Engineering Update - August 2020 by jetdigitalmedia

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FLEX Series Input 90-500 V AC Output 12/24/48 V DC upto 25 A Single / Dual or 3 Phase inputs

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Instruments Ltd

TVR Instruments Limited 143 Butt Road, Colchester CO3 3DP Essex United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 1206 575755 Email: sales@tvri.co.uk www.tvri.co.uk

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ENGINEERING PDATE

August 2020

CONTENTS Editor Wendy McManus 01843 267 690 wendy@engineering-update.co.uk

August 2020

At the forefront of digital marketing, Engineering Update strives to bring its readers the latest in industrial engineering, in a format that provides the best usability and ease of use for it’s readers.

Editorial Assistant Taylor Owens 01843 448 443 taylor@engineering-update.co.uk

Publishing Director Jodie Little 01843 448 443 jodie@jetdigitalmedia.co.uk

Publication Manager Tim Johnston 01843 448 443 tim@engineering-update.co.uk

Publishing House Jet Digital Media Ltd, Suite 1 & 2 Spratling Court Offices, Spratling Street, Manston, Kent CT12 5AN

www.engineering-update.co.uk

August 2020



ENGINEERING UPDATE

Working with the pressure, vacuum and gas flow sectors for over 11 years As a leader in the processing of stainless coil products, Stainless Band has provided stainless coil that has been used in a diverse range of applications including gasket making, tube finning, thermal insulation jacketing, heat exchangers and much more.

ith a worldwide customer base and a product range that is available in various forms, finishes and dressings combined and its commitment to continually invest in new processing capabilities, has seen Stainless Band go from strength to strength. In late 2019 Stainless Band purchased a new slitting line that has the ability to slit up to 1250mm wide coil x 0.20 – 3.00mm thick all done in-house in grades 304 (1.4301), 316L (1.4404), 321 (1.4541) and 430 (1.4016). It can also offer wide coil up to 1250mm wide material with a PE or PVC coating one side or both sides depending on customer requirements in 200kg to 4000kg coils. The high demand for oscillated products, created the need for a third oscillating winding line with inline TIG welding to join the coils. This unique line can produce 50kg to 600kg coils increasing the Stainless Bands capacity by 40 tonnes per month. 2020 has seen further investment, with the installation of a new precision Brace 1A and a standard Brace 2A slitting line for "fast track" orders with an impressive three day delivery time.

to 3mm thickness that will further enhance the inhouse processing offering. The new manufacturing capabilities enable the Stainless Band service centre to process customers' orders within even shorter lead times. This will enhance its reputation for the shortest lead times with the highest quality due to its rigorous in-house testing procedures. With over 800 metric tonnes of stainless steel stock, Stainless Band is well placed to promise customers that they will do all they can to assist with orders and delivery times, especially during these challenging times. So, what is the future for Stainless Band - Jonathan Hanson MD says "Stainless Band like every other organisation in the world is no stranger to how difficult the last few months have been, both on an economic and humanitarian level. As a company, we have always approached challenging times in the same way as any other days work, with determination to

provide the right quality product, in the best timeframe possible and at a fair price. Like many businesses, our customers' success is vital to our business. The strong relationships we have with our customers is founded on us behaving with integrity, and by that, I mean doing and delivering what we promise. I am very proud of the Stainless Band team who during the last few months have been keen to be in work and making sure our customers could keep their production moving. Naturally, we took every step necessary to keep our team safe, and these measures are still in place. Our business plan is to continue with our planned growth, listen to our customers and invest in machinery and people to meet our customers ever-changing needs."

Coming soon is a new cut to length line capable of 500mm wide and up

For further information on the Stainless Band "customer promise" and its processing capabilities visit Yorkshire https://youtu.be/oY322QmKdzA or visit their website at www.stainlessband.co.uk

Protecting Your Plant Before

Rotech Motion Sensor’s can be used whenever information or monitoring of shaft rotation, position, direction, speed, slip etc is required! Rotech Motion Sensor’s can be used for indication, control, interlocking, protection, sequencing, alarm initiations and many more functions! Rotech Motion Sensor’s can be used wherever materials are transported or processed By conveyors, elevators, screws, mixers, etc! ROADSTONE

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Tel : +44 (0)151 356 2322 Website: www.rotechsystems.co.uk Fax: +44 (0)151 356 2437 Email: sales@rotechsystems.co.uk

Monitoring the world

August 2020

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ENGINEERING UPDATE

Sensor minus 50/ Sensor plus 150 for measuring and testing technology. Supply cable for miniature sensors. Strain gauge supply cable for smallest bending radii. Connecting cable for modular technology. Special solutions for special applications The production possibilities of SAB range from basic types and standard dimensions to special cables according to the individual requirements of our customers. New productions are already possible for small quantities – especially interesting for small and pilot productions.

The two new sensor cables from SAB are especially appropriate for an application with minus 50°C up to plus 150°C. The high flexibility, robustness and the large temperature range qualify these products for use in measuring and control technique, among others in test runs of trucks and cars at the polar circle or in extremely hot regions of the earth.

The smooth sheath surface of the cable avoids a stickslip effect and the reduced cable construction enables a minimum bending radius to 2 x d. This makes possible a comfortable laying especially in test vehicles where you often will find narrow spaces. Furthermore, the small outer diameter and section make possible an application at miniature sensors as strain gauge supply or as connection cable in module technology.

Cable manufacturer – SAB Bröckskes is a worldwide leading manufacturer of cables and wires, cable harnessing and temperature measuring technique. More than 70 years of experience in cable manufacturing as well as in temperature measuring technique have made out of a one man business a company with almost 500 staff members. The strength of SAB Bröckskes is not only the manufacturing of standard cables but also the construction of special items. Every year SAB manufactures more than 1500 special cables on customer´s request.

Sensor minus 50 Low temperature resistant sensor cable down to -50°C for measuring and testing technology. Supply cable for miniature sensors. Strain gauge supply cable with smallest bending radii. For indoor and outdoor use. Sensor plus 150 High temperature resistant sensor cable up to max. +150°C

Contact: Sacir Adrovic adrovic@sab-broeckskes.de Tel. 02162/898146 Fax 02162/898147 www.sab-cable.com

PRODUCT SHOWCASE – ON THE SHELF Stock items available immediately

Tempmaster PRO Precision Thermometer The Tempmaster PRO from Labfacility provides very high precision temperature measurement with Pt100 sensors. www.labfacility.com

L300 8 Zone Temperature Alarm / Controller with Pt or TC inputs The Labfacility L300 Pt100 and TC temperature alarm / on-off controller can be used in conjunction with a PC to provide accurate monitoring and alarm or on-off control of up to 8- zones simultaneously www.labfacility.com

L60 Thermocouple & Fine Wire Welder The Thermocouple Welder, manufactured by Labfacility, is a compact, simple-to-use instrument designed for thermocouple and fine wire welding. www.labfacility.com

Labcal PRO Precision Thermometer The Labcal PRO from Labfacility is fully characterised for Pt100 sensors and all major thermocouples. www.labfacility.com

Bognor Regis 01243 871280 | Sheffield 01909 569446 sales@labfacility.com

www.labfacility.com

August 2020

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ENGINEERING UPDATE

4Sight V2 – take a different view on automatic print inspection The difficulty of checking the presence, location and legibility of print, barcodes and specific artwork on packaging can not be underestimated and the launch of 4Sight last year addressed some of these issues. Working with SICK, we have been able to show how customers can avoid expensive reworks, packaging waste and, worse case scenario, retailer fines by ensuring all products leave the factory with legible codes in the correct location. The 4Sight application has already received global interest, particularly from customers looking for an alternative to expensive OCR/OCV products. 4Sight uses a different, focussed approach to inline print quality inspection which does not follow the usual OCR/OCV route of teaching fonts. By using our detailed understanding of coding equipment and the characteristics of what they print, AutoCoding Systems has been able to develop a product which is adaptable to differing requirements, putting the user at the core of what they deem to be acceptable print quality – taking into account factors such as printing technology, speed of line and processing time. The unique feature of 4Sight is Inspection Depth which gives users the choice to define the level of quality required for their inspection. The objective is to determine, with a high level of confidence, that the print is of adequate quality for the specific application. The user can decide on the print quality tolerance thresholds to define what is considered a good read, bad read and poor read on a per product basis. The deeper

the inspection depth, the greater the processing time, but even at the highest inspection depth with the lowest tolerances, delivering exceptional results both in terms of quality and accuracy, the speed of inspection is faster and more reliable than conventional OCR. The latest version of 4Sight delivers even more flexibility and functionality than its predecessor. With the ability to combine inspections, multiple inspections can take place simultaneously. Users will have the ability to configure up to 4 different inspections, including print, barcodes or artwork, across a range of up to 4 cameras. For example, one camera could perform a print inspection in two different areas of the field of view, each with its own region of interest and settings. Alternatively, one camera could perform a print inspection plus a 2D barcode read in the same area, whilst another camera inspects specific packaging artwork. With three different set-up options; standalone, printer-led or integrated into a code deployment solution; even greater flexibility is offered. The

newly enhanced HMI offers users easy-to-navigate, clear drop-down menus, with explanatory descriptions where relevant. The step-by-step Wizards ensure that new users, with the relevant permissions, can hit the ground running, creating new inspection configurations or loading existing inspection configurations with ease. Managing Director, Mike Hughes, stated, “The 4Sight product is a gamechanger when it comes to automatic print inspection. Many companies veer away from automatic print inspection because historically it’s been expensive, unreliable and complicated to set-up. 4Sight alleviates these fears by offering a viable alternative to OCR/OCV methodology. Many applications outside of pharmaceutical now don’t need to rely on OCR/OCV. 4Sight offers the accuracy of OCR but at a consistent level without the usual nuisance stops. It allows an acceptable level of print degradation, specified by the user, before determining that the print is a bad read.” www.autocodingsystems.com

ENGINEERING PDATE

August 2020

Custom Industrial Filters Croft Filters Ltd, based in Warrington England, have been supplying custom filtration and separation solutions for over 33 years. Throughout this time Croft has developed a reputation for their quality, bespoke service through manufacturing a variety of products for a range of different industries. Industries Including: • • • •

Chemical Water Oil and Gas Energy

• Bio energy • Pharmaceutical • Food and Beverage

Bespoke Filtration Solutions Filters are critical components found in many manufacturing processes. Not only are they used separate produce, they are also used to protect vital components within manufacturing processes. Croft can supply a range of filter types, manufactured from a various metals and in profiles including: perforated plate, wedge wire and woven wire mesh, depending on requirements. Typical filter designs include: • Basket strainers, • Duplex filters, • Cone filters,

• Cylinder filters • Screen filters

These filters can be delivered quick, most within 2-5 working days depending on design. Croft continues to expand their product range; from self-cleaning filters to custom punched perforated plate. Croft’s experience within the market alongside their drive for innovation allows the company to solve unique filtration

problems that Customers are faced with. Croft design and manufacture specific filtration solutions for Customers in order to maximise the potential of Customer’s filtration processes. Benefits of bespoke solutions for our customers: The ability to design a filter around an operating system to give the best flow rate and filtration standard – improving the systems operating efficiency. Peace of mind – knowing that the filter has been designed for that one purpose will offer reassurance that the filter will not fail. Quality – We understand that while a filter may not be the most exciting part of an operating system to some people; quality is still vital in order to both allow the system to function effectively and to protect any vulnerable components within the systems. Not Just a Filter Specialist Croft are ISO: 9001 certified and have a range of in-house capabilities to help meet customer demands. The company specialises in Additive Manufacturing (3D metal printing) and can deliver industrial components. Benefits of the Additive Manufacturing process allow Croft’s customers to re-think their approach to their designs in order to improve the efficiency and utility of their parts or to deliver other supply chain advantages. Croft can advise on how to get the most out of the AM technology in order for Customers to achieve their desired advantages. Whether that’s to improve the function of a filtration solution or to develop a new solution all together. For more information about Croft’s capabilities: Call: 01925 766265 Email: sales@filters.co.uk

Visit: www.filters.co.uk

August 2020

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ENGINEERING UPDATE

HOW DEEP LEARNING AUTOMATES INSPECTIONS FOR PACKAGING SOLUTIONS Increasingly, packaging products require their own custom inspection systems to perfect quality, eliminate false rejects, improve throughput, and eliminate the risk of a recall. Some of the foundational machine vision applications along a packaging line include verifying that a label on a package is present, correct, straight, and readable. Other simple packaging inspections involve presence, position, quality (no flags, tears, or bubbles), and readability (barcode and date/lot codes present and scannable) on a label. For this type of inspection, manufacturers need highly flexible inspection systems which can locate and verify that individual items are present and correct, arranged in the proper configuration, and match their external packaging.

an effective new tool at the disposal of application engineers in the packaging industry. Deep learning technology can handle all different types of packaging surfaces, including paper, glass, plastics, and ceramics, as well as their labels. Be it a specific defect on a printed label or the cutting zone for a piece of packaging, Cognex Deep Learning can identify all of these regions of interest simply by learning the varying appearance of the targeted zone. Using an array of tools, Cognex Deep Learning can then locate and count complex objects or features, detect anomalies, and classify said objects or even entire scenes. And last but not least, it can recognize and verify alphanumeric characters using a pretrained font library. But packaging like bottles, cans, cases, and boxes—present in many industries, including food and beverage, consumer products, and logistics—can’t always be accurately inspected by traditional machine vision. For applications which present variable, unpredictable defects on confusing surfaces such as those that are highly patterned or suffer from specular glare, manufacturers have typically relied on the flexibility and judgment-based decision-making of human inspectors. Yet human inspectors have some very large tradeoffs for the modern consumer packaged goods industry: they aren’t necessarily scalable. For applications which resist automation yet demand high quality and throughput, deep learning technology is

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New deep learning-enabled vision systems differ from traditional machine vision because they are essentially self-learning and trained on labeled sample images without explicit programming. Deep learning-based software uses human-like intelligence which is able to appreciate nuances like deviation and variation and outperform even the best quality inspectors at making reliably correct judgments. Most importantly, however, is that it is able to solve more complex, previously un-programmable automation challenges.

