Pneumatic Safety Certifications updated with Ross Controls
August 28, 2009 by admin
Filed under Industry News
TROY, MI – ROSS CONTROLS is pleased to announce that its DM2® Series C safety valves have received third-party certification from the BG (Berufsgenossenschaften- German Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). On July 8, 2009, the BG deemed the DM2® Series C products suitable for ISO 13849-1:2006 Category 4 PL e applications. The ISO 13849-1:2006 standard (Safety of Machinery, Safety-related Parts of Control Systems) will replace the EN 954-1 standard as of November 30, 2009. This certificate is available on the ROSS Web site at www.rosscontrols.com or upon request from ROSS Customer Services.
All valves in the ROSS DM2® product line meet global requirements for machine safety and are commonly used for exhausting the downstream air to help meet stop-time requirements in machine guarding applications. Because many safety systems incorrectly focus solely on the electrical design and overlook mechanical elements, ROSS created the DM2® pneumatic double valve family to address this issue knowing that effective safety systems do not end at the electrical wire.
For enhanced performance and value, memory, monitoring, and airflow control functions are simply integrated into two identical valve elements. DM2® pneumatic safety valves lock out due to asynchronous movement of valve elements during actuation or de-actuation, resulting in a residual outlet pressure of less than one percent of supply. Overt action is required for reset, and reset can only be accomplished by applying a remote air signal or by energizing the integrated electrical (solenoid) reset. These ROSS safety valves are base-mounted and are available in 1/2” to 1-1/2” ports sizes with NPT or BSPP threads.
Additionally, all DM2® valves will be labeled with the CE (Conformite Europeenne) mark to comply with the New Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) that takes effect in the European Union as of December 29, 2009. This directive defines the requirements for the CE marking of products, requires the CE mark on safety components, and specifically includes “…valves with additional means for failure detection intended for the control of dangerous movements on machinery.” The “Declaration of Conformity” document is available on the ROSS Web site at www.rosscontrols.com or upon request from ROSS Customer Services.
Actuation Pneus is Going Green
August 28, 2009 by admin
Filed under Air Preparation
Monee, IL — In an effort to conserve paper and better serve its customers with the latest news in motion control, Bimba Manufacturing announced today that its customer newsletter, Actuation Pneus, is now exclusively available online. In this month’s issue learn more about Bimba’s newest products, check out the best offerings for heavy-duty applications and browse the new and improved Solutions Shop library. Visit, http://www.bimba.com/actuation-pneus/V13N1/index.html Bimba-Actuation-Pneus.jpg
CDS Configurators Implemented by ASCO Valve
August 26, 2009 by Pneumatics Editor
Filed under Valves
San Jose, CA – Catalog Data Solutions (CDS) announced that ASCO Valve has implemented 4 CDS Configurators on the www.ascovalve.com home page. The configurators cover the configuration and 3D CAD model delivery of 2-Way 8262/8263 Series Valves, Redundant Control Systems, Condensate Drain Valves and 8290 Actuated Globe Valves. The configurators (with patent-pending Visual Constraint Feedback™) enable custom online design by customers, distributors and ASCO Valve staff.
“The configurators that CDS is building for us provide ‘expert systems’ that integrate deep knowledge of our products and enable an advanced user experience, available 24X7, to the design engineer. They save the engineer time in selecting the right product and immediately providing a 3D CAD model to use in their design so they don’t have to redraw it,” said Craig Patterson, Director Engineering Services, ASCO Valve Americas. “Additionally they simplify our order processing and reduce order returns by eliminating invalid configurations. We chose CDS for rapid delivery, price competitiveness, the innovative Visual Constraint Feedback™ interface, and the CAD download capability.”
“Most configurators available today force users to follow a sequential process, in which earlier decisions eliminate future options – usually without the user knowing the implications of each decision (i.e. if you select X you are giving up option Y in selection Z). This leads to tedious back tracking and repetition for the designer. In contrast CDS’s configurators include Visual Constraint Feedback™ which makes you aware of what effects any selection has on your future choices. As a result design becomes a parallel rather than a serial process and the order of design decisions is totally at the discretion of the designer even for complex and sophisticated products like those of ASCO Valve,” said John Major, CEO of Catalog Data Solutions.
Studies show that nearly all designers and engineers now use the Internet to locate components for their new designs. Interactive online configuration of even the most complex or parametric engineering products are easily created with Catalog Data Solutions configurators. For interactive ease of use, ease of setup, 2D or 3D graphics and on screen visibility of interdependent selections or exclusions nothing betters a CDS configurator.
ASCO
www.ascovalve.com
Catalog Data Solutions Inc.
::Design World::
Rexroth CKK Ball Screw Actuators Raise Performance for Wind Turbine Builders
August 25, 2009 by Pneumatics Editor
Filed under Actuators
Wind turbine technology is an established sustainable, green technology. Many consider it a technology that will help define the energy future. But wind energy also depends, to a great extent, on more traditional manufacturing techniques, such as welding – vitally important for creating the massive towers.
