Automation Parts

RDP Electronics has announced that its Model 13 compression load cell can handle a 1,000lb load and measures just 19mm in diameter and 6.5mm high. The larger model - Model 53 - at 36mm diameter and 25mm us rated for a maximum 30,000lbs. Utilising stainless-steel construction, both versions are physically robust, compact and well-suited for measuring large loads in applications were space is limited. Models D and TH offer the additional benefit of through-hole mounting.

PBC Linear has announced the release of its Profile Rail Technology (PRT), which will consist of application-specific caged and non-caged runner blocks with a lubrication system. The company said the technology offers longer life, ability for higher load capacities, and corrosion-resistant chrome rail finishing for tolerating harsh environments. Backed by a reservoir lubrication system to ensure longer life and smooth, quiet operation, PRT's runner blocks aim to provide reliable linear motion without further lubrication. As the ball bearings circulate, they are lubricated by end-cap reservoirs, providing a protective lubrication film in the ball tracks, facilitating a long-lasting system. The new caged-type runner blocks have additional built-in oil reservoirs at every cage ball pocket, which extends or eliminates the time between lubrication cycles. Caged runner blocks also provide up to 19 per cent more load capacity and reduce noise and vibration by 84 per cent more than com

Lee Springs has added beryllium copper battery springs, Redux wave springs, constant force springs and more sizes of Lite Pressure compression springs to its latest catalogue. The 172-page catalogue is due to be released in May 2009 and contains more than 16,500 different types of spring, including compression, extension, torsion and Belleville spring washers, plus engineers spring-selection kits. Battery springs provide fast, efficient and reliable contacts. Beryllium copper, one of the hardest, strongest and most hard wearing copper alloys, improves the physical properties of the springs while a silver coating enhances electrical and thermal conductivity performance and makes soldering easier. These high-performance battery springs will appeal to engineers who are developing devices where high endurance and ruggedness are key requirements. The springs supplement an existing range manufactured from nickel-coated music wire to match the nickel-plated containers used for most alkal

Aerotech has launched a range of precision worm-drive rotary stages featuring large through-apertures and a preload system that provides a high level of accuracy with minimal wear. The AGR series covers five models with internal diameter from 50-200mm and is available with continuous 360deg travel, or with a mechanically limited travel range (down to 5deg). Axial load capacity is up to 570kg and rated speed to 30rpm; and the range includes optional directly mounted encoders for best performance repeatability and negligible levels of hysteresis and backlash. Typical specifications across the AGR series include a 120 arc-sec positional accuracy without encoder fitted and 20 arc-sec when the servomotor mounted encoder option is used. Corresponding without- and with- encoder specifications for bidirectional repeatability are 30 arc-sec and 8 arc-sec. Stage resolution, with a 2500 line servomotor mounted encoder fitted on the largest stage, is 2.1 arc-sec - while the same size stage wi

Atlas Copco Compressors says it is furthering in-depth understanding of compressed air through its 'lunch and learn' series of events. The events are aimed at engineers, technicians and energy managers and allow them to gain insight into every aspect of a compressed-air system, such as energy saving techniques. A recent lunch and learn event took place at the Sellafield Visitor Centre in Cumbria, and saw almost 50 process and site services engineers from British Nuclear Fuels attend. Delegates on this occasion were introduced to the benefits of compressed-air system energy audits and leak detection, the savings made possible with variable speed drive equipment, the contribution of optimised control systems, and the utility of on-site nitrogen generation.

WEG has announced that its HV electric motors, inverters and generators have been utilised in the P-53 floating platform unit (FPU) deployed by Petrobras off the coast of Brazil. The company said the FPU relies on WEG's products for its continuous reliable operation in the worst of environmental conditions. The platform uses WEG medium- and high-voltage motors to drive water-injection pumps to pump water into the oil well; this in order to maintain high levels of extraction and avoid internal low-pressure conditions. WEG motors also drive the pumps used for oil production outflow from the platform, and those responsible for cooling systems on the platform. The compression modules used on P-53 are supplied by DRVA, a consortium of Dresser-Rand and Vetco Aibel. These units also depend on three WEG 13,500kW, four-pole, 6600V, synchronous motors driven by frequency inverters. The motors and inverters were supplied as integrated systems by WEG to Dresser-Rand in the US, and to the oi

A Jiskoot Jetmix and Viscosity Trim fuel-oil blender system installed at a fishing port in Namibia has delivered savings and a competitive advantage by reducing blended product costs. The fuel-oil blender has an integrated control system and a performance guarantee giving +/-1 per cent viscosity of the target recipe. This skid-mounted system, supplied by the Cameron Jiskoot Quality Systems business unit, was designed to blend in-line heavy fuel oil with gas oil to produce 10m3/h of 70cSt fuel oil that can be pumped directly to the waiting ships at the jetty. It will also provide a representative Marpol-compliant sample as the blend progresses, as well as a representative sample of the incoming feedstocks. The system blends the two feedstocks to ensure a fully homogenous result with guaranteed accuracy and repeatability of viscosity measurement to ensure that it does not exceed the maximum design viscosity at the reference temperature.

