ISC Implements CDS Modelserver

Catalog Data Solutions (CDS) has announced that ISC Engineering now incorporates CDS Modelserver and CDS Catalog to present and aid online selection of products and CAD model downloads. ISC Engineering provides over-moulding technology for OEM and cable assemblies companies. 'We want our customers to be able to find and download CAD models of our products to simplify the design process,' said Steve Burk, president, ISC Engineering. 'To do this, we now use CDS software for its functionality and low cost.

'The conversion process results in a satisfactory user experience for our customers,' he added. 'Online 3D models are an important sales and marketing tool for all industrial suppliers and distributors and this implementation exploits the Adobe 3D CAD capability to add another user convenience - all the ISC Engineering product CAD models are viewable with the Adobe 3D PDF viewer already installed on most PCs,' said John Major, chief executive, Catalog Data Solutions.

Presspart To Exhibit Deep-Drawn Metal Components

Presspart will be showcasing its latest deep-drawn metal components on stand D3 at the International Subcontract Manufacturing Show, Subcon 2010, to be held in Birmingham, UK, from 8-10 June. Presspart is a specialist supplier of metal precision parts for a wide variety of industries and applications - from electronics to utilities, heating and ventilation.

Presspart's production processes include extremely long draws, ironed walls, multiple piercings and complex forms. Its capabilities extend to products from many different materials, including aluminium, stainless steel, carbon steel, brass, nickel, inconel and galfan.

Touch Point Products For Off-Highway Vehicles

Southco's products cover access points and user touch points for all interior, chassis and entry applications associated with off-highway vehicles and equipment. Alex Wakeley, industry manager for transportation at Southco said: 'We have a product for everything, from interior latches and fasteners to the cab's entry-door system, and virtually every single access point on the chassis. Southco has addressed everything from precise control of the cab environment, including the angle of the armrest and the position of LCD touch screens, to a range of access hardware options that enable everything to be securely stored yet easily accessible.

The company's platform of intuitive Touch Point products for interior applications include ergonomic latches to secure access panels, doors and storage enclosures, position-control devices that consistently hold display screens, armrests and headrests, and electronic access systems that provide convenience and security for storage, access doors and ignition. Southco has developed a range of off-highway chassis solutions, comprising a portfolio of robust, compact and reliable vibration-resistant latches that provide complete protection from unauthorised access.

They last the lifetime of vehicles, help keep them running and lower the overall cost of ownership by reducing the need for maintenance contracts. Chassis application areas include tool storage, safety guards, engine cowling, access panels, engine hoods and cooling systems. Wakeley added: 'Over the past few years we have created a series of chassis solutions through further developing our existing medium-duty vise-action compression latches, such as the N4 with a large handle and special cup, and introduced new products for applications requiring even more rugged latches.

'These include the heavy-duty N2 folding handle range of compression latches. Southco offers a range of push-to-close R4 rotary latches, actuators and cables for the entry-door system itself. Southco has worked with OEMs to introduce a comprehensive package of electronic-access-control systems (EAS) that the market demands. This EAS range has been designed to combine robust rotary latch security and electronic access convenience in a single integrated solution.

The focus is to address the issue of preventing theft - of both vehicles and in-cab equipment - by incorporating sophisticated access systems into the vehicle design, from key code flexibility to electronic access systems, providing a range of solutions for differing levels of security. Southco has detailed its global full service solution for the off-highway industry with the launch of a brochure pack, which can be customised to meet individual requirements. A complete pack comprises three leaflets, each demonstrating Southco's product and service offer for a specific area of application, namely interior, chassis and exterior. A fourth leaflet gives an overview of the total global service.

Shell Supplies Lubricants For Ferrari Production

Shell provides Ferrari with more than 250,000l of fuel and over 40,000 tonnes of lubricants to enable its automotive production each year. This includes a range of metalworking fluids that offer protection and efficiency during machining and finishing. Ferrari currently uses three Shell fluids in its new machining area, which finishes various engine parts. All of the Shell fluids are water-miscible cutting fluids and include Shell Adrana D 208 and Shell Sitala CE 3602, which are both semi-synthetic, mineral-based fluids.

