Friday, February 23, 2007

Dust filtration units achieve 99.95% efficiency

A new series of dust filter units has been added to the range of Absolent high performance atmospheric filtration systems offered in the UK by Kitagawa Europe.

A new series of dust filter units has been added to the range of Absolent high performance atmospheric filtration systems offered in the UK by Kitagawa Europe. Available in six models, with airflow rates from 2,000 to 16,000m3/hr, the new Absolent particle filters achieve 99.95 per cent collection efficiency under standard aerosol test conditions to DIN 24 184. Units use multiple filter cartridges, each with a surface area of 7.8m3, and a downward flow of air to combine high performance with a small workshop footprint.

In operation, air is admitted via the inlet duct at the top of each model.

Large particles drop directly to the dust container at the base of equipment, while smaller contaminants are trapped by the filter cartridges.

These are subsequently released and collected during the automatic filter cleaning sequence, which employs a shock air pulse principle.

Incorporating washable filter cartridges for extended operational life, these low-maintenance, low-noise units are the ideal complement to Absolent' s range of oil mist filtration systems.

Through their advanced design - which provides a far greater filter area than competitive products - the Absolent filters achieves at least 99.97 per cent oil separation - to consistently outperform industry-standard centrifugal and ionised element units.

Systems are offered in both oil mist and oil smoke filtration variants and will remove sub-viral sized particles, as well as eliminate carcinogenic contaminants in the range 0.1-0.5 microns diameter.

They also incorporate easy-to-clean washable pre-filters and can be operated continuously over long periods without servicing.

With their minimal floorspace area, Absolent high performance filters provide a particularly cost-effective method of achieving clean, healthy and productive working environments meeting the requirements of ISO 14001 Health and Safety Standards.

Rotary coolant adapter avoids bearing wear

New from NCMT is the BIG Daishowa Seiki Hi-Jet rotary coolant adapter which uses split construction to separate the bearing housing from the coolant collar.
New from NCMT is the BIG Daishowa Seiki Hi-Jet rotary coolant adapter which uses split construction to separate the bearing housing from the coolant collar. The result is increased reliability over extended service life. Furthermore, the system can be utilised at speeds up to 10,000 rev/min with coolant pressures up to 20 kg/cmý without compromising reliability.

To date, coolant adapter reliability has been compromised as the use of a common housing demands use of mechanical seals both to separate the stationary and rotating parts of the adapter, and to separate the device's bearings from the coolant.

As the seals wear, not only does coolant begin to leak from the adapter, but the bearings can become awash with coolant.

Although this can be compensated for when selecting the bearing, its life is then dependent on the ability of the machine's filtration system to provide coolant that is not contaminated by particles of swarf.

Otherwise, at high spindle speed and high coolant pressure, bearing damage can be swift and irreparable.

On the Japanese-manufactured Hi-Jet holder, which can be used with any tool provided with coolant holes, the bearing set is separately enclosed and positioned above the coolant adapter ring.

Connection between the two major components is effected using two merit rings, one stationary and the other rotating, which clamp and seal the coolant ring from above and below.

These provide mechanical sealing in a labyrinth-style arrangement.

Some wear is accepted and the rings are designed to be easily replaceable by the user.

The major components of the adapter are, however, fully protected.

Capability of the Hi-Jet to operate at elevated speeds and pressures makes it ideal for use with small diameter cutting tools or in gun drilling applications where provision of through-tool coolant is critical.

There are 57 versions available to suit virtually any BT50 or BT40 spindle application from light drilling up to boring and end milling.

Worm drive hose clips supported

L Robinson has invested in the provision of customer support for its worm drive hose clips, providing a wide choice of Jubilee workshop packs and kits.

Jubilee clip manufacturer, L Robinson has, over recent years, invested heavily in providing strong customer support for its well-known brand of worm drive hose clips. As a result of this investment, distributors now benefit from a plethora of trade counter point-of-sale accessories whilst busy hands-on engineering personnel have access to a wide choice of Jubilee workshop packs and kits. A varied selection of Jubilee clip dispenser display units allows the company to cater for wholesales and distributors with large trade counters, as well as those with more modest requirements.