A supplier of nano-positioning systems for atomic force microscopy (AFM) is using non-contact capacitive displacement sensors from Micro-Epsilon to measure the travel distance of test items. Based in Munich, Attocube Systems specialises in the development, manufacture and distribution of nano-positioning systems. Founded in 2001, the company is a spin-off from the Center for Nanoscience in Munich, Germany. The company's core competence is in ultra-high precision spatial positioning of objects - a prerequisite for most nanotechnology applications. Attocube's technology enables the positioning and scanning of objects with atomic resolution, but with travel distances in the centimetre range. Attocube has developed systems for a variety of extreme environments, including UHV applications, low temperatures and high magnetic fields. Atomic force microscopes are used to image, measure and manipulate matter at the nano scale. The information is gathered by 'feeling' the su

Features • 2.5" Opto-ASIC Encoder with a Low Profile (2.0”) • Bore Sizes Ranging From 0.625” to 1.125” • Single Replacement Solution For 2.0" to 3.5" Encoders • Resolutions to 10,000 CPR; Frequencies to 1 MHz • Versatile Flexible Mounting Options • RoHS Compliant Introducing the next generation of high performance encoders - the Model 25T. As contemporary as its appearance, the Model 25T features the largest thru-bore available in a 2.5” encoder, mounting directly on shafts as large as 1.125" (28 mm). With resolutions of up to 10,000 CPR, and Frequencies of up to 1MHz this industrial strength encoder is perfect for fast revving motors. The 25T features the next generation of Encoder Products Company's proprietary Opto-ASIC sensor which provides superior accuracy and precision counts. The injection molded housing, made from EPC's custom blend of nylon composites, is grooved with "cooling fins" and can take the extreme heat of the motion co

The use of the SMAC linear rotary actuator for a screwdriver has expanded to disc drive assembly. SMAC linear rotary actuators are programmable in variable positions and speeds, including SMAC's Soft-Land feature that allows for accurate pick-up of fragile components as well as a soft contact onto the thread. Continuous real-time track of the screw position verifies success or failure of operation and monitoring of torque, including final torque out. SMAC linear rotary actuators speed up operation due to programmable accelerations, and have the ability to feedback the quality checks so that each operation can be quantitatively verified. These actuators can also be programmed to adjust as a single component.

Fluid Metering's Chloritrol valveless metering-system accurately injects liquid sodium and calcium hypochlorite for treating municipal drinking water. The Chloritrol system is a valveless duplex pump design. The primary pump injects liquid hypochlorite directly into the water main. The secondary pump removes out-gas bubbles from the system, preventing loss of prime. The Chloritrol will self prime against pressures up to 125psi. Internal components are made of sapphire-hard ceramics, which provide long-term drift-free accuracy. Flow rate is controlled by FMI's Model V300 Variable Flow Controller, which accepts 4-20mA, 0-5V DC and 0-10 V DC signals from process sensors and instrumentation. Flow rate can be manually controlled. The Chloritrol also features panel membrane switches and LED readout. The size of the system and its energy consumption are a fraction of that of conventional injection pumps. The Chloritrol is also suitable for adding sodium hypochlorite to municipal

Partex has unveiled the PKS range of stainless-steel markers for cable and component identification. The legend is embossed, making them far less likely to act as dirt traps: the concave part of the legend is at the back of the marker, and they remain legible even with substantial build-up. They can even be painted and still be perfectly legible. Despite the clear benefits offered by stainless-steel markers, potential users are sometimes concerned that they will be harder to work with and take longer to install than conventional markers. In fact, the differences are small, and can be made even smaller by choosing the right product. For large projects, customised multi-character markers are a suitable option. These are delivered with the complete legend already embossed and ready for immediate installation. Partex offers customised stainless-steel markers with two rows of characters, allowing even long legends to be accommodated on a single marker. For smaller projects or when c

Parker-Origa is aiming to set new standards for air preparation equipment with the launch of the A15. This system is constructed from lightweight polymers instead of the traditional metal, reducing weight and simplifying assembly. The design also reduces the number of variants required to cover the full spectrum of applications, which lowers logistics costs. Further features include a self-adjusting nano mist oiler, which provides fully automatic regulation of the oil volume according to the flow rate of the compressed air. This ensures that the optimum lubrication is always achieved. Functional safety is optimised through the incorporation of a manual or semi-automatic drain valve. The A15 is available in two versions: standard and heavy duty. For air motors and other applications that use large amounts of lubrication, a replenishment system is available offering users an alternative to running on lubricant-free air. This will ensure a permanently optimised level of lubrication

The Signum Supreme weighing scale has been developed for use in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food and chemical industries. It is suited for simple and demanding applications such as checkweighing, totalising and formulation. The Signum Supreme can withstand massive side shocks and can be cleaned using a water jet. It delivers reliable and reproducible measurement results, even during varying setup conditions. This allows it to be easily integrated into the changing environmental conditions for industrial applications. It is available for use in Zone 2 and 22 hazardous areas, which includes ATEX conformity and certification in accordance with the latest industry standards. The Signum Supreme has three application levels and different resolutions, weight ranges and ranges of interfaces to make individual configurations possible.