For more information on deep learning for packaging solutions click here.

ENGINEERING PDATE

August 2020

pressure sensors KELLER (UK) Ltd. Little Keep Gate, Barrack Road, Dorchester, DT1 1AH UK and Ireland: T. 0845 643 2855 F. 0845 643 2866 E-Mail: sales@keller-pressure.co.uk Web: www.keller-pressure.co.uk www.keller-druck.com

PIEZORESISTIVE OEM PRESSURE TRANSMITTER 4 LD…9LD WITH I²C INTERFACE AND EMBEDDED SIGNAL CONDITIONING – No external components – Ranges 0…1 bar thru to 0…200 bar – Accuracy, error band +/- 0,5%, 0…50 °C – Sizes Ø 11 m, 15 mm, 17 mm, 19 mm bar – Very low power consumption

PRECISION PRESSURE TRANSMITTER 33 X – Ranges 0…0,2 bar thru to 0…1000 bar, adjustable – Output signals: 4…20 mA, 0…10 V, RS485 Digital – Mathematical on-board error correction – Accuracy, error band 0,1 %FS, 10…40 °C – Optional enhanced precision to ± 0,01 %FS

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August 2020

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ENGINEERING UPDATE

Eagle Eye Integrity Specialists is flying high with industry leading technology Eagle Eye Integrity Specialists are one of the first companies in the world to get their hands on the latest in cutting edge UAV inspection technology, the DJI Matrice 300, expanding their already impressive fleet of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle’s. As specialists within the engineering, petrochemical, and marine sectors delivering Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), Eagle Eye Integrity Specialists utilise industry leading UAV technology to conduct high level unintrusive inspections on essential operating assets and structures such as flare stacks, pressure vessels, storage tanks and much more. Operated by CAA approved pilots and experienced NDT Technicians, their drone fleet delivers close inspection capabilities to identify potential defects, structural cracks, corrosion and leakage, moving freely around the structure for a detailed 360 view recording high resolution thermal and digital images. “Our clients receive an invaluable end to end service, inclusive of UAV and NDT with detailed reporting. We deliver high level essential inspection services that cannot be conducted by any other means; a vital catalyst to increased production and onsite safety. We are now an integral part of many organisations inspection schedules, conducting repeat inspections throughout the year.” Explains Scott Standing, Managing Director of Eagle Eye Integrity Specialists. With the addition of thermal imaging technology, inspections and surveys can be carried out whilst operating

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assets are live, clearly highlighting defect areas which can’t be identified unless offline, which ultimately affects production. As a result, Eagle Eye Integrity Specialists greatly reduce costs and minimise risk, potentially eradicating the need for costly production shutdowns, avoiding the need for scaffolding, working at height and over the side work. In addition, the drone features advanced Artificial Intelligence to provide AI Spot Check’s to automate routine repeat inspections and capture consistent results every time. Onboard AI recognises the subject of interest and identifies it in subsequent automated missions to ensure consistent framing to accurately gauge and record defects over time

either using visual digital, thermal or ultrasonic. Eagle Eye Integrity Specialists mobile control centre also offers clients on-site access to their full inspection, watching, tracking or controlling the digital footage themselves whilst the experienced pilot conducts the controlled flight, providing the next level of inspection service. The UK based integrity specialists are quality assured by Lloyds register under UKAS (ISO 9001 & ISO 45001), delivering UAV, NDT and ManPower solutions with an international network of experienced specialists throughout Europe and a strong foothold in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Power Security & Back-Up

Instruments Ltd

DC UPS

CBI Series Input 90-305 V AC Output 12/24/48 V DC upto 20 A MODbus / CANbus Comms Remote Monitoring via ethernet Status Relay

Battery Chargers CB Series Input 90-305 V AC Output 12/24/48 V DC upto 20 A MODbus / CANbus Comms Remote Monitoring via ethernet Status Relay

Power Supplies

FLEX Series Input 90-500 V AC Output 12/24/48 V DC upto 25 A Single / Dual or 3 Phase inputs

A H

h r A

Instruments Ltd

TVR Instruments Limited 143 Butt Road, Colchester CO3 3DP Essex United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 1206 575755 Email: sales@tvri.co.uk www.tvri.co.uk

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ENGINEERING UPDATE

Brainboxes expand their range of Ethernet Switches with a new 5 Port Gigabit Switch 10X FASTER THAN FAST ETHERNET Brainboxes new Gigabit Ethernet Switch offers 5 unmanaged Ethernet ports within a compact, wall-mountable enclosure. With data transmission at 1000 Mbs per second; the Gigabit standard provides simultaneous sending and receiving of data at a speed 10 times faster than Fast Ethernet. Backwards compatible; the SW-015 can plug into older networks, and connect to devices that are 10Mbs, Fast Ethernet (100Mbs) or Gigabit, whilst detecting the highest common speed between both ends of the connection.

As with all Ethernet Switches in the Brainboxes range - the SW-015 can be powered from +5VDC to +30VDC, and has a wide operating temperature range (-100C to +600C /-140F to +1400C.) Connection monitoring automatically powers down devices when not in use for optimum energy efficiency.

At a glance: • 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports – bi-directional data flow at super-fast speed • No software required - simply plug in and connect • Backwards compatible – plug into older networks & connect to existing devices • Wide operating temperature range (-10ºC to +60ºC/-14ºF to +140ºF) • Wide voltage input range (+5V to +30V) - can be powered by varied sources • Compact design • Integral wall mount efficient use of space

Further information is available from the Brainboxes website. 14|

August 20201 ENGINEERING PDATE DS-OCT12-BLACKFAST_Layout 1 20/09/2012 16:28 Page

Tel: 0208 339 7370

Fax: 0208 339 7371 Unit 5 Russell House, Molesey Road Email: sales@blackfast.com Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 3PE www.blackfast.com

we make ideas come to life

RMIG is the world’s largest manufacturer and supplier of perforated metal and its related products. We know our customers’ requirements for price and quality and meet their demands with uncompromising service. Not only do we offer standard and bespoke perforated metal sheets, we are able to offer you a range of secondary operations as detailed below. Complete solutions With a continued investment in the latest equipment and a network of professional partners we are able to produce prime quality products and solutions – from a simple perforated sheet to the fully formed and coated custom made part.

Cutting We can cut and shape perforated sheet to meet the needs of your final application. Levelling For some applications a high degree of flatness is required, we have processes in place to ensure our perforated coils and sheets meet with your most demanding requirements. Rolling and forming We can roll, bend and form perforated sheets to match your design. Aesthetic finishes and protective coating We can offer powder coating and hot dip galvanizing solutions to meet your specifications.

For more information please contact us tel: 01925 839610 | email: info.uk@rmig.com | www.rmig.com

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August 2020

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ENGINEERING UPDATE

Process Equipment

– Making the Right Connection

The demands on modern manufacturing mean that processing equipment in all industries is required to tackle more and more challenging conditions in moving fluids and materials efficiently; when it comes to transferring and handling fluids via hoses and piping, the ability to ensure optimised flow and prevent any accidental release of the product is an increasingly important consideration. It is particularly significant when, with frequent connections and disconnections, fittings become damaged which could lead to uncontrolled spills, the loss of valuable media, or contamination of the media which can prove costly in production downtime and possibly cause risk to health and the environment. . Finding the most effective fluid transfer solutions can have many benefits for maximising return on investment by improving best practice thus increasing production efficiencies, reducing man-hour maintenance costs, preventing accidents, and avoiding downtime. Dixon Group a manufacturer and supplier of material transfer products across a wide range of markets has valuable experience and built a credible reputation for over 100 years, demonstrating that it is a responsible manufacturer producing and supplying safe, reliable, and long-lasting products. An ethos

Valves

Fittings

Hose

of open communication with customers and partners enables Dixon to develop innovative solutions to the daily challenges industry faces. A vast portfolio of hoses, fittings and accessories is available including many innovative designs and industry leading developments. Examples include; • Breakaway check valves to prevent product loss in driveaway situations, • Specialist Cam and Groove fittings for venting pressure before disconnect, or armless versions for use where space is a factor. • Connect under pressure Quick release fittings. • Specialist hose configurations such as internal swaged, bespoke ball joint armour, heat traced and duplex hose assemblies. • These unique products are further enhanced by Dixon’s inhouse custom-built fabrication and design capabilities. Dixon’s technical team can offer site surveys or remote consultations to discuss any requirements; from specifying correct hose assembly and piping configurations to providing new methods of providing ‘the right connection’.

The Right Connection For Your Hygienic Process • Hose Assemblies • Fittings & Accessories • Ball & Butterfly Valves • Filters & Strainers

• Actuated Valves • Pumps • Bespoke Fabrication • Asset Management

Hose Assemblies certified to PED 2014/68/EU Module D1 by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance. (Notified Body 0038)

Engineered Products

01772 323 529 • dixoneurope.co.uk •

+44 (0)1772 323 529

• UNC OMMON E X C E LLE N C E • D ESIG N • C U STO MER SERVIC E • IN N O VAT I O N • M A N U FA C T U R I N G • Q U A LI T Y • T E C H N I C A L E X P E RT I S E • U N C O M M O N E X C ELLENCE •

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August 2020

ENGINEERING PDATE

Forerunner. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. The Sensor People have been setting technological standards in industrial automation for more than 50 years. This is how we ensure the success of our customers in an industry that is ever evolving. We have been a forerunner from the start, and we are working on standardizing industrial communication. Among other things, we make sensors that are capable of transmitting data to control systems and the cloud via IO-Link and OPC-UA.

www.leuze.co.uk

Leuze_Kampagne_Wegbereiter_UK-BH_190x130_RZ-oMHW_en.indd 1

23.03.2020 10:50:21

MONITOR MOUNTING •

For monitors, control panels and touch screens up to 25KG

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Screens can be turned, tilted, swivelled and height adjusted

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Can be connected to tube or aluminium profile

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Plants and machines

Profile Technology

Linear Technology

Connecting Technology

01296 611 660 rk@pmgb.co.uk www.pmgb.co.uk/rk

Modular Technology

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August 2020



ENGINEERING UPDATE

ALL OF YOUR TEM NEEDS COVERED 24

Drives Over 1500+ Weatherproof Rental Units available, up to 4.5MW power rating.

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Up to 4.5MW power options, 415V to 11kV voltage range.

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ENGINEERING PDATE

August 2020

MPORARY RENTAL 4/7 IN ONE PLACE

Harmonic Filters

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ply email us at marketing@quantum-controls.co.uk

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August 2020

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ENGINEERING UPDATE

Powering Out Of Lockdown The recent lockdown has initiated significant changes to the working practices of most businesses. Reich Drive Systems UK, like many other agile businesses, has used the lockdown period to turn the challenges that it presented into opportunities for the future. David Proud, General Manager of Reich Drive Systems UK explains how the company has not only adapted to a new working environment, but also how the business has become stronger as a result. For many the greatest challenge presented at the outset of lockdown was the re-organisation of resource to ensure safe working practices for employees, whilst still maintaining effective business trading. In addition, the restrictions on unnecessary travel combined with social distancing measures brought with them the demise of face to face meetings and the need for individuals to embrace digital communications options.

The strategy put in place in March of this year has served the business well in recent months and has laid the foundations for a strong and positive outlook for the remainder of 2020. David Proud concludes: “ From a business perspective, the lockdown period presented the opportunity to take a holistic view of how we operated, allowing us to not only focus on what worked well, but how we could adapt to become even more efficient and effective. Now with established and proven procedures in place we are set up and ready to maximise the opportunities available to us as lockdown continues to be eased. Whilst we will continue to make use of the digital communications channels that have served us so well recently, we are now also in a position to re-commence customer visits whilst adhering to Government guidelines in force at the time and making effective use of appropriate PPE.”

