Product News

Mobile tipper-conveyor system performs multiple tasks

A new Mobile Drum Tipper-Conveyor System fallows dust-free dumping of bulk solid materials from drums, and/or conveying it to process equipment and storage vessels throughout the plant. The system’s TIP-TITE Drum Tipper accommodates drums from 114 to 208 liters, weighing up to 340 kg and measuring 90 to 120 cm in height. Mounted on a mobile frame with quick-action floor jacks, it raises the drum hydraulically to form a dust-tight seal between the rim of a drum and the underside of the discharge cone. A separate hydraulic cylinder tips the platform-hood assembly and drum, stopping at dump angles of 45, 60 or 90 degrees with a motion-dampening feature. The vertically-oriented cone mates with a gasketed inlet port fitted to the hopper of the system’s flexible screw conveyor, and to any low profile equipment throughout the plant. A pneumatically-actuated slide gate valve prevents material flow until the discharge cone has been properly seated in the gasketed receiving ring. The mobile Flexicon screw conveyor, which can operate independently or mated to the drum tipper, can feed material to elevated process equipment and storage vessels. The only moving part contacting material is a rugged inner screw which can move both free- and non-free-flowing materials with no separation of blended products. The screw is driven beyond the point of discharge, preventing material contact with seals or bearings. Removal of the hopper lid allows manual dumping and feeding from upstream equipment. Flexibility of the tipper and conveyor to handle a diversity of materials independently or in tandem throughout the plant enables the system to satisfy a range of current and future requirements, according to the manufacturer. Ready to plug in and run, it is constructed of carbon steel with a durable industrial finish, and is available with stainless steel material contact surfaces or in all-stainless […]

Flange facing machines deliver fast and accurate performance

Enerpac Mirage OD mount flange facing machine Enerpac is introducing a new range of external mount flange facing machines designed for fast installation and accurate machining of large diameter flanges used in applications throughout Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. The new Mirage branded OD mount facers are the perfect choice for machining flanges 30” to 80” (762-2032mm) diameter in industries such as oil and gas plant, offshore platforms, refineries, LNG, pipe spool, heavy industrial fabrication, shipbuilders, EPC contractors, industrial plant, power plants, service and maintenance, says Enerpac Channel and Product Leader – Australasia, Mr Andrew Marsh. Applications also include facing heat exchanger flanges, maintenance projects, large flanges such as crane pedestals and flanges where bore mounting is not preferred. “The simple Outside Diameter (OD) mount configuration of the new machines overcomes industry reluctance to bolt ID mount flange facers to the inside of heat exchanger tubes,” says Mr Marsh. Each of the 6 machines in the range includes a continuous variable auto-feed which enables on-site machinists to create a wide range of gramophone-surface finishes to ASME standards (regulating the design and construction of boilers and pressure vessels). Robust construction and the inclusion of heavy-duty bearings ensure all machines deliver high metal removal rates whilst delivering accurate results. Easier and quicker machining “These new products provide all of the versatility to carry out different flange facing projects you’d expect from an Enerpac product, but, when used for heat exchanger refurbishment, they go a step further. “Convenience for the user has been taken to the next level by providing the clever ability to attach milling rails while the machine is still mounted in-situ,” says Mr Marsh. This innovative feature makes it easier and quicker to machine heat exchanger division slots. Machining the back face of flanges can also be carried […]

The plural of plastic

-Natalie Martin, 3R Material Innovation Manager Plastic is a hot topic around the world these days, and so it should be. The terrible effects it has on the environment are undeniable, and there is evidence those effects are circling back to us. Plastic has also become something of the posterchild for society’s conspicuous over-consumption. But is plastic all bad? The short answer is actually, no. Plastic – first developed by British inventor Alexander Parkes in the early 1860s – was hailed as something of a miracle substance. Light, durable, easy to sterilise, cheap to make – the list of positive properties is impressive. Without plastic the world would be a very different place than it is today – simply consider how many things are made, at least in part, of plastic. It’s probably easier to think of how many things are not. It is of course some of those very same properties – namely its durability – which have made plastic an environmental disaster. Combine this with a single-use, throw away culture around plastic and there is a serious problem. But plastic is recyclable, isn’t it? Well it is, and it isn’t. This is because one of the biggest issues is plastic isn’t just one substance – it is in fact a complicated web of different types and grades, each with different properties and applications. Broadly speaking plastics fall into two groups – thermoplastics, which can be remoulded with heat, and thermoset which cannot and need other processes, such as the use of chemicals. The most commonly used plastics have been assigned identification numbers which identifies the plastic types. These range from 1 to 7 with category 7 being the ‘all other’ or mixed plastics. This is where recycling becomes complicated. As you might imagine thermoplastics are easier to recycle […]

