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NEW PRODUCTS
Structural bearings deliver extreme low-friction performance to resources projects
Filler accomodates bulk bags and drums
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Custom-fabricated structural bearings are being introduced by Hercules Engineering for extremely high stress applications in resources projects requiring outstanding load-bearing performance, even in compact or wet spaces in mineral processing applications, power generation, ports loaders and land and marine exploration and structures . The latest Herculon structural bearings are manufactured by integrating H-Glide fibre-reinforced composite pads sliding on 2B finish stainless steel to achieve an exceptionally low sliding coefficient of friction compared with other engineering bearing materials, even under water. Unlike metal bearings that may rust or require continual lubrication and maintenance, the environmentally safe yet hard-wearing H-Glide bearing pads are dry sliding and will not release contaminants into surrounding environments or adjacent processes. H-Glide’s excellent sliding properties (including friction coefficients from 0.05 – 0.1) are invaluable to infrastructure developers, engineers, architects and specifiers because lower coefficients of friction will transfer less stress onto the load-bearing structural components when the bearing does its job of protecting them against surrounding movement. Hercules Engineering and Cut To Size Plastics provide a wealth of experience and application guidance, based on almost 50 years of operation in Australasian and Asia-Pacific regions in applying engineering polymer technology to construction, infrastructure, energy, mining, manufacturing, maritime, oil and gas, food and beverage, safety and water and wastewater applications. Hercules Engineering’s latest example of bearings incorporating H-glide was in an extensive roof which required extreme load-bearing capacity in a confined space, as close as possible to the axis of the load. The same high performance is equally useful in major energy and resources structures, including wharves, platforms and steel structures, where compact bearings must withstand long-term stresses to protect valuable structures with optimum levels of safety for those within or around them . With their incompressible H-Glide sliding layer, these bearings can withstand extreme point pressures of 350-500 megapascals, depending on bearing design and application. This outstanding performance – which is up to 40 times greater than conventional water-resistant and non-lubricated fibre-reinforced elastomeric bearing pads – is complemented by the material’s ability to function well in a variety of environments including, but not limited to, damp or under water applications. It is suitable for: • Oil process and production platform applications, as well as resource development infrastructure and mineral processing plants subject to changing operational loads and ambient conditions • Maritime and logistics structures, port and rail facilities, water and wastewater environments requiring a combination of high engineering performance combined with environmental compatibility • Energy structures, including wind, wave and tidal
power generators, where bearings must provide outstanding performance over varying loads for extended periods. • Industrial and manufacturing process plant, including food and beverage, plant and process engineering applications requiring low maintenance, with high requirements for safety and hygiene • Construction, infrastructure, engineering and architectural projects involving high point loads on bearings, including commercial, retail and public infrastructure ranging from health facilities to parking stations A major advantage of this type of composite bearing is that they do not require lubrication, which minimises any disruption to processes. H-Glide bearings’ already excellent lifespans can be increased by the use of a mirror polished stainless steel sliding plate. Absorption of water and other fluids is negligible. The material is virtually inert, reactions with food and cleaning substances, for example, almost never occur. The H-Glide bearing pad is available in different formulations, including conductive materials. It is equally suitable for a wide variety of high-load structures requiring extreme load-bearing capability combined with non ‘stick-slip’ behaviour, where static and kinetic coefficient of sliding friction are virtually equal.