Over recent months Reich has successfully put in place a series of measures which has allowed the business to operate effectively, maintaining contact with customers and importantly ensuring ongoing deliveries and availability of technical support. David Proud explains: “As a lean and agile business we were able to adapt quickly to the changes imposed upon us by the COVID-19 crisis. Wherever possible we arranged for employees to work remotely and also implemented safe working practices for those still working in our office. Our manufacturing facility in Germany remained at full capacity throughout, enabling us to maintain scheduled deliveries to our customers.”

www.reich-uk.com 20|

ENGINEERING PDATE

August 2020

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Safety Guarding •

Complies with the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC

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Clamping profiles allow different materials to be installed

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Smooth easy to clean outer surfaces

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Comprehensive range of accessories

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Profile Technology Linear Technology

Connecting Technology

01296 611 660 rk@pmgb.co.uk www.pmgb.co.uk/rk

Tel: 0208 339 7370

Modular Technology

Fax: 0208 339 7371 Unit 5 Russell House, Molesey Road Email: sales@blackfast.com Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 3PE www.blackfast.com

Competence in power transmission whatever your industry or application

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Unit 4 Bankside Business Park Coronation Street Stockport SK5 7PG T: Office + 00 44 161 714 4191 | info@reich-uk.com PLEASE VISIT WWW.REICH-UK.COM FOR MORE DETAILS

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August 2020



ENGINEERING UPDATE

Han® S: Reliable connections for modular energy storage systems New series features housings accommodating a heavy-current contact up to 200 A HARTING is now offering the Han® S, the first ever large-scale special connector for battery storage modules. The new series meets the technical requirements set down in the latest standards for stationary energy storage systems (including UL 4128) and offers users optimal reliability for connected units. The series features housings with space for a heavy-current contact up to 200 A. The contacts are mounted in a housing, which is freely pivotable. The locking system engages intuitively. The use of red for plus and black for minus, combined with the mechanical coding system, means that the interfaces cannot be confused. Han® S thereby facilitates fast and reliable mating for energy storage modules and helps to process high numbers of connections. Alternatively, the new series can also be installed as part of a control line (BUS system) for the battery management system. It features special contacts in the housing to support this. Interfaces in modular energy storage systems are subject to special requirements. For instance, the wiring for lithium-ion batteries requires compact plug connections that do not heat their surroundings even when transmitting high currents. The connector housing must move as freely as possible to serve storage units effectively in terms of enhancing performance and efficient cooling. Below: Han® S as a connecting element in energy storage cabinets (Tesvolt).

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Above: Han®S is the new, reliable connection technology for modular battery storage systems. The compact and flexible housings offer space for contacts up to 200A.).

The Han® S series combines straight attachment housings with angled ‘sleeves’ that have integrated pivotable protective elements for the contacts. This combination can be rotated 360°, a key feature given the very limited space between the door opening and energy storage modules in a storage cabinet. This results in flexible connectors with high current load capacity, enabling the integration of the maximum number of storage components in the available space. Further information: www.harting.com/UK/en-gb/connector-battery-storage

ENGINEERING PDATE

August 2020

INCREDIBLE SERVO PERFORMANCE Not only does the mighty Twitter pack an incredible 5.5KW of qualitative power in a match boxed sized package of just 35 x 30 x 15.3mm weighting a mere 26 grams, but it’s crammed full of unbelievable technology including FSoE (functional safety over EtherCAT) plus an amazing array of class beating motion technology to allow automation developers to truly make smart machines, smarter.

he Platinum series was designed to meet the evolving needs of OEM designers for smarter, smaller, faster servo, with higher functionality and ease-of-use. Platinum drives aim to assist machine and robotic manufacturers in creating better machines through both superior motion control and utmost safety Elmo Motion Control are a global manufacturer with R&D based in Israel along with production plants both in Israel and in Europe and subsidiaries in all major markets from US, through Europe to Fast East Elmo Motion UK, based in the midlands, provides local sales and application expertise to the UK market. Call us to discuss your motion requirements now T: 03303 327 983 E: info-uk@elmomc.com W: www.elmomc.com

Platinum Twitter Highlights • World’s Smallest Most Powerful Servo Drive • Up to 80A/80V, 70A/100V, 30A/200V • Qualitative Power up to 5500W • Innovative Platinum line core • Ultra-Fast EtherCAT Networking • Functional Safety IEC 61800-5-2 (SIL-3, Cat4 PL-e) & FSoE

Platinum Series Highlights • Best-In-Class servo performance • World’s smallest servo technology to feature functional safety and safety over EtherCAT (FSoE) • Higher bandwidth, faster response, enhanced linearity and highest control resolutions • Ultra-efficient EtherCAT with cycling down to 100us, high synchronization with negligible jitters and near zero latency • Added feedback support: up to three simultaneously, or two absolute feedbacks • High processing power with large memory resources for better control, enhanced processing, and real time recording

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August 2020

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ENGINEERING UPDATE

Custom Built Vacuum Cleaners for Industrial Applications Sometimes an “off the shelf” vacuum cleaner solution just doesn’t offer the correct combination of collection and filtration required for a particular process. This is where Quirepace, and the BVC branded range of British made vacuum cleaners can often solve a problem that is otherwise challenging. An example is the self-contained vacuum module Quirepace recently designed for a particular customer who had a problem handling swarf created during the process of machining resins and plastics. The customer required a powerful unit that could service two machines simultaneously, and had the capability to handle both the larger and finer waste particles created by the process. The solution, in this case, combined a continuously rated multistage vacuum pump with a 2 stage collection and filtration system. The first stage being a cyclone which separated the heavier and larger particles and discharged into a plastic bag, kept open by a vacuum-balance arrangement. Bagged recovery of the larger particles enabled easy handling and re-processing. The second stage was a combined cloth and paper filter unit to collect finer particles, again with an easy to empty collection tank. The second stage filtration both containing the dust and protecting the pump module. The whole unit was contained within an acoustic enclosure supplied in coordinated colours to the main plant, creating a vacuum collection module which fully met the customer requirements. Another example of a customized solution was created for an automotive manufacturer wishing to integrate heavy duty vacuum cleaner equipment with both industrial robots and the production control system in a package capable of continuous operation on a busy production line. Quirepace suitably modified a number of Ti80 heavy duty industrial vacuum cleaners with PLC interfaces and additional

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sensors to allow the industrial robots to control and manipulate the individual cleaning heads under the command of the production line control system. The “British Vacuum Cleaner” BVC brand of British built Industrial Vacuum Cleaners from Quirepace is in continual demand from diverse engineering and industrial customers requiring solutions which are often not found within standard product ranges. sales@quirepace.co.uk www.quirepace.co.uk 023 9260 3700

August 2020

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ENGINEERING UPDATE

ifm launches G 1/2 pressure sensors for hygienic applications The first hygienic pressure sensors on the market with a G 1/2 fitting, products in the new PM15 range from ifm electronic provide a convenient and dependable solution to the problem of measuring pressure in small pipes, such as those often found in dosing and filling systems. Thanks to their G 1/2 thread, the sensors can be installed quickly and easily without the need for expensive adaptors and, as they use oil-free ceramic sensing cells, they are ideal for applications in the food, pharmaceutical and other hygiene-sensitive industry sectors. PM15 pressure sensors feature I/O-link connectivity, which ensures accurate transmission of measurements even in electrically noisy environments and allows the sensors to additionally provide temperature measurements. In many applications, this eliminates the need for a separate temperature sensor, thereby saving money and reducing complexity. The sensors also provide a 4 to 20 mA analogue output for pressure measurements only. Since they need no elastomer seal and incorporate a pre-mounted PEEK sealing ring, PM15 sensors are virtually maintenance free. All types have stainlesssteel bodies with an IP67 or better ingress protection rating, depending on the method of installation. They are highly resistant to pressure and vacuum shock, and to the effects of abrasive substances. In addition, they are suitable for use with media over a wide temperature range of -25 to +125 ºC (<1hr: 150ºC). These features, together with their robust construction, make the new sensors ideally suited for use in even the most demanding environments.

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ifm electronic is currently offering the PM15 G 1/2 hygienic pressure sensor with ranges from 0 to 2.5 barg through to -1 to 40 barg and all have a minimum of 5 x measuring range overload resistance.

Precise process monitoring

Hygienic pressure transmitter with IO-Link Interface

RANTY AR

years if m pr od

Whether food or beverage industry, milk production or meat processing: The ifm pressure transmitter, PM, reliably monitors your process, with a high accuracy of 0.2 percent! The excellent temperature compensation allows for rapid temperature changes in the process, eg. In CIP / SIP up to 150° C. This makes the pressure transmitter ideal for demanding applications in the food industry. A free factory calibration certiﬁcate for each sensor is available as a download. Interested? ifm - close to you!

Go ifmonline ifm.com/ uk/pm

August 2020



ENGINEERING UPDATE

VIBRATION MEASUREMENT FLEXIBILITY PROVIDES COST-EFFECTIVE AND ENHANCED PROTECTION The advantages of applying vibration condition monitoring to rotating equipment is well established but this technique can only provide the maximum benefit when applying the correct measurement technique. So what is the correct measurement and how do I implement this?

hat if I need to make a change to the measurement to optimise early fault detection? Whilst industrial vibration sensors offer a broadband performance suitable for most machines it’s the signal processing that makes the difference. Furthermore, the right hardware that provides a range of measurement algorithm options will maximise the return on investment and future proof the installation. Typically the higher cost of more sophisticated vibration monitoring systems offering this type of flexibility can be difficult to justify for smaller machinery. This is why condition monitoring specialist SENSONICS developed the DN26 G3 protection monitor to provide a more suitable stand-alone monitor to complement their successful range of rack-mounted products. The dual channel din rail mountable unit provides monitoring of bearing vibration, shaft vibration, or shaft position with fully programmable signal conditioning and with a range of measurement algorithms and sensor options. The unit is designed for optimum flexibility; as a universal module (single hardware platform) it is field upgradable and fully programmable. Special protection options include slow rotation vibration monitoring down to 0.2Hz and narrow band filter measurements for specific vibration signatures. In addition the DN26 G3 offers a dedicated speed monitor channel which can also be utilised as a phase reference

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for further harmonic analysis of the vibration signals. The sensor interface is programmable to accept IEPE type accelerometers / velomiters, proximity probes (API 670 standard), and active / passive speed probes. All sensor signals are available via a buffered interface which provides the option of further detailed analysis if required. Three alarm relays are available as standard (expandable to up to seven relays via a digital interface), one dedicated to indicate module and sensor integrity. The other two relays are fully programmable across the alarm criteria selected and all three input channels measured values are available via a 4-20mA interface. The unit is available with Ethernet communications as standard, permitting configuration either locally or remotely through the in-built webserver and offering Modbus over TCPIP for connecting measured data to other plant wide systems. The DN26-G3 features a built-in intuitive colour LCD display and menu drive facility providing various display modes and an alarm historian with real time logging capability. More at: https://www.sensonics.co.uk/wp-content/ uploads/2019/04/AB14-760R1.pdf For further information please contact sales@sensonics.co.uk

Intelligent Drivesystems, Worldwide Services

NORDAC PRO FREQUENCY INVERTER

4.0

The next generation of frequency inverters with on-board PLC, positioning software and seemless connectivity to industrial ethernet-based bus systems.

READY

We‘ll talk to anyone... Integrated multi-comms ethernet interface, parameter selectable, with no hardware changes.

NORD Gear Limited | Tel +44 1235 534404 | GB-sales@nord.com

www.nord.com

August 2020



ENGINEERING UPDATE

TR responds to application challenges within the sheet metal industries There is a wide variety of applications within the sheet metal industries and various challenges are presented when supplying into each of these. As a major supplier to the sheet metal, electronics and HVAC sectors, TR Fastenings has ensured it has robust business processes and technical expertise in place for large OEM’s and SME’s. Selecting and installing the correct fasteners for sheet metal is one of many application challenges and every industry has specific needs in both product and quality requirements. Faced with increasing environmental responsibilities and unprecedented technological change, manufacturers and contractors are challenging for higher quality and smarter, applicationbased sheet metal fastening solutions. TR can successfully fulfil these demands through the extent of its portfolio and high volume stock availability, flexibility in service and scope of its quality certification. Whether a customer is looking to press, rivet or weld during manufacturing

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assembly processes, TR can also provide application advice and guidance from on-site engineers, including research, technical and fastener testing capabilities across a range of categories, including mechanical, dimensional, installation, plating and finishes.

engineers based at most TR sites, fast communication enables faster advice and solutions. TR’s global technical team is able to respond to requirements for smaller, lighter and more flexible product solutions, assist in troubleshooting and in the specifications for bespoke orders.