Software framework generates ISO programs for CNC machine tools

A powerful new software framework tool enables users of CNC machine tools to generate and test ISO part programs offline. The tool looks set to win across-the-board approval in busy machine shops, where an uninterrupted workflow can provide a key productivity advantage. Flexium Office framework software runs under Windows 7/8 or 10 on any standard PC. It allows any of NUM’s technology HMIs (Human-Machine Interfaces) to be used for specific projects – without requiring access to the target CNC machine tool. The corresponding ISO part program can be created offline and can also then be tested offline using NUM’s Flexium 3D simulation software, before being transferred to the target machine. Application-specific technology HMIs form part of the company’s Flexium CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software suite. The HMIs cover every type of CNC machining operation, including hobbing, shaping, milling, threaded wheel grinding and cylindrical grinding. After selecting the most appropriate technology HMI for the task, the user simply carries out basic data definition tasks for the project in hand, using the highly intuitive tools and workflow commands provided by Flexium Office. Multiple projects can be started and saved at any time – allowing collaborative team development if desired – and the framework software provides support for 14 languages. As soon as the user is satisfied with the process and workflow of a project it can be used to generate the corresponding CNC part program – entirely automatically. The CNC program can either be transferred directly to a nominated machine in the production plant, usually via a TCP/IP network, or input to NUM’s Flexium 3D simulation software for thorough evaluation before being issued for production purposes. The key advantage of simulation is that it enables users to optimise any ISO-code part program offline, further helping to maximise productivity by leaving the CNC machine […]

Datalogic enhances robot guidance and traceability with Impact software

Datalogic’s latest IMPACT software enhances performance and traceability for vision-guided robots and cobots. Datalogic, a leader in robotics, Industry 4.0, automatic data capture and process automation, is introducing its new Impact 12.2 software to further enhance the traceability and ease-of use of vision-guided robots and cobots used for a wide variety of pick, place and other vital production line tasks. The new robot guidance and traceability software is available throughout the Asia-Pacific region and incorporates a number of calibration and performance enhancements to make robot programming faster and simpler, as well as improve accuracy and traceability. “With Datalogic’s Impact 12.2 system, robots can now be deployed faster, and they are more adaptable to changing applications in dynamic industries such as warehousing, logistics, supply chain, manufacturing, automotive, healthcare, transport and OEM markets,” said Mr Bradley Weber, Product Marketing Manager – Machine Vision, Datalogic. “The latest software has been thoroughly tested in conjunction with leading robotics company Universal Robots and has been fully approved and UR+ certified to work their robots and cobots. UR+ certification means they have the full technical support and expertise of the Universal Robots team, as well as access to their highly customisable software,” said Mr Weber. Collaborative robots, or ‘cobots’ work harmoniously with people in production and distribution operation such as pick-and-place and production lines. Often, the robot performs repetitive tasks requiring strength or precision, while the person guides the robot to the right place, provides a part for it to pick, or performs other tasks that complement the robots programming. According to Universal Robots, “Cobots give manufacturers access to all the benefits of advanced robotic automation, without the extra costs associated with traditional robots: difficult programming, long set-up, and shielded work cells. This makes automation affordable even for small-batch production runs and mixed product assembly.” Software […]

