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Discover the new ultrasonic camera for preventive maintenance from SONOTEC! With the SONASCREEN® 2, the company is setting new standards in hardware, performance and usability. Learn now how the innovative device can help you lower your bills and where you can take a look at it.

How to effortlessly reduce your company’s ecological footprint and energy costs

Around 20% of the energy needed to generate compressed air is the result of leaks - 80% of which are avoidable. Stopping these leaks therefore not only reduces your company’s CO2 emissions, but also your energy costs significantly. With the new SONASCREEN® 2 acoustic camera, you can detect and document leaks easier than ever before, without the need for time-consuming training. Simply take your acoustic camera with you on a tour of your facility and capture the defective areas that are causing you additional costs as you move. An investment in leak detection equipment will not only pay for itself in a very short time, it will also save you money on your electricity bill and help to preserve our planet’s resources. SONOTEC’s robust device is proven for compressed air, gas and vacuum leak as well as partial discharge detection in food, beverage, cement, chemical, automotive, steel and power plants, along with grid operators and the home appliance, semiconductor, plastic and electronics industry.

SONASCREEN® 2 – explore the most versatile and powerful ultrasound camera

The device does not only come with an impressively easy-to-use software, but also with the highest number of ultrasonic microphones ever built into an acoustic camera, a frequency range up to 100 kHz and real-time results with 100 fps. The measuring system with ring memory enables the detection of phenomena that are only visible for a brief moment, while the built-in IR sensor extends the devices functions to those of a thermal imaging camera. In addition, SONOTEC’s camera system is the only one with a GPS function, which is especially useful for mapping defects in larger areas, such as partial discharges on transmission lines.

Dive deep into your data

The frequency range for your measurement was set incorrectly and possible defective areas are thus invisible? No problem – the SONASCREEN® 2 is the only camera on the market that allows you to access the recorded raw data and correct the frequency settings afterwards instead of repeating the measurement.

Live detection and cost forecast

With the brand new SONASCREEN® 2, you can detect and display several defective parts at once and see live how much they will cost you. What to do with the results on your camera screen? If needed, you can transfer the results to your PC and generate detailed reports for upcoming maintenance activities and audits with the free of charge Windows software.

Come and take a look

Visit SONOTEC at Reliable Plant (Stand 630) or SONOTEC’s partners VP Instruments UK (Stand 4-B20) and CBM Partners (Stand 4-D50) at Maintec and see the quality and usability of the new acoustic camera for yourself.

www.sonotec.de

• Approval of the merger by the Annual General Meeting, completion of the merger still expected in the fourth quarter of 2024
• Preparations for the integration of Vitesco proceeding according to plan
• Annual General Meeting approves dividend of 45 eurocents per non-voting common share for the 2023 financial year
• Horst Ott, District Manager of the IG Metall union in Bavaria, appointed as a member of the Supervisory Board
• CEO Klaus Rosenfeld: “Together with Vitesco, we are creating the leading Motion Technology Company.”

Birmingham, UK | April 26, 2024 | The Annual General Meeting of Schaeffler AG (“Schaeffler”) has approved the merger of Vitesco Technologies Group Aktiengesellschaft (“Vitesco”) into Schaeffler. After Vitesco shareholders at their Annual General Meeting had already voted in favour of the merger agreement the day before, the Annual General Meeting of Schaeffler has also given the green light for the merger. The Annual General Meeting also approved all other resolutions proposed by the management.

Up to 626 participants attended the virtual event.

Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG: “With the approval of the Annual General Meetings of Schaeffler and Vitesco we have fulfilled further important requirements to finalise the merger of the two companies. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in the corporate development of the Schaeffler Group. Together with Vitesco, we are creating the leading Motion Technology Company.”