With a global network of manufacturing and distribution sites ensuring flexible lead times and quick turnaround, TR is recognised throughout the sheet metal industry for world-class products and services. TR produces approximately 8 billion parts per annum across 8 manufacturing sites, spanning two continents, and has over 100,000 stocked items available. Offering reliable global logistics, TR’s strategic warehousing guarantees prompt delivery.

Communication, flexibility, engineering expertise and problem solving are fundamental to the service TR provides to more than 5000 companies worldwide.

Adapting to change in the current technologically fast-paced environment is essential and with quality application

Steve Wallis, Sales Office Manager at TR Fastenings, said: “The latest technical animations on our website highlight the key features and benefits of the products in a way that is easy to understand. With our in-house quality and application engineers, and knowledgeable sales teams we can provide a bespoke service and a sheet metal fastening to suit just about any application.”

FOR MORE THAN

60 Y E A R S

BÜLTE Plastics (UK) LTD 8 Basepoint Centre, Harts Farm Way Havant - Hampshire PO9 1HS United Kingdom Tel. : (+44) 023 9244 9606 sales@bulteplastics.co.uk / www.bulte.com

August 2020



ENGINEERING UPDATE

Digitisation in the field of explosion safety

The next evolutionary level of explosion safety:

REMBE iQ Safety Cockpit - smart home for factories Visualisation of safety-relevant faults in the control room are only half the battle. In order to appropriately react to such faults, pre-defined counter measures have to be initiated – what sounds simple is a true challenge for plant operators in practice. Given the risk of human error, the REMBE iQ Safety Cockpit was developed and launched:

imilar to a process control system, the REMBE iQ Safety Cockpit offers an overview of all relevant protective and equipment system status, which can also be monitored in real time from any location remotely via smart phone. However, in addition to the PLC, detailed and automatic and semi-automatic action plans can be linked and initiated: In case of an event in a certain area,

sending an email or an SMS to a pre-defined distribution group can be automated to bring the incident to their attention. Such a scenario could for example be, that in the event of an explosion the responsible safety officer might be informed by text message via his service phone, the surveillance cameras in the affected area could be activated or set to a different mode and the management would receive an email. Nevertheless,

Fig. 1: Example of individually configured application and process scenarios.

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more importantly, the REMBE iQ Safety Cockpit guides the logged in user through the pre-defined plan of action. Forced guidance thereby would ensure that all desired and necessary process steps are followed in the event of a disruption. Those applications and process scenarios of the REMBE iQ Safety Cockpit can be individually configured for

ENGINEERING PDATE

August 2020

T +49 2961 7405-0 T +1 704 716 7022 T +39 02 62033057

Your Specialist for

PRESSURE RELIEF SOLUTIONS Consulting. Engineering. Products. Service.

www.rembe.de

each plant; both analog and digital signals can be processed. In addition to the REMBE autonomous protective systems, GreCon spark extinguishing systems, camera systems or even fire detectors and other plant components can be combined and connected to the REMBE iQ Safety Cockpit. Learnings from incidents and systematic root cause analysis are subject to be implemented in improved safety concepts. REMBE iQ Safety Cockpit supports as all data recorded during the emergency plan are compiled and archived in a comprehensive log. This data can be practically expended or adjusted via the various end devices. When the location of the accident is inspected, photos can be conveniently taken and loaded into the log (via app) for subsequent evaluation.

Inc.

www.rembe.us

In the end, this means, that all conventional autonomous protective systems from REMBE have become smarter without sacrificing their actual strength, the fast and reliable function. In the age of digitisation, it is just as important to ensure a fast response time and the resulting high availability. The REMBE iQ Safety Cockpit also enables optimal integration of other interfaces through the individually coordinated visualization of each process. Faults or, in the worst case, explosions not only require a regulated emergency plan, but also a predictive maintenance that is not only possible through the pure workforce of the employee on site. By detecting the operationally relevant components such as explosion vents, quench valves for explosion protection or pyrolysis gas and fire detectors or grounding systems for explosion prevention,

www.rembe.it

S.r.l.

all these can be registered and connected to a material management system. In a nutshell: REMBE iQ Safety Cockpit is nothing else than a smart home control or driver assistance system in the automotive industry. Those are used to improve the efficiency and safety of driving a car and enable, in the right mix of auxiliary sensors and smart detectors, autonomous driving. Staying in that picture, simply spoken, REMBE iQ Safety Cockpit, such as an driver assistance system for plants will allow autonomous operation and push safety and efficiency to the highest possible level in the industry 4.0. For more information please visit www.rembe.de

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August 2020



ENGINEERING UPDATE

UKGSA MEMBERS SUPPORT THE NHS Members of the UK Gasket & Sealing Association (UKGSA) are prioritising manufacturing and supply for the NHS and key industries during coronavirus. Kewell Converters are designing and manufacturing foam pads, liners and head bands for PPE. Their PPE face shield visors use Plastazote (closed cell) foam parts which are latex-free, non-toxic and hypoallergenic.

Munsch & Co’s new range of Anti-Bac and Anti-Micro PVC, which are tested against various viruses including MRSA, E-Coli and SARS, prevent growth of bacteria and are ideal materials for use in surgeries, laboratories and food processing areas.

Silicone rubber components for face shields such as head straps and forehead cushioning, silicone gaskets for key medical devices such as ventilators, and porthole covers for intubation shields are being manufactured by Silicone Engineering for NHS hospitals and medical companies across the UK. East Anglian Sealing Company continue to supply essential industries with respirator valves, screens and partitions, visor parts, gaskets and seals for ventilator pumps and medical grade tubing for drip feeds. They have also been able to produce up to 32,000 units/day of glass clear polypropylene face shields, but have recently switched to supplying products into various drug manufacturers making COVID-19 medications. J A Harrison are supplying CE approved PPE Cat II lightweight reusable face visors to the NHS and other industries. These visors cover the head & face and a version also fits over a hard hat. James Walker continues to operate its manufacturing sites across the UK

prioritising the design and manufacture of components for ventilators and oxygen equipment. They are supporting businesses who are manufacturing these critical items by supplying sealing solutions including O rings, diaphragms, gaskets and custom designed seals.

have fulfilled new and repeat orders from a number of companies for thousands of face shield silicone head straps, and have seen an increase in demand for silicone rubber sheeting for medical, pharmaceutical and food production related projects.

James Walker has also supplied visors for local care homes and stores; and staff have distributed care packages to local families and people isolating at home.

Simon Winfield, chairman of the UKGSA and director of MacLellan Rubber Limited, said: “I’m delighted to see our Members rise to the challenge of supporting the NHS and key industries at this time. Many Members have changed shift patterns in order to retain staff rather than furlough them or are supporting sales & office teams to work from home. By pulling together, all businesses can do their bit to help the healthcare sector get through this.”

W R Gaskets have cut free issue material into sets of scrubs for their local hospitals in Grimsby. J-Flex have donated hundreds of face masks to two local organisations. They

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ENGINEERING PDATE

August 2020

Staying Connected – Casella Supports Site Boundary Monitoring with Free Data Offer We’re used to having data easily accessible and at our fingertips 24/7. From weather forecasts to sport scores, instant connectivity and easily available data ensure we can be proactive as well as reactive. Ease of data availability in Construction workplaces should be no different, especially when that data is a vital component of site safety and compliance. Worldleading environmental monitoring manufacturer Casella is supporting environmental consultants and managers within the construction and demolition sectors with a new initiative to make environmental data more accessible. For a limited time, Casella is offering one year of free data* connectivity to customers purchasing its award winning Guardian2 site boundary monitoring solution. Site boundary monitoring is a key part of a working construction site’s safety ecosystem. Consistent monitoring for hazards including excess levels of dust, noise, vibration and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) is key to ensuring that sites are compliant with local authority regulations and good relationships are kept with site neighbours. Boundary/fence line monitoring also plays an important role in reputational management – making sure that projects do not cause friction with site neighbours with excess levels of noise or dust that may cause complaints. Combined site boundary monitoring solutions, such as the Casella Guardian 2, bring together

individual hazard monitoring devices in one enclosure, which can be easily installed at the edge of a site and, once powered, require minimal further interaction. Data capture continues seamlessly, and reporting can be entirely customised to suit the needs of the end user. Operators can use the Guardian2 to get exactly the data they need, whenever they need it. Reports can be set up for single monitoring streams (e.g. noise or dust only) or including all monitoring results. Automated reports can be sent daily, weekly, or monthly, directly to an email inbox in graphical or tablature formats. Users aren’t limited to routine passive monitoring results; text or email alerts can be configured for any measured parameter, or for device errors such as power loss, allowing operators to react quickly to exceeded hazard levels or out of action equipment. Access levels are also fully customisable, allowing users to specify who receives and can configure reports, and to connect to different Guardian2 units on multiple sites remotely using Casella’s secure online access point.

climate, and cost of data should not be a barrier to ensuring sites operate safely and compliantly, or indeed to prevent work being stopped on site because limits are exceeded.’ To find out more about the Casella range of monitoring solutions, visit www.casellasolutions.com Terms and conditions can be found on the Casella website.

‘Having flexible access to consistent, accurate monitoring data is vital to ensuring project safety, for employer, employee and site neighbours alike’ says Tim Turney, Casella Global Marketing Manager. ‘Construction project budgeting is always tight, especially in the current

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August 2020



ENGINEERING UPDATE

SuperCORR A multitasking lubricant and corrosion protection spray solving problems across industry Originally developed for the U.S. Air Force to comply with MIL L-87177A, as a water displacing lubricant, corrosion protective to prevent avionic as well as electrical and electronic components and systems failures caused by corrosion SuperCORR A aerosols, supplied by EnviroTech Europe, are now the industry standard for in service maintenance by military and commercial airlines and MRO facilities worldwide. SuperCORR A is a unique formulation with a long-lasting, anti-corrosion inhibitors and components providing a superior lubrication coefficient and protection against moisture, wear, general and fretting corrosion, static electricity, corona, and other electro migration problems. The non-flammable lubricant film is only 7 microns (0.0007 inch) thick and is formulated without sulphates, chlorides or halogens to meet the EU RoHS directive. It is unexcelled in preventing deterioration and contamination of all electronic equipment and metal components surfaces.

film is self-sealing during movement and handling and can be removed before use if necessary. SuperCORR A is used for routine lubrication and anticorrosion maintenance in the harsh conditions experienced at sea. The aerosol cans make access to engine parts easy for the engineering crew in difficult locations and conditions. Unpainted mild steel will not rust on exterior surfaces directly exposed to sea water spray for at least 6 months protecting electrical connectors, switches, chains, drive shafts from corrosion while maintaining lubrication on moving surfaces. In another interesting application SuperCORR A protects the metal edges of the composite blades on wind turbines. These are subject to continuous corrosive effects of wind, rain and salt laden sea spray which erodes and corrodes the metal. The protective film produced by SuperCORR A is impervious to water while lubricating the airflow across the blade edges and preventing corrosion of the metal.

SuperCORR A is very effective at preventing corrosion of electronic and electrical equipment in demanding work environments, e.g. aerospace, rail and road transport, marine, oil and gas industries, waste water treatment plants, electrical power facilities, paper and pulp mills, and other environments where corrosive gases such as salt laden air or hydrogen sulphide are present.

Critical fall arrest equipment is used on wind turbines and other tall structures where engineers are working at great height and exposure to high winds, Corrosion in the bearings, chains, clutches and wires used in the arrester mechanisms can lead to failure and potentially serious injury or loss of life. SuperCORR A protects against corrosion in these safety critical components.

A major aerospace and turbine manufacturer are currently completing trials with SuperCORR A to protect parts in transit and storage worldwide under variable temperature and humidity conditions, to prevent corrosion during long term storage and transportation. The protective

Portable diesel and LP generators are widely used in construction, oil, gas and mineral extraction industries and aircraft servicing often in remote, hostile environments connecting and disconnecting supply cables, often many times a day. Seals prevent water, sand or dust entering

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connectors, but the flexing of the cables allows sufficient movement between the metal surfaces of the connector pins to produce fretting corrosion. A simple spray between connections ejects water and particulates and protects and lubricates the contacts improving reliability of supply. Building and construction industries offer other unusual uses for SuperCORR A. Unpainted hatches, grilles, and window furniture are galvanised if manufactured in steel and anodised if aluminium or a zinc alloy. Once installed exposure to wind and especially acidic rain dulls surfaces and produces unsightly white surface corrosion. An onsite spray with SuperCORR A on completion of the installation protects the surfaces with an invisible film. In all forms of transportation from Amtrak trains, lightweight rail systems and for protection of equipment and services for underground tunnels and systems. Trucks to motorsport, electric cars and emergency vehicles SuperCORR A is used for protection and lubrication of connectors, electrical systems and switches and mechanical controls during servicing. The ability to displace water from exposed contacts can ensure reliable operation in extreme conditions all in one small aerosol can. For more information please visit www.corrosion-protect.com. To discuss the use of SuperCORR A to solve your problems please use the website contact form or phone us, we look forward to hearing from you.