Composites for car part manufacturing

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated in 2012 that the national automobile fleet should average 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025 in order to reduce reliance on fossil fuel and minimize emissions, many other nations have also implemented similar new standards. To meet these new standards the automotive industry has had to find new ways to make lighter cars without sacrificing their strength and structural integrity. Here Jari Sopanen, Regional Manager at leading composites manufacturer Exel composites explains why one of the best replacements for steel is thermoset components. Thermoset composites are formed using glass, carbon, or aramid fibres, which are then combined with resins such as polyesters, vinyl esters, epoxies, or phenolic resins. These composites are used in various industries but are particularly prominent in the manufacturing of aircraft and spacecraft parts. Thanks to research and development in the aerospace sector, composites are also being used across other forms of transportation due to the high demand for lightweight vehicles and components. This trend, called light-weighting, seeks to use innovative materials to reduce the weight of products. As a result, composite materials are being increasingly used in production, especially for automotive parts and components. According to the American Composites Manufacturers Associations, fiberglass is one of the key reinforcing materials used in the US thermoset composites industry. Thanks to its durable properties, it is a good replacement for steel in vehicle structural components, including drive shafts, bumpers and roof beams Reducing component weight is crucial for raising the efficiency of automotive systems. For example, carbon fibre has comparable properties to steel, but is only one-fifth the weight. Regardless of the mode of transport, it is easy to see the benefits that shaving this amount of weight from a vehicle will achieve. Additionally, when directly compared to steel, composite materials can […]

Update of Hypertherm’s Robotmaster robot programming software available

Hypertherm has released Robotmaster Version 7.1, a major update to the completely redesigned and advanced architecture of its Version 7 software released last year. In total, this new robotic programming software contains more than 40 new features, 500 improvements, and dozens of bug fixes. Many of the changes, driven by customer feedback, are designed to continuously improve the software’s CAD/CAM technology and automate programming, allowing customers to enjoy the best error-free robotic path in just one click. Added features and improvements include: Ability to automatically recognise weld joints embedded in CAD models which simplifies and speeds up programming Ability to transform operations to reduce multiple manual selections Ability to modify operation geometry (a section of the path or the entire path) so the user can match the CAD model to the actual part when a mismatch exists Robotmaster can handle both simple and complex robotic tasks, from straightforward plasma cutting jobs, to deburring and additive manufacturing applications. Today, Robotmaster software is used on robots that drill airplane fuselages, polish automotive dies, cut material, support additive manufacturing, and add value to a multitude of processes at family-owned job shops around the world. “Our goal was to revolutionise the way robots are programmed by creating software that is so intuitive anyone can use it,” explained Garen Cakmak, leader of Hypertherm’s Robotic Software team. “It enables customers to enjoy error-free task-based programming that takes collisions, singularities, joint collisions, and other robotic errors into account before running the program live on a robot. “This in turn makes it possible to program new jobs without interrupting the robot, minimising downtime and instantly increasing productivity and profitability.”

JEC Asia 2019

A compelling programme with outstanding speakers JEC Asia 2019 features a fulfilling conference programwith experts from the industry, giving their insights on the latest developments in high-performance composite technologies and applications. A large panel of industry experts will take the stage to discuss the mostrecent innovations but also the challenges that the different application industries will face in the future. Conference sessions topics include: Carbon Fiber, Automotive, and Aeronautics. Carbon fibers session ‒ part of the International Carbon Festival Conference: world-class experts will discuss carbon fibres and other forms of carbon materials and their latest developments on Nov. 13 from 11 am to 6 pm, with our partner KCTech. Claudio Jarreta Neto, Non-metallic Materials Consultant at Petrobras, will speak about Composites for Off-Shore Applications at 11:25 am.Professor Sung Ha, Hanyang University, will give a review of HydrogenPressure Vessel Technology at 11:50 am.Tadashi Uozumi, Principal Engineer from Murata Machinery to speak about Multiple filament winder – High-Speed Production System for CFRP High-Pressure Hydrogen Vessels at 12:15 pm.Automotive session: speakers from various Tier companies will discuss composite golden triangle and new hybrid solutions on Nov. 14, 9 am to4 pm.Dr. Bin WEI, Senior Manager Lightweight at NIO will open the automotive full-day conference with an exclusive presentation on the future of Electric Vehicles, Lightweight and Composites’ Innovations at 9 am. NIOis a global-Chinese electric vehicle company offering premium smart electric vehicles and providing the best user experience. G. Kalkoffen from CARBON TT will present their latest composite innovations at 12 pm.Choon Soo Lee, Team Leader at Hyundai Motor Group on the subject of Development Status of Continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites for Automotive Application at 2 pm. Aeronautics session about faster processes and new materials on Nov. 15 from 9 am to 3:30 pm with our partner, CFK Valley. Professor Dr.-Ing. Axel […]