A new low-rofile, combination bulk bag/drum filler from Flexicon allows filling of bulk bags and drums in low headroom areas. When filling bulk bags, full-length forklifting tubes integral to the rear-post fill head allow incremental height adjustments secured with hitch pins to accommodate bags of all popular sizes, from 1000 to 1500 mm tall, and widths to 1150 mm. The filler is equipped with an inflatable bag spout seal, a feed chute dust vent, and a low-profile densification deck that de-aerates material in bags weighing up to two tonnes as they are being filled. A remote console or wall-mounted panel houses controls to automatically inflate the bag to remove creases, open a flow control valve or start a feed device, and stop the flow of material once a preset fill weight has been gained. The vibratory deck de-aerates and densifies material in the bag at preset set points to create a solid, stable bag, ready for shipment. Once bags are filled, the controller deflates the spout connection collar and releases the loop latches, enabling the operator to remove the palletised bag using a pallet jack or fork truck. The unit can be switched to drum-filling mode in several seconds by positioning the swing-arm-mounted drum-filling chute under the fill head discharge port. The attachment has an adaptable seal to handle drums measuring up to 570 mm in diameter and 900 mm in height. When filling one drum, initiating a filling cycle delivers a programmed weight of material to the drum. When filling two, three or four drums, the feed chute automatically indexes after each drum is filled, reducing operator involvement to initiating the cycle and removing the palletised drums using a pallet jack or fork truck. The filler is constructed of carbon steel with stainless steel material contact surfaces, and is available in all-stainless steel finished to industrial, food, dairy or pharmaceutical standards, and with material delivery systems integrated with upstream process equipment or storage vessels.
Pillow block bearings for square tubes in photovoltaic power plants Solar plants operate under extreme environmental conditions. Treotham offers dirt-repellent and lubrication-free igus spherical plain bearings that precisely meet these requirements. They impress with their long service life, durability and low costs. The igus ESQM pillow block bearings enable the mounting of solar panels that are constructed with square tubes of different edge lengths. In many projects, ESQM-110 and ESQM-120 for 110 or 120mm edge length have already proven their worth. Now Treotham also supply ESQM-100 for 100mm edge length. The cost-effective pillow block bearings are UV-resistant, corrosion-free and particularly resistant to dirt and dust. They also enable alignment compensation, e.g. for unevenness in the substrate. The lightweight bearings are easy to assemble and disassemble, with a split version of housing and spherical balls. The service life as well as the load capacity (also due to high static wind loads) have been successfully tested. Treotham also supplies igus plain bearings that are suitable for solar tower power plants, parabolic trough power plants or the axis of rotation for panel adjustments, as well as energy chains with a defined torsional stop and minimum bend radius. With more than 17 years in the solar sector and extensive testing, igus can guarantee a long service life on all of their products.
Bevel consumables for MAXPRO200 plasma system
Projecta takes portable solar chargers to new heights
Hypertherm has released extreme bevel consumables for its MAXPRO200® LongLife air and oxygen plasma cutting system. The consumables, designed for mechanised, robotic, and handheld cutting, have an aggressive pointed geometry so the plasma torch can tilt to an angle of up to 66.5 degrees. This makes the consumables ideal for a wide range of jobs including steep mechanized bevelling, tube and pipe cutting, structural steel work, pressure vessel construction, and handheld cutting. In addition, it makes it easier for operators to see what they are cutting and gives them better access to beam flanges and areas with limited clearance for better cuts and fewer secondary operations. The extreme bevel consumables are available for both air and oxygen cutting at 130 and 200 amps. MAXPRO200 owners and operators can choose to purchase the consumables separately or as part of a starter kit (part 528058) that includes consumables for all the extreme bevel cutting processes available for this system. The MAXPRO200 is a true workhorse for companies demanding great cut quality along with high productivity and low operating costs. It’s 100 percent duty cycle combined with 200 amps of power and the versatility offered by both hand and mechanised cutting make it an enormously popular system.
