New Products & Services
January 2021
The Bench Cat system (photo) is designed for automatically dispensing a variety of materials, including adhesives, pastes, epoxies, sealants and more. Furthermore, the Bench Cat can spray or fill fluids from most valves and pumps. The Bench Cat’s design features an overhead gantry, which means that product remains stationary while the valve moves from overhead dispensing the media. This also results in simplified fixturing and provides easy loading from top, front or sides. The removable pallet base streamlines tooling changeover if required. A built-in valve controller provides digital realtime control of syringes and valves. Onboard inputs and outputs are included for handshaking with other equipment or integrating components, such as vacuum, clamps, shuttles and more. — Dispense Works, Inc., McHenry, Ill.
PMT Model 40 pneumatic pressure controllers (photo) are available in standard control modes of 100% proportional, 200% proportional, 200% proportional plus reset, 75% proportional (positioner only), or 300% PID (proportional-integral-derivative). These options make the controllers versatile enough to fit into almost any application. In addition to working as a pressure controller, the PMT Model 40 is also available as an indicating pneumatic transmitter. Mounted close to the measurement point, it transmits an air-pressure signal proportional to the measured variable to another indicator, recorder or controller. The Model 40 pressure controller is available in automatic and manual switch options and contains pre-calibrated elements for quick-field changes. — Ametek Sensors, Test & Calibration (STC), Horsham, Pa.
By combining the HSM 2000 X.ONE high-shear mixer and FBE 1800 X.ONE fluidized-bed units, this company has introduced the new GT 1600 X.ONE (photo), an advanced granulation system for high-volume batch production. The GT 1600 X.ONE eliminates some of the shortcomings of conventional granulation approaches, such as large equipment footprints, long processing times and low yields. The GT 1600 X.ONE features an efficient Z-shaped impeller to ensure optimum material flow and improved uniformity. To assist with effective discharge and cleanability, a compressed-air system enhances the reliability of the discharge valve seal, and a bag-type mechanical shaking filter on the fluidized bed offers a more effective product retention and higher yields compared with alternative blowback style systems. Transfer of the wet granulated material into the fluidized bed is also optimally configured through the selection of a tangential charge port, ensuring effective product transfer and a consistently repeatable drying operation. — ACG Engineering, Piscataway, N.J.
The VaultSafe product line (photo) is designed to protect potable water systems from contaminated floodwaters, freezing temperatures and intentional harmful contamination. The VaultSafe family consists of the FloodSafe inflow preventer, the FrostSafe air damper and the VentSafe vent-pipe security cage. The FloodSafe prevents contaminated water from passing through, thus preventing it from entering the air valve outlet and compromising the potable water system with its dual chambers and float checks. The FrostSafe minimizes the thermal exchange of cold and warm air in and out of a vault to help prevent freezing with a bi-directional hingeless disc and wafer design. The VentSafe safeguards vent pipes against the hazards of nesting animals and intentional harmful activities because of its hemispherical screened security cage. Furthermore, this company’s AWWA C514 inflow preventers can be applied to new or existing air valves and reservoir vents to substantially mitigate other threats to potable water systems. — Val-Matic Valve & Manufacturing Corp., Elmhurst, Ill.
This company’s Immersive Field Simulator (photo) is an advanced industrial-training solution that combines 3D immersive technology with operator-training simulation to create a collaborative learning environment for plant operators and field technicians. The system provides virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality tools that incorporate a digital twin of the physical plant to provide targeted, on-demand, skill-based training for workers. The system offers a smooth, virtual walkthrough to familiarize workers with the plant. It includes avatars that represent virtual team members. The simulator’s cloud-hosted, device-agnostic platform, which incorporates flexible 3D models, grows with the user as plant operations change. The simulator is customizable to meet specific instructional needs, and project team members can easily create customized training modules. — Honeywell Process Solutions, Houston
This company’s Continuous Hybrid Reactor (CHR; photo) has been designed to facilitate safe, efficient, repeatable chemical reactions. The CHR features a proprietary design that develops a deep vacuum to promote a high level of control over heat-transfer rate, residence time, mixing intensity and other reaction conditions. The CHR performs heating, cooling, mixing, degassing and other processes in a single step, automatically transforming liquids into powders or high-viscosity slurries, and powders or pellets into high-viscosity slurries or pastes. Suitable for processing elastomers, adhesives, sealants and other temperature- or oxygen-sensitive materials, the CHR feeds primary liquid, slurry or melted solid reactants, catalysts and other reagents through an injection port in the barrel. The integrated heating and mixing action drives the reaction during retention times of up to 1 h, or longer as needed. Consistent product quality is assured while any vapors, volatiles or particulate matter are eliminated, reduced or safely filtered and reused or removed. — Readco Kurimoto, LLC, York, Pa.