The third fluid is a mineral-free, fully ester-based fluid, Shell Sitala AF 800 and has been specifically developed to machine a range of aluminium alloys. Shell uses a development process to identify operational requirements known as 4D and develop high-performance lubricants that offer optimum performance during machining. This approach is designed to ensure that fluids are developed to machine a range of metals - hard and soft - and to perform in extreme temperatures. Shell Sitala AF 800 is an amine- and boron-free fluid and was introduced as an improvement on previous mineral-based products.

It consistently delivers higher tool performance through longer tool life and better piece surface finish. Shell Adrana D 208, with high cleanliness properties, is used for shaft grinding and Shell Sitala CE 3602 is employed in severe steel-cutting/drilling/threading operations. All products are designed to deliver maximum machinery performance. In addition to providing metalworking fluids, Shell provides Ferrari with onsite expertise to help maximise fluid performance and operational efficiency.

Sinol, a Torino-based subsidiary of Shell Lubricants that specialises in metalworking fluids, provides a Product Plus Service arrangement. This covers fluid-stock management and application management, including filling and topping up of equipment, as well as analysing, cleaning and, if required, treating of lubricants and equipment. Concentration, pH, alkalinity, microbiological contamination and bacteria levels are checked to ensure fluids continue to deliver superior protection during machining and finishing.

Bete's Hydrowhirl Performs Tank-Cleaning Duties

The Hydrowhirl Orbitor from Bete is designed for high-performance clean-in-place (CIP) tank cleaning in industries such as food, brewing, beverage, dairy and pharmaceuticals. The Hydrowhirl device has a minimum number of moving parts and can be completely stripped and rebuilt onsite in less than 15 minutes. This optimum serviceability eliminates the time-consuming maintenance overhauls associated with other types of rotary tank-cleaning devices.

Hydrowhirl is also self-cleaning and self-lubricating so the possibility of process contamination is eliminated. Its compact design allows it to be fitted through small, restricted access flanges. It is suitable for large tanks (up to 130ft in diameter) often found in the food, dairy, beverage and pharmaceutical industries, where high-performance cleaning with reduced cycle times and low water, energy and chemical consumption are important considerations.

The range includes 10 standard models and options include two or four nozzles, variable cycle times, male and female connections, 360deg wash pattern, 180deg down and up wash patterns. Typical applications include food and dairy for raw milk storage, spray driers, process and storage vessels, beverage and brewing, for process vessels, bright beer tanks, coppers and maltings and in chemicals, coatings and paints manufacture, for process and storage silos and mixers.

ESAB Demobus Displays Latest Welding Equipment

ESAB, a producer of welding and cutting equipment and consumables, is bringing its Demobus to the UK in June 2010. The mobile showroom is packed with the latest developments in welding and cutting equipment, automation, consumables and welding accessories, including PPE (personal protective equipment). ESAB has used a Demobus to tour Europe for several years, stopping at distributors to present to customers an overview of the company's welding and cutting products.

As well as static displays and videos, the Demobus features live welding demonstrations of a range of equipment and consumables. The ESAB Demobus is also being used as part of the launch for the 'go anywhere welders', the Caddymig C160i and C200i. These two compact lightweight inverter-powered machines will be demonstrated throughout the tour. They can be used for a broad range of applications and can run off a 230V electric supply or operated by a generator. The Caddymig's are also configured for using gas-less cored wire, eliminating the need to carry around heavy and expensive gas cylinders when out on a job.

The ESAB Demobus will start its tour at the Farnborough College of Technology Aerospace and Automotive Academy supported by local ESAB distributor Britannia Welding Supplies. The Demobus will then visit a selection of ESAB distributor premises including Elmdale Welding and Engineering Supplies in Hadleigh, Suffolk; Truflame Welding Equipment in Sheffield; Complete Welding Services in Oldham; Thomas Proctor and Son in Gateshead and Weldsafe in Glasgow. From 24-27 June, the Demobus will be at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh in conjunction with local distributor Ask for Service, moving on to Highland Supplies in Inverness on 28 June.