JOC_1098 KRUK Automation Half H-A.pdf 1 24/09/2015 August 18:09:43 2020 ENGINEERING PDATE

Setting the benchmark... Faster, compact, energy saving and affordable... Kawasaki’s latest robots increase one of the largest robot ranges available today. They are more compact, provide smooth control and give increased all round performance. For assembly the new collaborative duAro; for palletising the CP Series; the general purpose CX Series and the high-speed spot welding BX Series. Check out the new robots and see just how affordable they can be....

info@kawasakirobotuk.com kawasakirobot.co.uk +44 (0)1925 713000

Kawasaki Robotics (UK) Ltd

> Corrosion resistant for up to 1000 hours in salt spray > Manufactured from a premium alloy with less than 0.1% copper content for corrosion resistance > IP tessng performed aaer impact tessng to verify the seal is maintained when the enclosure is treated roughly > Impact resistant up to 7 Joules > Reusable seals (Up to 200 compressions)

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August 2020



ENGINEERING UPDATE

New After Market Services Manager joins Danfoss Drives Leading AC drive solutions company Danfoss Drives has announced a new senior appointment for its UK team. Alun Roberts will join the business as After Market Services Manager as of July 2020. In his new role, Alun will deliver added value to customers in the UK and Ireland and help them make the most of their market leading Danfoss Drives products. In addition to taking on operations and leadership responsibilities for Danfoss’ after market business, Alun will work on fostering and extending mutually beneficial relationships with the company’s extensive Service Partner network. “I am excited about joining such an experienced team and I believe that together we’ll be able to exceed customer expectations in every way,” enthused Alun. “My main focus will be the promotion of our DrivePro® service packages in the UK and Ireland markets, with the aim of making Danfoss Drives the ‘Best in Class’ service provider in our industry”. Alun has extensive experience in the drives market, having previously served as Global Service Manager for Invertek

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Drives, where he was responsible for managing the daily operations of the UK and Global Service Centres. In this role, he was renowned for achieving consistently highquality service delivery. An Electrical/Electronic Engineering graduate from the University of Glamorgan, Alun has been in the drives service business for over 20 years. He began his career as a Repair Technician and is grounded in delivering a high standard of technical support and solving customer issues, as well as running a profitable business unit. “Alun is joining our team at a uniquely challenging time and I believe he is the ideal person to lead our aftermarket service department through and beyond the present challenges,” said Alan Baird, Danfoss Drives Country Manager – UK & Ireland. “His expertise and understanding of customers’ needs and requirements, is pivotal to the Danfoss business model. I would like to formally welcome Alun to our team and wish him every success for the future.”

August 2020



ENGINEERING UPDATE

How can holding open doors prevent the spread of COVID-19? Reducing the spread of germs and bacteria has never been more essential in the current climate. Holding open internal doors provides an easy and effective method of infection control within your building, but it is important that this does not impact your fire safety. Reducing door handle contact A study by the New England Medical Journal, which researched the survival of coronavirus on a number of surfaces, identified that the virus was still detectable on hard surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel 72 hours later. While regular cleaning can help combat transmission, the inevitable use of door handles means that they can quickly become a hotspot for the spread of germs. Improving visibility and aiding social distancing While lock down restrictions remain uncertain, social distancing measures are expected to stay for some time. Holding open internal doors facilitates social distancing by allowing improved vision when entering or leaving a room, or when travelling through a corridor. Not to mention the post-COVID etiquette of whether or not you should hold the door open for the person behind you!

Increasing ventilation Workplace guidance published on 11th May 2020 identified ways employers and employees can work safely during the pandemic. One of the recommendations included the requirement for increased ventilation which can be achieved by opening windows and doors. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), said: “Good ventilation can help to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus, so focus on improving general ventilation. Where possible, consider ways to increase the supply of fresh air, for example, by opening windows and doors” The solution Geofire’s Agrippa door holder allows a door to be hygienically held open in a fixed position, preventing the need to touch the door handle. The Agrippa door closer’s

free-swing feature allows a door to be held open at any angle. Using ‘listen and learn’ technology, the Agrippa suite of products will automatically release the door on the sound of the building’s fire alarm. Wedges or homemade devices should never be used to hold open a fire door and is illegal should a fire occur. Building operators have a legal responsibility to ensure fire doors are not illegally wedged open to ensure that they can prevent the spread of smoke and flames. The Agrippa wire-free fire door holder and closer are fully compliant to the requirements of BS 7273-4 for standard actuation of fire doors, and third party tested and approved to EN1154 and EN1155. Andy Collinson, CEO at Geofire said: “Wedging open a fire door removes its ability to stop the spread of fire, putting lives at risk. There are legally compliant solutions readily available if ease of movement around a building or increased ventilation is required. From new builds to listed buildings, we have products to suit every installation; conventional hard wired, radio wire free and the Agrippa fire door holder and closer allow ‘dual mode’ installation, meaning you can install straight from the box and programme our innovative ‘listen and learn’ patent technology at a more convenient time”. To learn more about Agrippa and how it can help infection control within your building, visit www.geofire.co.uk/agrippacovid19-solution/.

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August 2020



ENGINEERING UPDATE

AWI makes £1m investment in material to meet industry demand One of the UK’s leading manufacturers of round, flat and profile wire has completed a £1m investment in material to ensure it continues to meet the growing requirements of its global client base.

Alloy Wire International (AWI) continued manufacturing wire from High Performance nickel alloys throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, maintaining supply to sectors including medical, power generation and commercial transport.

stock at any one time, meaning we can complete orders in just 3 weeks – and when an emergency arises we look to our Emergency Manufacturing Service that can see wire supplied in just three days!”

The company, which offers a 60-strong range of Exotic alloys, has ensured it always has over 200 tonnes of European and DFARS compliant material at any one time, so that it can manufacture and deliver within three weeks of clients placing their orders.

He continued: “We appreciate it’s a big investment at this current time, but we know it’s the right decision as our customers span over 55 different countries and when one territory is a little bit down you usually find another is increasing orders.”

This is just one element of an ongoing investment drive that has also seen the redevelopment of its offices in Brierley Hill and the introduction of the latest wet drawing machine for producing wire from 1.6mm to 0.7mm diameter, plus a take-up spooler that can handle and store larger weight rolled wire profiles.

“All of the material is sourced from approved suppliers to ensure melt quality, which can be important to the successful performance of the client’s end products and this could be aircraft parts, oil rig components or medical equipment.”

Angus Hogarth, Sales Director of AWI, concluded: “The pandemic has thrown up some massive challenges, but we’ve tried to stay true to our core philosophies and our staff have really delivered – first in supplying the NHS and, in more recent weeks, keeping up with demand from other sectors.

Alloy Wire International is approaching 75 years of manufacturing wire in the UK and currently supplies in excess of 5000 customers involved in automotive, aerospace, defence, medical, nuclear, oil and gas and renewables.

“Investment will continue in material and equipment, with our next purchase planned to be new cutting and straightening machines that will deliver an increased range of products for our customers.”

Material, including Phynox, Inconel and Hastelloy, is available from 0.025mm (.001”) to 21mm (.827”) in small batches

For further information, please visit www.alloywire.com or follow @alloywire on twitter

Mark Venables, Managing Director of Alloy Wire International, commented: “We’re still averaging 160 enquiries every week, so there doesn’t appear to be a let up in demand like some parts of industry are seeing. With this in mind, we have remained true to our commitment to always have 200 tonnes of material in

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or medium/large volume – all within a three-week timeframe. Its global reach also continues to gather pace, with the appointment of Andrew Marshall of AM Wire Pte Ltd to look after Singapore and nearby territories. He has been supporting spring makers and other wire consumers in the region for many years and will offer immediate access to a number of key industries.

ENGINEERING PDATE

August 2020

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August 2020

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ENGINEERING UPDATE

Caldwell Adjustable Lifting Grab Handles Concrete Blocks Texas Landscape Creations utilized Caldwell’s 6,000-lb. capacity adjustable lifting grab to lift 3,000-lb. concrete blocks during a recent landscaping project.

The lifting grab was used over a threeweek period with a SkyTrak telehandler (from Sunbelt Rentals) as the fullservice landscaper installed a layer of 5 ft. by 2 ft. by 2 ft. blocks in the grounds of what will be a place of worship. In this instance, the end user honored a landscape and irrigation contract that covered installation of plants, trees, grass, retaining walls and the quarry blocks. The grab, which is ideal for blocks of concrete, stone, rough marble, granite, or any other solid material, can handle loads as narrow as 3 in. and as wide as 60 in.—and everything in between. Custom configurations are available upon request. Here, it was utilized to move the concrete from the on-site parking lot, across a creek, to their eventual location. Jeff David, owner / manager at Texas Landscape Creations, said: “We will definitely use it on future work. It is a very efficient product and its

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adjustable nature was of benefit to this installation, as it will be on other sites. We even changed the orientation of one handle to suit our requirements, which enhanced user friendliness even further. It also proved to be a real time-saver; I would guess that we saved 30% of the total time estimated for that project by using the new clamp.” The Caldwell Group Inc., of Rockford, Illinois, design and manufacture the product to ASME B30.20 and BTH-1, design category B, service class 3 standards. It is suitable for high duty cycle environments and a color-

coded decal indicates to the user the amount of travel remaining during each adjustment. Extended handles keep the operator away from the load, while the lifting eye allows for easy hook attachment, self-centers rigging, and will accommodate a fork, as was utilized on the church project. David said: “Safety is our number one goal and as of now this is the safest way to install such blocks. Previously, we would have used forks and / or slings—usually a combination of the two.” Texas Landscape Creations will continue to use the adjustable lifting grab for upcoming projects. David explained that the company is typically hired for commercial installations at office buildings and apartment complexes; homeowner's association (HOA) entrances; and roadways. It has also been involved in projects on the campus of Texas A&M University. However, it retains a crew for smaller, residential work and has three mowing teams and two irrigation repair technicians.

F R E S H A I R

ENERGY EFFICIENT

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Book your free site visit. www.ecocooling.co.uk sales@ecocooling.co.uk

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NO REFRIGERANTS

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EVAPORATIVE AND FREE COOLING

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SAVE UP TO 90% COMPARED TO AC

August 2020

NSK helps casting shop save over €100,000 a year A change of bearing type on the carousel of a casting line, coupled with a small recommended design change, has led to savings of €100,095 per annum at a leading manufacturer of gas turbine blades after it began experiencing bearing failures every six weeks. Due to the short service lifetime demonstrated by its existing bearings, the manufacturer decided to call upon the specialist team of application engineers at NSK. Using its AIP Added Value Programme, NSK undertook a full review of the existing design, which included an inspection of the failed bearings. Analysis revealed that an extremely caustic solution (50% sodium hydroxide at 180°C) was being used as part of the casting process, which combined with high loads

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and assembly misalignment, was causing bearing lubrication and seizure problems. The problem was exacerbated by inadequate sealing of the bearings. NSK therefore proposed switching to its range of sealed cylindrical roller bearings, which would prevent the ingress of the aggressive caustic solution and simultaneously improve sealing performance. An alternative design of carousel wheel was also proposed that would further improve protection against contaminants and

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ENGINEERING UPDATE

simplify assembly. Trials showed that these changes resulted in bearing lifetime being doubled, leading to a significant reduction in downtime and maintenance. As a result, the manufacturer’s remaining casting lines were also modified. NSK’s sealed cylindrical roller bearings offer high load capacity and advanced sealing, making them ideal for use in the demanding conditions that prevail in casting shops and other steelmaking environments. Machined holes on the inner and outer rings of the bearings allow the replenishment of lithium grease in situ, while the provision of a phosphate surface treatment to improve corrosion resistance is a further benefit. The savings produced at the casting shop were calculated by comparing previous annual costs for the bearings, the labour required to replace the bearings, and the downtime incurred – with the annual costs for the NSK solution. www.nskeurope.com

August 2020

ROCOL Introduces Multipurpose Fluid for Machine Shops Industrial lubrication experts ROCOL are once again answering the ever-evolving needs of industry with the launch of its new ULTRACUT 370EP cutting fluid. Providing ‘Performance You Can Trust’, the new ULTRACUT 370EP cutting fluid is a semi-synthetic fluid that can be utilised as both a cutting fluid and grinding fluid, exceeding existing coolant performance whilst improving environmental credentials and inventory management. The new addition to the ROCOL stable of industry-leading fluid solutions has been developed in the UK to exceed performance expectations as well as environmental and industry-standard conformance for end users. Containing ROCOL’s unique EP (Extreme Pressure) additive package, the new ULTRACUT 370EP can be applied to enhance medium to heavy-duty machining performance whilst generating surface finish and component quality enhancements as well as tool life longevity that will be visibly noticeable by both your customers and your bottom-line profitability. Furthermore, the new high performance, semi-synthetic, water-miscible metalworking fluid has been formulated for application on ferrous and non-ferrous materials, meeting stringent industry requirements and minimising the corrosion and staining of components with its exceptional residual corrosion protection. With an expert blend of additives, the new ULTRACUT 370EP is tolerant to tramp oil, it retains a low level of foaming and is durable for use in both hard and soft water environments. When mixed with water,

