JBJ Techniques Offers Marzocchi Sealing System

Marzocchi Pompe has produced a system of radial sealing at the shaft that is claimed to be able to bear enormous internal over-pressures without resulting in damage. This radial sealing is useful in single-direction hydraulic motors when, in certain conditions of use, high over-pressures will be generated at the motor output. With bi-directional motors, the area adjacent to the seal ring of the drive-shaft is maintained at atmospheric pressure by the drainage circuit.

In single-direction motors, this area is directly connected to the output so any over-pressure impacts directly on the seal ring, causing the lip to turn over or the ring to be expelled from its seat with a consequent leakage of fluid. These products can also be supplied complete with anti-cavitation valves. The motors are supplied with an internal drainage circuit. In this case, the hydraulic motor always drains inside with a lower pressure; the combination of this product with a high-performance sealing ring increases its reliability.

Marzocchi Pompe's solution is made up of a single-lip radial seal ring in a Teflon composite material and reinforcement ring, both of which are the result of a special design and construction process. The external reinforcement ring fully follows the form of the seal ring and has been sized to bear the axial force generated by internal over-pressures. Before performing laboratory tests, it was necessary to strengthen the entire system that fastens the ring onto the flange, so that it could bear all the stresses submitted to the ring. The best characteristics with respect to the components were determined with FEA software.

The new radial seal ring has a much stiffer structure than normal rings, making it necessary to employ special assembly procedures. The Teflon (P450) material adapts evenly to the texture of the machining on the shaft to guarantee a perfect seal. Because of the internal pressure, the lip of the seal ring is constantly compressed against the shaft. The increase in pressure is accompanied by an increase in friction, with heat being generated in the sliding zone as a result. The properties of the P450 material make it possible to bear high-pressure loads, strong friction and temperatures between -30 and +200C.

To guarantee a long operating life, it was necessary to perform in-depth research on the methods for grinding the area where the sliding of the seal ring's lip takes place. Validation tests have revealed that the system is able to work on a continuous basis at a constant pressure of 30 bar (430psi) without the spilling of fluid and without the ring and the shaft exhibiting wear. Tests performed at higher pressures also demonstrated the possibility of the system functioning for short periods of time (several minutes) with over-pressures of up to 140 bar (2,030psi). If the operating conditions must be maintained with extremely high over-pressure values (80-100 bar/1,160-1,450psi) for prolonged periods of time (more than 30 minutes), the heat generated by the friction between the ring and the shaft can result in temperatures of more than 300C.

This will play a part in deteriorating the structure of the P450 material used in the seal ring, as well as compromising the ground profile on the shaft, and thereby reduces its sealing function. In the presence of pressure peaks, for example, caused by errors of manoeuvre or an incorrect timing of the valves of the hydraulic circuit, or in static conditions, with the shaft immobile, this sealing system can bear over-pressures of more than 210 bar (3,050psi) without leading to any loss of fluid or deformation of the components. The characteristics of this product make it particularly suitable for applications that function as appendages of other machines without knowledge of the exact circuit characteristics.

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Blue Ridge Enhances Fluid Dynamics Software

Blue Ridge Numerics has announced that the recent release of CFdesign 2010 fully supports NX 7. NX users are able to conduct computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies from the NX 7 environment. The winter release of CFdesign 2010 leverages the synchronous modelling tools found within NX 7 and provides tighter integration with CFdesign's multi-scenario design study environment.

CFdesign provides a flexible workflow with full associativity with the NX 7 CAD platform. NX customers can begin a fluid flow or heat transfer design study without having to export geometry.

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Open Design Alliance Announces World Conference

The Open Design Alliance (ODA) has announced its second ODA World Conference in Orlando, Florida, from 4-5 May 2010. This conference will offer attendees the opportunity to discuss and learn about the latest advances in ODA platform technology and the technical graphics industry. Each day of the conference will include presentations by ODA member companies, ODA partners and other third parties, as well as offer workshops in the ODA Technology Exchange.

The ODA Technology Exchange will provide more direct interaction, collaboration and 'how-to' sessions with technology leaders to address the specific questions and requirements of conference attendees. Topics will include the latest developments and advancements in the CAD industry, conceptual and practical implementations of ODA technology, and how to blend ODA components and third-party components to create a foundation for new solutions.

The ODA is also asking its members, partners and other third parties to submit industry-related papers and presentations for the conference.

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Solidprofessor To Present Updated Content

Solidprofessor will unveil its latest products featuring 2010 content at Solidworks World 2010, which will be held from 31 January - 3 February in Anaheim, California. Solidprofessor Standard, Professional and Premium include content specifically to address the needs of Solidworks users based on the version of Solidworks they are running. Solidprofessor will showcase content in German, French, Dutch and Spanish.

These courses follow the same methodology as Solidprofessors' English products. The videos are created in a fully localised Solidworks interface, making the learning experience much more effective for native speakers of each language. 'Solidprofessor is able to deliver video-based training resources for design engineer,' said Nick Iwaskow, manager of alliances, DS Solidworks. 'Together, Solidprofessor and Solidworks 2010 will provide engineers with the tools and productivity to streamline product development,' he added.

The new product line provides content on Solidworks functions, from basic Solidworks to the advanced capabilities in the Premium product. Solidprofessor content can be accessed through the Solidprofessor Learning Management System (LMS), which runs as a Solidworks add-in and as a stand-alone application. On-demand search, adaptive testing and exercise files are just some of the features included with Solidprofessor. Solidprofessor products can be purchased direct and from Solidworks resellers worldwide.

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ABB Wins Saudi Arabian Automation-Equipment Order

ABB has won a contract to provide electrical and automation equipment and related services for a seamless-tube mill and pipe-production plant in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The project is a joint venture between Arcelormittal and the Saudi-based Bin Jarallah Group.

ABB will deliver electrical infrastructure and equipment, including a 115kV gas-insulated switchgear substation, medium- and low-voltage switchgear, motors and variable-speed drives. The scope of supply also includes an automation system based on ABB's Extended Automation System 800xA for order management, production scheduling, storage management, production and quality reporting, and material tracking. In addition, ABB will provide engineering, installation, commissioning, operator training and other related services for the project.

ABB has automation and power solutions to maximise the productivity, reliability and efficiency of manufacturing processes in a range of industry sectors, including energy-intensive applications such as rolling mills. ABB's technologies also ensure the reliable, high-quality power supplies on which these processes depend.

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Energos Gasification For Energy-Recovery Plant

Commissioning is underway at a second Energos gasification plant at Borregaard Industries, Sarpsborg, in Norway - the company's eighth energy-recovery facility (ERF) in Europe. The facility is owned by Hafslund Heat and Power AS, who appointed Energos to deliver the MandE package. The Energos process will recover in excess of 80 per cent of the energy contained in the non-recyclable waste. The plant will reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by an approximate total of 40,000 tonnes a year.

A further six Energos plants - Newport, Irvine, Lincolnshire, Barry, Doncaster and Knowsley - have received UK planning permission and are targeted to open in 2013. In Europe, Energos is said to offer the only proven and commercially viable gasification technology capable of generating renewable energy from municipal waste and post-recycling residue. It offers a clean energy-recovery-from-waste solution that provides an alternative to mass-burn incineration and a commercially proven and bankable alternative to landfill.

Energos uses its own gasification technology, an advanced two-stage thermal- treatment process that converts residual, non-recyclable waste into a gas by using the heat of partial combustion to liberate the hydrogen and carbon within the waste. Residual waste is fed into the gasification chamber, where it is manufactured into a syngas. This syngas is then transferred to a secondary oxidation chamber, where it is fully combusted in a controlled environment that enables much tighter control than can be achieved in conventional energy from waste plants - resulting in extremely low emissions.

The resulting heat energy is used to produce steam, which can be used to supply renewable heat and/or electricity. A typical Energos plant generates 8MW of green electricity. As such, facilities can be sited next to energy consumers to optimise heat recovery, or in locations where a heat-delivery or district heating system could be developed. The track record of all the operating Energos plants shows that dioxin emissions are typically one per cent of the EU safe limit.