Torque Control Technology Offers Improved Safety

Prodrive has developed a torque control system that is designed to improve the productivity, safety and running costs of large off-highway vehicles working on low-grip surfaces. The system adds electronic control to the vehicle's existing differentials to deliver a substantial improvement in performance at a cost-effective price, according to Prodrive. A large, heavily laden off-highway vehicle descending a slippery slope can present a substantial challenge for the driver: locking the differentials will improve braking performance but the ability to steer is greatly reduced; unlocking them restores steering authority but compromises braking.

Climbing a slippery slope is equally difficult as the driver has to juggle the differential controls to switch between traction and steering. Even with the most highly trained personnel, wear on the driveline and tyres is increased and the potential safety issues associated with guiding a substantial vehicle with compromised steering, braking and driver concentration are significant. Prodrive's ATD (Active Torque Dynamics) is based on an algorithm that controls the differentials, optimising the traction at each wheel. ATD is compatible with most lockable differentials, so as well as being suitable for new vehicle programmes, it can also be retro fitted to existing vehicle types and even to vehicle fleets in service.

In normal conditions, differentials allow wheels on the same axle to rotate at different speeds, enabling a vehicle to turn. However, if one wheel meets an area of low friction, this wheel can lose traction and spin taking drive away from the wheel that still has grip. As a result there is little or no driving force from this axle. By locking the differential, both wheels are forced to rotate at the same speed enabling the wheel with grip to produce drive. However, locking a differential severely restricts the vehicle's ability to turn and forces the tyres to scrub.

Prodrive's ATD system automatically controls the differentials on the vehicle to optimise the traction, while maintaining the vehicle's ability to turn. Optimisation of the traction improves stability and braking, manoeuvrability and reliability. 'Most large off-highway vehicles have multi-plate differentials that are capable of being closed progressively, even if they are configured by the vehicle manufacturer to only provide locked or unlocked functionality,' explains Prodrive's Matt Taylor, head of vehicle dynamics. 'ATD builds on the capability of this existing hardware to provide individual control of the traction torque at each wheel and the braking torque distribution across each axle.

'Real-time proportional control allows very fine adjustments, making full use of the available grip and braking power without compromising steering authority,' he added. The system requires input signals for wheel speed, steering wheel angle and yaw rate, which are usually available on the vehicle's existing electronic databus. This data is used to construct a mathematical model that compares the vehicle's actual dynamic behaviour with the behaviour requested by the driver. When there is a disparity, the system adjusts each differential to apportion engine torque or braking torque optimally between the individual wheels.

The system can be further refined by the addition of accelerometers to directly measure understeer or oversteer instead of estimating by calculation. The system could also offer savings in operating costs through reduced tyre wear and driveline shock. 'Turning corners with the differentials locked or attempting differential locking while moving causes tyre damage and, at several thousand pounds each, that's quite an overhead,' said Taylor. 'Driving with locked differentials also puts tremendous stress on the drivetrain. 'ATD is smooth and progressive, so helps eliminate these expensive problems,' he added.

ATD is also said to improve the vehicle's turning circle on slippery roads and roster flexibility by reducing driver skill requirements. 'ATD increases driving safety by reducing the skill burden on the driver, who then only needs to concentrate on the speed and direction of the vehicle,' said Taylor. 'With a lower training requirement, more people can drive the vehicle safely, so operators have a much wider pool of suitable drivers,' he added. Prodrive has already demonstrated the potential of ATD in many projects across a wide variety of vehicles, including heavy off-highway vehicles. 'In the off-highway trials, the system improved stopping ability where there were different grip levels on each side of an axle,' said David Hemming, Prodrive's head of engineering.

'The combined tractive and turning performance was also improved. 'For example, when cornering on a hill, the vehicle responded closely to driver steering input. 'It's important to stay focussed on the task of managing the interaction between the tyre and the ground. 'There have been numerous attempts to control torque through the vehicle driveline with variable levels of success and often with substantial hardware changes. 'Our focus is on the delivery of solutions with a degree of independence from hardware choice,' he added.

Catalog Covers Test Tools For Harsh Environments

Fluke's 124-page full-colour 2010/2011 Test Tools Catalogue includes handheld electronic test and measurement equipment for operating in harsh environments. An introductory section of the catalogue covers all recently introduced tools, such as the 810 Vibration Tester, the 233 Remote Display Multimeter, Ti32/Ti9 Industrial Thermal Imagers and TiR32/TiRx Thermal Imagers for Buildings, the 27 II/28 II Rugged Industrial Multimeters for operating in harsh conditions and the 1750 Power Recorder.

