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Unique, Tested and Certified to Exacting International Standards^[1] with longer-lasting impact protection.

In what is probably the most ground-breaking Work Trouser and Knee Guard innovation, Snickers Workwear has launched the world’s first built-in, certified kneepads which are completely integrated into a pair of Snickers Workwear’s premium stretch Trousers.

Delivering low-profile impact protection, the AllroundWork, Stretch Trousers with Capsulized™ Kneepads are an innovative combination of cutting-edge sportswear technology coupled with well-established workwear know-how. They’re ideal for craftsmen and women on site; for people in logistics and warehousing; industry, engineering and maintenance who are constantly on the move and want the continuous protection of welded-into-place Kneepads.

Designed and engineered in partnership with YBC®,^[2]  the Capsulized™ kneepad components comprise six protection layers that work with each other to dissipate the energy created by the impact of working on your knees or through bumps in the workplace.

https://www.snickersworkwear.com/campaign/capsulized

They deliver effective durability combines with penetration protection, as well as additional impact absorption, pressure release and enhanced comfort.And, as is typical of all Snickers Workwear clothing, these stretch Work Trousers with the lightweight Capsulized™ kneepads will provide in-place ergonomic protection all day, every day.

^[1] Tested and Certified according to EN 14404 for Type 2, Level 1 Knee Protection, https://www.snickersworkwear.com/list/protective-standards/en-14404-knee-protection .

^[2] YBC®, The Contour Experts, https://ybc-protection.com .

Air Power East's Secret Weapon Against LeaksChallenge

 Air Power East, a family-run business with over 30 years of experience as a premier distributor of Atlas Copco, specializes in providing high-quality compressed air systems to various industries across East Anglia. Under the leadership of Jason Sewell, the company has established a strong reputation for delivering reliable and efficient solutions.

However, they faced a significant challenge in ensuring their systems were completely leak-free, a concern shared by their clients, including an agricultural manufacturer managed by Paul Musgrove. Jason highlighted the issue, stating, "Customers have been asking us to make sure that we can prove something that's completely leak-free."

Concurrently, Paul Musgrove was seeking an effective way to manage and maintain their compressed air systems, with a specific focus on reducing energy waste and operational costs, emphasizing the need to "save money where we can, especially with energy prices as they are."

This dual challenge called for an innovative approach to maintain Air Power East's commitment to quality and efficiency while addressing the specific needs of their clients.

Solution

To address the intertwined challenges, Jason reached out to Baseline-RTS, an independent supplier of training and predictive maintenance equipment. They introduced Air Power East to the FLIR Si124 camera, an advanced acoustic imaging tool, capable of accurately detecting air leaks. Jason explains, "We sat down and did a bit of market research on a few different models and then came to the top. So, we contacted FLIR to come along and show us the Si124, and we've loved it ever since."

The Si124 is a lightweight, one-handed tool designed to quickly locate pressurized leaks in compressed air systems or detect partial discharge from high-voltage electrical systems. It is equipped with 124 microphones to produce a precise acoustic image that visually displays ultrasonic information. This image is transposed in real time on top of a digital camera picture, allowing users to accurately pinpoint the source of sound. The Si124 camera can detect issues up to 10 times faster than traditional methods, even in loud industrial environments. Additionally, it is compatible with FLIR Thermal Studio suite for offline editing, analysis, and advanced report creation, and it can help facilities save money on utility bills and delay the expense of installing new compressors.

Results

The use of the Si124 camera brought about transformative results. Jason explained the camera's effectiveness: "We've managed to walk around with the customer, showing them exactly what we're finding on our screen. And if we do find any small leaks, we can rectify them and then we can prove to the customer that their system is leak-free." This approach not only heightened the efficiency of the compressed air systems but also solidified customer trust in Air Power East's services.

Quantitative results underscore the Si124's impact. The camera enabled the detection of leaks amounting to approximately 100 cubic feet per minute (CFM), which is roughly 50 liters per second. This translates to about 18.5 kilowatts of compressor power, leading to substantial energy and cost savings, particularly in light of rising energy prices.

Conclusion

Air Power East's adoption of the FLIR Si124 camera to address the complex challenges in compressed air systems illustrates the power of innovative technology in industrial settings. The successful detection and rectification of air leaks not only enhanced operational efficiency but also led to considerable energy and cost savings for the agricultural manufacturer. This case study demonstrates the effectiveness of advanced tools in solving intricate industrial problems and highlights the importance of technology-driven solutions in optimizing industrial processes.

SPP Pumps Ltd (SPP) and Rodelta Pumps International BV (Rodelta) have agreed a strategic alliance between two of the world’s most established and respected pump manufacturing brands. Founded on almost 150 years of continuous product development and improvement, the agreement combines SPP Pumps’ ISO accredited and sustainable manufacturing expertise with Rodelta’s renowned R&D capabilities.

