Latest News

Tube Tech, the leader in premium cleaning and inspection solutions for oil and gas, petrochemical and agrochemical plants, has launched its next generation Mark 7 fired heater rover system capable of remotely eradicating more than 90% of convection section fouling.

The new technology, developed as a result of an extensive research and development programme, holds two patents. It can automatically crawl over intermediate tube support plates and across tubes, requiring fewer access points and enhancing its ability to access hard-to-reach areas. This defining feature enables the system to clean more in less time.

The new automated rover uses lidar technology for distance sensing and can detect blockages or obstructions. Live HD footage provides the operator with real-time feedback from within the convection bank providing an accurate representation of its condition and any areas of concern. Images and videos can also be used for reporting and analysis.

“We have been developing the Mark 7 rover to be the safest, most effective and intelligent system on the market capable of restoring convection section efficiency to design standards,” Derek Sumsion, R&D Manager at Tube Tech explained. “Becoming part of the IGS portfolio of solutions has provided us with access to broader spectrum of advance technologies and expertise which has made the development of this system possible.”

The Mark 7 rover restores fired heater convection sections back to original design thermal efficiency regardless of the level or type of fouling, dramatically reducing CO₂ emissions. 

Scott Donson, VP - International Business Development and Technical Operations at Tube Tech, commented:

“The launch of the Mark 7 rover indicates a significant step-change in heat transfer efficiency solutions and provides facilities with a much safer, effective, smarter, and sustainable fouling removal service.”

Tube Tech invites industry professionals to a live webinar and Q&A session on March 7^th, 2024, at 1 pm GMT, providing an in-depth exploration of the new system and its capabilities. Interested participants can sign up to watch the event live or on-demand: https://my.demio.com/ref/SPXSBod0OsXrPI6I

Founded in the U.K. in 1988, Tube Tech is the global leader in research-led, high-tech fouling removal and inspection services. As a division of Integrated Global Services (IGS) it is a part of a wider range of mission-critical surface solutions available worldwide.

For more information about Tube Tech, visit: www.tubetech.com

Commenting on National Apprenticeship Week, Kelly Becker, President UK & Ireland, Schneider Electric said:

“Some of the best people I’ve had the pleasure of working with have climbed the ranks through our apprenticeship programme. Apprenticeships offer a dynamic and fulfilling route to success, fostering both technical and interpersonal skills, and the flexibility to shift roles based on business learning, allowing talent to progress quickly. Local programmes like ours allow businesses to plug regional skills gaps and future proof their workforces for years to come, while helping progress the government’s focus on green jobs up and down the country.

That’s why we’re doubling the number of opportunities for our Schneider Electric UK & Ireland apprentice scheme this year. We know that apprenticeships create skills for life, but we also appreciate that there is still a general lack of awareness in the market about their benefits. Often, people don’t know where to start, or perceive roles to be limited to manual labour. As National Apprenticeship Week approaches, it should serve as a reminder that businesses must play a vital role in changing perceptions, including by working with education providers to increase the understanding of the opportunities available.”

www.se.com

Enerpac, the leading industrial tools pump manufacturer, announces the new SC-Series cordless battery pump, a compact lightweight hydraulic pump. The new battery pump allows operators to undertake larger jobs in difficult to access and remote workspaces. With the ‘Enerpac Connect’ app, SC-Series pump operators can instantly access job-specific usage data for traceability and improved precision, as well as a knowledge base of tool information.

Weighing just 9.2 kg including oil and battery, the SC-Series pump takes cordless convenience to another level while eliminating trip hazard extension cords, noise and emission producing generators. With a max. operating pressure of 700 bar, the pump’s high-performance Enerpac 54 Volt, 4 Ah lithium-ion battery provides substantial runtime for high-cycle, high-pressure applications. 

As well as delivering the speed needed to complete applications quickly and efficiently, the high performance, brushless motor offers twice the service life of brushed motors. Moreover, the pump’s fast battery charger minimizes downtime between jobs while providing details of charge status, over-temperature and damaged battery indication.

Precision control

When precision control of tool or cylinder advance is required, the SC-Series thumbwheel speed control can be adjusted during operation for fine incremental movement. In addition, high-precision cylinder retraction is made possible through the pump’s convenient pressure release valve.

The SC-Series pump 1 litre oil capacity gives operators access to a wide range of cylinders and tools. Additionally, the pump’s bladder reservoir reduces the risk of contamination and allows pump use in any position. Accessories for the SC-Series include a shoulder strap that attaches to integrated steel rings for enhanced portability, as well as an optional pendant control.