The catalogue contains classified sections on all its handheld test tools under categories including digital multimeters, clamp meters and electrical testers, insulation testers and earth ground testers, installation testers and PAT testers, digital thermometers, thermal imagers, laser distance meters, indoor air-quality tools, scopemeters, power-quality tools, field calibrators, vibration testers, Atex-certified test tools and general accessories.

There are also pages covering money-saving combo kits, Fluke after-sales service, web portals that help with troubleshooting and the correct tool selection in industrial maintenance, electrical and process applications, and on safety issues and other application/background articles.

Aptiv Film Enhances Mobile Phone Speaker Diaphragm

Zhejiang New Jialian, a manufacturer of miniature acoustic components, has selected Victrex Polymer Solutions' Aptiv film for its new mobile phone speaker diaphragm. The company, headquartered in Jiashan, China, researches, develops, manufactures and distributes communication electronic acoustic devices, such as communications speakers, receivers, buzzers and Bluetooth headsets. Zhejiang New Jialian selected Aptiv film to meet the increasing demands of the mobile phone speaker diaphragm application and to overcome various challenges in product design.

The deployment of Aptiv film is intended to improve the acoustic performance, durability and lifespan of the speakers. Compared with similar products, Victrex claims that its Aptiv film provides an improvement in processability, acoustic performance (especially in low-end response), durability, high-temperature performance at temperatures exceeding 220C (428F), chemical resistance, tear resistance and fatigue resistance.

'Using Aptiv film allows us to produce new mobile phone speakers with compact size and high power-output performance,' said Jin Yidong, vice general manager of Zhejiang New Jialian. Edmond Chu, Aptiv films manager at Victrex Asia Pacific, said: 'Aptiv films offer a broad range of thicknesses from six microns to 750 microns along with outstanding film thickness tolerances to provide consistent acoustic properties and, through standard processing techniques, it can be formed into complex shapes and unique designs. 'This critical advantage makes Aptiv film a good fit for parts and components in miniature speakers,' he added.

Aptiv film can satisfy a range of speaker diaphragm designs, including single-layer designs, multilayer designs, speciality acoustics-coated diaphragms, filled acoustic grades and diaphragms with ceramic stiffeners. The acoustic properties and the high-temperature, mechanical, fatigue and processing attributes of Aptiv films, produced from Victrex Peek polymer, are suitable for use in acoustic film applications for original equipment manufacturers, designers and processors in the manufacture of speaker systems and acoustics-related components.

Axion And Projen Look To Biofuels Opportunities

Axion has joined forces with Projen in a strategic partnership to develop business opportunities in biofuels, advanced thermal waste processing, specialty chemicals and mineral processing sectors. Through this alliance, clients can access a broader portfolio of expertise that is said to combine Axion's process design and development capabilities with Projen's project management capabilities.

The two companies forged links several years ago when Axion helped Greenergy Biofuels to select Projen as its preferred supplier of project management services for its fuel storage facilities and large- scale biodiesel production plant.

Control Valves Help Meet Environmental Regulations

Metso Automation launches the Metso intelligent control valves (ICV) suitable for both general and demanding applications in hydrocarbon processing plants. The company's ICV helps process plants to meet environmental regulations by using control valve constructions that are said to provide high performance, reliability and control accuracy. This control valve offering consists of eccentric rotary plug valves, V-port segment valves, Neles Rotaryglobe valves, high-performance eccentric disc valves and top-entry rotary control valves.

Metso's ICV rotary control valves can reduce fugitive emissions by eliminating the gland-packing leakages often associated with rising stem globe valves. Metso's non-leakage, live-loaded valve packing prevents the loss of raw material and also eliminates the need for gland-packing maintenance and its associated maintenance costs. The control performance of Metso's ICV results from the frictionless, backlash-free valve and actuator construction and valve-position control built into the Neles ND9000 intelligent valve controller.

