Latest Product Reviews

eMaint  understands that selecting a CMMS is just the first step in the process of effectively managing maintenance information. Developing a plan and timeline, configuring the CMMS to meet workflow procedures, and training users are the additional steps that will ultimately lead to a successful implementation of the system.

Simplisys and eMaints personalized approach to service, and dedication to providing exceptional support to its customers, results in high end user satisfaction. This is evident in eMaint’s annual subscription renewal rate for X3, which has averaged 92% over the past 7 years.

 

The Real Time 1/3 Octave Vocis System has the power to cover all precision noise measurement requirements. The Castle Group Pro-DX Vocis GA131M is the multi-function variant of the GA131 range, including all parameters for industrial and environmental monitoring with single and third octave settings and dual channel measurements.

The Vocis GA131M has been designed to be both functional and easy to operate. This dual measurement real time meter can handle all the sound parameters you should require and with the dBdataPro Noise Analysis Software downloaded the data to a PC for further analysis this kit is ideal for anyone serious about noise measurement.

It was in 1816 that the Revd. Robert Stirling propounded the idea of a heat engine which he termed an ‘Economiser’ now universally known as a ‘Stirling Engine’. The operational concept is that it acted as a heat exchanger, retaining heat from the hot portion of the engine as air passed to the cold side, and released heat to the cooled air as it returned to the hot side and in the process converting energy to mechanical work, with near perfect efficiency.

Stirling engines were widely developed in the 19C until the advent of the electric motor superseded it. Modern versions of the engine are in existence, having been used for specialist civil and military applications. But the need for the development of alternative power sources and the availability of modern technology and materials have resulted in renewed interest and exciting developments in this area.

Stirling Technology from Microgen

Just one of these is from Microgen Energy Limited, a subsidiary of BG Group. Microgen are specialists in Stirling engine technology and the modern application of micro combined heat and power (microCHP) incorporating their patented, ‘Free-Piston’ Stirling engine.

The Free-Piston Stirling engine has only two moving parts.  The operating force is a temperature difference or pressure wave between the top and bottom parts of the engine. In a microCHP appliance, natural gas is used to heat the top of the engine whilst water returned to the appliance via the heating pump is circulated through the lower part of the engine to provide cooling.

These differing temperatures drive a free floating, sealed piston up and down. This action occurs 50 times a second to generate electricity (50 Hz).

Both Baxi in the UK and Remeha, a Dutch boiler manufacturer are working with Microgen to incorporate the technology into a new generation of their domestic boilers.

The Free-Piston Stirling engine  will produce 5kW of thermal heat for a central heating and hot water system, also 1kW of electricity at 230V 50Hz for direct use in the home. In addition, the appliance also houses a second heat exchanger and burner, similar in design to traditional condensing boilers, to provide more heat for the home during periods of high demand. Excess power is exported back to the grid.

Critical Motor Testing with Baker D3R

During the development stage of the project Roger Silcock, Senior engineer at Microgen, was looking for an effective motor test instrument to test the wound coils of the alternator prior to assembly in the engine. As the unit is completely sealed in use, failure of the alternator/generator was not an option.

Following research Roger contacted Whitelegg Machines, motor test equipment specialists who demonstrated the Baker D3R digital winding tester.

This instrument is designed to maximize testing and predictive maintenance in a lightweight, sturdy format. The D3R’s high precision testing capability allows engine data collection in the workshop or the field. The results can then be printed immediately or stored for later use. As many of Baker's instruments, this machine is IEEE compliant.

The D3R Digital Winding Tester can perform Resistance, HiPot and Surge tests as well as digitize and store data for future use.

The Resistance Test verifies the existence of dead shorts within the turn-to-turn coils and shows any imbalances between phases due to turn count differences, along with locating poor wire connections or contacts. The machine with its 4 terminals is ideal for this.

DC HiPot testing detects faults in groundwall/earth insulation, and also provides a complete polarization index test.

Surge testing of up to 3Kv detects faults in both inter-turn winding and phase-to-phase insulation systems. Using advanced analog-to-digital conversion hardware, the "D" series captures the surge test waveform, displays it, and allows a print-out to made, if required.

Scaled up production will be taking place in Japan of the boiler units and the latest Baker automatic testers have been specified for the plant.

Stand personnel Michael Herring, Whitelegg Machines Ltd and Tim Thomas Baker, Instrument Company.