The heavy-duty pendants operate any Enerpac SC-Series pump and are easy to connect or disconnect when not in use. They feature large buttons, an over moulded grip, lanyard loop and hanger magnet. Multiple seals within the pendant provide IP64 environmental protection.

Enerpac Connect

Underpinning the efficiency and competitiveness that the SC-Series pump brings to any project is the Enerpac Connect app. For the first time, operators have instant and complete access to product specifications, manuals, videos, job specific usage data, and wireless firmware updates. Accessible through convenient use of a smartphone or tablet, tool operators simply scan the QR code on the pump. 

“Enerpac Connect takes the productivity and skills of SC-Series pump operators to another level. It also gives pump owners a comprehensive picture of the tool and its usage, both important factors in job safety and ensuring service delivery. Cordless and compact, we expect the SC-Series to become the ‘go-to’ pump for many users as they make full use of the Enerpac Connect Mobile App for the latest essential tool information,” says Angie Wallace, Global Product Manager, Enerpac.

For more information on the Enerpac SC-Series Cordless Pump, visit www.enerpac.com.

Cascadia Capital’s Aerospace team is pleased to share with you our newest industry report focusing on Aerospace & Defense (“A&D”). To access the full report, click here: Aerospace & Defense Industry Report | Q1-2024

Packed with insightful analysis and comprehensive market trends

Key Highlights

• The products and services in the A&D markets have had a surge in demand with many key indicators that point to strong 2024 and foreseeable future:
  • Despite the rising price of airline tickets, revenue passenger miles have spiked to $97.9B in August of 2023
  • Airbus and Boeing have current combined backlogs of 14,000 planes
  • Both the U.S. and Global Defense Budgets continue to increase
• Supply chain constraints have created opportunities for suppliers that can get quality product to their customers on time
• Industry 4.0 technologies are having a substantial effect on the ecosystem
• Wars are being fought with technology and driving demand for drones and other technologies to fight offensively from remote locations 
• The Aerospace & Defense M&A Markets have been one of the most stable over the last several years and valuations have remained at relatively high levels 
• Private Equity funds have contributed the most to this, especially in consolidating many of the privately-owned companies
• Larger companies have been interested in acquiring higher technology companies that can round out their capabilities

When companies update their products, they often include new features or bug fixes. The improvements which they implement generally represent responses to user feedback about the product. This is precisely what Brady has done with their new hardware products: the fixed RFID reader FR22 Lite is a response to users of the FR22 which needed a simpler reader, and the new antenna GA25 will satisfy all users who do not require the extreme performance of Brady’s other antennas.

The Fixed RFID Reader FR22 Lite

The Brady FR22 Lite is the entry variant of the powerful Brady FR22 RFID reader. The FR22 Lite has the same RFID engine and processing platform as FR22. The need for an external computer or tablet is eliminated with this reader, as a processor is integrated. It does not have the same wireless connectivity, video capability or support for Brady external modules as the FR22, however. “But that is precisely what we wanted and what the customers said they needed”, explains Lluis Bueno, Senior Product Manager for RFID & IoT Devices and Software. “Not all use cases require the kind of capabilities which the FR22 has, with video output, wireless connectivity and 16 port multiplexer. Many customers simply need a basic RFID reader.” The FR22 Lite is exactly that. It features a new UHF RFID engine based on the very latest technology and a full set of API‘s available for controlling the reader. Read capacity is at 1.000 tags per second.

The New Antenna GA25

Brady has, historically, always impressed with very special antennas which have not been available elsewhere. “Our customers loved our readers and devices, that was clear”, remembers Lluis Bueno. “But time and time again we saw that customers needed a generic purpose antenna rather than a special one. And we could not provide such antennas.” Some time ago, work on these generic purpose antennas begun, and in 2022, Brady launched a high-performance generic antenna, the GA30, to great acclaim. The new Brady GA25 goes even further in the direction of a generic antenna: it is a robust and extremely cost-efficient antenna with circular polarization. It has a high gain and achieves a long RFID reading distance, is usable on all surfaces, including metal, and shows excellent performance in every orientation.

Application Areas

Brady FR22 Lite and Brady GA25 can be integrated in one and the same installation. Suitable application areas include asset tracking, Inventory management, people or vehicle access control and document tracking. They can also be used to great advantage in RFID gates and tunnels.