The Ecobulk SX-D intermediate bulk container (IBC; photo) is specially fitted with a steel hull to provide extensive protection against fire and also withstand extreme conditions. In the event of a fire, the steel containment basin prevents flammable contents from leaking and significantly reduces the spread of fire. This IBC significantly reduces risks by providing double leakage protection for sensitive, hazardous products. This container is said to be the first composite IBC to be awarded the “FM approved” certification seal by the FM Global Group. The approval, which is based on the internationally recognized industrial property insurer’s FM 6020 test standard, applies to flammable and combustible liquids with a flashpoint of ≥ 37.8°C. — Schütz GmbH & Co. KGaA, Selters, Germany
The DustAlarm ES and DustTrend ES series (photo) of broken-bag detectors and dust-emission trend-monitoring systems are now available with hazardous-location approvals. The devices feature intrinsically safe probes for ultimate hazardous-location protection. These monitors provide repeatability that is not affected by variations in relative humidity, process temperature or pressure. These units are appropriate for monitoring the level of dust emissions in dust-collection system exhausts in any location where such information is critical to safety, maintenance, equipment operation, plant efficiency, employee welfare and the environment. The monitors can be connected with the free DustConfig software to set custom alarm points, view live activity within the duct, or review data history for up to a 24-h period. — Monitor Technologies LLC, Elburn, Ill.
HiPace 2800 IT (photo) is a turbomolecular pump especially dedicated for ion-implantation applications. The rotor design of the turbopump results in an optimized pumping speed for light gases. This ensures very good process adaption for ion-implantation processes, where hydrogen is the gas most likely to accumulate. The pump has a pumping speed of 2,600 L/s for hydrogen. An intelligent temperature-management system prevents process condensation and deposition inside the pumping system. It allows users to set the temperature individually to support the process. — Pfeiffer Vacuum GmbH, Asslar, Germany
This company’s chromium-free corrosion-inhibiting technology, Intelli-ion, utilizes novel active ingredients, which are attached onto a smart micro-reservoir system and react “on demand” to corrosive activity. Unlike zinc phosphate, which causes harmful algal blooms through leaching, the Intelli-ion product range does not leach out into the environment. The Intelli-ion technology protects metal assets when used in primers and meets the strictest environmental standards and requirements. The anti-corrosive materials are said to protect metals for up to ten times longer than alternative products via three modes of electro-chemical protection. The protection response is fast and highly effective: pigments lay dormant in the micro-reservoir system until they can sense corrosion activity and subsequently release the inhibitor on demand. The system is also non-encapsulated, allowing greater flexibility and performance when working with ultra-fine particle sizes. — Hexigone Inhibitors Ltd., Port Talbot, U.K.