PCL has introduced the APP203 1/2in composite impact wrench air tool. The APP203's composite housing has a strong yet lightweight finish, and its compact design provides a soft, ergonomic grip for prolonged use. It features low vibration, low noise and high performance, making it ideal for industrial and heavy-duty, repetitive work. Suitable for light truck and automotive/industrial applications, the wrench has a handle exhaust to direct air away from the operator, a swivel air inlet to prevent hose twist, and a twin hammer mechanism for increased power and smooth balanced blows. The APP203 also has an energy-efficient motor for maximum performance and long life. PCL's collection of impact wrenches is aimed at tradesmen who want a competitively priced, high-performance air tool, and ranges from general purpose wrenches in aluminium and composite to Prestige wrenches and the budget Lite range. The standard PCL range has been extended from 17 tools to a comprehensive collect

Souriau's UTO range connector is designed for high-speed Ethernet connections in severe operating environments, and can be assembled in less than a minute. It allows the user to use a standard RJ45 cordset and does not require any specific tooling. It is designed for field installations in applications such as robotics, machines, automation systems, rail systems and industrial telecommunications, as well as onboard applications. The UTO RJ45 connector is easy to assemble. The user takes any new or used cordset, breaks off the standard snap clip by hand and inserts it into the socket. The clip-based mounting system developed by Souriau will then mount and securely maintain the cable. Thanks to this system and unlike competing models, the UTO RJ45 comprises only three main parts that are easily handled by the assembly operator. It is resistant to impact and vibration, and offers excellent temperature performance from -40C to 85C. It offers IP67 sealing, and is salt-mist-resista

Madgetech has announced the PRTemp1000D, a rugged differential pressure and temperature data logger. The device is ideal for monitoring and validating applications in geothermal, pneumatics and process control systems. The PRTemp1000D features dual 1/4in NPT connections, a stainless steel enclosure and up to one year of battery life. It is available in 0-30, 0-100, 0-300 and 0-500 PSID, and the internal temperature sensor provides accurate temperature measurements without the need for a separate temperature data logger. At a one-minute reading rate, the PRTemp1000D can measure and record for up to 682 days. It is a direct replacement for strip chart loggers, and does not need to be read manually, improving and streamlining further processes. To create custom reports, the PRTemp1000D is used in conjunction with Madgetech's data logger software, a free download from the company website. The software features export to Excel, statistics calculations, data annotation and digital c

Magnetrol presents the first overfill-safe Eclipse Model 705 Guided Wave Radar (GWR) 7MG probe for dirty liquids, designed for heavy-duty use on hydrocarbons, with viscosity up to 10,000 cP. Once installed in the appropriate cage, the 7MG is a coaxial GWR probe with full mounting flexibility and mechanical overfill safety. The 7MG re-uses existing bypass cages, still-wells or bridles, making them the outer tube of a normal coaxial design. The 7MG is adapted in design to meet the 2, 3 or 4in size of the cage it will be operating in. A special adaption piece assures the perfect impedance alignment with the characteristic impedance of the newly formed coax style GWR probe. Heavy-duty industries want fewer probe choices. These choices must provide safe solutions and reduce downtime during maintenance. The new Heavy-Duty Guided Wave Radar 7MG Probe meets this requirement. The new offering includes heavy duty GWR probes that satisfy level, volume and interface measurement requirements

Kavlico has introduced a suite of sensors designed to perform in a wide variety of hydraulic applications. Capable of operating for millions of pressure cycles, these low power consumption pressure sensors provide an accurate, reliable and stable signal over many years of operation in the harshest environments. The high overpressure capability of Kavlico sensors for fluid power applications is designed to withstand the pressure fluctuations associated with these applications. These rugged devices have stainless steel housings and can be configured with a broad selection of process and electrical connectors to fit the specification criteria for each application. Operating on 5V DC, the sensors provide a 0.5 to 4.5 linear amplified output proportional to pressure. Pressure ranges are available up to 6,000lb/in2. Typical pressure sensor applications include: on- and off-highway vehicle hydraulic systems; trenching machines; pressurised tools; adaptive suspension systems; material te

Winco has expanded its offering with the addition of series GN 5339.5 solid stainless-steel triangular knobs. Available in metric and inch sizes, the triangular knobs were specially designed for use on machinery in the food industry and are RoHS compliant. The smooth and enclosed areas, as well as the corner radii, comply with the requirements of hygiene standards. With their ergonomic design, the knobs also withstand a relatively high clamping torque. The hand knob is offered in a matte, shot-blasted finish, with threaded and blind-bored holes for mounting. Other modifications, such as inch- or metric-tapped holes, blind- or through-bores, and cross- or set-screw holes, are available upon request.

The Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Saltillo manufacturing facility has achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO 9001:2000 certification verifies that a facility has established and implemented a quality management system. This refers to 'what the facility does to fulfil the customer's quality requirements, and applicable regulatory requirements, while aiming to enhance customer satisfaction, and achieve continual improvement of its performance in pursuit of these objectives'. The plant, which is part of Performance Plastics' Polymer Products business, manufactures bearings, fabrics and high-performance polymer products. Upon opening the facility 10 months ago, company and plant management decided almost immediately to pursue certification. It took five months from that point to when the recommendation for certification was received in October 2008. All 135 employees worked to complete the many steps

Rieker has introduced a dual-axis micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS) based inclinometer to the H4 series. The H4PD sensor provides duel-axis inclination sensing in a rugged, environmentally protected housing. This unit incorporates a MEMS sensing element referenced to gravity with integrated temperature compensation over the industrial operating range of -40C to +85C. The Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) output is linear with respect to the input angle directly. Small dimensions and common footprint make it easy for field replacement. The housing footprint is designed for retrofitting in the field without re-drilling mounting holes (common placement of centre and slider flanges). The H4PD has applications in levelling and tilt/slope monitoring; platform levelling equipment; material handling/process control equipment; aerial lifts; scissor lifts; boom lifts cranes; and Derricks lift equipment/vehicles.

Decentralised drives are also continuing to gain ground in the field of servo technology. In assembly and handling technology, products such as the Fluxxtorque 930 Servo Drives From Lenze are proving themselves as compact mechatronic units for positioning trays within a conveyor unit or transporting silicon wafers in the photovoltaic industry. In comparison with pneumatic systems, the travel profiles in servo technology are more dynamic and smoother. They also offer greater flexibility, as the software-based movements can easily be adjusted without costly reconfiguration work. This leads to productivity gains. With the positioning control integrated in the fluxxtorque 930 Servo Drives, up to 100 motion functions can be processed and saved. The software’s fieldbus monitor allows all parameters of the fieldbus system to be monitored. This functionality enables easy commissioning and the implementation of complex control tasks. The feedback allows a high degree of positioning accurac

Testing the seriously hazardous effects from vehicle seat and floor vibration is now much simpler with Bruel And Kjaer's new SEAT measurement software for its 4447 Human Vibration meter. With this major update the 4447 makes the assessment of health risks to humans - posed by exposure vibration at work - easier to calculate, as it can measures SEAT (Seat Effective Amplitude Transmissibility) factors to determine the ratio between the vibration levels measured on the seat - and on the floor - then display the SEAT factor. This factor ensures the seat is constructed under specific operational conditions and the finished product complies with strict EU regulations for manufacturers, including EU Directive 2002/44/EC. Bruel and Kjaer's 4447 analyser is a portable system developed using input from several groups concerned about the effects of human vibration, so it is ideal for consultants working with measurements of - and risk evaluations caused by - exposure to occupational vi

The Amot XTS-W+ bearing condition monitor has extra operating features including fully integrated water-in-oil monitoring and automatic calibration. Developed to protect large two-stroke diesel engines in marine applications, the system's upgraded functions also include dual alarms and trending, standardised reporting functionality and compliance with the latest MAN Diesel specifications. These new features and enhanced diagnostics are designed to improve engine protection through faster and easier fault finding, allowing engineers to assess the rate of bearing wear and make the necessary operational decisions to protect the engine and maximise running time. By providing advanced warning of bearing wear, serious and high-cost consequential damage to crank-shafts and connecting rod journals will be avoided. The adoption of the Amot XTS-W+ bearing condition monitor can help ship owners prevent high-cost unplanned repairs and loss of revenue from unplanned downtime. XTS-W+ can al

Wago 2716 Series high-current PCB-mount terminal block features a lever-actuated termination design for tool-free termination of conductors 24 - 6 AWG. The integrated lever minimises operator strain and wiring times while reducing torque exerted on PCBs. To operate, simply lift the lever, insert a stripped conductor, then lower the lever. The spring pressure cage clamp assures that terminations are maintenance free and gas tight, as well as resistant to vibration and temperature cycling. There are no screw torque requirements to be concerned with, making the 2716 an ideal PCB terminal block for field wired installations. Standard 2716 Series configurations include 10mm (55A/600V) or 15mm (65A/600V) pitch variants, ranging from two to eight-pole configurations. Additional pole configurations, as well as a 20mm pitch variant, are available upon request. The 2716 Series PCB terminal block is available with or without a jumper slot. An integrated test port allows probe access with di