Discover more about RFID Readers and Antennas >>

Brady Corporation

www.brady.co.uk

As National Apprenticeship Week 2024 approaches (February 5^th – 11^th), a thriving Whitchurch-based business is keen to recruit its latest up and coming engineer.

Landia UK, the pump and mixer manufacturer, which is celebrating its 30^th anniversary, has offered work experience and career opportunities to local students at its Waymills site for the past 17 years. Several apprentices have gone on to develop their skills with the company, working their way up to become full-time, qualified engineers, as Landia’s Paul Davies explains:

“Managing products that deal with the wastewater from food, sewage and farm waste might not sound that glamorous at first (!),” he said, but an apprenticeship with us is ideal for somebody who enjoys the challenge of problem-solving. Every day is different here. There’s lots to learn.”

He added; “Take Josh Edge, for example. Not that long ago he was a brand-new apprentice at Landia, but here he is now, using valuable experience gained on our shopfloor to work on sales and projects, including a role just recently at the big LAMMA agricultural show to meet new and prospective customers.”

In advance of National Apprenticeship Week, Landia has already been liaising with local schools, colleges, and training organisations in the search for candidates. This follows several important new orders gained by the Whitchurch company in the final quarter of last year.

Landia 01948 661 200

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Fixed gas detectors play a critical role in safeguarding people, places, and the planet against potentially life-threatening gases in environments ranging from high value industrial complexes to laboratories and hazardous confined spaces. However, to ensure their accuracy and reliability, regular calibration is an indispensable practice.

Calibration is usually a two-step procedure – the zero and the span. In the first step, the sensor is zeroed using ambient air after confirming that the target gas is not present or by using a suitable gas from a cylinder. The second step is to expose the instrument to the calibration gas that contains a known concentration of the target gas the sensor is designed to measure. The readings are then adjusted to match these values.

Whether an instrument warns and/or alarms at the proper time depends on its ability to translate the detected concentration of a target gas into an accurate reading

During calibration, gas detectors perform relative measurements. Rather than independently assessing the quantity of gas present, they measure the concentration of targeted gas within a test gas mixture by comparing real-time sensor response to the sensor’s response to a known concentration of target gas that the instrument is configured to detect and measure. This “known concentration” test gas serves as the instrument’s measurement scale, or reference point.

So, why is this important? Here are a few reasons to consider:

1. Ensuring Gas Measurement Accuracy and Reliability

A gas detector that isn’t accurately calibrated can lead to mis-readings, false alarms, and inadequate responses to hazardous situations. Proper calibration fine-tunes the detector’s sensor(s) to maximise speed of response, measurement accuracy, and provide reliable information to personnel required to make informed decisions in critical moments.

2. Meeting Regulatory Compliance

Safety regulations and standards are in place for a reason – to protect people, property, and the environment from potential hazards. Many industries are subject to these regulations that dictate the calibration and maintenance of gas detectors.

3. Mitigating False Alarms and Detection Failures

A poorly calibrated gas detector can lead to unnecessary evacuations, disruptions, and complacency due to frequent false alarms. Conversely, improper calibration might render a detector insensitive to dangerous gas levels, leaving people and operations vulnerable to potential harm.

4. Accounting for Changing Environmental Conditions

Fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure can impact the performance of these instruments. Regular calibration adjusts for these variables, ensuring that the sensor maintains its accuracy despite ever-changing conditions.

5. Combating Sensor Drift and Aging

Just like any mechanical or electronic component, gas sensors can experience signal drift or degradation over time. When the detector’s current readings deviate from the known reference, proper calibration procedures enable necessary adjustments to the sensor’s output. This adjustment effectively brings the sensor’s response back in line with the original calibration reference, minimising the impact of sensor drift.

6. Upholding Record Keeping and Liability

In the age of accountability, maintaining thorough records of gas detector calibration is a prudent practice. It demonstrates a commitment to safety management and can serve as a valuable resource in case of incidents or accidents. Having well-documented calibration records can potentially mitigate legal liabilities and bolster an organisation’s credibility.

7. Fostering Confidence in Safety Systems

An accurately calibrated gas detector is not just a piece of equipment; it’s a testament to an organisation’s dedication to safety. Regular calibration instils confidence in employees and management that the safety systems are in optimal condition, ready to provide accurate information and timely alerts in case of emergencies.

Conclusion

Routine calibration helps ensure accurate measurements, regulatory compliance, and a reliable defence against hazardous gases. Onsite safety and instrument availability is maximised while mitigating against false alarms at the same time. In a world where safety is paramount, the simple act of calibration speaks volumes about an organisation’s commitment to the well-being of its people and the environment.