With the successful Annual General Meeting, Schaeffler has now completed the second step of the three-step overall transaction. The merger is still expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Integration preparations on track
The preparations for the integration of Vitesco into Schaeffler are already in full swing and are progressing according to plan. In his speech, CEO Klaus Rosenfeld reported to shareholders that an important milestone had been reached on March 14 of this year, with the establishment of the future organisational structure on the first level below the Board of Managing Directors and the Regional CEOs. The next phase of the integration process will now focus on the second management level, the development of the divisional and functional strategies and structures, as well as a joint business plan. These steps are of crucial importance to optimally prepare Schaeffler for the year 2025, which is expected to be the first fully integrated financial year of the newly shaped group.

Dividend of 45 eurocents per non-voting common share
With regard to the business performance of the previous year, Schaeffler once again succeeded in growing despite a challenging environment, Klaus Rosenfeld reported at the Annual General Meeting. The Automotive Technologies division recorded an order intake of over five billion euros in the field of e-mobility in 2023. Increasing global demand for repairs, driven by a growing and ageing vehicle fleet, has been a key driver for the positive revenue and earnings development of the Automotive Aftermarket division. In addition, despite challenging market and competitive conditions, the industrial division achieved remarkable results in some areas in 2023.

Against this backdrop, the Annual General Meeting approved a dividend of 45 eurocents per non-voting common share proposed by the Board of Managing Directors and the Supervisory Board. This represents a dividend payout ratio of 47.3 percent of net income attributable to shareholders before special items. In consultation with the Supervisory Board, the Board of Managing Directors had decided to raise the corridor for the annual dividend payout from the previous 30 to 50 percent to now 40 to 60 percent, so that shareholders will participate even more in the company’s profits in the future.

For the current financial year 2024, Klaus Rosenfeld referenced to the forecast for 2024 published with the Annual Report, which considers the planned merger in the fourth quarter.

Horst Ott appointed as a member of the Supervisory Board

At the end of the Annual General Meeting, Jürgen Wechsler resigned from the Supervisory Board. He will be replaced by Horst Ott, District Manager of the IG Metall union in Bavaria: “I would like to thank Mr. Wechsler for many years of work on the Supervisory Board and his valuable support as Deputy Chairman. As a member of the Supervisory Board from the very beginning, he has made a significant contribution to the relationship of trust with his objective way of working. We wish him good health and happiness for his well-deserved retirement,” said Georg F. W. Schaeffler, family shareholder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board. “The approval of the merger of Vitesco Technologies Group Aktiengesellschaft into Schaeffler AG at today’s Annual General Meeting marks a milestone in our corporate history. Schaeffler is and will remain also in the future a family-owned company that is shaping the future sustainably, innovatively and with a pioneering spirit in the interests of all stakeholders.”

The voting results of today’s Annual General Meeting and the reports by the Supervisory Board and the CEO will be available shortly at https://www.schaeffler.com/en/investor-relations/general-meeting/

You can find the annual report at: www.schaeffler-annual-report.com.

Offshore production of hydrocarbons is moving into deeper and more remote locations. FPSOs have revolutionized deep-water drilling, allowing operations to produce oil in areas that were not previously viable. The economy and ease of deploying small scale FPSO vessels to exploit smaller reservoirs which would have traditionally necessitated the construction of an offshore platform is being made even more attractive through Government incentives.

However, design requirements are becoming more arduous. FPSOs require high pressure, Quick Opening Closures to maintain the required levels of operational safety and reliability. In addition to providing safe access to pipelines and associated pigging facilities, Quick Opening Closures are integral to produced water treatment systems, production separators, and fuel gas filter separators.

Early consideration of design requirements for deep water, high pressure applications such as FPSOs is essential to ensure efficient supply chain operations, as is timely integration and installation of the Quick Opening Closures into pressure vessel design packages. This means FPSO operators must think ahead, as Carla Connolly, Global Sales Director for GD Engineering, explains.

