New Products & Services
February 2022
This company has approved its IP67 block input/output (I/O) modules (photo) for the TBEN-S and TBEN-L versions for use in Zone 2 areas. The company is said to be the first supplier to enable cabinet-free decentralized automation solutions with ATEX and IEC Ex approval, which can considerably reduce required mechanical labor, wiring and commissioning times. In conjunction with the devices of the IP67-rated IMC interface series, it is possible to implement the cabinet-free connection of intrinsically safe signals from Zone 0 or 1. Users can also implement cabinet-free safety, RFID, IO-Link, controller or cloud solutions directly in Zone 2, since virtually the entire IIoT ecosystem is offered in these designs. Users must also install the TBSG-L, TBSG-S or IMC-SG protective housings when implementing the I/O solutions in Zone 2. — Hans Turck GmbH & Co. KG, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
The VSE balance enclosure (photo) is offered in widths of 24, 36 and 48 in., in order to accommodate an analytical balance and other small-scale laboratory processes. Constructed of chemical-resistant metal framing and 1/4-in. thick clear acrylic side panels and viewing sash. Efficient airflow design with airfoil and bypass directs contaminants to baffled exhaust, thereby providing superior airflow and containment performance for user protection. The viewing sash is angled 15 deg for ease of viewing, with 8-in. reach-in opening height. The sash swings upward to provide 20 in. of access opening. Two service ports are located in lower-right and left-rear wall. — Hemco Corp., Independence, Mo.
The Cenomic Optima bead mill (photo) has a range of technological improvements that result in higher flowrates, higher power inputs and improved cooling to deliver up to 25% higher productivity than previous mills of the Cenomic family. The Cenomic Optima is said to offer 37.5% more grinding-disc surface for more efficient bead activation. The 30-kW drive unit allows users to increase power input and thus more rapidly reach the required specific energy for optimal grinding. This can improve productivity by up to 25% without increasing the footprint, says the company. A ceramic inner liner ensures the products stay cooler during grinding and allows the usage of the higher power input without breaching the product’s temperature limit. A larger screen diameter reduces pressure within the chamber and delivers at least 25% higher flowrates. This speeds up the process and avoids unwanted hydraulic packing. — Bühler AG, Uzwil, Switzerland
The new CM Connect (photo) is a subscription-based condition monitor and cloud gateway. It enables plant operators to access rotating-equipment data on processing lines from a remote location. With data on actual runtime, trend analysis and time to next service close at hand, plant operators can make informed maintenance decisions using their personal computers and mobile devices. This protects process continuity and critical assets, improves workplace safety, saves time and money, and delivers competitive advantage. Acting as a gateway communicating via Bluetooth, the CM Connect can link up to 10 of this company’s CM wireless vibration monitors. It then transmits the data over a 4G cellular network to the cloud for review and analysis on an intuitive, user-friendly dashboard. Besides linking CM wireless vibration monitors, the CM Connect can also act as a sensor. It measures vibration, inboard temperature and total runtime when mounted on LKH, SRU, SX and DuraCirc pumps, or other rotating machines, such as agitators or mixers. — Alfa Laval AB, Lund, Sweden
The MetCam optical gas-detection camera (photo) automatically identifies and quantifies methane leaks, even under challenging conditions. Potential hazards from escaping gases can thus be assessed more quickly and more precisely. Methane gas leaks are invisible, but even the smallest leaks can endanger the safety of an industrial plant and damage the environment, and there are often dense facility areas that are difficult to access with many potential leak sources. For such areas, MetCam complements conventional point gas-detection systems with area monitoring. In contrast to point detectors, the gas source does not have to be in the immediate vicinity of the gas camera. Its field of view is already sufficient to detect the escaping gas. This means that detection is independent of wind or other influences. The gas cloud is visualized as a colored overlay on a black and white video image. In addition, the MetCam automatically quantifies the concentration of the escaping gas. — Dräger, Inc., Houston
The new model DPT-20 differential pressure (DP) transmitter (photo) is suitable for many industrial processes. As a SIL-2 certified instrument, it meets the highest safety requirements. The compact transmitter operates with an accuracy of <±0.065% of span. Due to a three-dimensional temperature compensation on adjustment, it provides a reliable measuring result, even under unfavorable ambient conditions. The DPT-20 is available with measuring ranges between –10 and 10 mbars, and –16 and +16 bars, and is designed for a static pressure of up to 400 bars. There are three communication protocols available for integration into existing systems. — WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG, Klingenberg, Germany
This company’s ring-grip pipe and tube couplings (photo) are heavy-duty, self-aligning couplings for either high pressure (up to 150 psig) or full-vacuum-rated applications. These couplings can be installed quickly and easily, reducing costs. They are available in 2- through 10-in. pipe sizes and are made for use on plain-end pipes or tubes, regardless of pipe- or tube-wall thickness. Other features include self-grounding, vibration resistance and externally leak-proof, with an extremely high end pull for difficult applications. No machining or grooving is required to maintain pipe or tube integrity. Every coupling becomes a union, providing easy and low-cost maintenance when piping components need replacement. Numerous standard gasket materials are available to meet special design conditions, such as food-grade requirements, higher temperatures or special chemical-resistant applications. — Tuf-Lok International, Madison, Wis.