Download our whitepaper: https://gb.msasafety.com/trucal#whitepaper

IFS Ultimo and industrial software provider Q-mation have signed a partnership to help support customers in the US to benefit from IFS Ultimo’s Enterprise Asset Management / Collaborative Maintenance Management Solution (EAM / CMMS) platform. Q-mation is the world’s largest and most comprehensive sales, support, and training organization for AVEVA software solutions. The partnership allows Q-mation to add IFS Ultimo’s EAM solution to its portfolio and offers maintenance and asset management features to its industrial customers.

Both IFS Ultimo and Q-mation are strongly connected to joint partner AVEVA. For IFS Ultimo, this first reseller partnership in the US is another step in its global growth strategy. In recent years, IFS Ultimo already onboarded AVEVA Select partners in the UK, Spain and Italy. Both companies presented their partnership to their customers at AVEVA World 2023 in San Francisco.

Freddy Vos, VP International Sales and Channel at IFS Ultimo, commented: “The strong combination of the AVEVA and IFS Ultimo solutions allows Q-mation to offer the IFS Ultimo platform across multiple industrial sectors in the US. Customers will benefit from having local access to IFS Ultimo and the expert support and industry knowledge provided by Q-mation. Our solution is well known for rapid deployment, ease of use and seamless integrations. We already have more than 2200 customers across the globe. We are delighted to now serve more customers in the US through this collaboration with our valued and experienced partner, Q-mation.”
Ralph Gordon, Vice President of Expert Solutions at Q-mation added, “We’re proud to be working with IFS Ultimo as its EAM system aligns perfectly with AVEVA’s Asset Management Solutions. The integration with AVEVA Insight and System Platform enables greater business insight through the transference of seamless data connections for optimized productivity, efficiency and safety. The IFS Ultimo partnership helps to build a bridge between production and asset management for our customers and puts them in control of their data and digital transformation future.”

Image description, from left to right: Freddy Vos, VP International Sales and Channel, IFS Ultimo; Ralph Gordon, Vice President of Expert Solutions, Q-mation; Cody Galeggos, Channel Account Manager, IFS Ultimo.

About IFS Ultimo  
IFS Ultimo is a SaaS EAM / CMMS solution from IFS, focused on maintenance & safety and well known for a rapid deployment, ease of use and an unparalleled time to value. IFS Ultimo is part of IFS.

IFS develops and delivers cloud enterprise software for companies around the world who manufacture and distribute goods, build and maintain assets, and manage service-focused operations. Within our single platform, our industry specific products are innately connected to a single data model and use embedded digital innovation so that our customers can be their best when it really matters to their customers — at the Moment of Service^™️. The industry expertise of our people and of our growing ecosystem, together with a commitment to deliver value at every single step, has made IFS a recognized leader and the most recommended supplier in our sector. Our team of 5,000 employees every day live our values of agility, trustworthiness and collaboration in how we support our 10,000+ customers.
www.ultimo.com

About Q-mation 
Q-mation has delivered automation solutions in industrial environments since 1987 and is the world’s largest and most comprehensive sales, support, and training organization for AVEVA software solutions. The company is a leader in applying software and technology to build sustainable solutions, ranging from SCADA through MES. Q-mation serves corporate end-users, single manufacturing sites, and OEMs and often partner with system integrators to bring world-class software solutions and best practices to the world.
www.q-mation.com   

Enerpac announces two series of workshop presses—the XLP-Series H-Frame Workshop Presses and VLP-Series Benchtop Presses. Whether for differential assembly in the automotive industry, gear components assembly in the aerospace industry, or bearing maintenance in the mining industry, the Enerpac VLP and XLP presses offer superior performance. 

New XLP-Series Workshop Presses
Available in 25-, 50-, and 75-ton models, the XLP-Series Workshop Presses feature adjustable side-to-side cylinder movement, a locking winch for easy height adjustment of the press bed, and high-performance manual, pneumatic or electric pump options with remote valve operation. The 25-ton press has a simple, welded design and the 50- and 75-ton presses have an open frame and bolted design. The 50-and 75-ton models come standard as unassembled kits, and include complete press frame, winch, cylinder, pump with gauge, couplers and hose. 

New VLP-Series Benchtop Presses
Enerpac VLP-Series Benchtop Presses work with manual or air pumps. They feature a welded frame and are available in 10-ton models.

To learn more about the Enerpac VLP and XLP Presses, visit www.enerpac.com.