One of the leaders in creating welding solutions for the energy industry – as well as many other applications – is Rexburg, ID-based machine builder AMET Inc. (www.ametinc.com). Recently, AMET called upon the Linear Motion and Assembly Technology specialists of Bosch Rexroth to help them create a new generation of custom welding systems for the increasingly important wind energy industry.
The design of AMET welding equipment – and the role of linear motion technologies – is largely dictated by the techniques required to create massive wind turbine towers that can be around 90 meters high (close to 300 feet). During a weld, while the bulk of the equipment remains stationary, the weld head constantly moves small distances along at least 2 axes, both along and across the seam. A linear control actuator mounted at the end of a horizontal arm determines the motion of the weld head.
The design of AMET welding equipment is largely dictated by the
techniques required to create massive wind turbine towers that can
be nearly 90 meters high.
AMET’s goal was to create a cost-effective, dependable welding system that could perform accurate longitudinal and circumferential submerged arc welding. One of the most important challenges, however, was to assure smooth and precise (within 1/100th of an inch) control of the weld head, to avoid improper welds that would need to be redone and ultimately result in wasted time and materials. And this precise control had to be maintained within a very demanding environment. “The tremendous amount of particulates, especially flux dust, generated by this form of welding can really cause problems for this machine’s finer controls, particularly with systems such as linear actuators,” said Craig Dees, AMET Engineering Manager.
AMET also wanted linear motion elements that offered good strength (dynamic loads in excess of 20,000 Newton) with light weight and compact size. Yet another challenge was to support smooth weld head acceleration of up to 3 meters per second squared (3m/s2), for a travel speed of 1.5 meters per minute.
To meet these needs, AMET turned to a familiar source for linear motion: Northwest Motion, Inc. (www.nwmotion.com), a distributor of Rexroth linear motion products. Rexroth precision-ground, hardened steel guide rails were to be specified for the guide rail that carries the suspended weld head for outside welding. With the CKK Compact Modules, however, AMET put Rexroth linear motion systems in a particularly crucial role.
The compact CKK design, light in weight but durable and strong, makes machine assembly smoother and easier. “We knew that other linear motion solutions couldn’t give us the reliability and protection against contamination and pitting that the CKK modules could,” Dees says.
Another important feature leading to better and faster machine production is the fact that CKK 20-145 modules are complete, prepackaged systems, with dual ball rails and a ball screw drive integrated into the module. This simplifies design, saves space, and removes the costs and effort of machining, assembly, bearing alignment and other application engineering tasks.
Download the complete case study from the Bosch Rexroth Case Studies & Technical Papers web page.
Bosch Rexroth
www.boschrexroth-us.com
::Design World::
AutomationDirect Adds Pneumatic Air Cylinders
August 25, 2009 by Pneumatics Editor
Filed under Equipment
AutomationDirect has extended its NITRA™ pneumatic product line to include a series of stainless steel, round body, non-repairable cylinders.
The new cylinders feature type 304 stainless steel bodies with double rolled-in construction with high-strength aluminum alloy porting ends. Single and double acting models are available with nose, pivot and double-end mounting options. Certain cylinder models are also available with magnetic pistons for position indication. This series includes bore sizes from 7/16 inch up to 2 inches; depending on bore size, available stroke lengths range from ½ inch to 18 inches. NITRA pneumatic air cylinders are ideal for many applications such as packaging lines, conveyors, material handling and robotics.
The complete line of NITRA non-repairable pneumatic air cylinders can be seen by visiting: www.automationdirect.com/pneumatic-cylinders-disposable..
AutomationDirect
::Design World::
SMAC Upgrades LAR31 Series of Linear and Rotary Electric Actuators
August 22, 2009 by Pneumatics Editor
Filed under Actuators
Carlsbad, CA – SMAC introduces upgraded LAR31 series of linear and rotary electric actuators. The actuator has the vacuum built in the shaft through the rotary motor. The vacuum assures that any external objects (e.g. dust) are ejected through the other end, which prevents dust build-up in the unit. This reduces maintenance down time and improves production efficiency. The actuator is reliable and has MTBF >100 million life cycle.
The SMAC LAR31 series electric linear and rotary actuator is equipped with a standard encoder resolution of 5µm, with options of 1µm, 0.5µm and 0.1µm resolutions, and repeatable positioning to +/- 2 encoder counts. Further to this, highly accurate placement with shaft run-out = 10um. The unit has no backlash, low repeatable friction and very low hysteresis. The LAR31 series actuator is compact measuring only 140mm x 77.25mm x 35mm with stroke length 30mm, and 180mm x 77.25mm x 35mm with stroke length 50mm. The actuator can easily be programmed to control force/torque, position and velocity in all axes at the same time. This enables the ability to press with specific force and measure displacement.
The unit offers multi-functionality with the ability to assemble and test components, with additional life test and measurement functions in one single unit. The system has the significant advantage of low repeatable friction.
The actuator also has SMAC’s unique “Soft-Land” function which enables the unit to gently land on a surface and then apply the specific force required to set the part. This is ideal for handling fragile components without damage.