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ULTRACUT 370EP forms a translucent blue micro-emulsion that provides a clear view of both the workpiece and the work envelope during machining and grinding applications. The fluid can be applied in dilution ratios from 30:1 to 75:1 and dilution ratios should be adjusted depending on the machine tool, workpiece material, water hardness, application and severity of operation. With high dilution ratios possible, ULTRACUT 370EP will provide significant cost savings with a single barrel capable of providing up to 15,200 litres of fluid. For cutting processes, dilution ratios of between 40:1 and 60:1 are recommended and for grinding processes, the advised dilution with water should be 50:1 to 75:1, depending on the severity of the operations. To ensure dilution accuracy, it is preferable to use a ROCOL automatic fluid mixer. For manual mixing, manufacturers should always add the ULTRACUT 370 EP concentrate to water at the recommended dilution ratio, stirring continuously. Of course, running a business is enough of a challenge – and that is why the experts at

ROCOL formulated the ULTRACUT 370EP to be used for both cutting and grinding operations. This enables the end-user to rationalise the fluid across the shop floor, covering machining and grinding to provide absolute simplicity whilst taking away the added complications of having two different fluids on site. Being a world-leader in fluid solutions and management, ROCOL has taken user-friendliness to another level with a fluid that when diluted is safe, clean, operator-friendly and has been designed for minimal hazard labelling according to CLP. The new ULTRACUT 370EP is free from components such as bactericides, chlorine, formaldehyde, nitrites, silicone and any animal-derived materials. So, if you want to reduce your fluid inventory and costs as well as your operational costs whilst improving the performance of your machine tools, cutting tools and the quality of your components – give an expert at ROCOL a call to find out more. www.rocol.com

15th International Exhibition of Railway Equipment, Systems & Services

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O H S AT

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S A T AN

IL A R IC

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CONNECTING THE INDUSTRY 13 TH INTERNATIONAL RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE EXHIBITION

In 2021, Railtex will play host to Infrarail at the NEC, Birmingham from 11-13 May. The UK’s most important events in the rail calendar will come together to form the ultimate show for the rail industry. To be part of the most comprehensive rail exhibition of 2021 contact the team on +44 (0)1727 814 400 or via email railtex@mackbrooks.co.uk

T H R E E S H O W S | T W O D AY S

B R O U G H T TO YO U B Y D ATAT E A M B U S I N E S S M E D I A

Sensors & Instrumentation live

WHEN

29-30 JUNE 2021

WHERE

NEC, BIRMINGHAM

CO-LOCATED

In June 2021, the NEC Birmingham will host an industry event like never before as three leading exhibitions Sensors & Instrumentation Live, Electronics Industry Live (formerly known as What’s New In Electronics Live) and Future Robotics Live - join forces for the first time. This exciting new partnership will also offer a one ticket policy with co-located events, Interplas, Med-Tech Innovation Expo and TCT 3Sixty opening the doors to thousands of visitors and potential clients for your business. Get in touch to find out how your business could benefit from exhibiting and secure your bespoke package today!

DESIGN, EMBEDDED, ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING www.electronicsindustrylive.co.uk WANT TO GET INVOLVED? Contact Harriet Campbell on T: 0844 381 4235 or at E: hcampbell@datateam.co.uk

ROBOTICS, MOTION CONTROL, VISION & AUTOMATION www.futurerobotics.co.uk WANT TO GET INVOLVED? Contact Aamir Rashid on T: 01622 699 188 or at E: arashid@datateam.co.uk

Sensors & Instrumentation live

SENSORS, TEST, MEASUREMENT & CONTROL www.sensorsandinstrumentationlive.co.uk

WANT TO GET INVOLVED? Contact Louise Pudney on T: 01622 699 104 or at E: lpudney@datateam.co.uk

August 2020

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ENGINEERING UPDATE

Three shows in one location an opportunity not to be missed!

As lockdown restrictions ease, we look ahead to see what the post COVID-19 resurgence looks like, and we are excited by the trio of events that Rapid News Group are organising at the NEC from 29 June – 1 July 2021. After months of uncertainty this critical period of economic rebound provides opportunities. TCT 3Sixty, the event for 3D printing and additive manufacturing will be co-located alongside Rapid News Group's other highly successful industrial events: Interplas, the UK's no.1 plastics show and Med-Tech Innovation Expo, the UK’s leading medical design and manufacturing technology event.

TCT 3Sixty – The event for 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing Intelligence www.tct3sixty.com As a leading authority in additive manufacturing, 3D printing, design

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and engineering technology for the last 30 years, The TCT Group are excited to lead the way with their re-imagined event TCT 3Sixty. TCT 3Sixty will deliver business critical intelligence with a comprehensive conference programme delivering world-class content across multiple stages, each offering innovative and interactive 360-degree insights into how to get the best from existing additive technology or how to invest and choose the most appropriate new 3D printing technology. The event will connect the additive community, using a rich mix of interactive features, pavilions and networking events including a meetings programme and learning seminars that will provide tangible value to an attendee, providing a return on investment immediately. By focusing on cutting edge applications, expert analysis and commentary, TCT 3Sixty will help designers, engineers and buyers evaluate, adopt and optimise their additive requirements.

ENGINEERING PDATE

August 2020

The TCT Group mission goes beyond simply raising awareness; it is focused on developing a 360-degree understanding of the potential of additive manufacturing and 3D printing technology to increase utilisation at all stages of design, engineering and manufacturing.

MED-TECH INNOVATION | expo

Med-Tech Innovation Expo: Medical Engineering www.med-techexpo.com Med-Tech Innovation Expo is the UK and Ireland’s leading event for medical device design and manufacturing technology.

Interplas –Innovation Happens Here www.interplasuk.com Interplas is the UK's leading plastics industry event and an exciting showcase for the manufacturing processes, technologies and services essential to the plastics sector. In its 70th year, Interplas 2021 will see more than 500 exhibitors present solutions, products, machines and ideas from across the entire spectrum of moulding and forming machines as well as materials, automation, contract manufacturing and supporting technologies including software, testing, inspection, surface treatments and much more. Over 12.000 attendees from the UK manufacturing community will attend to discover solutions to their challenges, to make connections and source the latest technologies and innovations. Alongside the show floor an engaging three-stage conference programme is scheduled, with key themes of Advancing UK Plastics, Sustainability and Extrusion. These learning opportunities alongside a matchmaking programme and networking opportunities will ensure a visit to Interplas offers tangible value to an attendee immediately with intelligence and contacts that will continue to pay dividends long after the show closes.

At Med-Tech Innovation Expo the show floor will host a wealth of exciting features including cutting edge technology zones, association member and country pavilions, a VIP meetings programme, and the ever popular Start Up Zone. Visitors from the medical engineering and manufacturing community will be able to see the entire spectrum of advanced technology, materials and solutions for concept, design, validation and manufacture. The showcased solutions will help attendees design and manufacture the next generation of medical and healthcare devices. Med-Tech Innovation Expo 2021 is further enhanced by three conference stages. Each one presenting content of the highest calibre for every type of stakeholder in the Medtech supply chain – from solving design and engineering challenges through to market access. This trio of shows will create an engaging and useful experience for the attendee which means better educated prospective buyers and therefore the events will deliver exhibitors and sponsors greater commercial opportunities both in the short and long term. Registration does not open until the autumn but if you want to be part of these amazing events please contact organisers Rapid News Group or visit one of the show websites:

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August 2020

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ENGINEERING UPDATE

Not spoilt for choice - HeavyDuty encoders in crane and lifting applications Baumer Hübner has established the class of extraordinarily resilient and reliable HeavyDuty encoders and offers a broad portfolio. Manufacturers of cranes and hoists are among the most frequent users of such sensors. And for good reason: These applications are most demanding and here they can play to their strengths - robustness, precision, resistance and longevity.

Incremental encoders of the HOG10 series are considered the benchmarking reference for HeavyDuty encoders. Thanks to the proven HeavyDuty design, bearings at both shaft ends and ultra-robust sensing they guarantee maximum system uptime even under toughest ambient conditions.

rane installations are the elephants in the animal kingdom of machinery - not only for being real heavyweights themselves, but also for performing hardest work day in and day out, often under harsh conditions. They withstand dust on construction sites. They resist salt water and wind in ports. They are exposed to the elements and operate in hot summer as well as in deepest winter. Those who are not tough enough have no chance to survive. And what applies to the overall system also applies to its components, such as sensors monitoring speed and angular positions at drives or machine shafts – the rotary encoders. This is the reason why HeavyDuty encoders are installed in many crane systems and giant hoists. HeavyDuty means "heavy-duty". In terms of rotary encoders, however, the term implicates much more than thick-walled housings and corrosion protection. HeavyDuty is the encompassing performance promise: These sensors perform their work reliably for a long time, never letting users down. Such a performance promise goes together with very specific requirements that rotary encoders must meet in order to really deserve the hallmark "HeavyDuty".

What makes HeavyDuty encoders heavy duty? For many years, encoders at cranes and heavy hoists must withstand hard shocks, strong vibration or shaft load without losing their functionality. Therefore, mechanical robustness is key. A thick-walled, robust

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housing is of course a help, but just the beginning. Solid and largely spaced bearings at both shaft ends must compensate axial and radial loads; furthermore all inside components must be protected by a shock and vibration-resistant design. HeavyDuty encoders must be immune to electromagnetic fields emitted by live, unshielded cables. Corresponding shielding of the encoder inside electronics must protect against destruction and prevent signal errors. Electrical insulation is also required for draining shaft currents. And, bearing lubrication may get burnt which results in bearing destruction. Another important point is tightness. In view of the application environment of HeavyDuty encoders - often marked by dust, dirt and moisture – protecting seals at critical, neuralgic points are a must: shaft and electrical connections. In parallel, seals are a good protection against corrosion by salt water or chemicals. And last but not least, HeavyDuty encoders must be as precise as their "little brothers", industrial sensors. Finally, their task is high-precision performance at drives and generators. Doing so calls for reliable delivery of precise signals, since even minor measuring errors may have significant, maybe even life-threatening consequences, for example when lowering down loads weighing several tons.

Absolute, incremental and with connection flexibility Selection requires a fundamental decision in the application: Is an incremental or absolute encoder required? Baumer Hübner offers a broad portfolio for both application areas, such as incremental encoders HOG 10 / POG 10 that have been reliably performing in crane installations for many

years and are considered as the reference for HeavyDuty encoders. Or absolute encoders HMG 10 / PMG 10 which among other things become ever more important in crane applications thanks to exact position output via Profinet. Since incremental signals are also required for absolute encoder speed feedback in addition to the absolute position absolute HeavyDuty encoders deliver incremental position signals, for example as HTL or TTL, via serial digital interface such as SSI or fieldbus interface. Some product variants even integrate a speed switch for limit speed information via switching output. There are various mounting options, whether as hollow shaft designs (through or non-through) cone shaft or solid shaft mount with optional EURO flange B10. If required, HeavyDuty encoders, speed switches and tacho generators can be combined in one robust, space-saving unit for receiving varied signal types all at once measured at one drive shaft. Large encoders such as HOG 16 / 22 / 28 by Baumer are used for maximum speed limit monitoring at drive shafts under most difficult conditions, such as in coal dust, salty air or in the burning heat of steel mills. Quick, energy-efficient lifting and positioning of loads weighing tons with millimeter precisionHeavyDuty encoders at crane installations and hoists provide users with the control information required to get the job done. And this even under toughest conditions, with long-year reliability and without losing precision. Would you like to find out more? The HeavyDuty experts at Baumer will be happy to provide you with information - www.baumer.com

