TCP/IP-compatible Servo Drives from Baldor Electric Co.
July 29, 2009 by Pneumatics Editor
Filed under Seals
Erie, MI - TCP/IP-compatible servo drives from Baldor Electric Co. have simplified the construction of an innovative automotive component tester.
Baldor’s MotiFlex servo drive can be networked using TCP/IP or the deterministic Ethernet-compatible Powerlink protocol.
Developed by a leading builder of structural and custom test equipment, Dynamic Testing & Equipment (DTE), the new machine fully automates the accelerated life testing of the flexible boot seals used to protect ball joints in automobile steering assemblies. The use of programmable AC servos – instead of conventional hydraulic actuators – provides an unprecedented level of control flexibility, enabling test parameters such as joint articulation angles to be varied on the fly.
Capable of testing up to six boot seals simultaneously, testing regimes can include continuous articulation of the ball joints, hot and cold brine sprays, elevated humidity levels and air temperature cycling from -25 to +80 degrees Celsius.
DTE’s boot seal testing machine uses two Baldor Ethernet TCP/IP controlled servos
DTE’s boot seal testing machine employs two motorized movement axes – one vertical and one horizontal – each driven by a Baldor MotiFlex e100 3-phase servo drive and servomotor fitted with a multi-turn absolute encoder. The precise feedback signals enable both axes to be programmed to absolute zero, facilitating optimal positioning of the machine’s tooling for parts loading and unloading, and ensuring ease of start-up.
The servo drives are connected via industry-standard Ethernet to the test machine’s host computer, which runs National Instruments’ LabVIEW software, and are controlled via TCP/IP using the built-in ActiveX commands in Baldor’s Mint programming language.
Baldor was able to supply servomotor 3D CAD files to DTE, for use with SolidWorks’ 3D CAD software.
According to DTE machine designer Glenn Siddens, “We were looking for servo manufacturers who could support ActiveX. Baldor was also able to supply 3D CAD files for the motors. As we use SolidWorks’ 3D CAD software for much of our design work, the availability of these files was a major time-saving advantage. What’s more, Baldor has proved to be extremely supportive. As well as helping us with ActiveX/LabVIEW integration, applications specialists from the company visited our facility on several occasions to help set up and fine-tune the servo systems.”
Designed primarily for automotive component manufacturers, DTE’s boot seal testing machine can be used to influence component design, or to demonstrate conformance with end customers’ performance standards.
Dynamic Testing & Equipment (DTE)
www.dynamic-testing.com
Baldor Electric Co.
www.baldormotion.com
::Design World::
IPT Introduces High Pressure Tubing
July 24, 2009 by Pneumatics Editor
Filed under Tubing
ERIE, PA – Innovative Pressure Technologies (IPT) introduces High Pressure Tubing. Made of 316L Stainless Steel as standard, this quality tubing is available in a wide variety of sizes and grades to satisfy specific application needs, and is highly resistant to corrosion. This tubing provides good resistance to organic acids at high concentrations and moderate temperatures, to inorganic acids (e.g. phosphoric and sulphuric) at moderate concentrations and temperatures, to salt solutions (e.g. sulphates, sulphides and sulphites), and in caustic environments. 316L tubing can be used in sulphuric acid concentrations even above 90% at low temperature.
IPT’s High Pressure Tubing is rated for use in temperatures from -100° to 600°F (-73° to 315°C), with maximum working pressure of 20,000 PSI (1030 bar) or 60,000 PSI (4140 bar). Tubing is supplied in 18-22 ft. lengths, with custom lengths available upon request.
This tubing is well suited for use in industrial applications where types AISI 304 and 304L provide insufficient corrosion resistance. Typical applications include heat exchangers, condensers, pipelines, cooling and heating coils, as well as applications in the offshore oil and gas, chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, and food industries.
Innovative Pressure Technologies
www.inpressure.com
::Design World::
Clippard Rotary Valves
July 23, 2009 by Pneumatics Editor
Filed under Valves
Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc. introduces a new line of Rotary Air Valves.
These new rotary valves are 4-way with 1/4” NPT ports. They are manually-operated 3-position closed center valves offering an operating pressure range of 0 to 150 psig and an operating temperature from 32 to 140°F.
With a small footprint, this base mounted rotary valve offers flexibility for strategic locations.
Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc.
www.clippard.com/rotaryvalves-dw
::Design World::
Clippard Rotary Valves
July 23, 2009 by Pneumatics Editor
Filed under Equipment
Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc. introduces a new line of Rotary Air Valves.
These new rotary valves are 4-way with 1/4” NPT ports. They are manually-operated 3-position closed center valves offering an operating pressure range of 0 to 150 psig and an operating temperature from 32 to 140°F.
With a small footprint, this base mounted rotary valve offers flexibility for strategic locations.
Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc.
www.clippard.com/rotaryvalves-dw
::Design World::
Clippard Introduces New Push/Pull Valves
July 21, 2009 by Pneumatics Editor
Filed under Featured, Valves
Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc., introduces a new line of manually-operated Push/Pull Valves.
These new spool valves are available in both 3- and 4- way configurations. Available in detent or momentary versions, these new valves provide the flexibility for unlimited applications. And, with an operating temperature of 32 to 140°F and an operating pressure of 0 to 115 psig, these new valves offer top notch performance where maximum performance and maximum value are demanded.
Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc.
www.clippard.com/pushpull-dw
::Design World::
Simrit Insight
July 20, 2009 by Pneumatics Editor
Filed under Seals
Simrit Insight customer magazine covers all of Simrit’s latest product developments, application case studies and current news within the organization to help our customers stay up-to-date.