LG Motion has launched a catalogue covering a large part of its range of medium to high-precision positioning mechanics. With complete engineering specifications and dimensions for the Unislide, Bislide and Xslide dovetail-slide linear tables, plus rotary and vertical elevating stages, the 40-page catalogue provides detailed information for manual or motorised positioning applications in all areas of manufacturing and research. The catalogue brings together these modular positioning elements as a complete range of simple yet flexible building blocks for single or multi-axis positioning systems. The Unislide series uses a leadscrew drive and low-friction dovetail bearing system and has been used in several applications across science and industry. The Bislide series has an extruded I-beam aluminium profile with dual 45deg opposing V ways offering high rigidity in all load directions. The Xslide series is a more compact version of the Bislide utilising a similar bearing style for sp

Minitec has released a 96-page catalogue featuring its range of conveyor components and systems. The conveyors catalogue highlights the range with photographic examples and dimensioned component drawings. It is designed as a reference guide for use with Minitec's online e-catalogue and Icad interactive design tools that allow visualisation, selection and download of individual components as 2D and 3D, CAD files for Autocad and other design programs. The Minitec conveyor catalogue is available in hard copy or can be downloaded from the company's website as a fully indexed PDF for straightforward browsing and search. In addition to sections on Minitec's belt, roller and timing belt conveyor ranges, the catalogue also highlights the FMS flexible assembly system and RMS roller modular systems, which are now included after Minitec's recent acquisition of Profi-Team. These ranges cover turnkey workpiece and pallet transfer systems based on chain roller, belt or chain conv

At the core of the Laser Lines Direct Digital Manufacturing (DDM) service is the Stratasys Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) technology. FDM is an additive manufacturing technology that produces strong accurate parts in functional thermoplastic materials. This technology is able to produce durable parts, offering a level of performance similar to injection-moulded components and providing an alternative to traditional manufacturing. Direct Digital Manufacturing takes data from 3D CAD and turns it into a functional part to provide a fast economical method for producing low volume parts. As additive manufacturing can produce any shape required, the designer can concentrate on function without having to worry about how it can be made. What would have been a complex assembly can now be produced as one part. Components can be produced as and when required eliminating the need for inventory or spares. As different versions of a part can be produced or re-produced at will, designs can be

New 2.3 tonne Bobcat T110 compact tracked loader can easily be transported on a light trailer towed by mid-sized vehicles. At just 1.2 m wide and less than 2.3 m long without attachment, the new 2.3 tonne Bobcat T110 compact tracked loader will transform prospects for contractors, landscapers and a host of other users thanks to its ability to be transported on a light trailer towed by mid-sized vehicles. The compactness and transportability of the new T110 compact tracked loader are matched by superb operator comfort and high performance in all types of weather and ground conditions. Not only can the T110 work the whole year round, the durability and serviceability of the machine ensure the same high performance year after year in arduous environments. The T110 should appeal to a wide variety of users in landscaping, equipment rental, forestry, flood defence work, residential and commercial construction, local authorities, agriculture, nurseries, recycling and many other areas. Dri

Fire Fighting Enterprises announce that the new Multi Head FireRay 5000 will be on show at Stand E30 in Hall 3 of International Firex 2009. This innovation allows up to 4 beam detectors to be installed as one system, with only one control unit for all 4 heads. This can give potentially great savings to both time and cost for installation, wiring, and power supply. On each day of the event the team from FFE will also be running several short presentations at the stand, introducing visitors both to the principles of beam detection in general and the latest technological developments in the field - namely the Multi Head FireRay 5000. All the features of the standard FireRay 5000 are incorporated, such as automatic, motorised alignment and optimisation, and now the Multi Head enables up to 4 beam heads to be spaced out or oriented to cover unorthodox-shaped areas. Each beam will also often be used to cover a distance less than the maximum 100m, requiring the use of multiple heads for

ITC Timber highlight new GoodWood products including decking, finger jointed flooring and wide board flooring. Maximise your living space with GoodWood Decking (Available in all states EXCEPT NSW and QLD). To complement the GoodWood range of appearance products, ITC is pleased to announce the availability of a new sustainable decking product manufactured from AFS certified re-growth hardwood. The beautiful, natural timber lends itself to creating the best atmosphere for relaxing and entertaining outside. GoodWood Finger Jointed Flooring. ITC Timber is delighted to announce the introduction of finger jointed floor boards which are available in easy to install set lengths of 4.2 m, 4.8 m and 5.4 m, ideal for the tradesman or home renovator. Unique in the Australian marketplace, the boards, made from sustainable GoodWood Victorian Ash, are produced on the multi million dollar finger jointing line at ITC Timber's Heyfield operations in Victoria. GoodWood Flooring - wide boards no

Range of cellular glass insulation products from Pittsburgh Corning has achieved BRE Green Guide Ratings of A+ and A. This provides specifiers with essential environmental impact information to help support the selection process. The Green Guide is part of BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) an accredited environmental rating scheme for buildings. Manufactured from 68% recycled glass, Foamglas cellular glass insulation comprises millions of hermetically sealed glass cells. As its only solid constituent is glass, it is completely inert, un-affected by fire (Euroclass A1), and impervious to the effects of moisture and water. Offering further advantages, Foamglas will not degrade over time and once installed should never require replacement. Pittsburgh Corning is also the only insulation manufacturer to offer specifiers a thermal performance guarantee as tests have proven Foamglas will not lose its K-Value for the entire life of the product. "Pittsburgh Corning pioneere