ENGINEERING PDATE

August 2020

SICK Launches SensorApp for Colour Inspection and Sorting SICK is continuing the roll-out of its customisable SensorApps for ‘easy’ machine vision, with the launch of its Colour Inspection and Sorting App, a cost-saving and simple solution for common inline quality control tasks in automated production and packaging applications. The SICK Colour Inspection and Sorting SensorApp is a ready-made, yet flexible, packaged solution based on the ultra-compact SICK Pico- or midiCam 2D streaming cameras. It is the first to be integrated with a choice of SICK Sensor Integration Machines as well as providing LED illumination and a photoelectric sensor to complete the set-up. The Colour and Sorting SensorApp can be used to check that goods, assemblies or packs on a conveyor are the right size or colour. It can count objects with different sizes and colours as well as validate the correct colour or colour gradations, for example of baked goods or automotive components in an assembly. Objects with anomalies, such as the wrong colour or size, can be identified for rejection and the integrity and completeness of secondary packaging can be confirmed. “The Colour and Sorting SensorApp is the latest ready-made solution to be developed by SICK in our AppSpace software framework and reflects a trend for SICK to provide more packaged hardware and software kits that solve common machine vision tasks,” says Neil Sandhu, SICK’s UK Product Manager for Imaging, Measurement and Ranging. “The App comes with all the instructions you need for a really simple set-up. It can be customised to meet individual

needs and to extend the application with additional sensor and actuators, as required. The field of view can be adjusted by choosing from a range of camera resolutions and lenses and the ambient conditions of your production environment can simply be matched to the correct level of illumination. “The easy-to-use solution includes everything you need for the camera set-up, together with step-by-step instructions to teach-in the inspection. In the graphical user interface, the object colour can be matched by using the colour scale or by simply inputting the colour pigment. Object sizes are easily defined by minimum and maximum pixel values. A demo mode is included with example images to show the principle of operation in simple terms.” The SICK Colour Inspection and Sorting SensorApp allows different inspections to be saved as jobs. In total, 12 different objects can be determined in one job and up to 10 different jobs can be saved at any time. The SensorApp is designed to work with the SICK SIM4000, SIM1012 or SIM1004 Sensor Integration Machines, as appropriate for the application. Triggered by the photoelectric sensor supplied, the 2D vision camera sends an image to the

Sensor Integration Machine, which then processes the image according to the object specifications, before outputting a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ decision. Results are provided by the intuitive graphical user interface and can be configured with digital output and TCP/ IP. The SICK picoCam and midiCam streaming cameras are ultra-compact industrial digital cameras with GigE interface, easily integrated using industry-grade M12 plug connectors for the voltage supply and trigger signals. As an alternative, it is also possible to operate them with just one cable measuring up to 100m in length using Power over Ethernet (PoE). The SICK Colour and Sorting App is a simple and elegant solution for lowcost, easy-set-up common inspection tasks that can operate in decentralised, ‘edge’ configurations using Sensor Integration Machines to power localised applications and take the processing load off higher-level controls such as PLCs, as part of Industry 4.0-compatible production environments. For more information please contact Andrea Hornby on 01727 831121 or email andrea.hornby@sick.co.uk. www.sick.co.uk

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August 2020

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ENGINEERING UPDATE

Cellular internet connectivity for remote assets with the robust Anybus Wireless Bolt IoT HMS Networks announces the release of Anybus® Wireless Bolt IoT which enables reliable cellular-based internet connectivity for assets in the field, using the new LTE-based networks NB-IoT and CAT-M1. Companies are increasingly looking to connect remotely located assets for remote monitoring and control over the internet. However, many times there is no local infrastructure available to connect such assets to the internet in a traditional way. The Anybus Wireless Bolt IoT by HMS Networks targets this very situation, providing reliable cellular-based internet connectivity over NB-IoT and CAT-M1 for remote assets that are otherwise hard to reach and connect. Cellular connectivity with Wireless Bolt IoT bolted onto remote assets Wireless Bolt IoT includes all elements needed to get stationary or mobile assets online over a cellular connection. Packaged in the unique Bolt format for on-asset M50 hole mounting, it features a robust IP66/IP67 housing with UL NEMA 4X certificate for outdoor mounting, an integrated cellular antenna with a modem, a microcontroller, and firewall.

Easy and transparent communication over Ethernet to the asset A built-in Ethernet port is used to connect to a corresponding Ethernet port on the asset. The configuration is done via a built-in webserver or by sending REST commands via the Ethernet port. After this, Wireless Bolt IoT will transfer data transparently from the asset to the cellular internet connection using TCP/UDP based protocols. Power over Ethernet (PoE) is supported, but power can also be supplied via separate terminals.

NB-IoT and CAT-M1 with 2G fallback for global deployment 56|

On the cellular link, Wireless Bolt IoT communicates using the latest LTE standards NB-IoT and CAT-M1 with 2G (GPRS/EDGE) fallback, which enables reliable deployment almost anywhere in the world. These new LTE standards are so-called LP-WAN technologies (Low Power Wide Area Network) suitable for new IoT use cases that typically require low power consumption, low bandwidth (25-300 Kbit/s), good geographical coverage and a low connectivity cost per asset. An onboard SIM-card slot enables connection to any operator network worldwide. Private enterprise networking of assets is also supported using cellular Private APN networks.

Power-saving solution for battery-driven equipment Wireless Bolt IoT is especially suitable for batterydriven assets not connected to the electric grid, such as electronic road signs, traffic metering stations, and water level measuring stations. By using its »Low Power mode», Wireless Bolt IoT enters a low power state when data is not transferred which means that the size of the battery/power supply can be kept to a minimum.

Learn more at www.anybus.com

ENGINEERING PDATE

August 2020

BionicSoftHand 2.0 uses a combination of compact valve technology, sensors, electronics and mechanical components to emulate the movements of a human hand.

Festo gives the future of safe automation a hand Industrial change has accelerated, demanding a new level of interaction between people, machines and data. Within its Bionic Learning Network, Festo has been studying and developing safe automation systems to relieve people of monotonous or hazardous tasks. The BionicMobileAssistant is a prototype robot system that deploys artificial intelligence to move independently, identifying and gripping objects and adaptively working with humans. The entire system has been developed in collaboration with ETH Zurich. It has a modular design consisting of three subsystems: a mobile robot, an electric robotic arm and a pneumatic gripper – the BionicSoftHand 2.0 – an earlier version of which was first presented by Festo in 2019. It uses a combination of compact valve technology, sensors, electronics and mechanical components integrated in the tightest of spaces in order to emulate the movements of a human hand.

network, which has been trained in advance with the aid of data augmentation. Once the hand has been correctly trained, it uses the intelligence gathered to assess objects. The system would be perfect for differentiating good product from bad product, or for use as a personal assistant: for example as a service robot helping in assembly or assisting workers in carrying out ergonomically monotonous tasks. It could also be used in environments where people cannot work because of hazards or restricted accessibility. This includes maintenance or repair work, data measurements or visual inspections. It is also possible to imagine mobile robots carrying out tasks in areas where there is an increased risk of infection: delivering medicines to hospital patients, supporting the delivery of care in old people’s homes, or waving ultralight sterilising wands within wards. To see the BionicMobileAssistant in action visit www.festo.com/bionicmobileassistant

BionicSoftHand 2.0 wears a tactile glove with force sensors on the fingertips, the palm and the outer sides of the robot hand. This allows it to sense the nature of the item to be gripped, and to adapt its gripping force accordingly – just as the human hand does. Thanks to a 3D-printed wrist with two degrees of freedom, the hand can also move both back and forth as well as to the left and to the right. This means that gripping smaller objects is now possible. In addition, the hand has a depth camera on the inside of the wrist so it can visually detect the objects to be gripped – even if these are partially obscured. The information is processed by a neural

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August 2020

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ENGINEERING UPDATE

Monitoring Valve Health through IIoT By Imtex Controls As Industry begins to explore the potential benefits of embracing plant level digitisation, the opportunity to significantly increase efficiency through effective condition monitoring of equipment is clear. With the 1000s of valves typically used on any plant being one of the primary causes for unscheduled production downtime, huge potential savings can be realised through effective monitoring of their performance. Most plants already have one form of valve condition monitoring device installed, namely the smart valve positioner on control valves. However, few utilise or even realise the diagnostic capabilities of these instruments, and, even where plants have tried to use positioners for condition monitoring, operational and knowledge limitations has only afforded minimal benefits. Where automation and instrumentation requirements are relatively low, as is the case with on/off valves that do not require the control functionality of a valve positioner, it can be difficult to justify the time and money involved with installing a smart positioner to provide condition monitoring information. In addition, fitting a smart positioner to an automated on/off valve introduces additional operational issues such as compromised stroking times and increased potential failure modes. A number of companies have tried to develop bespoke systems for on/off valve applications but they can present the end user with other operational, financial and/or functional implementation issues. They are generally more costly than traditional feedback systems, can require installation of new wiring and hardware and can have software integration issues. Operationally, They will typically require site personnel to ‘harvest’ data and trained personnel to perform data review. These tasks will often be overlooked or performed unsystematically, resulting in the potential benefits of the system used to not be fully realised. Imagine instead a cost effective system that enables ‘real time’ reports identifying which valves need attention, to be delivered directly to your inbox or smartphone.

Condition Monitoring Solution for Automated On/Off Valves – A Wish list When asked what a condition monitoring solution for an automated on/off valve should look like, most plant operators have common desires. These are: The system should be simple to install – This should apply to both new installations and, importantly for retrofit applications as there are vast swathes of valves already installed that would benefit from condition monitoring The system should have no impact on Plant Control – Any condition monitoring system should not have the potential to compromise safe plant control or operation, preferably working in parallel with DCS/PCS operations The system should not require additional wiring – For retrofit applications, any equipment installed for condition monitoring should not require additional wiring to enable it to operate. Installing new wiring infrastructure is very complicated and expensive and would make the case for fitting a system difficult to justify The system should not require additional software within the Process Control Environment – Similar to wiring, introducing additional software into the process control environment can

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be difficult. Not only can software integration be challenging and expensive, but there is also the potential for security issues to arise which could have disastrous effects The system should be fully automated – Plant operations teams are busy people, and tasking them with additional work, such as collecting data from valves, is not desirable. As such, any condition monitoring system should be capable of harvesting data automatically and sending it for analysis without the requirement for plant personnel to be involved The system should be an extremely cost effective solution – In an ever more competitive economic environment, pressures on capital budgets are high. Therefore, any condition monitoring solution must be able to demonstrate a clear financial case. This means keeping the additional pressure on capital project budgets to the absolute minimum whilst providing the operational cost benefits that condition monitoring offers.

Introducing a REAL IIoT Valve Diagnostic Monitoring Solution Imtex Controls, a valve automation and communication company based in the UK, has recently introduced a valve condition monitoring solution targeted at the on/off valve market that addresses the implementation and operational demands that end users have. The technology, called Valvescan Diagnostic and Monitoring System (VDMS), has been designed to provide clear condition data for automated on/off valves without tasking the plant level operations team with any additional work plan requirements or creating any potential to compromise plant safety. The two core elements of VDMS are: Valvescan Field Mounted Device (VFMD) – Mounted on the automated valve in the same way as a traditional limit switchbox, the field mounted device gathers data from every valve operation and transmits this data via a cellular network to the cloud. The VFMD is purely a datalogger – it does not have control capability – and is powered using existing wiring infrastructure to the valve. The datalogging and transmittal within the VFMD is done in parallel with the Plant Control System so that plant operations run exactly as they did previously ValveHealth Diagnostic Application – ValveHealth is a cloud based application that receives data from the VFMD via the cellular network and analyses it automatically. The results off this analysis can be made available to authorised users in a web portal or shared with a wider plant condition monitoring platform as desired. Alerts can also be configured and pushed out to the people that need to know, whether that be key plant personnel or contracted valve service providers VDMS can be deployed in both green field and brown field applications with minimal additional infrastructure requirements. By comparing current performance signatures with historic ‘as new’ data, the system provides an assessment of the current health of the automated valve assembly with the goal of predicting a ‘time to failure’ value for the valve. Maintenance and pro-active interventions can then be scheduled in advance of any issues.

Find out more at www.imtex-control.com or call us on: 08700 340 002

Reduce unscheduled shut downs, reduce maintenance costs and improve plant safety with our Valvescan Diagnostic Monitoring System. Our revolutionary system is an end-to-end solution that captures data from every valve operation, analyses it and provides targeted alerts on the valve health without any requirement for involvement from plant personnel or any potential impact on the asset real-time control integrity. It is a true IIoT solution for automated valves. This system is not only a pioneering development in valve monitoring, it is also; ● Cost effective and easy to install ● Works with all existing valve systems ● Enables data retrieval and transmission to the cloud ● Provides a ‘real time health’ check on the valve and alerts when performance drop off is detected

08700 340 002 www.imtex-controls.com

August 2020

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ENGINEERING UPDATE

ESI Technology Limited Latest USB Software Updates ESI Technology are proud to be at the forefront of the industry leading USB Pressure Transducer technology. Our designers and engineers are constantly updating and improving the user interface for both the standard GS4200-USB and the high speed GD4200USB units. •

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Our streamlined, easy to operate USB units already offer a host of outstanding features, including; Measuring & recording up to 16 pressure inputs in one test The ability to rename sensors, making them easily identifiable during test/ monitoring conditions. Compare outputs from two (or more) connected transducers Data recovery facility in cases of power outages (inc. the ability to recover most of the data from the affected test) Option to enable “Auto Software Update “ensuring that all users will have the very latest version of the software for the life of the product.