This is achieved by the effective control of the combustion of the syngas in the second stage, combined with the design of the boiler system that cools the gas down rapidly to reduce the reformation of dioxins. Finally, any residual dioxins are removed using carbon and a filter to remove dust particles. NOX emissions are less than 25 per cent of the EU limit, without any form of de-NOX system.

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Whites Relies On SKF Bearings For Bell Hanging

Bell-hanging company Whites of Appleton is continuing to use SKF bearings, as it has been since the 1920s. At full swing, a church bell can exert a force equivalent to four times its own static weight. For this reason, the way it is mounted is crucial - to contain these forces and to deal with the way these bells hang idle in one position for a long time before being oscillated through 380 degrees.

Whites of Appleton manufactures, supplies and installs most bell-related solutions, apart from the bell casting and tuning. It works all over the country and has many high-profile installations on its books, including St Paul's Cathedral, Windsor Castle and Canterbury Cathedral. According to Brian White, a partner in the company: 'The headstock design has changed significantly over the last century, with timber headstocks being replaced by those made from steel and cast iron, but the one thing that has not changed since the 1920s, from our perspective at least, is the use of SKF bearings.

'At the horizontal position of the swing, the bearings will experience a force equivalent to 2.5 times the static weight of the bell. 'At bottom dead-centre, this rises to four times the static weight, so once we know the weight of the bell, we know which bearing to go for,' he finished. Typically, depending on the application requirements, Whites opts for one of seven different variants in SKF's self-aligning ball bearings range, sourced through the Oxford Service Centre of Eriks.

The self-aligning ball bearings - supplied with tapered bores and adapter sleeves for easy mounting and dismounting - are particularly suited to applications that exhibit misalignment either in the shaft housing or bearing seat. They offer extremely low friction, low operating temperatures, reduced vibration levels, lower noise levels and, particularly advantageous for this type of application, low lubrication requirements.

Occasionally an installation may call for SKF Explorer spherical roller bearings made of patented SKF Xbite steel, which has a much longer life due to its increased hardness. Thanks to their ability to accommodate very heavy radial and axial loads in applications prone to misalignment, SKF Explorer spherical roller bearings can last several times longer than their rivals under typical heavy-duty conditions. The bearings are housed in SKF's standard SNL plummer block housings, which are available in a wide variety of sizes to match the bearing specified.

As well as offering a reinforced base, a variety of mounting options, good thermal performance and easy re-lubrication, their versatility means that it is seldom necessary to resort to tailored housings for specific applications. The bearing assembly is completed with Type C felt seals, which suit the semi-external environment and the shaft deflection. The whole assembly is lubricated using a general-purpose industrial bearing grease. Whites uses the bearings and housings to support the bell via two gudgeon pins that extend from either end of the headstock.

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AEC-6811 Provides Cost-Effective Embedded Platform

Impulse has launched a low-power fanless embedded PC from Aaeon, the AEC-6811. The model, from the Boxer range, is said to provide a cost-effective embedded platform while maintaining a high level of specification for vehicle, mobile and industrial applications. The AEC-6811 features the AMD Geode LX800 500MHz low-power processor and accompanies it with DDR400 RAM SODIMM (up to 512MB) system-memory support.

It also includes one SATA/IDE Hard Disk Drive and one Type II Compactflash slot for flexible storage options. It also accommodates four COM ports and four USB 2.0 ports, along with two 10/100Base-TX Ethernet ports for network connectivity. The network function makes the AEC-6811 suitable for mobile and networking applications.

This mini-size embedded PC also provides one MiniPCI expansion, making it suitable for industrial PC applications. The AEC-6811 includes a heat-spreading system and deploys a fanless and rugged aluminium-alloy chassis outfit.

The fanless AEC-6811's expandable functions, compact size and efficient heat-dispersing design make it suitable for rugged applications in factory control, machine automation, test instrumentation, safety surveillance and intelligent transportation. Full software and driver support is included for Windows CE, Windows XP Pro, XP Embedded and Linux.

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Parker Particle Detection For RAF Aviation Fuels

The latest Icount PD particle-detection technology from Parker Hannifin is being trialled by the RAF as part of a programme to enhance the quality and safety of its aviation fuels. Fitted to refuelling vehicles, the Icount PD detection units provide an immediate indication if fuel quality falls below a set threshold, helping to identify contamination caused by particles or moisture and improving productivity while potentially reducing operating costs.

The RAF has initially fitted several Icount PD units for evaluation and these are mounted on the outlets of the monitor filter housings on each refuelling vehicle, with the monitor filters being used to remove contamination from the fuel as it is pumped into each aircraft. An integrated probe device is used to extract a sample from the flow of fuel. The sample is then automatically fed through the particle counter for analysis before being returned to the fuel dispenser slop tank.

Each Icount PD unit features laser-diode optical-detection technology to produce fast, accurate and repeatable results, with the ability to detect dispersed particle contamination down to extremely low levels. The system also monitors the condition of the fuel immediately downstream of the filters. Any change in operating conditions can easily be detected by the Icount PD units as they provide a constant indication of fuel condition while it is being pumped.

Each unit incorporates front-panel-mounted LEDs to show operating status and alarm conditions for particles and moisture content, and is connected to a data logger so that contamination levels over time can be monitored, allowing RAF technicians to plan maintenance schedules for the refuelling equipment. Icount PD units are small, robust and lightweight, and were simple for the RAF to install without the need for extensive modifications to each refuelling vehicle.

They have eliminated previous methods of using subject gravimetric tests and are said to be less expensive than traditional light-scattering devices. The Icount PD units are rated to IP66 and have a range of output options, making them easy to interface with mobile equipment. These options include RS232 and Canbus connectivity, 4-20mA and 0-5V analogue outputs, and relay contacts that can switch 5A at up to 24V DC.

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Mogensen Supplies Sizer Machines For Crushed Chalk

Singleton Birch has installed a Type S2056EL Mogensen Sizer to replace a machine. The Sizer, a 2m, five-deck machine fitted with Mogensen-designed electric heating to the two lowest decks, is handling 70tph of crushed chalk from 0-10mm and removing 63tph of material finer than 3mm.

The range of machines installed by the customer includes 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 3m Sizers, two small conventional Mogensen screens and two large vibratory spreader feeders. The processing duties comprise the screening and feeding of a variety of relatively fine sizes of crushed chalk and burnt lime.

Most feed sizes are less than 15mm and the separations are principally 4.5 to 1mm - an exception involves the difficult duty of screening of 30tph of burnt lime to remove 7tph of fines less than 0.15mm.

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Puls Power Supply Has Three Micro Controllers

Puls has launched its latest Q-series unit, a 40A, three-phase power supply. The QT 40 measures 110 x 124 x 127mm and weighs 1.5kg Two versions of the QT 40 are available - 24V 40A and 48V 20A - both delivering 960W with efficiency of 95.3 per cent. The QT 40 uses three micro controllers to maintain optimum efficiency at all levels of load.

This also makes power sharing easy by allowing multiple units to be mounted side by side on the DIN rail without the need for fan cooling. Other features include near-zero inrush at switch-on, shut-down input with high Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) values and built-in mains fuses. Puls' Bonus Power overload design provides 150 per cent current reserves for up to 4sec to help start demanding loads.

The QT 40 is suitable for industrial bulk-power applications, such as control systems for large electric motors powering production equipment, conveyors and machine tools. It is also suitable for outdoor applications where the ability to operate at low temperatures is important. Ambient temperatures as low as - 25C can be tolerated without difficulty.

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Kistler Measuring Chain Records Melt Pressure

The melt-pressure measuring chain from Kistler enables the precise measurement and recording of melt pressure when moulding components to tight dimensional tolerances. The chain is made up of a factory-calibrated sensor, matched amplifier and cable designed to measure and record the melt pressure in injection-moulding machines and hot-runner systems, and is also suitable for measuring static pressure in polymer pumps.

The sensor allows the melt pressure and temperature signals to be integrated into the moulding machine's control system. The very stable, high-temperature-resistant, piezoresistive measuring element is protected by a robust diaphragm, allowing the sensor to be mounted directly in the flow of the material to eliminate the time lag inherent in indirect measuring systems.