The PP15 Solar Charger was tested by climbers on Mt Everest and is now available here to tackle the great New Zealand outdoors. Going off the beaten track means so much more when you can capture memories on your phone or tablet to look back on later……until you realise the battery is flat and there’s nowhere to recharge. Given the absence of power outlets in the great outdoors of New Zealand, there’s every chance of ending up with a flat battery when away from civilisation for an ended period. That is unless of course you came equipped with one of Projecta’s new personal solar chargers, piggybacking neatly across your rucksack, which have just been released in New Zealand. Prior to Covid19, such a device proved to be a lifesaver for a group of climbers tackling Mt Everest. Allowing them to keep in contact with each other in case of emergency and snap some photos of their once-in-alifetime experience, the climbers depended on their Projecta PP15 solar charger to keep all their mobile phones up and running. While it’s unlikely that Nepal will be on the list of travel destinations any time soon, there’s always the great outdoors closer to home and a PP15 solar charger would make a great back-up for those planning a few days away from the comforts of civilisation. Drawing power from its folding monocrystalline solar cells, the 15W charger features a built-in power bank, which can store power from the sun and continue charging devices when night falls. USB-powered devices such as mobile phones, tablets, cameras, Bluetooth speakers and even drones can be charged directly and simultaneously from the three available USB ports, with a total combined output of up to 2.4A (5V). The solar charger kit comes with corded loops and carabiners for versatile mounting to tents and backpacks for ideal sun exposure, folding up neatly into an ultra-portable carry case when not in use. Projecta says that having been tested in the icy, high altitudes of Everest Base Camp, the portable solar charger kit is more-than capable of performing closer to sea level and in typical outdoor locations around New Zealand.
Omron has launched its new 1S Series AC Servo System with Safety Functionality. The new model joining the 1S Series, helps achieve safer manufacturing environments and higher productivity in the digital, food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and other industries.
While manufacturing labor is hard to come by these days, harmonisation between people and machines is being accelerated, and there is a growing need to improve both productivity and safety of manufacturing equipment. Manufacturers are under pressure to quickly set up manufacturing equipment due to short product life cycles. They, however, also have difficulty in engineering because setting up safe equipment requires a skilled equipment designer and software packages for safety & motion design. In addition, robots using AC servo systems are increasingly being used to maintain social distancing between workers as a preventive measure against infections including COVID-19. Workers now need to work harmoniously and safely with machines. The new AC Servo System with Safety Functionality provides eight safety functions to safely run machines. All the functions satisfy PLe/SIL3*2 providing the highest-level safety, protecting the safety of operators, machinery, and products while improving the productivity of production equipment. For example, in case of an emergency stop, synchronized motors decelerate to a stop, and the stationary state is monitored to avoid breakdown of products and machinery and smoothly restart the production equipment. Moreover, combining with the Automation Software Sysmac Studio, which provides an integrated development environment from design to commissioning, makes programming easier. This software helps improve equipment performance and optimize commissioning tasks. At the production floor where people and machines work together, the machines keep running in the machine work area at safe speed in response to approaching people, ensuring the safety of operators and boosting production efficiency at the same time. Omron set forth a strategic concept called “innovative-Automation” consisting of three innovations or “i’s”—”integrated” (control evolution), “intelligent” (development of intelligence by ICT), and “interactive” (new harmonization between people and machines). By using the new 1S Series with Safety Functionality, Omron accelerates “innovative-Automation” together with its client companies and contributes to improving safety and productivity at manufacturing sites and increasing efficiency from equipment commissioning to production.
title Swim school purpose-built for champions Launch of Aisle Master Order Picker: Aisle Master-OP
New Zealand’s prestigious AquaGym facility was purpose-built in 1988 by two of New Zealand’s leading Elite Swim Coaches: Brett Naylor and Clive Power. Brett and Clive have for many years coached New Zealand Swim Teams to Olympics, Commonwealth Games and World Championships.
Until Brett’s retirement from National Swimming in 2000, AquaGym has placed a swimmer and coach on every International, Commonwealth and Olympic Games Team. AquaGym is now fully owned by Brett and Colleen Naylor, and whilst the competitive swimmers are still showing strength at all levels, an enormous amount of energy has been put in to its Learn to Swim Program.