Established in the UK in 1878, SPP has grown into a leading designer and manufacturer of centrifugal pumps and associated systems, backed up by a worldwide spares and service network. Founded in 1946 in the Netherlands, Rodelta offers a technology driven product range, with an especially strong reputation for intrinsically safe pumps in potentially hazardous atmospheres.

Together, SPP and Rodelta’s pumps and systems are trusted globally for their reliability and low life cycle costs in safety-critical applications such as: process industries; water and wastewater treatment; fire protection; power generation; construction; mining; and other large industrial plants. 

Through the formation of a joint Process & Chemical Solutions division, SPP-Rodelta will focus primarily on oil, gas, petrochemical, biofuel, hydrogen and carbon capture markets; supported by a network of knowledgeable, responsive teams in Europe, the Middle East, North America and East Asia.

Robbie Graham, business development manager for the new Process & Chemical Solutions Division, commented: “I am delighted, after months of careful planning, to be formalising the longstanding cooperation between SPP and Rodelta. By combining best in class capabilities from both companies, we can now offer the latest in pumping innovations, such as our API 610 12^th edition compliant OH2, OH3 and OH5 ranges, via a genuinely global sales and support network.”

In particular the alliance is responsible for developing and introducing new products to complement the Rodelta range of API 610 (12^th edition) pumps; meeting the stringent safety and quality standards of the energy sector, where unplanned downtime is not an option. More specifically, this API compliant portfolio includes the ETL range of close coupled OH5 pumps, which provide improved energy efficiencies, reduced weights and smaller footprints with more user-friendly installation and maintenance than traditional alternatives.

www.spppumps.com/markets/process-chemical/

A new jet-mixing pump system has significantly reduced capital, installation, maintenance and energy costs at Moove, the leading global lubricants manufacturer and distributor, in the UK.

For a closed-top 50m³ tank used in the manufacturing process of quality lubricating, engine, hydraulic and gear oils, Moove wanted to trial a set-up that would not only be better economically, but also provide more redundancy.

Ian Lowe, Moove’s Manufacturing General Manager, explained; “A motor failure on a blender could mean as much as four days impact on production, so it was important for us to take the opportunity to prove a different technology.”

‘A better option’

He added: “The performance of our existing paddle mixers has been good, but Borger were recommended as a company that would work with us to provide a better option; one that could be easily replicated.”

The team at Moove drew up a logic for Borger to examine, outlining their objectives, which ultimately resulted in a pump (plus two nozzles), for a 3-bar application with a flow-rate of up to 60m³/hr.  To meet the space requirement at the Gravesend site in Kent, Borger also provided the system as a skid-mounted unit, working closely with Moove to supply a customised control panel with a specially written program.

“The fact that Borger were able to deliver a complete, all-in-one package was a real bonus,” continued Ian.

“It was also a big advantage to go to Borger for a site test, running different configurations to determine the best operating modes for us. This clearly worked very well, because apart from one very minor tweak, we haven’t had to make any changes since the pump was installed.

‘So simple to look after’

“With a 9kW motor (compared to 12kW for the paddle mixers), we are automatically saving on energy, but one of the other main benefits is that the Borger equipment is so simple to look after. There’s easy access to the pump-head, and no special tools required. Retrofit to an existing tank is also very straightforward.

“We’re very pleased with solutions provided by Borger that allowed us to achieve the goals of our project.”

Borger UK

01902 798 977

www.boerger.com

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For companies looking to reduce energy use and maximise asset performance there is a quick and free first step they can take – investigate the potential of voltage optimisation. Mark Yates, of compressed air and fluid power specialist Thorite, explains why.

The challenge to rein in energy costs without impacting productivity is a constant one for manufacturers.

But few are aware that they may be being supplied with more electricity than their plant needs to operate efficiently, and so are paying inflated energy bills.

This anomaly dates back to the early 1990s, when the voltage of UK factory equipment was harmonised with the rest of Europe, from a standard 240v to 230v +/- 10%.

As a result, all factory equipment is now designed to operate efficiently at the lowest voltage levels, around 220v. However, the national grid was not adapted to meet this lower demand and has continued to supply energy at levels that on some sites reach the upper level of 253v.

In addition to paying for energy which is not needed, an over-supply of voltage to an asset which only requires 220v can be detrimental to its efficiency and lifespan, as the additional current increases both its running temperature and vibration levels, so higher maintenance costs are also likely. An increased carbon footprint is another concern.

A voltage optimiser (VO) is a sustainable solution to excess electricity supply.

How a VO works

A VO regulates the voltage feed going into your premises and ensures machinery only uses the amount of kWhs it was designed to consume.