“Traditional oil and gas mid-pressure applications have benefited from closures using standard materials and shorter lead times. Arduous applications such as deepwater FPSOs require more complex material specifications and specialized closure designs made to specification. Manufacture involves forging materials such as Duplex Stainless Steel or using corrosion resistant weld overlay processes, with extensive testing requirements necessary to ensure reliability throughout the full product life cycle. Early engagement with specialist companies like ours is therefore essential to ensure that Quick Opening Closures for FPSOs are correctly specified, installed and maintained.”

FPSO Closure Projects

GD Engineering has extensive experience in the design and development of Quick Opening Closures based on its world-renowned Bandlock™2. The company has recently supplied Quick Opening Closures on 12” Guard Cartridge filters for an FPSO in South American waters. The filtration/closure combination is for a sulphate recovery system, with the filter designed to remove debris down to 10 microns. The closure allows safe and efficient access to the filter vessel within 60 seconds, using only one operator and without the need for any special tools. Both the closure and the vessels were supplied in Super Duplex Stainless Steel with full documentation and QA packages to meet operator and regulatory requirements.

Bandlock™2 Quick Opening Closures from GD Engineering also feature on an FPSO located in the world’s largest global deepwater oil field. The operation includes FPSO interconnection to 13 wells, with the vessel and field projected to produce above two million barrels of oil per day. GD Engineering supplied 25 specially designed Quick Opening Closures for the project’s pig launcher and receivers, including a specially designed 10k rated closure which withstands in excess of 600 bar pressure, yet operates at the same speed, efficiency and safety levels as their standard designs.

To further ensure the safety of operators, the Bandlock™2 closures were supplied with mechanical key interlocks which are integrated into the valve operation sequence. This minimizes safety risks and reduces human error using the key transfer principle to guarantee that operators follow the correct steps through the valve operations to the final opening of the pressure vessel access point once the system has been completely depressurised.

For more information, visit: https://celerosft.com/en-us/products?category=closures

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Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has appointed Rhonda Doyle as the new Vice President of Customer Operations in the UK and Ireland. This follows the appointment of Kristin Hanley, who previously held the post, to Vice President of Sales Excellence and Marketing for the UK and Ireland business. The new role will see Rhonda take the lead on customer care, satisfaction and quality, business systems, business tendering and project management, alongside developing new strategies to transform end-to-end customer digital experiences. 

Prior to this, Rhonda held the post of Senior Director of Field Service Operations since joining Schneider Electric in 2021. During that time, she has played an integral role in growing the services side of the business to support customers’ digitalisation and sustainability strategies. She has also been instrumental in transforming internal processes, improving performance and service delivery, while helping projects to scale and meet customer requirements.  

Rhonda’s experience and achievements within Schneider Electric align with the responsibilities of the Customer Operations role that covers all aspects of customer engagement, from the customer care centre to project management and frontline engineers. Building on Schneider Electric’s reputation for delivering a first-rate customer service, Rhonda will review existing processes to refine service delivery with a specific focus on enhancing the digital customer experience.  

Speaking about the new appointment, Rhonda Doyle, Vice President of Customer Operations, UK and Ireland, said: “Digitising processes is at the core of Schneider Electric’s overall strategy. Our suite of smart digital monitoring tools contribute to greater energy efficiencies for customers and in how we directly communicate and engage with customers. We’re continually transforming the customer experience across multiple channels, to ensure that a customer service representative is available via a phone call or a live chat. Our goal is to deliver end-to-end solutions that allow us to connect digitally with customers – and respond to their needs faster and with greater accuracy but also cater for the needs of the various business units.” 

Kelly Becker, President of Schneider Electric UK and Ireland said: “Rhonda has a proven track record of delivering excellent customer service strategies and her innovative leadership style is exactly what this position needs. Rhonda will help us grow as an organisation and pursue unparalleled levels of proactive customer support. She will reassess our customer engagement approach, equip our teams for success and increase the number of digital connections we have with our customers. This aligns with our strategy to keep our customers as our first priority and continuously improving our support across the business.” 

www.se.com

In a bold leap towards enhanced operational efficiency and seamless IO-Link sensor integration, ifm electronics are proud to introduce moneo configure free, the cutting-edge tool designed to empower businesses with intuitive smart IO-Link management.

moneo configure free offers unparalleled ease and efficiency by enabling simultaneous parameter setting of multiple IO-Link sensors while also facilitating central parameter setting of IO-Link masters across the network. This innovative solution significantly streamlines the configuration process, saving valuable time and enhancing the overall process reliability of production operations.