ATP launches SLC-Based E800Pi e.MMC with premium endurance of 60K P/E Cycle

ATP Electronics, the leading manufacturer of industrial-only memory and storage solutions, is launching E800Pi, its first embedded multimedia card (e.MMC) based on native single-level cell (SLC) flash with a very high endurance rating of 60K program/erase (P/E) cycles. “Embedded storage devices operate in challenging environments, are usually placed within very limited spaces and are expected to function reliably over extended periods of time. ATP addresses the high reliability needs of industrial applications through its latest e.MMC, the E800Pi, which packs native SLC flash within its compact form to provide ultra-high endurance and trustworthy performance for the most rigid industrial requirements,” said Marco Mezger, ATP Vice President of Global Marketing. “SLC is widely recognised as ideal for applications requiring high reliability due to its unparalleled endurance, lowest read disturb and highest data retention capability. With ATP’s SLC-based E800Pi e.MMC, our customers can be assured of the most optimal total cost of ownership (TCO).” Aside from its superior endurance, the SLC-based E800Pi e.MMC offers strong resistance against high and cross temperatures with its ability to operate in extremely hot or cold settings from -40°C to 85°C (industrial temperature rating). It is designed according to JEDEC e.MMC v4.41 standard with support for enhanced features such as Health Report, Field Firmware Update (FFU) and Fast Boot operation. The S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) feature monitors various parameters of endurance and reliability, indicating activity that is out of the normal range to help predict storage failure for preventive action. ATP e.MMC employs Advanced Global Wear Leveling to maximize flash life, Page Mode FW architecture technology to improve Random performance, Dynamic Data Refresh and AutoRefresh to sustain data integrity in seldom-accessed and read-only areas, and the Early Retirement technology to prevent data loss from weak blocks. The Sudden Power-Off Recovery (SPOR) firmware backup mechanism ensures […]

Halton Group expanding factory operations in China

Halton has opened a new production unit of about 7,500 sq. meters close to their existing factory, with a floor area of 3,000 sq. meters, in the Lingang area, in Shanghai. The manufacture of Halton’s professional kitchen solutions such as kitchen hoods, ventilated ceilings and pollution control systems will transfer from the existing factory to the new one. The former will focus on the manufacture of solutions provided by Halton’s other business units for the Chinese and Asian markets, such as Halton Marine’s fire dampers and demisters and Halton Health’s laboratory solutions. With the new factory, Halton aims at doubling its sales in China by 2025. Halton has been expanding its operations steadily in China since 2005 when it opened its first manufacturing operation in the country. The current factory was opened in 2010 and it hosts one of Halton’s seven R&D centres, Halton Innovation Hubs. \The Hub is planned to be moved to the new factory premises during 2020. “The Chinese and Asian markets are huge and there is strong demand for pollution control systems aimed at professional kitchens, for instance, as well as for high-quality indoor environment solutions. Besides restaurant market, we see interesting opportunities in the corporate catering sector,” says Georges Gaspar, Director of Halton Foodservice. The new factory facility already hosts a new show room demonstrating Halton’s commercial kitchen solutions such as the mobile cooking station, Halton MobiChef, pollution control system, Halton PolluStop, and the demand-based ventilation control system, Halton M.A.R.V.E.L, as well as the ventilated ceiling and different hood technologies, such as the Halton Capture Jet. ”It is important to us that we can demonstrate our technologies and to develop them close to our customers, and also together with them. It is important to our customers that we can offer them state-of-the-art solutions that also […]

«‹ 8 9 10 11 ›»

News Ticker

Product News