This company’s new high-pressure needle valve (HPNV; photo) is designed for four pressure ranges of up to 15,000, 20,000, 30,000 and 60,000 psi. The sensitive components (spindle tip and sealing) are made of suitably resistant materials. Furthermore, the HPNV has the same characteristics as the company’s other needle valves: low-wear operation due to the non-rotating spindle tip, smooth handling with low torque and leak tightness tested to BS6755/ISO 5208 leakage rate A. — Wika Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG, Klingenberg, Germany
The new FLIR VS290-32 (photo) is said to be an industry-first videoscope that combines thermal imaging and a visible camera designed for safer and more efficient inspections of hard-to-reach areas. The VS290-32 is the company’s first industrial-grade, electrical safety-rated, flexible dual-sensor videoscope on a replaceable, 2-m-long camera probe. For use in the most demanding environments, the VS290-32 is CAT IV 600 V safety rated for electrical inspections, along with an IP67-rated camera tip and IP54 base unit to protect against dust and water. The device features this company’s patented Multi-Spectral Dynamic Imaging (MSX), which improves image clarity by embossing visual scene details onto full thermal images, providing crucial context to accurately and safely assess and identify potential issues to prevent blackouts and asset failures. A low-profile tip and bright LED worklight provide illumination for MSX in dark environments, including in tight spaces within HVAC systems and inside machinery. — FLIR Systems, Inc., Arlington, Va.
With the new Industrial Edge Management system (photo), users can remotely monitor the status of every connected device and remotely install edge applications (apps) and software functions on distributed edge devices. In combination with existing hardware and software products, this Industrial Edge V1.0 open platform provides users with a ready-to-use and seamless solution for data processing on the production level with integrated device and app lifecycle management. With the new Industrial Edge Management system, distributed edge devices and their states can be monitored centrally, diagnosed, and managed by IT administrators and manufacturing engineers. This means that new software apps can be rolled out company-wide and securely on all connected Industrial Edge devices. — Siemens Digital Industries, Nuremberg, Germany
To secure access to the Chinese market, this company has obtained the China Compulsory Certification (CCC) for its product groups that are subject to this directive. This means that the company can continue to export its range of explosion-protected products to China with no restrictions and allows them to be implemented in customer-specific explosion-protection solutions at industrial sites in China. The CCC directive is comparable to the European new legislative framework for standardizing product quality. CCC certificates are issued by authorized test bodies. Since October 2020, the scope of the directive has been expanded to include a number of explosion-protected devices, which would no longer be allowed to be imported into China or put into circulation in China without corresponding Ex and CCC markings. Among other articles, this new regulation affects explosion-protected motors and pumps, power distribution boards, control and terminal boxes, operating terminals (photo), fieldbus systems and other automation products. — R. Stahl AG, Waldenburg, Germany
Lewatit PH 1074 HEP (photo) is the newest product in this company’s portfolio of ion-exchange resins for the pharmaceutical and bioprocessing industries. In addition to the decolorization of fermentation broths and sugar solutions, the new resin is particularly suited to the purification and intermediate storage of heparin. The macroporous, strongly basic anion-exchange resin, which meets food-quality standards, is based on a cross-linked polyacrylate. It has a special pore structure and resin matrix, which has been exclusively developed for the capture of high-molecular-weight compounds. Lewatit PH 1074 HEP is suitable for the treatment and purification of products derived from biomass, because it supports the reliable capture and removal of organic substances with a high molecular weight. This means that liquid sugar syrups or complex process solutions, such as fermentation broths, for example, can be purified and treated. The macroporous structure and special polymer matrix of the new Lewatit PH 1074 HEP help achieve optimum adsorption capacity and desorption properties. This is advantageous in the recovery of high-molecular-weight hydrophilic anionic organic substances. — Lanxess AG, Cologne, Germany
Pure-OX FOAM (photo) is a peroxide-based foaming detergent specifically formulated for tough organic soils on equipment or floors, walls, ceilings, shelves and other surfaces. With the self-foaming characteristics of peroxide, Pure-OX FOAM provides both cleaning power and convenience. Once the powerful oxidation reaction is complete, the degradation products are oxygen and water, so Pure-OX FOAM will not add salt or conductivity to water discharge, nor will it impact wastewater pretreatment operations. Ideal for foam cleaning, it readily breaks down proteins, fats, greases, oils and other organic soils. All ingredients in Pure-OX FOAM are GRAS (generally recognized as safe) or have prior-sanctioned FDA approval for direct or indirect incidental food contact. This chlorine-free, high-foaming cleaning product is noncorrosive to aluminum and stainless steel when used as directed. Before using Pure-OX FOAM, food products and packaging materials must be removed from the room or carefully protected. After use, all surfaces in the area must be thoroughly rinsed with potable water. — Madison Chemical, Madison, Ind.