A temperature signal derived from the piezorestive element is used by the amplifier to compensate for temperature variations. The sensor displays high precision with repeatability errors of less than 0.1 per cent, linearity errors of less than 0.5 per cent and zero point change of less than 0.5 per cent.

Supplied as a complete measuring chain with a new digital amplifier that also has a melt-temperature output, the Type 4021A is available for pressures ranges up to 3,000 bar at a maximum operating temperature of 350C.

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SP Arranges Freeze-Drying Seminars And Discussions

SP Industries has announced the first dates for its 2010 road show, entitled 'Freeze Drying of Pharmaceuticals: Principles and Practice'. Drawing upon speakers from the Freeze Drying Group at Erlangen University in Germany, SP Industries has organised a series of one-day programmes of seminars and discussions. The talks are targeted at anyone involved with pharmaceutical freeze drying and lyophilisation, at all levels of experience.

Seminar topics include: an introduction to freeze drying, putting principles into practice; formulation and understanding the physical properties of materials; overcoming the challenge of formulating colloidal materials; freeze-drying microscopy and its relevance to process design and optimisation; a review of PAT tools for freeze drying; an introduction to MTM and Smart freeze-dryer technologies; and heat and mass transfers in freeze drying and scale-up, the fundamental concepts.

The seminars will take place in Boston, Massachusetts, on 12 April; New Brunswick, New Jersey, on 13 April; and San Francisco, California, on 15 April.

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Stahl Compiles Oil-Rig Camera-Surveillance Package

Stahl has compiled a scalable package of cameras and recording systems for camera surveillance in hazardous areas on gas and oil rigs. In addition to making operations safer, it enables users to carry out a thorough study of causes and fix any problems in the case of incidents. The system supports live monitoring at HMI stations and complete documentation of events. The standard package includes four cameras whose video signals can be recorded manipulation-proof for up to ten days.

This network-compliant solution, which also permits authorised remote access to images via the internet, can be expanded to include twice or four times as many cameras. The recording capacity, which as a standard is covered by a 500GB hard disk, can be easily expanded to meet a specific application's requirements. Resolutions of up to 4 CIF, as well as a full PAL format with 704 x 576 pixels, can be selected for the H264 compressed digital-video files. A PTZ control module is available for the remote control of the pan/tilt/zoom functions of the cameras.

The standard package includes four spherical cameras - type EC-710 for zones 1 and 2 - which can also withstand the rough ambient conditions on offshore platforms in extreme climates. Their steel housing can withstand aggressive chemical substances and protects the cameras from substantial mechanical stress. It can be installed in ambient temperatures ranging from -30 to 75C. A heater is used to prevent condensation or frost forming on the surface.

With a diameter of 55mm and a weight of 435g, the cameras can fit into small spaces. The fixed viewing angle of the hardened lens is +/-90deg horizontally and 68deg vertically. Stahl can also provide any peripherals as part of the system solution. A range of cables, switches, explosion-proof terminal boxes and additional input devices, such as keyboard or joystick for remotely controllable camera models, are available.

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Ashtead Provides NDT Instrumentation For Refinery

Ashtead Technology played a key role in providing Non Destructive Testing (NDT) instrumentation for inspection work carried out by SGS during the shutdown of two European oil refineries. Following an evaluation of the SGS requirements, Ashtead increased its stock of Panametrics 37DL Ultrasonic Thickness Gauges so that SGS could hire 14 of the instruments for month-long inspection projects at the BP Europoort site in Rotterdam and the Total Vlissingen refinery.

A digital gauge combining measurement features with data-acquisition and output capabilities, the 37DL is suitable for applications involving pipes, tanks and other metal structures subject to corrosion or erosion. It includes features for true metal thickness, even when the exposed surface is coated or painted, such as the Oxide/Scale option, which also measures and displays build up of residue inside boiler tubes and helps to predict tube life.

For the most recent inspections, SGS technicians used the 37DL to measure the thickness of pipelines, drum vessels and towers on both sites. The test gauges identified several maintenance issues at both the plants, which enabled immediate remedial action before normal plant operation resumed.

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3D Mice Support Topsolid 7 CAD/CAM Software

3D Connexion's range of 3D mice now supports the Missler Topsolid 7 integrated computer-aided-design/computer-aided-manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software solution. The 3D mice are intended to give Topsolid 7 engineers increased productivity and a more intuitive way to interact with their 3D designs for modelling, simulation and production.

They also give Topsolid 7 professionals a range of design performance and productivity benefits, including: improved control and navigation, allowing users to simultaneously pan, zoom and rotate models or simulations without stopping to select commands; greater productivity with customisable programmable buttons that provide quick access to commonly used Topsolid 7 commands; advanced design performance by aiding in the detection of design flaws and enhancing design review, verification and presentation; and increased comfort, with traditional mouse clicks reduced by up to 50 per cent.

Topsolid 7 is compatible with the entire 3D Connexion product line, including the Professional Series with the Spacepilot Pro (MSRP GBP299), Spacepilot (MSRP GBP199) and Space Explorer (MSRP GBP129); and the Standard Series with the Spacenavigator (MSRP GBP99) and Spacenavigator for Notebooks (MSRP GBP99).

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Traceparts To Showcase 3D Library Of Catalogues

Traceparts, a member of the Trace Software Group, will join the 2010 Solidworks World Conference, which is due to be held in Anaheim, California, from 31 January to 3 February. The productivity benefits of the Traceparts 3D library of suppliers' catalogues will be demonstrated in the Partner Pavilion in Booth 109.

With more than 100 million native 3D computer-aided-design (CAD) models for Solidworks, the Tracepartsonline.net portal eliminates the time-consuming process of finding and modelling international standard and manufacturers' components. This allows the designer to spend more time on the critical stages of the design process. Traceparts leveraged the Solidworks openness to develop a library of standard Solidworks-native 3D parts.

Designers from all industries, particularly those involved in industrial machinery, tooling, automotive and aerospace design, benefit from all the most commonly used components from the mechanical and electrical industries, including Advantech, Asco Numatics, Bosch Rexroth, Cepex, CGI, Contrinex, Dirak, Euchner, Facom, Ganter, GGB, Halder, IFM, Igus, INA/FAG, Kabelschlepp, Legrand, Legris, Madler, Misumi, Nozag, Schmalz, Schmersal, Schneider Electric, Sherex, SNR, Stauffenberg, TEA, Trelleborg and Vanel.

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Renishaw Exhibits Motion-Control Products At ATX

At ATX 2010, taking place in Anaheim, California, from February 9-11, Renishaw will focus on its latest range of motion-control products. These include a true absolute optical encoder for rotary and linear applications, a track-mounted linear-encoder-scale system and magnetic-encoder chip. Also on show will be the QC20-W wireless ballbar, which assesses machine-tool positioning and servo-control performance, and now includes a volumetric testing capability, plus a range of touch probes and probe software that increase machine-tool automation and improve process control.

For visitors sourcing offline measurement products, there will also be the opportunity to discuss Renishaw's retrofit service for coordinate-measuring machines (CMMs), including Modus - the company's first metrology software. Resolute is a true absolute optical-encoder system featuring dirt immunity and a specification said to break new ground in position feedback. Resolution is 1nm at 100m/sec for linear-encoder and angle-encoder applications.

Absolute position is acquired immediately at system switch on, so the exact orientation of axis and motor-commutation angle are known without the need for a reference (datum) return. Large setup tolerances also enable easy installation and high reliability, while low jitter and SDE (Sub-Divisional Error) meet the demands of high-precision stages. Fastrack is a track-mounted linear-encoder-scale system that combines +/-5um/m accuracy with the ruggedness of stainless steel and the quick and easy installation of a carrier-type encoder system.

Designed for applications that demand high accuracy and easily removable scale, the Fastrack scale system consists of two miniature guide rails that securely retain Renishaw's low-profile scales and allow them to freely expand at their own thermal-expansion coefficient with almost zero hysteresis. If damaged, the scale can be pulled out of the guide rails and quickly replaced, even where access is limited.

