Latest Product Reviews

In their price bracket, the new FLIR T400 Series cameras exceed all others brands on performance. These latest models retain the excellent ergonomics synonymous with this series but also pack in a range of new and innovative features. Heading that list on the top-of-the-range T440 is FLIR’s Multi Spectral Dynamic Imaging (MSX) that produces an image that is rich in detail and texture. 

ABB has expanded its measurement products range with the addition of pressure and temperature switches, enabling safe and reliable control of pressure and temperature in a range of industrial applications, including chemical, oil, gas and power.

ABB’s BETA pressure and temperature switches are characterised by their ability to offer safe and reliable performance in extreme conditions. Fully certified to leading international standards, the range includes pressure, differential pressure, vacuum and temperature switches, making them ideal for measuring fluids and gases in a wide variety of applications.

The switches incorporate a precisely engineered, self-aligning, piston sensor which provides precise operation. The limited travel in the piston, and its direct contact with the microswitch, allows accurate pressure transmission and full protection against the highest over range pressure.

The processing industry is going through significant changes and is affected by several industry trends. Mr. Raimo Ahola, CEO of Beamex Group says, “we have conducted extensive market- and customer-related studies worldwide during the past few years by interviewing thousands of instrumentation and calibration professionals, and based on those studies, and also on direct feedback we have received from our customers, several industry trends are evident, which pose new demands on devices and systems used for performing and managing calibrations. This feedback was the starting point for our product development project a few years ago when we decided to develop a device that will be the next measurement industry benchmark”.

In September 2011, Belzona refurbished a leaking caustic tank for a global soft drink manufacturer at their bottling plant in London.  The engineers at the plant were looking for a long term repair solution for a caustic tank suffering leaks on the welded seams where the caustic acid was leaking from the painted mild steel tank. 
The tank was situated within a stainless steel secondary containment area and was made up of four half round sections which were welded together. The tank contained around 8000 liters of 28% caustic soda.

The tank was fully drained prior to the application and the front of the secondary containment area was removed to aid access. A scaffold was erected to gain access to the higher parts of the tank.

Application service provider Belzona Technosol won the contract to refurbish the tank. The entire area was pressure washed to ensure full adhesion of the Belzona products. An 80mm wide repair area was then masked off along the length of the welded seam and prepared using a Monti® MBX Bristle Blaster, a hand-held surface preparation tool suitable for use on a variety of substrates including metals, rubbers and plastics.

The product selected for the repair of the leaking areas was Belzona 1111 (Supermetal) a multi-purpose, machinable, repair and rebuild system. The two-component paste grade product is based on a ceramic steel reinforced polymer system which when cured is durable and chemical resistant. The product is ideally suited to applications on tanks, pipes, casings, keyways, bearing housings, shafts, hydraulic rams, engine blocks and flange faces.

The first layer of Belzona 1111 (Supermetal) was applied incorporating Belzona 9341 (Reinforcing Tape) to the repair area. Once cured, a second coat of the reinforced product was applied. After removing the masking tape the product was left to cure

This application will provide a long term, corrosion protection solution for this caustic tank.

Leaking Tank

Corroded area being prepared using Monti® MBX Bristle Blaster

Application of Belzona 1111 (Supermetal)

Completed application

For further information, please visit http://www.belzona.com or contact us.

Claro Road, Harrogate, HG1 4DS England

In recent years, the range of piezoelectric sensors from Dytran Instruments has increased dramatically and all of these products are now covered in their latest catalogue just released.
Their web site www.dytran.com has until now been the main source of information on these new products, but the new publication draws together their entire current product offering in one 170 page catalogue, which can therefore be used for reference from your bookshelf. Within the catalogue can be found detailed information on piezoelectric and DC MEMS devices for the dynamic measurement of acceleration, force, pressure vibration shock and acoustics. These sensors and associated instrumentation will find use in the testing fields of aerospace, defence, automotive, laboratory and many other industries.
Engineers will find of particular use the appendix which is a glossary of terms used in the piezoelectric world and a page of useful formulae and conversion factors.
We would be pleased to deliver one to anyone who needs one, hopefully combined with a visit so that we can discuss some of the new products now included. Contact our Sales Office on 01527 854103 to arrange for your copy.
For more information, please contact:- Technical & Enquiries Techni Measure Alexandra Buildings, 59 Alcester Road, Studley B80 7NJ Tel : 01527 854103 Fax : 01527 853267 Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website : www.techni-measure.co.uk

Pilz Automation Technology has updated its range of machinery safety-related training courses and has published a new booklet and course schedule for 2012.
Pilz Automation Technology has updated its range of machinery safety courses to reflect the latest changes in legislation, as well as publishing a new booklet and course schedule for 2012.