This keeps energy consumption at the optimal level a machine needs to function.

The inductive nature of any loads has no bearing on the effectiveness of a VO to bring about savings and they work effectively alongside power factor correction.

Identifying savings

A voltage optimisation audit – so simple to conduct that Thorite provides them cost-free - will establish whether a VO is worth your investment.

The audit measures the voltage going into your factory and calculates whether it will be viable to reduce the level of input, taking into account factors such as voltage drop. A VO can optimise the voltage to a single piece of equipment, a localised area or an entire building, with fixed or variable outputs and optional power factor correction.

A comprehensive outline of projected savings, carbon emissions reduction and return on investment (ROI) is then drawn up.

While projected energy savings can be accurately calculated on the reduction in kWhs consumed, maintenance and repair savings are more subjective and therefore less easy to gauge, however, Ofgem states that a 10% reduction in maintenance costs is a reasonable expectation when voltage is optimised.

Optimisation in action

A leading supplier of coating products wanted to reduce their carbon emissions and energy costs without compromising operational capabilities.

The free Thorite survey indicated that up to 8% of electricity consumption was being wasted.

Installation of a VO resulted in savings of £27,000 in the first year, which are ongoing. Carbon emissions have been reduced by 18,822kg a year.

VO is a solution which offer a concrete opportunity to achieve a swift return on investment and long-term financial, operational and environmental benefits.

www.thorite.co.uk

In the past, ships had large crews with a fair proportion of them being engineers and technicians whose job it was to keep everything running. They did this by spending much of their time on board ship busily stripping down and reassembling all the various items of the ship’s machinery. Basically,implementing a system of Planned Periodic Maintenance(PPM) in an attempt to avoid costly breakdowns. However,not only is this approach needlessly costly, due to the time wasted stripping down perfectly functioning machinery, it can actually make matters worse by introducing faults during the process of stripping down and rebuilding a perfectly goodmachine. 

Even more of a problem is deciding the correct PPM time intervals. Too short, means more wasted time and cost (and more potential for introducing faults) but not long enough means more unexpected breakdowns. In the case of a ship, breakdowns are not only VERY costly, but they can also be extremely dangerous. Think of a super tanker drifting onto the rocks!

These days, due mainly to increased automation, ships crews have reduced in size and PPM has largely been replaced by a system of Condition Based Maintenance (CBM). This approach relies on the fact that a machine’s condition (degree of wear) can be monitored by measuring things like the temperature and vibration levels of motor bearings. This way,machinery only needs to be maintained (stripped down) when its condition deteriorates beyond an acceptable level. Thatdecision is based on recording and tracking changes in the machinery’s condition over time, i.e. TRENDING.

So how is this achieved in practice? Fortunately, a range of modern low cost, easy to use and highly effective CBM tools are now available. These include vibration analysers like the TPI 9080 Smart Trend Meter that is currently in worldwideuse on board several hundreds of ships belonging to many different shipping companies.

In most cases, the ship’s engineers simply download a ‘route’(a list of machines to be measured) to the 9080 from an onboard computer (PC) running the FREE, subscription FREE, trending software. The engineer then simply followsthe ‘route’ taking the readings as instructed. After the readings have been taken, they are automatically uploaded (via USB or Bluetooth connection) back to the PC, where the all-important trend of the readings can then be seen in clear and easily understood graphs. The PC software will also flag-up any problems and can even send email alerts, all based on the internationally agreed (ISO) alarm levels for rotating machinery.

In addition, various expert system features are incorporated into the software, such as bearing quality assessment, whichis achieved by analysing the frequency components of the vibration data and automatically identifying the classic ‘signatures’ associated with bearing wear. That way, it is very easy to monitor the health of a bearing simply by observing the level of bearing wear displayed on the trend plots.

Many of the shipping companies take things a stage furtherwhere, in addition to the ship’s engineers, readings are also monitored by shore-based marine superintendents, who are using the same PC software. Readings can be transferredbetween ship and shore in a variety of ways including email.

A complete CBM system (hardware and software) costs from as little as £1,450 with the TPI 9080, which uses industry standard accelerometers and offers on-meter analysis for the detection of machine faults such as unbalance, misalignment, looseness and bearing wear. The equivalent intrinsically safe certified (IECEx, ATEX and North American) TPI 9080-Exoffers a complete Zone 1 CBM solution for £3,500.

For more information please contact TPI Europe’s head office on +44 1293 530196 or take a look on the website at www.tpieurope.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

EEMUA has welcomed Warwickshire Oil Storage Limited (WOSL) as its newest Corporate Member.

WOSL is one of the main operators at the Kingsbury Oil complex, the largest inland oil storage depot in the United Kingdom, where it stores petroleum products (petrol, diesel and heavy oil) for distribution around the UK.