Renishaw's AM4096 magnetic-encoder IC provides UVW outputs with 16 poles (eight pole pairs) and incremental, absolute, linear (potentiometer), tacho generator and sinusoidal outputs. Resolution is to 12-bit (4096 steps per turn), with a programmable zero position, and it is capable of operation to 30,000rpm. Typical applications for the on-chip magnetic encoder include commutation and high-speed motor control, position and velocity control, potentiometer replacement and optical-encoder replacement.

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Amplifier Compliments Standard Mounting Systems

The Series AP5103 DIN-rail amplifier is a low-cost, general-purpose, single-channel signal conditioner that is compatible with standard DIN-Rail mounting systems. It is designed for input of pressure, force, torque, weight and other variables measured by standard DC-excited strain-gage transducers. The AP5103 allows the user to select filtered analogue output of +/-5V DC, +/-10V DC or 4-20mA and will accommodate a range of DC strain-gage sensors with bridge resistance of 120 to 10,000Ohm.

The amplifier includes front-panel-accessible settings for mode, volts, current, filter, excitation and zero. A wide zero and span adjustment and switch-based shunt-cal feature make the versatile suitable for a variety of applications. DIN-Rail design permits easy access to screw-terminal connections for power, analogue-output, shunt and sensor signals.

The AP5103 provides high signal stability and accuracy over a range of sensor inputs, and a powerful low-pass active filter removes unwanted high-frequency signal components. Bridge excitation of 2.5 or 5.0V DC is field-selectable and the input power range is 11-28V DC. The AP5103 has a power-status indicator light and over-range indicator light.

The unit complements mV/V miniature load cells, force sensors and miniature pressure transducers that are too small to accommodate onboard electronics or those applications where temperatures at the sensor require that electronics be located elsewhere. The AP5103 DIN-rail signal conditioner is also available as a fully enclosed in-line housing as the Series AP5201.

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Accelerometers Offer Resolution Down To 0.05mg

Sherborne Sensors has launched the A200 Series of high-precision, gravity-referenced linear servo accelerometers, offering measurement resolution down to 0.05mg. The accelerometers are available in ranges from +/-1 to +/-20g and are designed to reliably operate over a temperature range of -55 to 95C (-67 to 203F).

The design of the A200 series incorporates a closed-loop balance-torque mechanism, allowing sensors to reliably measure vector acceleration and operating as a complete servo-measurement system. By adjusting servo-amplifier parameters and related electronic networks, operating characteristics of the A200 series can be optimised to suit particular application requirements. A200 series units are available with connector or solder-pins versions as standard, with the option for custom units that may be manufactured and tested to meet specific military-conformance standards.

Flight-qualified versions are also available. Incorporating the same torque mechanism and servo electronics, certain models within the A200 series (A260) also feature a switching regulator to enable direct operation from a single-ended DC power supply. Galvanic isolation between primary and secondary circuits provides total electrical isolation between input supply and signal output.

To meet certain measurement requirements, such as those found in aerospace applications, specific units feature an optional low-pass filter and 1g bias circuitry for vertical mounting the A200 series may be used in applications including flight-test monitoring, accident-data collection, structural health monitoring, flight simulators, mass-transit system braking control, road-bed analysis, data-acquisition systems and low-frequency analysis. Recommended accessories for the A200 series include power supplies, mating connectors and panel indicators, all available from Sherborne Sensors.

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Siemens Software Enables Vehicle Development

Siemens PLM Software claims that its technology enabled the development of more than 90 per cent of the vehicles that automakers are exhibiting at the North American International Auto Show. The software was used to plan, evaluate and coordinate the development and manufacturing engineering of these vehicles.

Siemens PLM Software provides OEMs with managed collaboration across complex engineering functions and throughout the extended supply chain. In 2008, there were 68 million cars produced globally by the top 50 Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and of those vehicles, Siemens PLM Software's technology was used in 64 million, the company said.

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Heason Introduces Ethernet-Based Servo Drives

The new Kollmorgen AKD range of Ethernet-based servo drives is now available from Heason Technology. With common interfacing and hardware from 1.1kW to 64kW continuous output power and featuring multiple Ethernet connectivity and a choice of fieldbus communication options, the new servo drive is capable of providing a solution for a variety of motion control applications, from single-axis indexing through to fully synchronised multi-axis position control.

The AKD servo-drive range is available in five modular sizes for panel mounting with peak current ratings from 9A to 48A on 120/240VAC single-phase or 240/480VAC three-phase supplies. Higher-current versions up to 192A are due for release during 2010. Setup, diagnostics and programming are all made straightforward with a PC-based graphical user interface featuring icons and screen flow navigation with auto-tuning and guided manual tuning.

Online troubleshooting and verification is available for faster installation, while setup is further simplified with plug-and-play compatibility across Kollmorgen's range of rotary, cartridge rotary and linear servomotors.

The DSP-based AKD servo drive features a high-bandwidth torque-loop update rate of 0.67ms and velocity/position-loop updates down to 62.5ms. This control is combined with fast data acquisition through the device's PC-compatible TCP/IP Ethernet service channel for real-time performance feedback.

The flexibility built into the range also includes Endat, Biss and Hiperface feedback device support and multiple fieldbus expansion options including Ethercat, Synqnet, Modbus/TCP and Canopen. A full and expandable complement of optically isolated input/output with screw terminal connections also helps speed installation. Option cards are available for expanded non-volatile system memory and processing power.

The AKD range can also be embedded with the new Kollmorgen Automation Suite (KMS) software for even higher-performing single- and multi-axis system performance with full IEC-61131-3 PLC control for integrated motion and machine control applications. Heason Technology provides standard and customised electromechanical solutions for challenging motion control and automation applications across a range of areas, including aerospace, automotive, defence, robotics, process control, packaging and motorsport.

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Ultrasonic Leak Detector Produces Energy Savings

Logis Tech is offering its EP2400 ultrasonic leak/stethoscope detector - a hand-held, portable, highly sensitive device that is designed to produce energy savings and reduce plant-maintenance costs.

The EP2400 ultrasonic detector is designed to produce savings in engineering plants by detecting leaks in compressed-air or gas systems and in airlines, vacuums, steam traps, tanks and window seals; by detecting mechanical malfunctions, such as worn bearings, gears and mechanical movable parts within casings; and by locating arcing and corona discharges in electrical systems.

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Micromech Assists With Drive Programming

Micromech Systems offers on-site assistance for programming drives and controllers. The company's engineers have full technical experience of stepper drives, servo drives and controllers from a range of manufacturers.

These include Parker Motion, Danaher/Kollmorgen, Yaskawa, Delta Tau, Isel, Stogra, Trinamic and Trio.

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Tyco Webinar To Focus On Pluggable I/O Solutions

Tyco Electronics is to present a webinar entitled 'Pluggable I/O Solutions: Enabling Leaps in Bandwidth' on 28 January 2010. Topics for discussion will include: pluggable I/O solutions, interface options and challenges for next-generation designs. Interested parties should register for the webinar at www.tycoelectronics.com/products/pluggableIOWebinar?s_cid=2242.

Tyco Electronics has introduced new options, including integrated light pipes for port indicators, connectors with improved signal integrity, enhanced EMI springs for increased EMI suppression, and riding heat sink technology for thermal management. The pluggable I/O interface is said to offer significant advantages as a high-speed interconnect in networking, storage and telecom applications.

It includes standard equipment I/O interface, and with the flexibility of pluggable modules and cabling, comes with options for fibre and copper links. It supports various data rates and protocols, such as Ethernet, Fibre Channel and Infiniband standards. As a result, integrators can design a cabling structure based on the application needs.

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Radiall Launches Co-Axial Connectors For Studios

Radiall has introduced its BNC 75ohm HDTV co-axial connector series, which can handle data rates up to 3Gbps or higher while supporting the broadcast industry's SMPTE 292M and 424M standards. These connectors feature gold-plated centre and outer contacts, which provide good electrical performance with a frequency range of up to 6GHz, optimised at 3GHz.