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With the withdrawal of EN 954-1 at the end of 2011, extra dates have been added for the course ‘Safety Design incorporating EN ISO 13849-1/EN 62061’ to cope with anticipated demand from Machine Builders and Users who need to change over to these successor standards with immediate effect. The 1, 2 and 4-day City & Guilds Machinery Safety Courses, which have recently been accredited by the National Skills Academy for Materials, Production and Supply, will also be running more frequently to cope with continuously high demand.
   Further Machinery Safety courses available include:

• CE Marking & Machinery Regulations
• The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
• Electrical Machine Safety in Industrial Installations

Product-related training courses are also available for Pilz machinery safety products, including:

• PSS Programming
• PSS/SafetyBUS p Programming
• PSS Service and Troubleshooting
• PSS/SafetyBUS p Service and Troubleshooting
• PNOZmulti Basic Training

The Personal and Practical Touch All scheduled courses take place at the Pilz training facilities in Corby, Northamptonshire. However, additional training can be provided at the customer's own premises. Furthermore, although Pilz trainers are highly qualified to address individual concerns throughout the scheduled courses, if a more customised approach is desired, courses tailored to meet specific Company needs are available on request. The current range of Pilz machinery safety courses has evolved from more than 20 years of in-house expertise not only in training, but also in the practical application of standards by Pilz engineers and consultants when, for example, designing safety circuits and advising manufacturing companies on how to best comply with UK Regulations. The courses therefore offer practical insights and advice in addition to covering the essentials of current legislation. Martin Palmer, the Training Manager at Pilz Automation comments “Despite the plethora of information available on the subject of Machinery Safety, I still believe that Machine Builders and Users appreciate the opportunity that our range of courses can offer to discuss and resolve individual concerns in a practical environment.” For more information or to request a PDF copy of the Training Courses booklet, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 01536 460766 or visit www.pilz.co.uk/services

John Crane UK Ltd has introduced an advanced new method of wirelessly monitoring the condition of rotating equipment and associated machinery in difficult or hazardous environments.

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Building on John Crane’s experience in remote monitoring technologies, the new DART 1 wireless monitoring system provides operators with the accurate and reliable information they require to make informed decisions about plant and machinery conditions.   The ATEX Zone 1 certified DART 1 system can be used in numerous hazardous area applications. Machinery located inside platform legs can be monitored round–the-clock without the need for personnel to enter the area themselves; while critical equipment mounted inside enclosures can be assessed without the need for access, or for safety systems to be overridden. Even normally inaccessible equipment such as fin fans, pedestal cranes or unmanned installations can be monitored easily and reliably.   The DART 1 system combines a series of battery-powered sensor nodes and a gateway facility with proprietary John Crane software. Each sensor node is a wireless data acquisition and processing system which can be configured to take detailed measurements, at user-defined intervals, on the performance of the equipment being monitored.   The sensors then carry out significant onboard signal processing which reduces the amount of data that needs to be sent back to the gateway unit over the wireless link.  This enables each DART 1 sensor node to operate for up to 8 years between battery changes. The wireless method of operation reduces both the cost and time required for installation and multiple sensor nodes can transmit data back to one gateway unit. They can also act as wireless routers which allow data to be ‘multi-hop’ transmitted, wirelessly, over larger distances than would otherwise be possible.   The DART 1 system can be accessed remotely and securely via the internet, allowing the condition of machinery to be monitored from any location in the world using just a standard computer. The system is virtually maintenance-free, can be configured to provide data for third-party systems and set to turn off automatically and ensure radio silence when required.     “The strength of DART 1 is the combination of flexibility, reliability and safety that it provides,” comments Colin Ure, General Manager, John Crane UK. “It is ideal for routine monitoring and for short-term data capture or performance testing exercises on critical machines. It can also be used in root cause analysis projects, or situations where round-the-clock surveillance is required after routine logging has failed to pinpoint an intermittent fault.” For more details please contact John Crane on +44 (0)161 886 5993, or visit www.johncrane.co.uk

Ischia Solutions introduces ExAMS, a solution that allows engineers to effectively carry out inspections and maintenance to regulatory standards, in full paperless workflow. The flexible, innovative software is designed by CompEx engineers for the Oil and Gas industry.