This company has introduced the KDT series of configurable knockdown mobile totes (photo) for the storage, holding or transfer of fluids in life science and biopharmaceutical applications. KDT mobile totes are suitable for solution preparation, storage and transport, bulk harvest, product pooling and bulk intermediate-hold applications. They are manufactured under an ISO 9001 quality-management system for cleanroom use, and their all-plastic, USP Class VI construction meets cGMP and FDA requirements. The totes come in 100- to 500-L sizes and they are easily bundled with single-use bags, tubing, pumps and other accessories. The KDT knockdown mobile totes feature fast, simple assembly and positive-lock bottom drains for most bag brands. The totes’ flat, smooth surfaces limit mold crevices and enable easy cleaning. Their self-contained knockdown design permits tote storage in its own base. Furthermore, the units are stackable to maximize footprint utilization in-use or stored. — Terracon Corp., Franklin, Mass.
The Allen-Bradley VersaView 6300 PCs and thin clients (photo) combine with this company’s FactoryTalk View human-machine interface (HMI) software and ThinManager thin-client management software to create a complete visualization system. For mission-critical applications, users can deploy ThinManager redundancy or a VersaView 6300 PC running local and remote applications to help ensure reliability if server communications are lost. In addition, unlike most industrial PCs, each model in the VersaView 6300 family is individually designed to minimize or remove frequent points of failure like fans and connectors, helping reduce costs and extend the life of the PC, says the manufacturer. The new Allen-Bradley VersaView 6300P panel PCs are scalable to meet a range of performance requirements. They are available in display sizes from 12.1 to 24 in. and offer processing power based on the seventh-generation Core i3, i5 and i7 of the Intel Kaby Lake H platform. These units are available with analog resistive touchscreens, as well as projected capacitive touchscreens for applications utilizing multi-touch software. — Rockwell Automation, Inc. Milwaukee, Wis.
GS centrifugal sifters (photo) automatically capture and remove foreign objects from granular and powdered product streams to prevent contamination and safeguard downstream equipment. Installed at the silo, bulk-bag discharge station or other storage unit, GS sifters pass the product stream through a rotating mesh screen sized to allow on-specification material to continue downstream while rocks, metal parts, bulk bag pieces and other foreign objects are blocked and diverted for analysis and disposal. Contaminants are safely removed, product quality assured, and downstream equipment protected from damage. The system’s rotary sieves are offered in a choice of carbon steel, 304 stainless steel or 316 stainless steel with a dust-tight housing and a range of surface finishes to meet sanitary or hazardous-environment requirements. The sifters come with screens ranging in mesh sizes from 100 to 4,000 μm and a removable basket assembly for safe, complete screen cleaning. — Gericke USA, Somerset, N.J.
The Model MX-5-S316L sanitary rotary-batch mini-mixer (photo) can de-agglomerate and blend up to 5 ft3 of dry bulk ingredients with or without liquid additions at multiple plant locations. The mixer achieves total uniformity in 2 to 3 min, regardless of disparities in the bulk density, particle size, flow characteristics or ratio of batch ingredients down to one part per million (ppm). For dry materials, the mixer is equally efficient down to 15% of rated capacity, satisfying varied production requirements, while allowing for small-scale testing prior to blending at full capacity or scaling up to high-capacity rotary-batch mixers. The mixer is equipped with a product inlet slide for ease of feeding from bags or boxes, and an inlet-mounted spray line that allows liquid additions to be spread over a wide bed of moving material in large or trace amounts for rapid, uniform distribution. Blended batches are discharged completely through a breach-lock plug gate with no segregation or residual waste. The unit’s gears are washdown-rated and are adjusted by variable-frequency controls housed in a NEMA 4X (IP 66) stainless-steel washdown enclosure. — Munson Machinery Co., Utica, N.Y.