This company has significantly revamped its Scout software (photo) for open-innovation and technology scouting with new features, including a redesigned visual user experience that helps identify and assess early-stage technologies for innovation investment. Until now, most organizations have defined their future-leaning innovation priorities based on technology readiness levels (TRLs), an approach first developed in the 1970s. But such methods require a pre-existing sense of where to look, which, for early-stage technologies, can be notoriously difficult to discern. The new analytics tools in Scout fill this gap by helping companies discover strategic innovation opportunities proactively. The new Scout analytics suite is an integrated toolkit that leverages the latest in machine learning technology, along with an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop visual interface. It allows users to identify technologies poised for disruptive growth and assess research programs primed for breakthrough results. Scout also now provides in-depth analytics tools to help innovation teams assess and prepare for key technology trends looming on the horizon. — Wellspring Worldwide, Chicago, Ill.
The PolyStar series of electrical and industrial polycarbonate enclosures (photo) now features new foam-in-place gaskets. These gaskets provide full, secure contact to the mating cover surface with a continuous overlapping seal that ensures no air gaps, no glue joints and no shrinking of gasket size due to stretching of the material. The result is maximum sealing integrity and reliable protection of all wiring, connections, instrumentation and controls housed by PolyStar enclosures. Enclosures are available with matching polycarbonate latches for a fully nonmetallic enclosure, or with stainless-steel latches. Latches can be swapped easily without any tools, making retrofitting the enclosures in the field accessible to all users. Cover options include hinged or screw; with either opaque or smoked finish. Select Polystar models are listed as cULus Type 4X; or Type 6P for the U.S. and Canada; or are certified as IEC IP66 with select sizes IP68. A total of 13 sizes are available. — Stahlin, Belding, Mich.
The dV E-Series motor-protection filter (photo) mitigates reflective waves, reduces rise time and limits peak voltage, resulting in reduced motor heating, longer cable and motor life, and a significant reduction in downtime and total ownership cost. Using a d V/d t filter enables uptime and protects a.c. motors from the destructive effects of the variable-frequency drive (VFD) pulse-width modulated voltage that can damage cables and motors. The dV E-series offers up to 60% lower wattage loss versus competitive d V/d t filters, enabling more efficiency and savings, and ensuring longer life and protection for equipment around the filter, according to the manufacturer. It features a compact design that is said to be up to 73% lighter and 35% smaller than other commercial products for easier installation in crowded cabinets. — MTE Corp., Menomonee Falls, Wis.
The ASP Series of internal gear pumps has added two new pumps, the ASP1 and ASP2 (photo), which can handle abrasive media. When pumping asphalt, bitumen and other similar abrasives that solidify at ambient temperatures, pumps have traditionally been sealed with packing that must continually leak to stay lubricated. The new ASP pumps are supplied with this company’s O-Pro cartridge seal, which uses O-rings in combination with a lubricating grease. This means that the seal does not need periodic repacking or re-tensioning of the seal gland, which eliminates leaks and prevents loss of product and the associated clean-up costs. The pumps are designed to melt ambient-temperature solids to a liquid state prior to pump startup by using integral jacketing for steam or hot oil. — Michael Smith Engineers, Ltd., Woking, U.K.
Comos Mobile Worker (photo) is a new software application (app) for mobile data management with integrated augmented reality (AR) functionalities. It was developed in cooperation with Augmensys GmbH, a specialist in the field of mobile data management and AR. For the fast and safe maintenance of process plants, the Comos Mobile Worker app visualizes and processes all required data — from enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, engineering data and also live data from the process control system — in an easy-to-use interface. Thanks to a direct connection to Comos engineering software, all engineering data can be linked to enable a holistic view of the plant. Changes or annotations can be securely transferred through the bidirectional exchange between the systems. The integration of location data also supports on-site navigation. — Siemens AG, Munich, Germany
The Flexflo A3 peristaltic metering pump (photo) is designed to deliver smooth and gentle chemical feed for industrial water treatment without damaging long-chain polymers. In chemical treatment applications for industrial wastewater, the pump will accurately and consistently dose off-gassing chemicals, such as peracetic acid (PAA) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) with no vapor lock and no loss of prime. Additional A3 features include a 5-in. intuitive touchscreen display, which will respond even when the operator is wearing work gloves. The extra-large icons are easily recognizable and highly responsive. Because of the A3’s broad feed range and turndown ratio, users may be able to standardize operations on just one feed pump for all chemical dosing needs. Control methods for the pumps include manual, remote analog/digital, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP and Profibus. — Blue-White Industries, Ltd., Huntington Beach, Calif.