D-Tec, leader in CCTV camera-based video smoke detection, is a finalist in the Fire Excellence Awards, run in conjunction with the International Firex and Fire and Rescue exhibitions. The company has been shortlisted in the key Export Innovation category for its successful deployment of VSD, which analyses images to provide an early warning of fire, in a growing number of tunnel projects worldwide. Applications of note undertaken by D-Tec and highlighted in its award submission include: the landmark Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, Italian road tunnels and the Sydney Harbour Tunnel. Said Ian Moore, Managing Director of D-Tec: "We are very pleased to have reached the final stage of the Fire Excellence Awards for our global tunnel projects". "The confined nature of tunnels presents a uniquely challenging environment where fire safety is concerned". "Factors such as the length of tunnels, the difficulty of access, and the higher heat release rate from fire, make any d

SGS is due to host Project Risk Symposium 2009 on 17 June at the Gibson Hall in Bishopsgate, London. The event will focus solely on the issue of project risk and experts will share their views on how diverse risks can be managed effectively during the recession. The industry experts will cover financial, political, legal, technical, operational, environmental and social risks. Milena Stoyanova, head of financial services at SGS, said: 'In this economic environment, we are seeing customers demand more and more transparency and greater understanding of the risks involved before entering into large-scale infrastructure, energy, mining, oil-and-gas or agricultural projects, whether it is from the investor or the sponsor side. 'Assessing the diverse nature of risk today goes far beyond a traditional financial assessment of the project. 'Investors and sponsors want to understand and prepare for everything from market and political to technical and environmental risk - and ev

ESI Group, a supplier of digital simulation software for prototyping and manufacturing processes, has announced its active involvement in the SIMDAT automotive project. The SIMDAT project has introduced advanced grid technology in four different application sectors - automotive, aerospace, pharmaceutical and meteorological - in order to cover the full range of issues to be addressed in the design, development and production of complex products and services. ESI's collaboration has mainly been in the automotive cluster of SIMDAT, addressing the challenges of virtual car development. The automotive activity has developed a range of technologies and integrated them into industrial prototypes and demonstrators to create improved product designs in less time and at reduced cost. To improve car safety beyond currently practised standard testing, project partners such as ESI have developed the SIMDAT crash-compatibility prototype. ESI's Pam-Crash software has been used to perform

The Aspentech 2009 user conference, which is intended to highlight how customers use process optimisation to 'navigate uncertainty', is scheduled to be held on 4-7 May in Houston. BP, Dow Chemical, Fluor and Evonik Degussa, along with other process-industry customers, will share best-practice experiences at the event, which will take place at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott. The theme of the conference highlights how Aspentech customers are using AspenONE to increase efficiency, reduce manufacturing costs and improve agility in a volatile global economy. The Aspentech conference will also focus on best practices for using software to optimise process manufacturing. It will bring together engineering and manufacturing professionals from a range of process-industry companies and across the Aspentech partner community. James Hackett, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Anadarko, an independent oil-and-gas exploration and production company, will deliver the ope

Tyco has introduced the SMT thru-board connector, which supplies power from the underside of an FR4 or aluminium-clad PC board, eliminating issues of dressing wires on the top side of LED boards. The two-position through six-position connector surface mounts on top of the board, passing through the board to present an underside interface. The connector mates with standard Mini CT connectors. The inverted design allows simpler assembly and installation of solid-state LED lighting in architectural, residential and commercial applications. The Mini CT connector is rated for three amps per contact, on 24 AWG wire. A space-saving low-profile design and rounded corners minimise shadowing. The connector fits through a hole or notch in the board. High-temperature materials allow the connector to be reflow soldered, while a flat-top surface provides compatibility with vacuum pickup. The connector uses surface-mount hold-downs to provide stability during mating and unmating. With UL listing

Carlo Gavazzi has launched a range of AC drives to deliver optimum speed control and improve efficiency in a range of industrial motor applications. The Variflex2 series comprises a basic and an advanced version, both offering a complete set of features as well as the options normally found on larger drives. The Variflex2 RVEF series is suitable for basic low-power motor-control applications, such as for pumps and fans that can be installed side by side, thus saving cabinet space. The Variflex2 RVCF series is for more complex applications that require constant torque, including conveyors. According to the company, both versions offer simple installation with the option for DIN-rail or panel mounting and ease of use with comprehensive menus via software and push-button setup. The range of drives offers variable speeds from 0.20kW to 55.0kW, single-phase input of 110VAC/230VAC and up to three-phase 230VAC/480VAC. The compact overall dimensions of the RVEF series fit in general-purpo