In addition, they are intermateable with standard 50ohm and 75ohm BNC products, and offer better mechanical performance and durability, with 1,000 mating cycles guaranteed. Connectors are also field-installable on most co-axial cables using hand-crimping tools and coloured cable boots available for easy coding of video signals.

Radiall's BNC 75ohm HDTV co-axial connector series, high-frequency F connectors, high-density DIN 1.0/2.3 connectors, fibre-optic systems and other interconnect solutions have been developed for use in broadcast studios and broadcast transmission systems such as cameras, video recorders, routers, switching, monitoring and signal measurement and control systems.

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TTI Adds Harvatek LEDs To Component Portfolio

TTI has added Taiwanese LED manufacturer Harvatek to its discrete-components portfolio. Harvatek produces up to 500 million SMD LEDs monthly, with devices also available as light bars. As well as its standard LED portfolio, the manufacturer will also launch infrared devices and LED modules in 2010.

Harvatek's product portfolio covers standard SMD LEDs including PLCC2, PLCC4, PLCC6 and 0402, 0603, 0805 and 1206 size chipleds. Power LEDs (Harvaleds) up to 3W, leaded products, displays, light bars and custom solutions are also available. Devices come in all standard colours, bi-colour and RGB.

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Amphe-EX Connectors For Hazardous Areas

PEI-Genesis has expanded the range of products it stocks from Amphenol Operations to include the Amphe-EX series of Atex-approved, multi-pin hazardous area connectors. With its inventory of connector piece-parts and automated assembly machines, PEI-Genesis said it is able to assemble, test and despatch the Amphe-EX connectors in less than 48 hours from receipt of order.

Designed for use in harsh environments, such as those associated with oil and gas exploration, petrochemical plants and fuel storage sites, Amphe-EX is a versatile miniature connector that accepts copper, co-axial or fibre-optic contacts. The connectors can also be specified with RJ45 or USB inserts for applications such as data acquisition, process control, communications systems and embedded computers.

The Amphe-EX connectors feature machined aluminium components plated with a hard anodic coating for superior resistance to heat, corrosion and scratching - this enables the connectors to withstand extreme environments. They utilise a double-lead threaded coupling and are IP68-rated to provide maximum protection against the ingress of dust and fluids. Available connector styles include in-line receptacles, panel-mount receptacles and straight plugs - all of which come in a choice of seven shell sizes ranging from nine to 21.

The connectors can be specified with crimp contacts in five sizes from 22D to 10, and the range offers a variety of insert patterns. All Amphe-EX connectors are Atex, AEX and IEC certified for Zone 1 rated applications and flameproof compliant to EN60079-0 and EN60079-1.

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LSI has announced the addition of the multicore-capable PowerPC 476 microprocessor core and high-speed, embedded DRAM memory blocks to its portfolio of custom silicon intellectual property (IP). The processor core and memory blocks are designed to accelerate the development of leading-edge networking and storage system-on-chips (SoC) used in applications such as enterprise-class switches, routers, RAID storage, servers and base stations.

Custom multicore integrated circuits are said to allow OEMs to develop highly differentiated, high-performance solutions for compute-intensive applications. The PowerPC 476FP offering from LSI, available on the TSMC 40G process, operates at clock speeds in excess of 1.4GHz, delivering 2.5 Dhrystone MIPS per MHz. The embedded DRAM block operates at up to 500MHz, which is essential for real-time video processing and high-bandwidth networking applications.

LSI claims to minimise custom integrated circuit (IC) development cost and risk by providing OEMs with an IP portfolio that includes general- and special-purpose processors, protocol cores, a gigabit Ethernet PHY, high-speed serialiser-deserialisers (Serdes) and embedded memory. All embedded LSI processors are supported by development tools and operating systems. The 500MHz embedded DRAM core, licensed from TSMG, is the third generation of eDRAM IP available from LSI.

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Home-Appliance Buyers Prioritise Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is the number-one attribute that consumers seek when purchasing new home appliances, according to a survey by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). While more than half of US homeowners (57 per cent) ranked energy efficiency as one of their top two considerations, safety was not at the top of the list. The majority of respondents admitted that they do not always look for a third-party safety certification, such as the UL Mark, on new appliances.

Products that bear the UL Mark have been tested to UL's rigorous safety standards and are found to be free of foreseeable safety hazards. In the coming months, many consumers will consider purchasing new appliances thanks to the US government's USD300m (GBP183m) rebate programme, encouraging the purchase of energy-efficient appliances. The state-run programmes will offer cash rebates to consumers who buy new qualified home appliances.

Homeowners and other consumers can use this opportunity to make sure that the appliances they bring into their homes meet safety standards. Simin Zhou, vice-president and general manager of UL's Appliances, HVAC/R and Components business unit, said: 'It's understandable that consumers are focused on cost and energy savings when purchasing home appliances in today's struggling economy. 'Energy efficiency is an important attribute, but family safety also needs to be part of the decision-making process to avoid potential dangers,' he added.

The most common risks associated with home appliances are electrical, fire or mechanical hazards. A 2009 National Fire Protection Association report states that in 2006, US consumers reported approximately 17,700 home fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines, resulting in 15 deaths, 360 injuries and USD194m in property damage. Zhou continued: 'A UL Mark on a home appliance provides peace of mind because it means the product has been tested and certified to meet the highest standards in safety certification.

'Keeping appliances clean and only using them as intended also can go a long way towards preventing home-appliance hazards or injuries,' he said. Checking appliances for potential hazards and/or the lack of a third-party safety certification mark will help consumers determine if their current appliances are sufficient or it is time for a new purchase during the upcoming state rebate programmes.

Consumers can learn more about the State Energy-Efficient Appliance Rebate Program and understand appliance safety by visiting UL's website. Online content will be updated regularly throughout the duration of the state rebate programmes and beyond. Consumers can find out when their state programme starts and ends, what products qualify for the rebate programme and how much money they will receive if they upgrade one or more of their current appliances.

UL also explains how product features, brands and style considerations can still be factored into safe-appliance purchases. 'Consumers may not always worry about safety risks in their homes, but now they'll know how to keep their current appliances safe for continued use and make smart decisions when purchasing new ones,' said Zhou. The appliance safety survey was conducted by KRC Research on behalf of UL between 15 October and 19 October 2009 via telephone. The survey was administered to 1,391 US adults.

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Femtolasers Introduces Fusion M1 Laser Oscillator

Femtolasers has introduced Fusion M1, a member of its ultra-compact Ti:Sapphire oscillator range. Fusion M1 is claimed to deliver maximum stability, ease of operation and excellent laser parameters from a compact laser oscillator. These attributes are achieved through an integrated high-reliability pump module in combination with a low-loss high-efficiency cavity design.

All Fusion models make use of Femtolasers' patented Dispersive Mirror technology, which is specifically designed for broadband intracavity group delay dispersion compensation. Mode-locked average output power exceeding 1W is now available with all features of an ultra-fast laser. Fusion M1 features Femtolock repetition rate stabilisation, tunability in bandwidth and custom centre wavelength control.

It is designed for demanding applications such as seeding amplifier chains, material processing, coherent THz generation, time-resolved spectroscopy and multi-photon processes. All of these benefit from more than 1MW of peak power provided by the Fusion M1 oscillator.

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Low-Pressure Gradient Professional IC Option

Metrohm's 850 Professional Anion MCS Low Pressure (LP) Gradient (2.850.2210) is suitable for new method development. The use of gradient chemistry (whereby the eluent strength is increased during the run) facilitates shorter retention times for late eluting peaks.

Metrohm believes that correct selection of the column and optimum mobile phase allows most separations in a routine environment to be solved isocratically. Any gradient separation also requires an additional equilibration step at the end of the separation, where the mobile phase is returned to its original (weaker) state. The 850 Professional IC Anion MCS LP Gradient can be operated with sequential, chemical or without suppression for complete flexibility.

The low-pressure gradient unit is suitable for method development as it can be used as an eluent selector for automatic switching between three different eluents so method development can be automatically performed overnight. The 850 Professional IC instruments feature Magic Net software for automatic recognition. It also provides complete system monitoring and ensures the control cards for calibration and samples are adhered to and documented in an FDA- and GLP-compliant form.