This issue of focuses on technological advancements Simrit’s materials experts have
been working on, from nano technology for improved seal performance to new FKM compounds
for truly harsh environments. The articles highlight various applications that require
innovative seal design and creative problem solving at both the customer and supplier levels.
Download the catalog here>>>
Simrit
www.simritna.com
::Design World::
Electro-pneumatic Positioners
July 18, 2009 by Pneumatics Editor
Filed under Actuators, Featured, Fittings
The Series 6A line of Intelligent Electro-Pneumatic Positioners offer precise flow control and digital communication. For use with either double or single acting pneumatic actuators, the positioners can accept an analog 4-20 mA input or BUS intelligent HART, FOUNDATION Fieldbus™ or PROFIBUS PA input. Both waterproof (NEMA 4, 4X/IP66) and explosion proof (NEMA 4, 4X, 7 and 9) enclosures are offered. A waterproof stainless steel enclosure is available upon request.
Piezo valve technology controls the air supply, producing zero bleed during steady state and minimal consumption during operation. An LCD display provides visual confirmation of valve position in precise one-degree increments. Auto Calibration quickly determines the position of the travel limit stops, then measures and records the parameters for both the open and closed positions. The settings are then stored. Online Adaptive Control continually optimizes control parameters and travel times in response to changes in line pressure.
Bray International, Inc.
www.bray.com
::Design World::
Sensor Ensures Proper Package Sealing
July 15, 2009 by Pneumatics Editor
Filed under Seals
When sealing packages, the standard practice is to measure temperature, time output, and air pressure input. But not force (lb-F) output. This practice can be a cause for concern because under or over-pressure during the sealing process can affect the look and function of the packaging.
Atlas Vac addressed this issue with its patented Force Sensing option for its tray sealers. The sensors indicate precisely what forces are exerted by the sealing platen during packaging. For medical and pharmaceutical products, this information is important as it lets the packager reduce the validation time required and ensures that the packaging will perform as desired, with the proper aesthetics.
Traditional measurement methods measure the airflow input to the pneumatic components to determine the pressure output that may result. The Force Sensing option uses a load cell built into the sealer to measure the precise pressure being applied.
The option lets you dial-in the force in lb-F for your application, so that there are no surprises when packages leave the clean room. Achieving the desired sealing platen pressure the first time reduces validation time, and can reduce the waste of making pressure changes during a packaging run, and also reduces overall costs.
Atlas Vac Machine
www.atlasvac.com
::Design World::
Three-stage Compact Scroll Vacuum Pump
July 15, 2009 by Pneumatics Editor
Filed under Equipment
Air Squared’s new three-stage compact scroll vacuum pump (CSVP) is unique in its size class, producing up to 5 mTorr (6.5 x 10-6 atmosphere) vacuum without a turbo pump – 10X greater vacuum than standard pumps needing turbo boost to reach that level. With a package size of just 19.2 x 15 x 14.5 cm (7.5 x 5.9 x 5.7 in) – about half the size of standard pumps – the oil-free CSVP can replace a turbo-boosted pump to save weight, space, cost and maintenance in applications ranging from spectrometers and gas detectors to analyzers, autoclaves and lab vacuum stations. The patent-pending oil-free CSVP weighs just 4.5 kg (10 lb), ideal for portable instruments, such as the Homeland Security Air Sample analyzer for which it was designed. The CSVP can also be turbo-boosted to produce even greater vacuum levels.
The new three-stage pump delivers exceptional performance for a vacuum pump of its size with a displacement of 57 LPM (2 CFM), noise level less than 45 dBA, and power requirement of just 150 watts. Made in the USA, it is competitively priced.
The rotary scroll design provides quiet, balanced, pulse-free operation. Power delivery is continuous, which virtually eliminates pulsation and associated noise. There are only two primary moving parts, with no inlet or discharge valves to break or make noise, and no associated valve losses.
The operating element of a scroll compressor is made up of two identical involutes, which form right- and left-hand components. One scroll is indexed or phased 180 degrees with respect to the other so the scrolls mesh. This indexing creates crescent shaped gas pockets, bounded by the involutes and base plates of both scrolls. In operation, one scroll remains fixed; the other is attached to an eccentric driven by the motor shaft. As the moving scroll orbits the fixed scroll, the gas pockets formed by the meshed scrolls follow the spiral inward to compress air, which is discharged through an outlet in the center of the scrolls.
Air Squared
www.airsquared.com
::Design World::
Adjustable Venturi Vacuum Pumps
July 15, 2009 by Pneumatics Editor
Filed under Featured, pumps
Hudson, MA – A new line of adjustable air-powered, venturi vacuum pumps that are designed for handling porous materials and operating in contaminated environments is being introduced by Anver Corporation.
Anver Q-VDF Series Adjustable Vacuum Pumps feature a diffuser section which can be rotated by the user to control the compressed air flow and provide vacuum flow rates to 120 SCFM and vacuum levels to 25”Hg. Ideally suited for handling porous materials and operating in dirty environments, these adjustable pumps allow debris to pass straight through their bodies.
Virtually maintenance-free, Anver Q-VDF Series Adjustable Vacuum Pumps have no moving parts and no gaskets or O-rings that can break down. Available with barrel sizes from 0.1” to 0.75” I.D., applications are as diverse as the pick-and-place handling of concrete block and packaging materials coated with fine powder, as well as air-driven industrial vacuum cleaners.
Anver Corporation
www.anver.com
::Design World::