The success of coating and bonding, as well as other surface processes, depends on wettability. The relevant parameters are contact angle and surface free energy (SFE), which are measured with drops of one or more liquids that are dispensed onto the material. Automation of dosing devices has advanced to simplify serial testing of materials. However, the often-cumbersome change of liquids and slow positioning and dosing can lead to time losses. The Dosing Hub (photo) is a system for contact angle measurements that is designed for automatic dosing sequences with up to three different dosing units. With high-speed and precise positioning, the system enables reliable wetting analyses with up to four liquids. — Krüss GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
The Model 1154 Lincoln dual-piston lever-action grease gun (photo) features a thumb-operated switch that allows users to toggle between high-volume and high-pressure lubricant application modes. This makes it easier for technicians working on a wide range of equipment to quickly adjust the tool to match changing lubrication requirements as they work. For high-volume applications, the Model 1154 requires just one-third the number of strokes, compared to standard grease guns, to apply the same amount of lubricant. The high-volume position allows efficient greasing of all lubrication points with fewer strokes. Large joints, bushings and bearings can be filled quickly. It is also suitable for lubricating large surface areas. If high pressure is needed, such as when a fitting is blocked, it can be difficult for an operator to clear, but in Model 1154’s standard pressure position, the tool can more easily open the fitting without an operator having to apply excessive force. — SKF, Inc., Lansdale, Pa.
The ET line of advanced controllers are designed to automatically manage operation of this company’s pneumatic vacuum-conveying systems (photo). Applying proprietary technology, ET conveyor controllers feature a sensor-based design that monitors material levels in the feed hopper, vacuum conveyor or receiving vessel via a choice of three operating modes, automatically controlling material transfer at every step, avoiding the potential for human error. Suitable for managing the transfer of powders, pellets, granules and other bulk materials, the ET line of electronic controllers comprises the ET-Advance for monitoring up to four level sensors at the same time, and the ET3 and ET4 for monitoring individual sensor locations. The controllers may be adjusted to change the vacuum-pump suction time, material discharge time, line clearing time and other parameters to quickly accommodate different materials and recipes. ET controllers may be integrated into existing programmable logic controller (PLC) environments or operated as standalone units. — Volkmann USA, Inc., Bristol, Pa.
This company has added a new air compressor for the 10-bars range to its portfolio of rental solutions. The TVS2500 (photo) is the largest air compressor made for rental packages to date and is characterized by a robust design, efficient technology, particularly quiet operation and high-temperature resistance. Thanks to a frequency inverter, assemblies can be optimally controlled, so that the required pressure and volume flow is always achieved. The variable speed control also enables a gentle start with low starting current. This reduces the load on the power grid during startup by a factor of 2.5. — Aerzener Maschinenfabrik GmbH, Aerzen, Germany
The SK TU4-PNS, known as the PROFIsafe module, provides comprehensive safety for the reliable operation of this company’s drive systems (photo). This PROFIsafe module is a drive-integrated solution for decentralized variable-frequency drives (VFDs) that implements functional safety within the system to stop operation and avoid potential injuries or component damage. In addition to the standard functions — STO (safe torque off) and SS1 (safe stop 1) — PROFIsafe includes additional safety features, with functions such as SLS (safely limited speed), SSR (safe speed range) and SSM (safe speed monitor) incorporated into the drive units. These functions, as well as SDI (safe direction) and SOS (safe operation stop), achieve SIL 3 (safety integrity level 3) or PLe (Performance Level 3) Category 4. — NORD Gear Corp. Waunakee, Wis.
This company has expanded its water-treatment product portfolio with three new filter cartridges, including carbon block, pleated and melt-blown (spun) media. The new cartridges will enhance sediment-removal capabilities and widen applications to address chemical contamination concerns. The new spun and pleated filter cartridges improve sediment removal efficiency to as low as one micron through advancements in composition, surface area and pore size. The activated carbon units, which operate at a rate of 10 microns, address areas not covered by the company’s existing products, including: taste and odor; lead and chlorine; and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). — Rusco, Inc., Brooksville, Fla.
The ePG (photo) is a new electrical pressure pump for industrial pressure-calibration applications. The ePG is a robust, portable, battery-operated pressure pump that enables easy and quick pressure generation from near vacuum up to 20 bars (300 psi). With a field-replaceable, long-lasting battery pack, users can perform a large number of pressure calibrations on a single charge. The ePG can be used together with any existing pressure calibrator, meaning users do not need to buy a new calibrator but can simply replace their manual hand pump with the ePG. It is very intuitive to operate, with coarse and fine adjustment buttons to easily generate the required pressure. When the ePG is used together with the MC6 family of calibrators, it enables fully automatic pressure calibration. — Beamex, Inc., Marietta, Ga.