The software can easily produce reports. One-button IC allows novice operation. The 850 Professional IC?s Icolumns provide automatic recognition of the column. They will indicate optimal eluent, flow rate and the maximum pressure to safeguard the column. The Idetector provides digital signal processing with a 0 - 15000uS/cm single range. Metrohm claims the 850 Professional IC?s suppressor provides the lowest noise of any anion suppressor on the market, with full solvent compatibility and resistance to transition metals.

There is a ten year warranty on the suppressor and three years on the instrument hardware. Typical consumable costs for an automated instrument are GBP1000 a year.

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Dionex Releases Sample Pre-Treatment Cartridges

The Inguard multiuse in-line sample preparation cartridges for ion chromatography are packed with a range of resins that can automatically remove matrix interferences. The interferences covered include anions; cations, including transition metal; and hydrophobic contaminants, including lipids. Pretreatment helps extend column life and improves separations. Reproducible ppm-level determinations are possible even in samples with concentrated matrices.

Cartridges can be used multiple times, singly or in series, and in some cases can be regenerated (depending on the samples being treated). Inguard cartridges are plumbed directly after the injection loop and before the concentrator column, thus making sample pre-treatment automatic and saving time and labour of off-line sample preparation. Each cartridge can be used multiple times before requiring regeneration or replacement. Standard 10-32 fittings make installation simple and secure.

Cartridges are available in silver (Ag) form for the removal of halides; hydronium (H) form for the removal of polyvalent cations and neutralisation of high pH samples; sodium (Na) form for the removal of transition metals and alkaline earth metals; hydrophilic reversed phase (HRP) form for the removal of organic material; and a combined Na/HRP form.

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Anaspec Introduces Its Longest-Wavelength Dye

Anaspec has brought out the Hilyte Fluor 750 dye, which, though spectrally similar to Cy7, is the longest-wavelength dye the company currently offers. Its fluorescence emission maximum at 778nm is well separated from commonly used far-red fluorophores, including Hilyte Fluor 647, Hilyte Fluor 680 or allophycocyanin (APC), facilitating multi-colour analysis. Extinction coefficient is 275,000 M-1cm-1, with a quantum yield of 0.12.

With a peak excitation at up to 753nm, conjugates of Hilyte Fluor 750 dyes can be excited by a xenon-arc lamp or dye-pumped lasers operating in the 720 - 750nm range. The Hilyte Fluor 750?s near-infrared spectra render makes it the ideal candidate for in vitro and in vivo tissue imaging.

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Midi 40 CO2 Incubators Provide Bench-Top Culturing

Thermo Fisher Scientific has brought out a smaller capacity Thermo Scientific Midi 40 CO2 incubator, which delivers the reliable culturing performance of a full-sized incubator in a small footprint. The Midi 40 is ideal for researchers requiring separate undisturbed incubation conditions due to the contamination risk associated with shared incubators or lack of available space.

Additional benefits include reduced energy and gas consumption, as well as lower heat output, which helps laboratories lower operational costs and conserve resources. The incubation parameters of the Midi 40 can be easily managed using the incubator's IntrLogic II user interface, which features a bright, highly visible vacuum fluorescent display and an easy-to-navigate membrane touchpad.

The unit also incorporates a non-corrosive stainless-steel chamber, with 1.4 cubic feet (40 litres) of culture space, and a heated humidity pan to generate relative humidity values of up to 95 per cent. Rapid recovery rates promote optimal cell growth, and efficient direct heating design provides accurate temperature control with a uniformity of 0.1C.

The Midi 40 CO2 incubator is supplied with RS485 signal output for convenient data capture, and it includes an adjustable audible and visual alarm to alert the user to any significant changes to the incubation conditions. The easily stackable Thermo Scientific Midi 40 CO2 incubator is ideal for cell culturing scientists that need smaller, discrete workspaces or that require smaller sample throughput.

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Pixavi HD Camera Is Certified For Hazardous Areas

Pixavi has introduced an explosion-proof version of the Xcaster 5000 high-definition (HD) camera series. The rugged camera is certified for Zone One areas, both for Atex (Europe) and IECEx (international). The company has applied advanced, intrinsically safe camera technology to enable communication from any Zone One or Zone Two environment on an international level.

With the recent launch of the Xcaster ST5000 HD communication device, Pixavi claims to have redefined mobile collaboration with the introduction of HD video conferencing live from virtually any location.

By introducing the Xcaster EX 5000, a Zone One certified version of the Xcaster 5000 series, Pixavi said it is bringing this technology to customers within chemical plants, oil and gas, shipyards, mines and other environments requiring strictly certified electronic equipment. Featuring HD video capabilities and Laser collaboration technology as well as video conferencing and streaming technology, the device operates on standard Wi-Fi networks and requires no extra software on the receiving side to operate.

The device features HD video quality and 5megapixel image capture, in addition to comprehensive protocol support, including SIP and H.323 support as well as the ISMA PC streaming standard. This means that customers can connect the device to any video-conferencing endpoint, MCU or PC media player utilising open standards, without the need for expensive and/or proprietary software solutions.

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Profibus Supports Smart Instrumentation Seminar

The Profibus Group has announced that it has become a supporting partner of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) seminar on smart instrumentation. The seminar will take place in Birmingham on 27 April 2010. The IET will in turn support the Profibus Conference at the end of June 2010. The smart instrumentation seminar will provide a forum for safety-critical industries to discuss how to overcome technical and security hurdles associated with employing smart instrumentation in equipment.

Key topics for debate include wireless devices and interoperability, implementing and sharing reliability testing tools, monitoring asset performance with smart instruments, SIL levels using smart instruments, and how to use smart instruments in a system.

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Jaguar Reduces Costs With Compair Compressors

Jaguar has worked with Compair to upgrade the compressed air networks at its West Midlands-based plants, using an ongoing programme of energy audits to reduce air power consumption. The company said air power consumption was reduced by 26 per cent per annum with a maximum two years' payback at each site. In order to calculate the energy savings that could be achieved with a new compressed air system, Compair first carried out a simple air audit on the existing units.

A data-logging device was fitted to each machine to analyse a number of parameters including air use, pressures and energy consumption. With readings taken every second over a two-week period, Compair engineers were able to build an accurate overview of Jaguar's compressed air requirements and could demonstrate a number of cost savings that could be made by upgrading to newer models. As a result, Jaguar chose to upgrade the network to two fixed-speed and one variable-speed rotary screw compressor.

The system is configured so that one fixed-speed unit and the variable-speed machine run constantly, with the remaining compressor coming online to cope with increased demand. After one year of operating that new compressor system, Jaguar reported that the energy savings has exceeded the original calculations, resulting in a faster payback period than anticipated, of less than two years. The second stage of the programme saw the upgrade of the compressor system at the Browns Lane veneer-manufacturing centre.

The final site to benefit from Compair's energy audit programme is the Castle Bromwich assembly plant. Here, there are four compressor houses; three serving the main ring network and one for the paint shop. Jaguar is continuing to log the air usage of each system and to date has replaced on machine with an L132SR variable-speed compressor, to help meet demands from the network more efficiently. The company is also benefiting from Compair's Assure Plus service plan, which has helped to reduce annual maintenance costs by almost 50 per cent and ensures the efficient, round-the clock operation of each compressor in the network.

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Combustion Services Prevent Fires At Coffee Plant

Stelter And Brinck has announced that it provides combustion services to a coffee bean manufacturing plant to prevent fires.

Stelter and Brinck provides an annual service on the plant's combustion equipment, which includes burner tuning for efficiency, NFPA and insurance safety checks, a system leak test against gas leaks, burner and pilot inspection to check the operation reliability, supply and fitting of any necessary replacement parts, and preventative maintenance.

The company has also carried out plant upgrades and new installations on process air heaters, burners and valve trains, when this was recommended for improved efficiency.