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Control Ex Inspections to meet regulations Manage Ex Inspections and maintenance with a future proof system Save up to 80% in time and money by reducing administration ExAMS can revolutionize data capture and inspections to meet regulatory and operational requirements, providing consistency, accuracy and ensuring that processes are followed.
  Extremely user friendly, the application follows an engineer friendly workflow. The software stays updated with amendments to directives and regulations, helping maintain H&S requirements.
  Carry out predefined ATEX inspections routines to ensure consistency. User task options create site specific inspection routines for assets, systems and locations. RFID tags can be used for unique identification and verification. The special conditions functionality provides engineers with important information for correct inspections and maintenance, improving maintenance standards.
  User must accept the special conditions before inspection proceeds, ensuring notes are read.
  Benefit from saving up to 80% in time with this proven technology, reducing costs, improving productivity and therefore giving a competitive edge.   For further information please contact
Ischia Solutions Limited ‎

169 Soundwell Road Soundwell, Bristol BS16 4RP, United Kingdom   0117 914 4395   www.ischiasolutions.co.uk‎   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

   

A UK manufacturer of secondary diesel engine starting solutions used in critical applications such as off-shore on-rig emergency power generators, winches, fire pumps and lifeboats, is launching a new maintenance service for applications located in extreme locations, to resolve what it sees as a serious safety loophole. 

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IPU Group designs and makes a range of air, spring, hydraulic and nitrogen starting solutions capable of turning over and starting diesel engines up to 320 litre in the harshest of conditions including wet, sub-zero, artic and extreme heat.  A significant number of these engines are located in high risk environments such as oil and gas platforms, where a means of secondary non-electrical starting is mandatory in the event of a fire or explosion. However, informal research by IPU has discovered that these emergency starting solutions are not getting regularly serviced, which the business believes could be putting personnel at risk.
  IPU considers that a reduction in maintenance crews on platforms, a lack of awareness of the critical safety-related function of the starting systems and a shortage of spares for equipment, which in some cases is over 30 years old, is leading to the inadequate servicing of secondary power sources. A lot of back-up generators in the offshore industry are located in exposed areas and at the mercy of the elements, suffering erosion due to the effects of water, sea salt and extreme temperatures, but according to IPU full servicing of emergency starting systems is being overlooked. To resolve this potentially serious problem, IPU has had a number of engineering staff trained for off-shore servicing. This includes passing the Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training for helicopter travel to offshore installations. The engineers are also qualified to service and maintain other manufacturers' kit as well as IPU solutions, in accordance with the main specifications of the equipment. All work is certified to meet existing safety standards.
  Divisional director of starting systems at IPU, David Caddick, believes that in his experience the black-start capability on some platforms has been compromised due to a regime of sporadic safety checks, and that operators must do more than the weekly test to comply with safety guidelines. Mr Caddick said: "Part of the problem appears to be that maintenance crews are unaware of whose area of responsibility it is. We have voiced our concerns to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and are keen to work with them to ensure the very highest standards of offshore safety. "Even in the harshest conditions operators must organise regular servicing support for their stand-by equipment. However, this is not always happening either due to operational pressures, lack of relevant skills or as a result of staff shortages.
  "We can help reduce the risk of failure of emergency power on oil and gas platforms by providing regular servicing to back-up starter motors. Our highly trained and motivated engineers are on stand-by 24/7 to go to the most hazardous environments anywhere in the world." West Midlands-based IPU is offering a world-wide sales and service back-up for diesel engine emergency starting covering virtually all off-shore locations from the North Sea, and Antarctica to Asia.
  Reliable secondary starting applications that are deployed to meet ATEX regulations for explosive atmospheres are vital for productivity, performance and the safety of offshore rigs - IPU can give operators who cannot afford to lose power peace of mind by delivering cost effective starting system testing, installation and commissioning onsite, as well as regular servicing, carried out by highly qualified and committed staff.
  Industrial Power Units Ltd. Churchbridge, Oldbury B69 2AS. Telephone: +44 (0) 121 511 0400 Fax: +44 (0) 121 511 0401 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.ipu.co.uk 

ETher NDE, Ltd. is pleased to introduce the new SigmaCheck Eddy Current Conductivity Meter. The SigmaCheck is designed to provide the user with fast and accurate conductivity measurements at a reasonable price.

The SigmaCheck is extremely easy to use making it suitable for use by shop inspectors or engineers.

The SigmaCheck meets the requirements for conductivity measurements in the Aircraft manufacture and maintenance fields where conductivity measurements are used to verify proper alloy/temper or detect heat damaged components. The SigmaCheck is also useful to determine the purity of precious metals (counterfeit detection) such as gold bullion and coins.