribution warehouse in Grimsby. The 6.6m/ft3 warehouse holds over 30,000 pallets and is used to distribute frozen foods...

Handling & Storage: Glass protected.
September 30, 2005... Range of stillage solutions for sheet glass products - including specialist laminated and coated glass - has been developed by Cases for Industry, an FDL Packaging Group company. This new glass stillage line offers maximum support and...

Process Plant & Control: Connect direct.
September 30, 2005... Han-Port from Harting is an interface device that allows users to connect external device such as laptops or PCs for set-up, programming and error diagnosis of complete industrial installations directly to the front panel of a comtrol cabinet...

Process Plant & Control: All-purpose seal.
September 30, 2005... Seal Plus single and double cartridge mechanical seals from Goulds Pumps have an O-ring pusher design for both versatility and reliability at lower cost. The SP1 single and the SP2 double seals have carbon or silicon carbide rotating faces with...

Process Plant & Control: For light liquids.
September 30, 2005... Taplo's CT centrifugal pump is made in acid-proof steel and has very few components. Almost maintenance-free, it suits foodstuffs, pharmaceutical and chemicals uses where light, low-viscous liquids are handled. The pump has an open...

Process Plant & Control: Dust monitor sees the light.
September 30, 2005... Manufacturers relying on dust concentration detection to monitor dust or exhaust gas limits or to control ventilation systems are being offered a new solution by Siemens Automation and Drives The Siemens Sigrist VicGuard measures the...

Process Plant & Control: Sensors break new ground for flow rate checks.
September 30, 2005... Groundbreaking technology is said to be used in two new sensors from Hamlin Electronics, developed for fast response and greater accuracy when measuring flow rate, pressure and temperature in harsh or aggressive environments. The new...

Process Plant & Control: Flowmeters really catch the flavour.
September 30, 2005... Extending the Coriolis meter range down into dosing and flavouring applications, and for pilot plants, the Micro Motion LF-Series of flowmeters from Emerson Process Management cover gas and liquid flow ranges from 1g/hr to 28kg/hr. With a...

Process Plant & Control: Makeover for air dryers.
September 30, 2005... Process drying specialist Secomak has redesigned its Mistral compressed air dryer and added a new model to the range. The Mistral and new Mistral V, which is aimed specifically at cost-sensitive applications, are the smallest units in the...

Process Plant & Control: In a vacuum.
September 30, 2005... Four-model range of intelligent hand-held vacuum meters and data loggers from Creative Group covers absolute vacuum measurements from rough vacuum down to 5x10-4mbar. They can be supplied with optional built-in datalogging facilities and an...

Process Plant & Control: Integration for batch automation.
September 30, 2005... Enhanced functionality added to Rockwell Automation's RSBizWare Batch Modules can increase overall plant effectiveness by delivering the visibility, control and reporting needed to optimise manufacturing. RSBizWare Batch integrates all...

Process Plant & Control: More scope for heat exchanger.
September 30, 2005... Alfa Laval has redesigned its established BaseLine range of sanitary plate heat exchangers to enable it to handle larger capacities in heating and cooling duties in applications such as food and beverage, brewing, diary and pharmaceutical...