The ND9000 valve controller provides 'best in class' performance that minimises process variability and enables true predictive-maintenance capabilities thanks to its embedded online diagnostics. Metso's valve offering includes the Neles, Jamesbury and Mapag brands, which are suitable for flow-control, ESD and automated on-off applications. Metso valves meet the specific needs of individual applications as well as of process requirements and international standards.

GE Holds Launch Event At Sensor And Test 2010

GE Sensing and Inspection Technologies has announced an event to launch the DPI620 communicator/calibrator and the Pace6000 pneumatic pressure controller/indicator. The DPI620 communicator/calibrator now incorporates full Hart capability and carries both Atex and IECEx certification.

The Pace6000 pneumatic pressure controller/indicator with dual range configuration provides two instruments within a single casing. The company will also be introducing its Terps pressure sensor technology. This launch event will take place in the Madrid Room of the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre at 1pm on 19 May at the Sensor and Test 2010 exhibition.

Intelatrac System Monitors Plant Workflow

Invensys Operations Management has released its updated Wonderware Intelatrac mobile workforce management and decision-support system to drive consistent best practice in plant operations. The Intelatrac 4.0 system's dynamic procedures, coupled with the open Wonderware system platform, can help companies adapt their workflow based on actual plant conditions. The updated system features new tools that extend and integrate it with important plant systems, allowing users to share data with the mobile workforce, providing better visibility into real-time plant operations and helping achieve asset and productivity excellence.

The Intelatrac 4.0 system has a new oil and gas module that provides specialty calculations for tank volumes and pressure chart conversions. It can also deliver mobile data collection and calculation capabilities to hydrocarbon accounting systems, such as Tieto Energy Components, enhancing the ability to reliably operate remote production facilities. 'Our Intelatrac 4.0 system changes the impact a mobile workforce can have on the operations of an industrial plant or facility to drive operational, asset and productivity excellence in real time,' said Jim Frider, mobile solutions product marketing manager, Invensys Operations Management.

'It enables our clients and ecosystem partners to integrate a number of systems throughout the plant with an Intelatrac mobile device, delivering tasks directly to mobile operators and making them more effective and efficient. 'These capabilities help close the information gap that many mobile systems have and deliver useful information directly to the people that need it the most,' he added. The Intelatrac system enables clients to execute predefined procedures and strategic responses under changing environmental or business conditions, resulting in a highly responsive, collaborative plant environment.

This can facilitate operational best practices by mobile workers, connecting them to enterprise asset management systems, equipment reliability systems and process historians to deliver integration and visibility into the performance of non-instrumented or stranded equipment and assets. Additionally, the Intelatrac system helps streamline health, safety and environmental compliance and is claimed to deliver rapid ROI, typically within four to six months. The Intelatrac 4.0 system also offers capabilities for operator-driven reliability, cost-effective regulatory compliance, energy management and asset responsiveness. It can also mitigate workforce turnover using its mobile on-the-job learning capabilities, all without the need for custom programming.

SIS-Tech Safety System Protects From Overpressure

SIS-Tech's Diamond-SIS high-integrity protective system (Hips) is used to provide overpressure protection where the opening of the pressure-relief valve poses unacceptable process safety risks. Diamond-SIS Hips is a low-cost standalone logic solver is certified for use in applications up to Safety Integrity Level (SIL) 3. API 521 and Code Case 2211 of ASME Section VIII, Division 1 and 2 allow the use of a high-integrity protective system, such as the Diamond-SIS Hips, in lieu of a pressure-relief device as long as the instrumented system meets or exceeds the protection provided by the pressure-relief device.

To achieve this performance, the Hips design and management must also follow IEC 61511 and the logic solver should be compliant with IEC 61508 SIL 3. The Diamond-SIS Hips complies with these requirements. Diamond-SIS is an SIL 3 logic solver with 2oo3 voting, which provides the end user with a fault-tolerant logic solver that it is physically and functionally independent from the process control and unit safety instrumented system. With the Diamond-SIS Hips, each vessel or pipeline is independently protected against overpressure so that no single Hips failure results in simultaneous overpressure of multiple vessels or pipelines.

By using an independent logic solver for each Hips, the potential for common cause failure impacting multiple process units is reduced. In a typical installation, the Diamond-SIS Hips takes inputs from multiple sensors that can detect abnormal process operating conditions. The logic solver processes the inputs and sends the necessary outputs to final elements such as block valves or pumps. The Diamond-SIS Hips is rated for -30C to +75C and suitable for installation in Class I Div II environments, allowing it to be installed in the field near the process equipment.