Deovonne Ferreira, EEMUA’s Head of Membership, commented, “We’re delighted to welcome Warwickshire Oil Storage into EEMUA. The sharing of good practice across different industries and global regions afforded by engagement in EEMUA will help support Warwickshire Oil Storage in the safe operation of its industrial assets as it continues to invest in sustainable liquid bulk infrastructure”.

www.eemua.org

AJ Engineering – a Forres-based steel fabrication and construction services company – has introduced technology to help manage its carbon footprint and improve efficiency across its operations with the introduction of Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

Securing funding and technical support from CENSIS, Scotland’s innovation centre for sensing, imaging, and IoT technologies, the SME is on track to realise savings on its annual electricity usage as a result of new smart monitoring systems. The project formed part of the IoT Evolve programme, which was funded by the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to support SMEs in the region with the development and application of IoT technologies.

A series of connected sensors are now in operation across AJ Engineering’s site, enabling the management team to spot exactly where energy is being used and take steps to reduce consumption in particular processes or buildings. The technology has already highlighted significant savings that can be made by reducing the heating and lighting at parts of the plant that had not previously been identified as large consumers of power.

Compared to standard smart meters, the IoT system provides much more granular detail about specific pieces of equipment and circuits, giving the team better insights to support decision-making and its ambition to achieve net zero. Another benefit will be the cost savings on monthly overheads and fuel bills.

Having access to real-time data about the carbon footprint of its operations will also help AJ Engineering to communicate its green credentials to current customers and win new contracts, where partners may require the figures for their own carbon accounting protocols. According to the latest figures from the Carbon Trust, the average SME in the UK generates around 15 tonnes of CO₂ annually, making up 44% of total non-household emissions.

Graham Alexander, general manager at AJ Engineering, said: “Introducing this smart monitoring system has opened our eyes to how different parts of the business consume energy. The equipment has allowed us to have a much better appreciation of what aspects of our production and business are the largest energy consumers.

“As well as cutting our own carbon footprint, the technology will have benefits for customers across the sectors we operate in. They are increasingly asking us to supply information about our carbon footprint and the energy consumed by specific processes for their own emissions reporting. With access to accurate real-time data, we will be well-equipped to do so.”  

CENSIS’s engineers developed a modular system with multiple sensors that transmit data wirelessly via a LoRaWAN network – managed by telecommunications company North. An app-based dashboard is available to the company to help interpret and display the data remotely. Using an IoT network was identified as the most suitable option, given the site’s limited cellular coverage and equipment being located in harder-to-reach areas.

The project consortium hopes that the success of this project will inspire other SMEs in Scotland’s manufacturing sector to consider the adoption of similar IoT technologies.

Ally Longmuir, business development manager at CENSIS, said: “This was AJ Engineering’s first foray into the world of IoT and it is great to see the business realising the benefits of the technology almost immediately. Sustainability and carbon accounting are only going to become more critical as Scotland approaches its 2045 net zero target, and this is a great example of how digital adoption can support the wider goals and be applied to almost any industry.”

Even in rain, snow, fog and extremely dusty conditions, the new R1Dxxx and R2Dxxx radar sensors from ifm electronic provide accurate and dependable distance measurements. These novel sensors, which use a radar beam to detect even poorly reflective surfaces, have long maximum operating ranges and can be used over a wide range of temperatures. High ingress protection ratings mean they are equally suitable for indoor and outdoor applications.

Both R1Dxxx and R2Dxxx radar sensors have an analogue output, which can be configured as 0 to 10 V or 4 to 20 mA, two digital outputs that can be associated with user-defined distance setpoints and an IO-Link digital interface. The analogue output provides a signal proportional to distance.

When the sensor’s IO-Link interface is used with ifm’s Vision Assistant software extended functionality is possible. This combination can, for example, show the distance to multiple objects simultaneously, display the profiles of objects and even measure the speed at which objects are moving. 

Typical applications for ifm’s R1Dxxx and R2Dxxx radar distance sensors include monitoring the positions of vehicles on loading and unloading ramps and of ships while docking; monitoring the position, size and speed of loads on conveyor belts; and checking the position of cars while they move through a car wash, where the ability to withstand arduous operating conditions is particularly important.

Two versions of the R1Dxxx sensors are currently available. The R1D100 has a beam spread of 40º horizontally and 30º vertically and operates at 60 to 64 GHz. While the R1D200 has a beam spread of 40º horizontally and 20º vertically and an operating frequency between 77 and 81 GHz.

Two versions of the R2Dxxx sensors are currently available. The R2D100 has a beam spread of 140º horizontally and 50º vertically and operates between 60 GHz to 64 GHz. While the R2D200 has a beam spread of 140º horizontally and 30º vertically and an operating frequency of 77 GHz to 81 GHz.