One of the standout features of moneo configure free is its integrated, manufacturer-independent IODD (IO-Link Device Description) management, leveraging the extensive IODD database. This empowers users to seamlessly integrate sensors from various manufacturers into the IO-Link network, allowing for the seamless configuration of their parameters. This interoperability not only fosters flexibility but also underscores our commitment to industry collaboration and future-focused solutions.

Furthermore, during setup or error analysis, moneo configure free provides clear indication of up to two process data values for each IO-Link sensor in the cockpit, irrespective of the manufacturer. This invaluable feature enhances visibility and facilitates swift decision-making, ultimately contributing to optimized operational performance.

Experience the future of IO-Link device management—download moneo configure free now and unlock a new realm of operational efficiency and flexibility.

On recent revisits to two Steelcoat 100/400^™ System applications in the Northeast of England, Winn & Coales (Denso) Ltd. were proud to confirm that both applications were performing as expected, providing exemplary protection from corrosion over a decade since their installations.

The Steelcoat 100/400 System consists of Denso Hi-Tack^™ Primer, Denso^™ Profiling Mastic, Denso Hi-Tack^™ Tape, Denso Ultraseal^™ Tape and Denso Acrylic Topcoat^™ and offers an excellent long-term coating solution for exposed steel and pipework – particularly in areas faced with damp conditions. The system requires minimal surface preparation and is easy to apply, making it ideal for use in remote or difficult to access areas where preventing contamination of the surrounding environment is of the utmost importance.

Winn & Coales pride themselves on the longevity and effectiveness offered by the complete and correct applications of their innovative products and systems. The revisited Steelcoat^™ systems – originally applied in 2008 and 2010 respectively – serve as demonstrable proof of their enviable track record of success and affirms their position as industry leaders.

Winn & Coales (Denso) Ltd are leading manufacturers and suppliers of corrosion prevention and sealing systems and celebrated 140 years of service to industry in 2023.

www.denso.net

Industrial process heating equipment and solutions specialist Babcock Wanson has launched the EPC EL range of electric thermal fluid heaters, providing customers with an effective low carbon process heater with no direct emissions. The key functionality required by thermal fluid heaters are high turndown, low heat flux, accurate temperature control and high safety level which is incorporated in the design. 

A multi-tubular type thermal fluid heater, with a series of flanged electrical heating elements inserted within the carbon steel exchange tubes where the thermal fluid circulates at high velocity, the EPC EL ensures a precise forecast of the fluid temperature at each point of the thermal fluid internal path, with no internal significant recirculation. The 1-D fluid arrangement allows for a more compact volume and greater protection of the thermal fluid when compared to a single vessel design, for improved fluid longevity. 

Modular in design, EPC EL electric thermal fluid heaters can be configured in series and parallel to meet different applications and site requirements. The single functional unit is composed of two thermal heater elements, each with a maximum power of 60kW. In the event of a thermal heater failure, the EPC EL can continue to operate at reduced power, excluding only the faulty element. A single 100 A thyristor controls the power, for flexibility and modulation. 

For temperature limitation the heating elements are equipped with temperature sensors, connected directly to the surfaces of the heating elements.

The EPC EL is supplied with a separate power and control panel housed in a standard cabinet for ease of access. The panel is fitted with PLC with HMI for simple and clear operator interface.

As with all Babcock Wanson process heaters, the EPC EL is extremely durable and easy to maintain. Inside the casing the tubing is fully welded to prevent leakage points. The heating section is installed inside a protective steel frame housing, closed by thermal insulating sandwich panels which are easily removable for inspection. The front of the heater, where the electric elements are located, is protected by a light cover, fitted with fast release bolts and handles that can be lifted by a single operator.