This reduces the implementation costs typically associated with systems using cabinet-mounted safety PLCs. The Diamond-SIS Hips is used in many overpressure protection system applications, such as wellhead piping protection, where electric submersible pumps (ESP) are installed for enhanced oil recovery. In these applications, the unintended block-in of the ESP initiates a scenario where the maximum discharge pressure from the pump exceeds the maximum allowable working pressure of the downstream piping, potentially rupturing the pipeline.

Traditional overpressure protection with a pressure-relief valve results in a discharge that cannot be effectively managed. Instead, the Diamond-SIS Hips is used to detect high pressure and to shutdown the ESP, preventing pipeline overpressure. Hips are now accepted for vessel protection with the latest release of API 521 and with the recent update to the ASME pressure vessel code. The Minerals Management Service has approved Hips as a new technology application for offshore installations in the Gulf of Mexico.

Rockwell Presents Oil And Gas Control Systems

Rockwell Automation will be highlighting its digital field and integrated control, power and safety solutions and services for platform and subsea control at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). The Rockwell Automation OTC 2010 booth will outline the company's solutions and global support capabilities for the oil and gas industry. A process control centre featuring the Rockwell Automation Plantpax process automation system will be on display, featuring a critical control and safety system that enables the user to specify the level of reliability and availability needed for operational excellence.

The booth also will feature an IEC-compliant motor control centre that offers protection for personnel and equipment. According to Rockwell, digital field solutions help oil and gas companies obtain high performance and value from their assets, including asset performance management (APM) solutions. Rockwell Automation APM solutions utilise the company's Factorytalk Vantagepoint EMI (Enterprise Manufacturing Intelligence) software to provide role-based visualisation, analytics and reporting that can help improve production and asset surveillance.

In addition, Rockwell Automation will highlight its Software CEM system, a continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) and real-time environmental management technology. These are said to provide accuracy and reliability at a lower total cost and are designed to help ease compliance to state and federal environmental protection agency requirements. The company will also offer additional information and hands-on demonstrations of the technology and solutions described above.

Step Offshore To Sell Derrick Control Equipment

Step Offshore, a subsidiary of Aker Solutions, has announced that it is to offer an extended range of drilling fluid management solutions for oil and gas projects. The company is now selling Derrick Equipment's premium solids control equipment and related products in Europe, which includes capital equipment, such as shale shakers, mud cleaners, centrifuges, degassers, flow dividers, as well as operational equipment such as shale shaker screens and spare parts.

Derrick's screen technology, also available for competitors' shale shakers, includes the Pyramid and Pyramid Plus design. These three-dimensional screens offer the features of traditional flat, multi-layered screens while adding to the usable screen area. The result is a screen that allows for an increase in fluid handling capacity. Pyramid screens allow rigs to screen finer earlier in the drilling process, reducing total drilling fluid and disposal costs.

Air Gun Delivers 10kg Of Blowing Force

Exair's single air nozzle Super Blast Safety Air Gun, available from Good Hand, is suitable for long-distance, wide-area blow-off, drying and cooling applications. The air gun is claimed to deliver 10kg of blowing force, which is equivalent to the force of 30 ordinary air guns. The Super Blast Safety Air Gun incorporates a large Super Air Nozzle that has been engineered to maximise entrained airflow and force while reducing compressed air use and noise.

At full pressure of 5.5 bar, it has an air consumption of 13,000slpm. Seven other sizes with single or multiple Super Air Nozzle configurations are available that provide forces of 1.5kg to 6.8kg and air consumption ranging from 1,500slpm to 9,000slpm. The large Super Air Nozzle of the Super Blast Safety Air Gun has a zinc-aluminium alloy construction that is suitable for rugged industrial applications.

The air gun incorporates a soft-grip handle and spring-loaded manual valve that automatically shuts off if it is dropped. The airflow that exits the gun cannot be blocked and meets recognised safety standards. Applications include floor and machinery cleaning, chip removal, liquid blow-off, parts cleaning and cooling hot parts.