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Craic's Thermal Stage Controls Sample Temperatures

Craic Technologies has added the ability to control the temperature of samples being analysed spectoscopically to its microspectrophotometers. Heating and freezing stages have brought many benefits to scientists wishing to visualise a sample under different temperature regimes. The company has added this capability to its microspectrophotometers for spectral analysis of microscopic samples throughout the UV, visible and near-infrared regions.

Additionally, samples can be imaged from the deep-UV to the near-IR with this new product. The Craic Thermal Stage adds to the microspectrophotometer capabilities offered by the company. It also opens up new research capabilities for everything from biotechnology to materials science to nanotechnology.

The Craic Technologies Thermal Stage package, depending upon its configuration, enables a scientist to analyse the transmission, reflectance or fluorescence spectra of microscopic samples under conditions of extreme cold or heat. Operating in the UV-visible-NIR regions, samples can be cooled to as low as -196C or heated up to as high as 600C. The same system also allows for atmospheric control of the sample environment - a feature that will open up additional avenues of research in many fields.

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Maintec Reveals 2010 Keynote Speaker Line-Up

The keynote speaker line-up for the Summit at Easyfairs Maintec 2010 - set to take place on 2-4 March at the NEC in Birmingham - has now been confirmed. Scheduled for 3 March 2010, the Summit - chaired by Steve Morris, deputy president of the Institute of Asset Management - includes papers and case studies from experts in the fields of best practice, human factors, continuous improvement and sustainable energy.

Between them, the speakers will address the key challenges and opportunities impacting on the asset management and maintenance functions going into the next decade. Joining Morris is Sean Hennessy, MEETA and board member of the European Federation of National Maintenance Societies, who will deliver the 2010 industry address. Hennessy will provide an asset management and maintenance overview. Throughout the day, there will be case studies from Wessex Water and Artesis, OEE and Andon Signalling, Chivas Brothers and Idhammer Systems.

The final Summit case study will be delivered by Sean Madden, manufacturing manager, and Neil Goddard, site manager at Johnson Diversey. The presentation will be centred on how Johnson Diversey initially re-organised, restructured and redeployed its engineering function, in order to support the implementation of its maintenance strategy. It will discuss the processes it used, and the successes and failures that it experienced along the way.

Russell Page, senior consult of Process Industries Centre for Manufacturing Excellence, will explore 'human factors' - specifically how to put together good work instructions, while Bill Riseborough, reliability champion at Dow Corning, will set out some of the successes of the Barry improvement programme which has used a blend of Six Sigma and TPM. Alistair Lawry of Warwick University, together with Martin Wager of Cogenco, will explore whether CHP is the answer for those looking for sustainable energy with a reduced environmental impact.

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Mettler Toledo Launches Freeweigh.Net Software

Mettler Toledo has launched Freeweigh.Net - a software solution for statistical quality control and statistical process control. Freeweigh.Net enables users to prove compliance with Average Weight and other industry legislation while benefitting from the financial benefits of reduced give-away and an efficient sampling process. The solution provides real-time feedback from the production line to the QA laboratory.

Freeweight.Net allows users to: ensure their process is in control with the Statistical Process Control (SPC) module; integrate third-party measuring equipment with the Device Integration module; undertake visual quality checks with the Attributes and Test Plans Module; empower staff to take traceable corrective action for test failures with the Error and Intervention module; and track the performance of individual filling heads with the Multi-Head Analysis module.

With Freeweigh.Net users can create custom reports to meet data capture requirements. The intuitive touch-screen graphical user interface is said to make operation simple, reducing the risk of errors.

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Axion Trials Show Carpet Recycling Potential

Trials by Axion Consulting have shown waste polypropylene carpets can be recycled into good quality polymer pellet for re-use in new applications such as injection-moulded products. According to Axion, the findings could stimulate the UK's fledgling carpet recycling industry and develop new markets for PP recyclate with associated environmental and economic benefits.

The project was initiated by Carpet Recycling UK, which secured funding to investigate recycling options for post-consumer carpets and possible new end-use markets for PP products made from recovered material. Processing stages involved size reduction, screening and extrusion.

Tests showed that while post-industrial extruded polymer had potential for use in a range of applications including injection moulding, further work was needed to verify its suitability. Post-consumer material could be recycled for medium- to lower-grade applications such as plant pots, compost bins or buckets.

Axion's demonstration trials and laboratory tests at its Salford plant concluded that while the economics of the recycling process 'look promising', the next steps would require large-scale trials to assess commercial viability. The company also found that correct identification and segregation of post-consumer carpets into an entirely PP fraction is critical to the viability of a commercial process to recycle carpets. Mixed-polymer carpet material is not suitable for extrusion, so their end market is still likely to be other applications.

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Turbine Flowmeter Suitable For Heavy Equipment

Flow Technology has launched the FT-HE (heavy equipment) turbine flowmeter solution designed for hydraulic fluid applications. The company's FT series turbine meters are now offered with SAE J1453 fittings with O-ring face seal, which is said to simplify installation in hydraulic lines onboard tractors, combines and other heavy equipment. In the off-road industry, there is an increasing emphasis on reducing both the number of potential leakage points and the incidence of leakage from hydraulics systems on machinery.

This requirement is addressed by the SAE J1453 standard covering material, dimensional, and performance requirements of steel O-ring face seal fittings for hydraulic tubing, as well as the O-ring face seal interface and nut portion of hose stem assemblies. The FT-HE solution is said to provide accurate and repeatable flow measurements in a host of hydraulic and pneumatic applications.

Units employing SAE J1453 flat-face male-to-male fittings do not require adapters for use in off-road equipment hydraulic lines. This approach reduces the space required for meter installation and ensures fewer possible leakage points in the hydraulic system. Flow Technology said its FT series turbine flowmeters are an ideal choice when accuracy, compact size and fast response are critical. The meters are suitable for a variety of liquid and gas flow sensing applications.

FT-HE turbine meters are available for up to 1.5in line sizes and are offered in both standard and high-shock (HS) configurations. The SAE J1453 fittings are intended for general applications and hydraulic systems on industrial equipment and commercial products, where elastomeric seals are acceptable to overcome leakage and variations in assembly procedures. These fittings are capable of providing leak-proof full-flow connections in hydraulic systems operating from 95kPa (28 in Hg) vacuum to working pressures.

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Robin Engineering Offers Translation Services

Robin Engineering Services offers exporters translation and interpretation services into and from all European languages as well as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Indonesian. Judith Pegg, director of Robin Engineering, said: 'Many companies looked to boost their sales and thereby ensure a more secure future by increasing their efforts in overseas markets to offset the downturn in UK activity. 'When these efforts pay off and orders are won, operating and maintenance instructions in the language of the country of the purchaser are usually required.

'Very often, the export salesman deals only with a company director or other highly placed individual. 'More often than not this person will have, at minimum, a working grasp of English, will be able to make his requirements known without difficulty, and sort out areas of doubt satisfactorily. 'However, the fitter on the factory floor, who will actually operate the machine, will not have the same knowledge and his English may be limited to a few, half remembered phrases. 'Hence the need for "own language" instructions,' she added.

In the last six months the company has supplied interpreting services to a manufacturer of mechanical equipment for the disabled to help with the product training for the manufacturer's Italian distributor. Robin Engineering has also been tasked with providing the translation of a maintenance manual for a mixing machine destined for a sanitary ware factory in Canton in Chinese, and the company has prepared and proof-read a manual in Czech for the supplier of production line robots in a Czech car factory. Frequently, the translation requirement is only for a few words to serve as the caption to a technical drawing, or the labels on a control panel.

The skill of the translator is to be able to select the correct word or phrase, in his language, whatever the context. For example, the English word 'set' has more than 100 meanings according to its context. Robin Engineering has a panel of qualified engineers who are native speakers of the target language for the translation. Quite often this can mean two or more experts for the same language, since an understanding of computer skills does not qualify a person to translate a document pertaining to structural engineering. In addition to foreign language manuals, Robin Engineering has also worked on foreign language website texts, induction courses and documentation for foreign workers, particularly from Poland, and foreign language soundtracks and subtitles for training and promotional videos and films.