The EPC EL is the latest addition to Babcock Wanson’s range of thermal fluid heaters, which include heaters with integrated gas, oil or dual fuel burners to meet the needs of modern industry.

For more information, please contact Babcock Wanson on 020 8953 7111 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or go to www.babcock-wanson.com

With interest rates so high, is buying new machinery the right move? In an economic landscape where efficiency and cost effectiveness are essential, the lure of new equipment is tempting. However, for informed professionals - maintenance managers, site managers and production managers - there is significant value to be found in enhancing existing assets. Let's explore why focusing on maintenance, supported by advanced software, is now considered a prudent strategy.

Why choose maintenance over new purchases?

The immediate benefits of new equipment are obvious, but have you considered the power of improving what you already have? With interest rates on the rise, the answer to stretching your budget and optimising operational efficiency lies not in buying new, but in perfecting what you have.

Cost savings and sustainability

A focus on maintenance, supported by Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), offers financial and environmental benefits. CMMS streamlines maintenance, extending the life of equipment and reducing the urgency for new investment. This strategy not only saves money by avoiding immediate large purchases, but also improves sustainability. Efficiently maintained equipment uses less energy and produces less waste, allowing organisations to reduce costs and support environmental goals. Through careful maintenance and the use of CMMS, organisations can achieve greater resource efficiency, extend equipment life and reduce their financial and environmental footprint.

Predictability and power in your people

Routine maintenance, backed by robust CMMS data, also transforms unexpected breakdowns from inevitable to preventable. And empowering your skilled technicians with the right tools and data can make a world of difference in maximising equipment life.

Introducing MaintMaster: Transforming maintenance strategy

Imagine a scenario where maintenance isn't just a budgetary consideration, but a central aspect of your operational strategy. MaintMaster makes this concept a reality. It optimises efficiency and production, improves safety and quality, and makes maintenance a fundamental element of your business operations.

Leverage data, improve decision making

With MaintMaster, your team has access to real-time insight to make strategic decisions that reduce downtime and extend the life of your equipment. Understanding Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) has never been easier, allowing you to compare maintenance costs directly with the potential cost of new purchases.

Your next step

In this era of high interest rates, maximising the potential of existing assets is critical. By focusing on maintenance and using MaintMaster, you not only save money, but also invest in making your operations more sustainable and efficient. Adopt the approach of proactive managers who improve their operations for greater resilience and sustainability.

Move away from new acquisitions to unlocking the untapped potential of your current assets and explore the benefits of strategic maintenance with MaintMaster.

Contact:

MaintMaster Systems Ltd

Plexal, 14 East Bay Lane

Here East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park,

E15 2GW London, United Kingdom

Phone: +44 749 332 8466   E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hydraulic industrial tools specialist, Enerpac, has announced a lifting system for safer excavator maintenance. Based on Enerpac SCJ-Series Cube Jacks, it enables lifting and holding of the entire cab, boom and arm, allowing the undercarriage to be safely removed.

During maintenance of the excavator’s swing drive and bearings, the undercarriage unit must be separated from the upper body cab and arm to give access to the swing motor and multiple sets of planetary gears. Until now this would have involved at least two service engineers jacking up the body and holding it on stands, a time consuming and hazardous practice. 

The Enerpac cube jack lifting system offers a safer, CE-certified, approach to removing the undercarriage. It comprises two pairs of cube jacks providing coordinated hydraulic lifting of loads up to 25T per jack to a height of 2m. Two cube jacks are positioned under a lifting beam at the rear of the excavator, while two cube jacks are located under the arm’s bucket lugs. Each pair of cube jacks is connected to a hydraulic pump to synchronously lift and lower the excavator body and arm.