Dulux Trade has added a new convenient Quick Drying Exterior Gloss to its highly successful Weathershield portfolio of exterior trade paints. Weathershield Quick Drying Exterior Gloss is the first water based gloss finish for trim that combines all the attributes of water based technology without compromising on durability, giving similar durability to that of solvent based products. Weathershield Quick Drying Exterior Gloss from Dulux Trade. When used as part of the Weathershield system it provides ultimate exterior protection for up to six years which in turn delivers long term cost savings by increasing maintenance cycles. The fully VOC 2010 compliant product demonstrates excellent opacity and gloss retention; algaecides and fungicides also help maintain a fresher look for longer, eliminating the need for frequent redecoration. Painted areas will be touch dry in one hour and ready to recoat after four hours, reducing downtime to a minimum. The new formulation will be available

Major names in carpeting and textiles already use the new Novacel 9357 solvent-free protective film. Novacel, world leader in surface protection, furthers its work in developing protective solutions for the carpeting and textiles market by introducing its Novacel 9357 range, an innovation demonstrating the company's determination to manufacture products that are more environmentally friendly. Devoted to the protection of showroom carpeting (polypropylene or needle punched fibers), and more widely to textiles, this 30-um-thick, transparent, colorless polyethylene film is designed to resist substantial traffic and soiling during booth setup (trampling, passing pallets and other various devices, dirt or gravel dumping). The innovation stems from its new, solvent-free adhesive mass resulting from a more environmentally friendly manufacturing process. Major names in carpeting and textiles already use this new product in industrial quantities, thus taking part in limiting solvent di

Pilkington's Group is committed to continued innovation and investment in improving sustainable performance of its wall and flooring material solutions. Sustainability Research. Pilkington's sustainability experts have conducted considerable research into the sustainability of wall and floor materials and this information has proven to be invaluable to clients that are involved in design and build of low -or zero carbon developments. Pilkington's embodied carbon and energy studies and life cycle analysis covers a number of widely specified wall and flooring materials. These studies show that ceramic and porcelain tiles, natural stone, terrazzo and many other tiling products offer a highly sustainable and environmentally friendly solution. This is further supported by 'A' environmental profile rating for these materials in the UK Green Guide to Specification compiled by BRE (Building Research Organisation), the World's leading research organisation for sustain

Anyone needing a replacement pump can now get all the information they need from pump manufacturer Wilo UK within twenty seconds of sending a text. Leading European pump manufacturer Wilo UK has launched a new service allowing an enquiry to be sent by text message to the Wilo SMS replacement service - simply by texting the old pump details to 07500 041411. The appropriate replacement Wilo pump will be identified amazingly rapidly and the name and part number will be with the texter in a matter of seconds. In addition to the new Wilo pump that is right for the specific application, the text message sent back from Wilo will also contain the necessary technical data, the part number and information about any adaptors that might be required. This new service is available around the clock, 365 days a year. The only cost to the user is the cost of a text message from his or her mobile phone service provider. The system can be used with any mobile phone and only the name or number of the

Distribution products from Moeller are at the heart of a new and flexible design for data centre power distribution units (PDUs), from electrical distribution expert, Stroud Switchgear. Data centres and computer suites continue to increase in complexity and in their importance to the user's business operations. There is, therefore, growing pressure on architects, consultants and specifiers to find convenient, dependable and cost-effective methods of supplying power to these installations. The new PDUs from Stroud Switchgear have been produced specifically to address these requirements. In the past, there have been two main approaches to the production of data centre PDUs. The first is the use of standard distribution switchboards. This approach is undoubtedly cost effective and, as the boards are standard products, delivery times are usually short. It is even possible to incorporate, without too much difficulty, some of the special requirements that relate to PDUs, including,

A manufacturer of quality cutting tools has invested in a range of high-volume, auto pallet loaded, seven-axis CNC grinding machines from Anca to help deal with its increase in volume of business. A recent expansion has seen Fenn Tool relocate for the third time, to ensure that the company is able to keep pace with the burgeoning demand for its growing range of products. Fenn Tool's new, Braintree, Essex-based head office and technical centre incorporates a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant. To help satisfy the volume of business from its established UK/Irish customer base, plus a growing export market, the company's new production facility incorporates a range of auto pallet loaded, seven-axis CNC grinding machines from Anca. The company's collection of Anca grinders includes two Anca RX7 machines that are capable of accommodating 500 tools on a pallet, ideal for use within Fenn Tool's advanced 'lights-out' production facility. Company operations direct

Sensonics has introduced the Sentry G3 machinery protection monitor, a high-performance signal conditioning unit. The G3 monitor builds upon the established range of Sentry protection systems developed by Sensonics and is designed to be a flexible and feature-rich turbine supervisory system. It provides a universal platform for the interfacing of various sensor types in compliance with the API 670 standard. Each of the units' four channels can be independently programmed to provide continuous monitoring and protection across a broad spectrum of measurement regimes, including vibration, expansion, temperature and speed. Sentry G3 utilises the latest DSP technology, so once a channel is set up and running, the resulting alarm relay and analogue output facilities are independent from the remaining module functionality, ensuring a scalable, high-integrity configuration. The unit has an integral colour LCD display and drive facility that provides immediate viewing and access to the