Top of the range instrument controller
The Naylor’s needed a reliable, high-quality automatic controller that would help maintain hygienic water for their new 16m x 10m water babies and pre-schoolers swimming pool. “We required remote off-site access via the internet along with a low maintenance automatic chlorine and acid testing solution,” Colleen explains. “The entire system also needed to be sealed tight to withstand the harsh environment of the equipment plant room where temperatures fluctuate and there’s high levels of humidity and chlorine.” Waterco’s Chemflo PRO is equipped with the capability to connect up to four sensors of any type with appropriate analogue outputs and relays. Equipped with data logging as standard and multiple PID loops as options, the Chemflo PRO is able to control complex water treatment processes at a fraction of the cost of other controllers. Key product features and benefits include: • Free chlorine, total chlorine and hydrogen peroxide reading through amperometric sensors.
Chlorine range goes from 0.05 to 10.00ppm and hydrogen peroxide from 5 to 500 ppm • Open overflow flow cell for sensors • Superior patented gel-filled glass pH electrode • Large easy to read colour LCD screen • Capabilities for 4 inputs (expandable up to 16) and 4 outputs (expandable up to 16) • Optional Remote communication • Optional VSD pump controller • Includes dosing pumps for sanitiser and pH control • Mounted on backboard
VSD Control (optional)
Chemflo PRO VSD control sets the recirculation pump motor automatically, while the pool is being used, based on biocide demand. Biocide demand is directly linked to the number of people using the pool or spa, therefore Chemflo PRO can reduce pump speeds and electricity costs during periods of fewer bathers.
Learning life skills in pristine water
Learning to swim is a life skill and, because Waterco’s Chemflo PRO keeps pH levels consistent, AquaGym’s swim coaches and students are able to experience perfect swimming conditions. “Living in a small country surrounded by water, we believe that every child should be given the opportunity to gain the lifetime benefits of being able to swim,” says Colleen.
Combilift’s new Aisle Master-OP (AME-OP) is a pioneering stand-on electric powered model that combines the advantages of a narrow aisle articulated forklift and an order picker for versatile operation in warehousing applications.
The development of this model was influenced by customer feedback - as has often been the case with Combilift’s innovations - as well as the recent soaring growth of e-commerce. “Customers already using the Aisle Master for space saving, storage and efficiency in their warehouse asked if we could redevelop the Aisle Master to meet their ever-growing demand for order picking customised orders”, said Combilift CEO Martin McVicar. Research & Development carried out in 2019 & 2020 has created the Aisle Master-OP. The main feature of this unit is the step-through operator compartment which has design copyright protection (European Design Registration No. 002676809-0001) across multiple markets worldwide. The low floor height of just 280mm (11”) enables convenient, single step access from both sides of the truck which speeds up order picking compared to the operator having to get on and off from a seated position. The AME-OP truck has all the key advantages of the conventional Aisle Master - indoor/outdoor, for loading/offloading and for stock replenishment at other times during shifts when order picking is complete. The Aisle Master-OP is available in a number of variants, with lift capacities from 1,500kg to 2,500kg, lift heights up to 12.1m and can operate in aisles as narrow as 1650mm. It features a patented chain steering system (EU Patent No. 3008008), which allows the truck to articulate more than 205°, with an inline drive motor and front drive axle assembly, all of which enable narrower aisle operation. The multifunctional programmable joystick control lever in the operator compartment, which includes controls for the hydraulics and traction, is adjustable to enable comfortable and ergonomic working conditions for operators of all sizes. The Operator Presence Detection floor pad engages the parking brake automatically when the operator steps off the truck to carry out Order Picking. The AME-OP is now a production model within Combilift, with units currently in build for customers in the United States and in New Zealand - one of which is Sorted Logistics based in Christchurch New Zealand, a third-party logistics provider and freight forwarder who will be receiving eight AME-OP units shortly. This is a major innovation in the warehousing sector and the versatility to use the one Aisle Master for multiple applications - narrow aisle operation, truck to rack handling, bulk picking and item order picking - will result in strong demand for this new product in our home and export markets around the world.