ESI Technology regularly issue updates to the software, in some cases to eliminate bugs and glitches, but in the majority of cases to add new features to the software. We recently, at the request of customers, released a leak testing feature, to enable easy pressure leak testing for manufacturers, installers, and maintainers of pressure systems. In our latest update we further refined this feature to enable the pressure test to accept pressure drops to two decimal places. In this update we also added a feature that allows the graph screen and printed report to show the x axis (time) in elapsed time or system time. We have also introduced a popup screen to alert users when the test parameters have surpassed their set limits, meaning operators do not need to constantly monitor the screen for

pressure variances. The software now simply logs and informs users of the time and pressure level at the point of alarm. It is also now possible to move alarm levels during a test, rather than starting a new test. Markers have always been an important feature of the software as this allows users to flag times throughout the test they want to analyse further. There is now an option to remove or add markers after the test has completed, enabling more useful reports to be created. ESI Technology have a policy of constantly updating the USB software, if there is a feature you would like to see, or you feel would be a good addition to the software, please advise sales@esi-tec.com, and we can evaluate the feasibility of including this on future updates.

THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL PRESSURE MONITORING The GD4200-USB

August 2020

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ENGINEERING UPDATE

uEye LE AF camera models from IDS feature a practical autofocus function. Illustration (© IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH)

IDS extends selection of automatically focusable board-level cameras. Thanks to their practical autofocus function, uEye LE AF industrial cameras deliver perfectly focused images even with frequently changing object distances.

Sharp images even with varying object distances

IDS

Imaging Development Systems GmbH now offers additional camera variants with 2.1 and 3.1 MP Sony sensors which provide more flexibility in terms of application design and camera integration. For the first time, the company also offers models with upright USB Type-C alignment in this product family. In addition to the previously available uEye LE AF cameras with 6.4 MP (IMX178, 58 fps) and 18.1 MP (AR1820HS, 20 fps) sensors, customers can now also purchase models with 2.1 (IMX290, 120 fps) or 3.1 MP (IMX265, 80 fps). All cameras feature a USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface, USB Power Delivery – which can be used, for example, to power an LED light source or a photoelectric sensor – and allow the use and control of liquid lenses. The autofocus function ensures sharp images in the blink of an eye, even if the lens is not physically accessible or if the distance between the lens and the object changes frequently. The board-level cameras are therefore particularly well-suited for applications in fields such as logistics (e.g. for parcel acceptance and sorting) or traffic monitoring. Due to their compact design with dimensions of only 36 x 36 x 20 mm they also prove their strengths in embedded vision systems. This means that they are also interesting for integration into small medical or industrial devices. Further information: https://en.ids-imaging.com/store/products/cameras/ids-interface/usb-3.1gen.-1/ids-family/le/ids-camoptions/autofocus.html

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August 2020



ENGINEERING UPDATE

New ventilator sharing device for COVID-19 patients being tested by Institute for Manufacturing engineers and Royal Papworth Hospital anaesthetists • • • •

The new device, which is being developed in collaboration with Cambridge Design Partnership, improves upon and addresses concerns about previous ‘ventilator splitter’ designs, allowing one ventilator to be used by two patients more safely. The system incorporates respiratory parts that are available in the UK supply chain and which can be easily changed and replaced. ]Initial details of the device – which is still in testing – are now freely available on the Institute for Manufacturing website. Full design and testing details will subsequently be released so that the system can be developed for use in other countries.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers from the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), University of Cambridge, responded to a request from clinicians at Royal Papworth Hospital to develop a device that, if needed in an emergency, could be attached to a ventilator to enable two COVID patients to receive tailored respiratory support. Due to the success of the Government’s Ventilator Challenge UK, Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, along with other NHS hospitals, received enough ventilators to meet the surge in demand from COVID-19 patients and continue to have a healthy reserve stock of ventilators. However the new device – which is still in testing and not yet approved for clinical use – illustrates that it is possible to split the air flow from one ventilator to mechanically support the breathing of two sedated patients with different lung capacity and changing breathing needs. Although ventilator demand in the UK has reduced, this system could be adapted to provide emergency support to hospitals in other countries which are still facing significant challenges with the pandemic, or for longer-term use in countries that have ongoing ventilator capacity shortages. The specification of the active ventilator sharing device was detailed by two anaesthetists – Professor Andrew Klein and Dr Chinmay Patvardhan – who

initially feared that they may not have enough ventilators for patients during the pandemic and, when looking for alternative emergency solutions, were not confident in the ‘ventilator splitter’ setups they saw described online.

The IfM-designed readout meter delivers real-time measurement of tidal volume to each patient as well as monitoring the total pressure and airflow in the device. Easy-toaccess valves enable fine tuning of air flow to match the requirements of each patient.

Professor Klein said: “In case there were insufficient effective ventilators available due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we wanted to have the option, in an emergency, to split and isolate the air delivery from one ventilator between two patients.

Initial details of the specification of the system are now freely available on the IfM website. The site will be updated with all the findings, full design and software when the tests are released so that if other communities across the world have to consider this emergency option in the event of a shortage of ventilators, they can copy and adapt the setup for their own needs.

“Therefore, we also needed to have the ability to measure and control the air flow to each patient individually and have confidence that if there was a decline or improvement in breathing in one patient this would have no effect on air delivery to, or monitoring of, the other. “It was also essential that the setup was easy to assemble. The first tests of the device using artificial lungs are very encouraging; the solution developed both meets and exceeds our expectations of many of the other options developed elsewhere around the world.” “This device could allow medical professionals to instantly double the capacity to ventilate patients safely in a crisis situation which would be invaluable for any future emergency of the scale we have seen with COVID-19,” Dr Patvardhan added. “It could play an important role in those countries still seeing a rise in infections, or be used in places where the capacity of the healthcare system is particularly strained.” The IfM developed the solution in collaboration with Cambridge Design Partnership as well as Royal Papworth Hospital, with generous support from a wide selection of respiratory equipment manufacturers across the UK and the world. The system was designed to incorporate respiratory parts that are available in the UK supply chain in a layout that facilitates parts to be easily changed and replaced. The overall ‘box unit’ provides isolated respiratory lines to two patients and enables quick assembly to a ventilator.

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Dr Ronan Daly, who led the IfM team, said: “We have received incredible support for this initiative across the University and beyond. The team of engineers are making great progress with the device, from the detailed design and fabrication work to preparing regulatory documents, but a wider expertise from colleagues in finance, buildings management, purchasing and safety meant we responded at incredible speed. This project is a small example of a wider national attitude and response of which we should be proud.” Jon Cooke, who co-ordinated the regulatory and design support received from Cambridge Design Partnership, said: “It was great to be able to support the IfM team and work with them and Royal Papworth to deliver a functioning design in such a short space of time. “The combination of the deep regulatory knowledge and robust design techniques of the CDP team along with the great conceptual and experimental work conducted by the IfM made for a truly rapid development process. I’m extremely proud of what the team achieved in a short space of time. “While we hope it will never have to be used, we truly believe that this could have a positive impact across the world.” For more information, please visit the Institute for Manufacturing website.

August 2020

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August 2020



ENGINEERING UPDATE

New handheld capacitive gap measurement device from Micro-Epsilon is robust, lightweight and measures to micron accuracy Precision sensor manufacturer Micro-Epsilon has launched a new capacitive measuring device for mobile, high precision gap and distance measurements. Robust, lightweight and easy to use, the capaNCDT MD6-22 dual channel handheld gauge is suitable for use in industrial commissioning, service and maintenance tasks. The capaNCDT MD6-22 measures gaps to micron accuracy. Measurements are possible on all electrically conductive targets. The robust design of the device makes it ideally suited for use in environments where magnetic fields are present. Typical applications include maintenance of turbines and engines, rotor gap monitoring in wind turbines, airframe construction and joining processes in the automotive industry, as well as alignment of rollers in web processing lines such as paper and plastics. The complete measuring system weighs

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just 500g and consists of a dual channel handheld gauge, a capacitive capaNCDT sensor with integrated cable (up to 4m in length), carry case, power supply and magnetic holder for on-site mounting. The device is compatible with any capacitive sensor from the Micro-Epsilon product range. Battery life is up to five hours. The capaNCDT MD6-22 provides a touchscreen display and is supplied with pre-programmed features such as single sided or double sided measurement and automatic gap detection, which simplifies the parallel alignment of flat sensors for double-sided measurements. The memory function ensures increased flexibility, enabling the user to determine the measurement values at different locations, store them on a micro SD card (not included) and use this data for future evaluation

or to identify trends for condition monitoring tasks. Inserted into a gap, the flat sensors determine the gap width based on the active measuring area. Gaps up to 12mm can be detected reliably. The device offers three different measuring modes: gap measurement (single-sided), where one or two flat sensors are used; gap measurement (double-sided), where one flat sensor is used; and raw measurement, where two distance sensors can be evaluated together. For more information on the capaNCDT MD6-22, please call the Micro-Epsilon sales department on 0151 355 6070 or email info@micro-epsilon.co.uk

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August 2020



ENGINEERING UPDATE

Application - IWM gives hosiery manufacture a leg up! As a longstanding manufacturer with forty years of experience, Industrial Washing Machines (IWM) prides itself on developing and producing innovative washing and sanitising solutions for a wide range of applications. Kewell Converters are designing and manufacturing foam pads, liners and head bands for PPE. Their PPE face shield visors use Plastazote (closed cell) foam parts which are latex-free, non-toxic and hypoallergenic. Munsch & Co’s new range of AntiBac and Anti-Micro PVC, which are tested against various viruses including MRSA, E-Coli and SARS, prevent growth of bacteria and are ideal materials for use in surgeries, laboratories and food processing areas.

pumps and medical grade tubing for drip feeds. They have also been able to produce up to 32,000 units/ day of glass clear polypropylene face shields, but have recently switched to supplying products into various drug manufacturers making COVID-19 medications. J A Harrison are supplying CE approved PPE Cat II lightweight reusable face visors to the NHS and other industries. These visors cover the head & face and a version also fits over a hard hat.

James Walker continues to operate its manufacturing sites across the UK prioritising the design and manufacture of components for ventilators and oxygen equipment. They are supporting businesses who are manufacturing these critical items by supplying sealing solutions including O rings, diaphragms, gaskets and custom designed seals.

East Anglian Sealing Company continue to supply essential industries with respirator valves, screens and partitions, visor parts, gaskets and seals for ventilator

James Walker has also supplied visors for local care homes and stores; and staff have distributed care packages to local families and people isolating at home.

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W R Gaskets have cut free issue material into sets of scrubs for their local hospitals in Grimsby. J-Flex have donated hundreds of face masks to two local organisations. They have fulfilled new and repeat orders from a number of companies for thousands of face shield silicone head straps, and have seen an increase in demand for silicone rubber sheeting for medical, pharmaceutical and food production related projects. Simon Winfield, chairman of the UKGSA and director of MacLellan Rubber Limited, said: “I’m delighted to see our Members rise to the challenge of supporting the NHS and key industries at this time. Many Members have changed shift patterns in order to retain staff rather than furlough them or are supporting sales & office teams to work from home. By pulling together, all businesses can do their bit to help the healthcare sector get through this.”

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August 2020



ENGINEERING UPDATE

EPLAN Data Portal moves to the cloud Leading CAE provider EPLAN has announced that as of July 6, 2020, its immensely popular Data Portal, which provides instant access to comprehensive component and device data for design engineers, will be extensively updated.

The new version will be exclusively available in the EPLAN ePulse cloud environment, which users of EPLAN Platform Version 2.9 can access by registering at www.epulse.com.

easy to use as its “look and feel” is similar to that of popular search engines.

Those using the latest version of the Data Portal will benefit from immediate online access to high-quality product catalogues from a continually growing pool of renowned component manufacturers.

Another practical benefit of the new Data Portal is the inclusion of calculation programs such as Rittal Therm and selectors from Schneider Electric. These are tightly integrated with the relevant manufacturers’ data, which enables fast and convenient selection of the most suitable products for the task in hand.

Electrical engineers and fluid design engineers can select the device data they require and transfer it directly into their EPLAN Projects, reducing the time needed for design engineering, minimising the risk of errors and ensuring the data used in documentation is uniform and standardised.

Moving the EPLAN Data Portal into the EPLAN ePulse cloud environment brings a further important advantage: updates can be imported at any time – whether in the application itself or in the portfolio of data from more than three hundred component manufacturers.

A completely new user interface with an intuitive search and smart suggestion function makes using the new Portal easier, faster and more convenient than ever. The enhanced search function offers fast and practical support, whilst the suggestion function (for product groups, components or manufacturers) is exceptionally

Between them, the manufacturers offer data on more than one million devices for direct download. This ensures that engineers who use the Portal can always be sure that they are working with the latest and most dependable data.

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Renold Gears OQSx Oil Quality Sensor

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