Flexibility of design enables distributors to choose from either a Handy Pack point-of-sale display box holding a selection of 10 different clip sizes or the largest Jubilee Smart Dispenser, holding up to 540 clips.

All dispenser units, depending on the size, also include one or two Flexidriver tools, designed to access those awkwardly positioned Jubilee clips.

For the workshop mechanic, Jubilee clips are supplied in a selection of re-usable containers, packs or kits depending on requirement.

These include the popular Workshop Pack containing 143 clips, the Junior Assortment Box holding 165 nut and bolt clips, the 'O' Clip Kit, which houses 175 assorted 2-ear clamps and the recently introduced smaller, Pocket Pack supplied strapped in packs of 10 for wholesalers and distributors.

This latest innovation from L Robinson will appeal to home car mechanics and small garage businesses etc.

Connectors are leak free under arduous conditions

Staubli's connectors incorporate the latest metal to metal sealing technology ensuring leak free operation and excellent resistance to pressure and low or high temperatures.

There are many applications in the oil industry where a safe and secure connection is needed that can also be easily disconnected when required. Frequently the connection is sub-sea or activated remotely such as fluid injection on Christmas Trees or tool connection of ROVs. These applications call for a connector that will withstand the operating environment and connect faultlessly every time.

Staubli's connectors incorporate the latest metal to metal sealing technology ensuring leak free operation under the most arduous conditions.

Metal to metal seals are suitable for underwater applications over extended periods and provide excellent resistance to pressure and low or high temperatures.

Where corrosion is a concern the connectors can be manufactured from austenitic stainless steel or for extremely harsh environments, Inconel.

Staubli's patented system includes a unique, self-aligning mechanism ensuring that a good metal to metal seal and connection is readily established eliminating any danger of jamming.

Compensation for misalignment includes both a pre guiding system with elastic connection, a double guiding system and swivel couplings.

High precision, electro-erosion machining ensures perfect surface quality and alignment.

Metallic seals also significantly reduce the operating cost normally associated with seal wear and tear.

Applications involving high pressures (up to 70,000psi) also call for specially designed connectors; Staubli's are the most suitable, capable of connection and disconnection under pressure with a simplified locking system and adapted to withstand a high flow rate and pressure shock.

Moreover the flush face, non spill design eliminates any spillage.

Multi-coupling (stab) plates can be designed to accommodate all the connections required in an application for example, gas, fluids, water, data, electrics and power, connected simultaneously and automatically in one movement, eliminating error, ideally suited to remote operation.

Staubli's team of experienced engineers is able to advise on the best solution for any application, bringing their knowledge of proven solutions in other industries to the oil, gas and petrochemical sectors.

Configurator allows workstation choice

A workbench configurator from Production Basics allows users to choose workstation styles and accessories and add them to an on-screen 3D model.

Production Basics has developed a workbench configurator that allows users to choose workstation styles and accessories and add them to an on-screen 3D model. Users can change colours and sizes on screen, helping them evaluate the best workstation for their manufacturing facility. Functionality also includes spinning, rotating and zooming the model showing the user small product details and work bench set-up.

The Java-based program is available on the company website.

'This is a technology that is defining the state of the art in our industry.

We are very excited to be the first manufacturer to provide our customers this robust tool, ' says Adam Wisnia, President of Production Basics.

The Configurator is easy to use, employing radio buttons for product choices and sizes.

The Workstation Configurator includes pre-configured work benches with recommended sizes and accessories for specific industries such as Electronics Manufacturing and Material Handling.

This gives busy manufacturing managers a quick start to their workstation search.

The Configurator includes built-in accessory compatibility for sizes and types of ergonomic accessories, so users have the most realistic model of the workstation they are purchasing.

'Many customers want to see what their workstation looks like before they make a commitment.

With the Configurator, users can test drive any combination of accessories and different workstation styles, colours, sizes and worksurface heights from their desktop.

We expect to save manufacturing professionals time and money by letting them 'try-on' the workstation,' says Rob Desmarais, National Sales Manager.

The Configurator retains an itemized list of all the parts chosen and the list price.

After the work table is assembled on screen, users can request a quote from the company website.

The Production Basics sales department will then process the quote.

Production Basics' three main product lines- C-Leg Series, RTW Tables and Easy-Lift Series- are all available for configuration on-line.