SMAC
www.smac-mca.com
::Design World::
New Materials from Trelleborg for Hygienic-design Couplings
August 22, 2009 by Pneumatics Editor
Filed under Seals
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions materials for its new range of static seals for hygienic-design couplings are proven in tests to give outstanding performance. In particular, a newly developed FKM gives unrivalled results for a Fluorocarbon sealing material. Volume swell in all CIP media was minimal and in some virtually zero, indicating that the compound will give long-term sealing integrity for gaskets and O-Rings in pipe couplings
The materials engineered by Trelleborg Sealing Solutions for its new range of static seals for hygienic-design couplings have undergone extensive testing in commonly used Cleaning-In-Process (CIP) media. The tests prove that the materials are well-suited to these applications. In particular, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) E7502 and Fluorocarbon (FKM) V8T41 gave best-in-class results for their material types, with V8T41 demonstrating exceptional performance for a fluorocarbon sealing material.
“These results enable Trelleborg Sealing Solutions to give qualified advice and to recommend the optimum material for specific customer applications,” says Steven Farnsworth, Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical Segment Manager for Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Americas. “Based on our tests we are confident that our new range of static seals for hygienic-design couplings in recommended materials will give long-term sealing integrity. This will contribute to a lower meantime between planned maintenance and overall reduced production costs for users.”
The three materials recommended for hygienic-design couplings, EPDM E7502 and FKMs V8605 and V8T41, underwent various tests, one of which was immersion in 21 commonly used CIP fluids. Along with four other characteristics, the sealing materials were measured for volume swell, a critical determinant of suitability for use in hygienic-design grooves. In all cases but one the volume change of the materials was well below ten percent, the percentage of volume swell that is deemed allowable in such applications. In fact, in most CIP media the change was less than five percent, the percentage of volume swell that is deemed perfectly acceptable in such applications.
The FKM V8T41 gave the best overall performance and one which is exceptional for a Fluorocarbon sealing material. In the demanding conditions created by a combination of a two percent solution of acidic acid, citric acid and formic acid at +140°F/+60°C volume swell of V8T41 was well below five percent. In a one percent concentration of acidic CIP media with oxygen at +104°F /+40°C, virtually no swell was recorded. In addition, the material is also suitable for hot water and steam applications up to +338°F/+170°C.
Trelleborg
www.trelleborg.com
::Design World::
Custom Fabricated O-rings
August 20, 2009 by Pneumatics Editor
Filed under Seals
Sutton, MA – Specialty Products, Inc. introduces custom fabricated O-rings made from specialty materials for use in a wide range of pumps, valves, compressors, and devices used in medical instruments and other critical sealing applications.
Interstate’s Specialty O-Rings can be made from perfluoroelastomer (PTFE), Viton®, neoprene, nitrile, EPDM, solid and cellular urethane or silicone, and santoprene. Designed to match specific application requirements, they can be spliced, vulcanized, and supplied in sizes from 1/32” to 48” I.D. with 1/16” to 1/4” cross sections, depending upon material and construction.
Material selection for Interstate’s Specialty O-Rings depends upon customer requirements with regard to fluid compatibility, temperature and different- tial pressure-, abrasion- and tear resistance, configuration, service conditions, installation considerations, and other factors. They are available in hardness from supersoft to 90 Durometer.
Interstate Specialty Products, Inc.
www.interstatesp.com
::Design World::
High Current Connectors from Solid Sealing Technology
August 20, 2009 by Pneumatics Editor
Filed under Seals
Watervliet, NY – Solid Sealing Technology introduces two new series of high current connector solutions. These connectors are rated for currents from 69 to 250 amps and incorporate SST’s ceramic to metal sealing technology for use in ultra high vacuum, pressure, cryogenics, and gas/plasma processing applications. Both series provide an ideal solution for high current applications which maximize ratings, safety, and the connection interface.
Conductors are silver plated copper on the airside in order to reduce contact resistance and range in diameters of .142 inches to .375 inches. Pin densities include single to 4 pin configurations.
Airside plugs are included with all assemblies and include crimp style contacts for wire/ cable installation. Standard assembly installations include weldable, ISO quick flanges or conflate flanges.
Solid Sealing Technology
::Design World::
Bimba Expands Air Preparation Line
August 19, 2009 by Pneumatics Editor
Filed under Air Preparation, Equipment
Monee, IL – Bimba announced a new addition to their Filter, Regulator and Lubricator (FRL) line of products and accessories, the Medium 60 Series. The Medium 60 Series, which supports port sizes of 1/2 NPT and 3/4 NPT, expands Bimba’s existing Air Preparation lines to further complete their comprehensive offering of FRL products and accessories. This product line expansion enables Bimba to support a broad range of port sizes from 1/8 NPT through 1-1/2 NPT.
Similar to Bimba’s 10, 20 and 70 Series, the new Medium 60 can be ordered with same-day shipping as individually stocked components or as custom-ordered pre-assembled systems, shipped in two days.
Currently the new 60 Series catalog is available in electronic format on the Bimba website.
Bimba
www.bimba.com
::Design World::