“The excavator lifting system has been developed in collaboration with a leading excavator maintenance company looking for a safer CE-certified approach to removing the undercarriage. It automatically self-locks so that engineers can work safely under the raised cab without the need for secondary jack stands,” said an Enerpac spokesperson. ‘It has been well received especially for its safety, secure load holding, precision lifting and lowering and quick and easy set-up which make it attractive to users and customers alike.”

Enerpac Cube Jack
Enerpac cube jack technology is well proven in many industrial lifting applications. The SC-Series Cube Jacks use a base lifting frame and self-aligning, lightweight steel cribbing blocks to provide high-capacity and stabilised lifting–offering a safer, controlled and more efficient alternative to climbing jacks with wooden cribbing. 

Lloyds witness tested to 125% of maximum working load, the incremental cube jack lifting system is self-locking to support the load as each cribbing block is manually added or removed, instead of being held by hydraulic pressure. Once the mechanical lock engages, the lift cylinder retracts, and another cribbing block can be added or removed. 

To learn more about the Enerpac Self-Locking Cube Jack and find a local Enerpac distributor, visit www.enerpac.com.

                              Smart Ultrasound Condition Based Lubrication

SDT Ultrasound Solutions announces the release of the LUBExpert ON-GUARD, the newest addition to the SDT Catalog, combining automation with reliability, simplicity, and safety.

Perfectly in line with the SDT mission, the LUBExpert ON-GUARD respects your assets and your work, gives you flexibility by conducting grease replenishment remotely and makes bearing replenishment simple by eliminating the need for extensive training.

“Under the strategic direction of the whole SDT Family, SDT Ultrasound Solutions proudly unveils the LUBExpert ON-GUARD. This latest innovation is a testament to our focused efforts in redefining and advancing the ultrasound technology sector.” Benoit Degraeve, SDT Ultrasound Solutions Director & General Sales Manager, continues: “LUBExpert ON-GUARD is not merely a product, it’s a cornerstone in our ambitious growth plan. It reflects our dedication to delivering groundbreaking solutions that align with our vision of smarter, more efficient, and sustainable asset management. With this release, we are setting a new benchmark in smart, condition-based lubrication, directly contributing to the operational excellence and competitive edge of our clients. The LUBExpert ON-GUARD is a clear signal of our commitment to continuous innovation and strategic growth in the ever-evolving world of ultrasound technology."

The LUBExpert ON-GUARD is an online monitoring system designed for smart ultrasound-assisted lubrication with up to 8 channels. The system enables smooth relubrication of assets only when needed, with the appropriate amount of lubricant ensuring your assets consistently perform at their peak.

The device promotes a sustainable future with precise control, preventing unnecessary depletion and oversupply as well as reducing lubricant consumption and electrical energy use. This SDT patented solution helps you keep your workforce safe by conducting grease replenishment remotely, mitigating any risks in hazardous environments.

Once configured, its built-in local web server can pilot compatible lubricators guided by the SDT LUBrain algorithm or any alternative relubrication mode to fit your existing procedures. Problems can be prevented thanks to a personalized, autonomous and data-driven maintenance strategy. The all-inclusive options offered by the LUBExpert ON-GUARD provide an unprecedented level of flexibility empowering the user to choose the optimal lubrication strategy for their factory.

Access to the LUBExpert ON-GUARD web server is handled through the local network, requiring no additional software installation or licensing. Data is hosted by the system, displayed in separate charts organized per channel, and remains available/exportable to any client system compatible with Modbus TCP. The LUBExpert ON-GUARD offers the freedom to connect and control from anywhere, putting the power of efficient maintenance in the palm of your hands.

The reliability of the LUBExpert ON-GUARD makes it an indispensable tool in the arsenal of precision maintenance strategies. Trust it to be your next ally, dedicated to ensuring the longevity of bearings and optimum performance of critical assets.

About SDT

SDT provides ultrasound solutions that help customers gain a better understanding about the health of their factory. We help them predict failures, control energy costs, and improve product quality while contributing to the overall reliability of their assets.

Weblink: https://sdtultrasound.com/products/lubexpert-on-guard/