There is also available a 'personal' service for private customers, requiring assistance with such things as wedding documentation for a marriage to take place in the Dominican Republic, insurance documents for claims for expenses during illness overseas, documents relating to the purchase of property in foreign parts, and the translation of personal documents into English when applying for British citizenship.

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Kavlico Releases LPG And CNG Pressure Sensors

Kavlico has released a line of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) pressure sensors to support vehicles and industrial equipment using alternative fuels. These fuel options are being adopted by municipalities and other governmental agencies as an option for fleet vehicles such as cars, buses, trucks and fork lifts. Typical applications include monitoring and measuring low pressure for fuel rail, high pressure for tank pressure or combined pressure and temperature.

The sensors are utilised to optimise fuel metering and control combustion, improving emissions and engine performance. The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) will design in a Kavlico fuel rail sensor to measure the absolute pressure of the fuel at the inlet of the injectors. Kavlico's stainless-steel LNG and CNG sensors utilise a thin-film (TiON) sense element and are available in pressure ranges up to 250barG.

Operating on 5VDC, the sensors provide a linear amplified analogue output of 0.5-4.5VDC proportional to pressure. The operating temperature range is -40C to +140C across the full operating range. The lightweight sensor can be configured with a variety of electrical and process connections to meet each OEM's application-specific requirement.

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Kaspro Introduces Falcon Industrial-Grade Monitors

Kaspro USA has introduced the Falcon series of industrial-grade monitors. The Falcon series offers panel-mount, chassis, rack-mount, IP65 and open-frame options. The monitors are available in a range of housing options. The company is offering the 15in (38cm), 17in and 19in models in its basic portfolio; however, screen sizes up to 50in are possible on demand.

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Eriez Launches Grate Magnets For Processing Sector

Eriez Magnetics Europe has announced the launch of its Prograde range of grate magnets. The line includes grate magnets available in Xtreme Rare Earth magnetic strength, suitable for applications in all processing industries. All Prograde products are available for immediate despatch. The Prograde Square, Rectangular and Round permanent magnetic grates are designed to remove ferrous contamination in hoppers, chutes, floor openings and other areas where free-flowing materials are present.

They are of a sanitary construction, which makes them suitable for the food industry and other processing applications. The Prograde Easy to Clean Grate in Housing is also available; consisting of two rows of staggered magnets, it is designed to enable operators to quickly remove accumulated fine iron contamination and clean the magnets. All of the grates in the Prograde range are manufactured with a glass bead surface finish and stainless-steel construction.

Another new Prograde product is the Eriez Ceramic Permanent Magnetic Hoppagrid. The Hoppagrid magnet is a low-strength device for removing tramp iron from free-flowing granular or powdered materials. It is predominantly used in the plastics industry to stop damage to equipment resulting from ferrous metal contamination, such as nails, nuts, bolts and screws.

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New Scale Unveils Squiggle RV Linear Drive System

New Scale Technologies has introduced the Squiggle RV reduced-voltage linear drive system, which consists of an SQL-RV-1.8-6-12 Squiggle motor and an NSD-2101 drive ASIC. It is a miniature piezo motor drive solution with a driver chip that is smaller than the motor and driven directly from battery power as low as 2.3VDC, without the need for a voltage boost. The Squiggle RV motor is New Scale's next-generation piezo micro motor, using multi-layer piezo technology from TDK-EPC to reduce the input-voltage requirements of the motor.

The NSD-2101 driver was developed for this new motor in partnership with Austriamicrosystems using advanced integrated-circuit (IC) designs and patented control systems. This smart IC measures 1.8 x 1.8mm and drives the Squiggle RV motor directly, without the need for an external boost circuit. The Squiggle RV linear drive system is more than five times smaller and uses 40 per cent less power than comparable electromagnetic linear drive systems, according to New Scale.

The NSD-2101 accepts direct 2.3-5.5VDC battery power and uses patented full-bridge switching technology to create the ultrasonic motor drive frequency. The IC also includes built-in patent-pending smart drive features that optimise motor performance while minimising power consumption over a range of operating and environmental conditions. The NSD-2101 requires only DC battery power and digital I2C control commands to achieve good miniature motion control performance.

The SQL-RV-1.8 motor achieves forces in excess of 50g and a high resolution to 0.5 micrometers. It can run at speeds greater than 7mm/s with a power consumption of less than 350mW when moving under typical loading conditions. This corresponds to a DC current of 120mA for a typical 3VDC battery. Its self-locking design means that zero power is needed to hold the motor position, providing additional power savings. New Scale's Tracker NSE-5310 linear encoder can be integrated with the Squiggle RV system for high system repeatability with submicron resolution.

The reduced-voltage Squiggle RV micro motor is suitable for situations where high precision, miniature size and low power consumption are a must. These include medical, security, optical and imaging systems; consumer electronics; precision biomedical actuators; and miniature actuation for aerospace and industrial applications. Its small size makes it suitable for creating tiny, high-resolution integrated closed-loop motion systems.

New Scale's DK-RV-1.8 series of developer kits includes all hardware as well as the company's Pathway development software with scripting capabilities in a plug-and-play reference design for prototype development and integration. Open-loop developer kits contain an SQL-RV-1.8 micro motor and an NSD-2101 driver; closed-loop kits also include a New Scale Tracker NSE-5310 linear encoder. A 3D computer-aided-design file of the SQL-RV-1.8 motor and additional reference information is available from the company's website.

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OSM Safety Unit Monitors Motor-Rotation Speed

Omron Scientific Technologies has introduced the G9SX-LM Low-speed Safety Monitoring Unit. Consisting of two proximity sensors and a G9SX safety controller with fault diagnostics, the G9SX-LM is a Category 3 (EN954-1), SIL 3 (IEC/EN 62061) certified redundant safety system that monitors and confirms motor-rotation speed to facilitate safe machine maintenance.

The system can also provide standstill monitoring. The G9SX-LM allows an operator to access the machine for maintenance work while the machine is running at a safe, maximum set operating threshold of 10Hz. Should the motor speed exceed the preset speed, the G9SX-LM will stop the machine immediately. An optional A4EG Enabling Grip Switch provides an additional layer of safety protection that, if pressed or released, will also immediately stop the machine.

The G9SX-LM is certified to all relevant North American and International safety standards and is engineered to deliver reliable standstill and low-speed monitoring operation for machine tools, printing presses and other applications. The system is suitable for use with servomotors. The G9SX-LM is rated for 24V DC operation and is available with spring-cage or screw terminal blocks.

It has eight semiconductor outputs: two instantaneous safety outputs, two safety slow-speed/stopping detection outputs and four auxiliary outputs. Detailed LED indicators provide easy-to-read and understand diagnostics.

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Stepper-Motor Controller Mounts 42mm Flange Motor

The TMCM-110-42 is an intelligent stepper-motor controller and driver module designed to be mounted directly on a 42mm flange motor. The module converts the motor into a compact mechatronic device with bus-oriented or standalone control. The motor, switches, power and multi-purpose I/Os can be connected with small plug-in connectors. The module comes with the PC-based software-development environment TMCL-IDE for the Trinamic Motion Control Language (TMCL).

Using predefined TMCL high-level commands, a rapid development of motion-control applications is guaranteed. There are two inputs for reference, stop switches, one general-purpose digital or analogue input and one output. The TMCM-110-42 can be controlled via an RS-232, RS-485, IC or CAN interface and communication traffic is kept very low as all time-critical operations are performed onboard.

The programme can be stored in the onboard EEPROM for standalone operation and the firmware of the module can be updated via the serial interface. With the Stallguard feature it is possible to detect motor overload or motor stall without an encoder. The main features include up to 16 times microstepping, memory for 2,048 TMCL commands, automatic ramp generation in hardware and on-the-fly alteration of motion parameters.

There is a Stallguard option for sensorless motor-stall detection, full step frequencies up to 20kHz, dynamic-current control and, due to Trinamic driver technology, no heatsink is required. The module is available on its own or together with a 42mm motor (NEMA 17) as mechatronic solution - PANdrive PD-110-42. The motor-supply voltage is 7 to 34V and up to 1.1A coil-current RMS (1.5A peak). Three motor sizes are available.

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