For further information, please contact Michael Herring on 01306-713200 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Whitelegg Machines Ltd are UK and all Ireland, Sales and Support Agents for Baker inc. USA, a SKF Company

Bombardier Transportation has its global headquarters in Berlin, Germany with a presence in over 60 countries. It has an installed base of over 100,000 vehicles worldwide.

The Group offers the broadest product portfolio and is recognized as the leader in the global rail sector.Within the UK Bombardier has established a world class engineering maintenance and repair site based at Crewe, the historic railway engineering town established by the Midland Railway in 1839.

Condition monitoring specialists SENSONICS have introduced the Sentry G3 machinery protection monitor, a high performance signal conditioning unit. The new G3 monitor builds upon the established range of Sentry protection systems developed by Sensonics and is designed to be the most flexible and feature rich Turbine Supervisory System available. It provides a universal platform for the interfacing of various sensor types in compliance with the API 670 standard.

Each of the units four channels can be independently programmed to provide continuous monitoring and protection across a broad spectrum of measurement regimes, including vibration, expansion, temperature and speed. Sentry G3  utilises the latest DSP technology, so once a channel is set up and running, the resulting alarm relay and analogue output facilities are independent from the remaining module functionality, ensuring a scalable, high integrity configuration.

The optics specialist Leuze electronic will become a sensor allrounder in 2009 and has completed its product range with inductive switches. Leuze electronic thereby presents itself in automation technology as a full-service provider, well known for its customer orientation and willingness to provide service.

With this extensive product line, the “sensor people” accommodate the requests increasingly received from customers who wish to be able to find solutions to a wide range of sensor tasks from a single partner. As our customer, you profit from the portfolio of products perfectly matched to one another, the highest level of advising competence and simplified ordering processes.

Steelmakers Corus (Port Talbot) had been experiencing problems with their 42” edger drive system. The existing gear units were only providing 41 rpm when a drive speed of 59 rpm was required. Added to this, Corus’ Area Engineer Craig Dummer stated that “they were experiencing heavy vibration and ultimately, damage to the gear units”.

When the gears failed, this left Corus vulnerable to transfer bar loss, due to large section gaps in the rollers preventing delivery of the slabs to the down stream process.Hansen were called in and provided a new split drive gear system running the rollers at 59 rpm. Craig Dummer confirmed that “as the Hansen solution was to split the drive,utilising a matched pair of gearboxes, it is now far more economical than the originalconcept with a larger, single gearbox”.

By installing an eWON industrial-grade Ethernet router – that offers secure, Internet-based remote control and diagnostics – with its lighting control systems, Architen Lighting is now able to remotely monitor and control customer lighting systems from anywhere in the world using a secure Broadband or wireless connection.

In a recent project, this technology was used by Architen to monitor and diagnose a lighting system it had installed at the new O2 Arena in Dublin, Ireland. For this project, Architen sourced a single eWON Ethernet Gateway from M.A.C Solutions (UK) Ltd, which enables Architen to remotely monitor and control the lighting system. Architen engineers simply log on to a web page on the Internet using the eWON’s Talk2M (Talk To Machines) service, enabling them to turn on or change lighting effects from their own desktop, anywhere in the world.

Artesis, a leading supplier of intelligent predictive maintenance solutions, is pushing the oundaries of machine monitoring technology with its next generation solution. Delivering a range of powerful new functionality the Artesis MCM (Motor Condition Monitor) system now includes wireless technology for deployment in remote and inaccessible locations; fully automated condition assessment reports for even faster diagnostics; and the ability for engineers to easily and quickly customise the application for wider enterprise use.

Building on the success of the MCM system that has revolutionised automated fault diagnostics, Artesis has now integrated robust wireless technology, using intelligent GPRS modems, to allow the use of remote communications in condition monitoring. This allows cost-effective, easy installation of wireless monitoring stations at any site in remote, hazardous or inaccessible locations, while maintaining reliable and transparent access with centralised users via the Artesis communications server.

Testo, one of the leading worldwide suppliers of humidity measurement technology, now offers a humidity transmitter for hazradous areas. The new Testo 6682 humidity transmitter for Ex applications meets the most stringent requirements for process monitoring in industries including pharmaceutical, chemical and process technology.

The Testo 6682 humidity transmitter is intended for protection class ATEX II 2 (1) G Ex ia [ia] IIC T4, the digital testo 6616 humidity probe for protection class ATEX II 1/2 G Ex ia IIC T4/T3.