RTP has introduced a line of melt-processable fluoropolymer (MPFP) colour masterbatches for the wire and cable industry. These masterbatches are suitable for colouring complex MPFP resins used as plenum space jacketing materials. Available in 10 common wire and cable industry colour-coding formulations matched to Munsell and RAL standards, RTP's MPFP colour masterbatches are available in fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) resin systems, and are expandable to include other MPFP resins as needed. Standard colours, using RoHS-compliant pigments, are available worldwide. RTP's MPFP colour masterbatches make colour-coding wire and cable jacketing materials easy for processors to use, with 3 per cent let-down ratios and excellent dispersion. They maintain the inherent flame retardancy and low smoke emissions that allow fluoropolymers to be used as a jacketing material for plenum spaces. Additionally, custom colour matches and engineered compoun

GKS's metrology lab for the Detroit area has registered for the export and temporary import of items regulated by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). GKS went through an in-depth process to establish and implement an ITAR control programme at its Plymouth, Michigan facility. It is now eligible to perform metrology and reverse engineering services on defence articles that appear on the United States Munitions List. ITAR regulations are administered and enforced by the US Department of State, and are meant to advance national strategic objectives and foreign policy by using the ITAR trade controls. GKS's Plymouth, Michigan lab is also accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). The accreditation encompasses and surpasses ISO 17025 standards.

Acromag has introduced the 967EN and 968EN Busworks Ethernet I/O modules with distributed I/O and SCADA. These models provide an eight-channel interface for differential analogue voltage or current input signals. Each model is available in industrial and commercial-grade versions, which reduces the cost of applications that do not need wide operating-temperature ratings, advanced signal processing or hazardous-location safety approvals. The units feature a signal integrator/totaliser function, peer-to-peer messaging and -40 to +70C capability. They are designed to meet UL/cUL Zone 2 Class 1 Division 2 ABCD requirements. All units provide 16-bit A/D conversion of sensor inputs for Modbus TCI/IP control network communication. Two models, each with eight differential analogue inputs, support a variety of I/O ranges. The 967EN accepts DC current with +/-20mA, 0-20mA or 4-20mA input ranges. The 968EN accepts +/-5V or +/-10V ranges. Fast scanning updates all eight-channels in less than

JAI has added the BM-141GE (monochrome) and the BB-141GE (Bayer colour) 1.4 megapixel cameras to its C3 Basic series. These cameras, which feature a GigE Vision interface, are particularly suited to the changing lighting conditions of outdoor applications. The megapixel resolution of these cameras provides outstanding image quality. The BM-141GE and BB-141GE are based on Sony's ICX-285 2/3in progressive scan CCD (1392 x 1040 pixels), providing excellent sensitivity and spectral response. This sensor uses its 6.45um pixel size and improved microlens technology to provide higher overall sensitivity (as low as 0.03 lux) with low smear characteristics. It also features extended spectral response in the near-IR region, offering roughly four-times the sensitivity of conventional sensors at a 945nm wavelength. The BM-141GE and BB-141GE combine sophisticated circuit design and thermal-management techniques to deliver a signal-to-noise ratio of greater than 58 dB, producing high-quality

Festo To Exhibit Controllers And Actuators At IWEX 2009, Festo will be demonstrating how its latest modular controllers and actuators enable system designers to use a blend of electrical and pneumatic technology to help minimise costs. The latest additions to Festo's CPX series of multifunctional electrical terminals will be on show, including: an Ethercat real-time Ethernet communications module; a series of digital and analogue I/O modules; and an intelligent control module known as the CPX-CMXX, which provides a PLC-compatible interface for multidimensional axis control. Festo will also be launching a quarter-turn pneumatic actuator at IWEX 2009. The actuator uses rack-and-pinion drive technology and incorporates features such as adjustable end positions, which makes it suitable for use with butterfly valves.

Rockwell Bases Fluid Router On Process Controller Rockwell Automation has introduced a repeatable fluid-routing solution delivered on a process-controller platform. It is a configurable system that gives consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers a method of transferring fluids from one destination to the next. Mike Jamieson, global director - consumer packaged goods - Rockwell Automation, said: 'The fluid-routing solution helps simplify the fluid-routing process by using pre-developed modules to define and control routing paths. 'This helps to reduce system life-cycle costs and improve scalability.' The Rockwell Automation fluid-routing solution is delivered on the Logix Control Platform and the Factorytalk integrated production and performance software suite. It applies standard control technology and reusable engineering that can be easily deployed in most production environments - from simple, partially automated facilities to complex, fully-automated piping networ