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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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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TRAAKiT Launches Tracking Device For Equipment

TRAAKiT has introduced a custom programmed tracking device to safeguard equipment and machinery from theft. With no need to drill holes or modify what is being guarded in any way, the TRAAKiT monitor can be hidden in any convenient spot such as in a compartment, or under a seat.

The equipment is guarded by setting an invisible boundary and the TRAAKiT user is immediately sent an SMS text message to his mobile phone and by email when the equipment being guarded leaves the designated area. The TRAAKiT user can then see where the equipment is by accessing an online interactive mapping system.

The user can then coordinate the capture of the thieves and the recovery of equipment with the Police. The invisible boundary can be set and deactivated automatically at times to suit the TRAAKiT user. Equipment can therefore be locked down and guarded when it is not supposed to be used. For equipment hirers, the TRAAKiT system will also provide them reports when the equipment is in use.

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