News items March 2010

Automatic Assembly & routing of flat conductor cable reduces cost and weight Research: Assembly alternatives for wiring harnesses in vehicle dashboards. The automotive industry has set the course for change. In the battle against global warming politicians and consumers are now demanding cars which use less fuel and emit significantly less CO2. In addition to research into a dependable alternative drive to the conventional Internal Combustion Engine, cost-saving potential is also in focus. One approach is the reduction of vehicle weight. Today the most popular accessories in a new car are the electronic devices. However it is these vehicle instruments which drive up the cost and weight of a vehicle. Weight, because the conventional wiring harnesses have increased so much in volume and costs because automatic alignment and assembly of wiring harnesses based on existing assembly and connecting technologies is almost impossible. Installing flexible flat conductor cable instead of standard wiring harnesses could reduce the cost and weight

Monitoring the level of coke drum bottoms in a delayed coker is among the most important processes in a refinery. High temperatures and foam, extensive caking as well as a high-pressure water jet demonstrate the unfavorable measuring conditions dominating this application. The radiometric level measurement employing the LB 490 Tower-Sens detector has proven to be a reliable and cost-effective solution that will withstand this tough environment. It provides a continuous measurement, monitoring the foam as well as the coke level in the drum online and very accurately. All components of the measuring system are mounted on the outer wall of the coke drum and are therefore not affected by the aggressive processes inside. The Tower-Sens utilizes a detector length up to 8m and can even be mounted in a cascaded fashion to deal with the long measuring ranges. Due to Berthold Technologies’ patented aging and temperature compensation, the system provides stable and reliable

Restoration counts for more than half of all building work these days. Since the 1970s the renovation of old buildings has become increasingly important. Both buildings from the post-war era and historic buildings must be adapted to conform to current standards. This conformity is not only important for thermal insulation and energy consumption but also all household technical and electrical systems. For example almost no old buildings have sufficient electric wiring, plugs and switches and they do not correspond with modern standards especially safety standards. If renovations are being carried out in an occupied house then the resulting disturbance from noise and dirt must be kept to a minimum. A 1920s house can be updated to our multimedia era without cutting new channels in the walls. New plugs and light switches are increasingly attached onto the outside of plaster walls and the necessary wiring is carried in the skirting board along the surface of the wall.

12 inch, interactive control panel for gravimetric feeding In 2005 Brabender Technologie KG, Duisburg, Germany, introduced with great success the Congrav OP5 Touch, a 5 inch touch screen control panel interactive machine operator interface for gravimetric feeding. To meet the need in the market for a larger operation screen, a 12 inch design is available in the meantime. The Congrav OP12 Touch serves for central operation of up to 16 Brabender weigh-feeders (LIW-feeders, weigh-belt feeders, etc.), either with Congrav ISC-CM control modules (integrated with each feeder) and/or connected to the Congrav CB control board (mounted in central control cabinet). The ISC-CM modules and / or Congrav CB boards are interconnected by a field bus, which is easily connected to the operating panel Congrav OP12 Touch by just one single cable. Operation of the Congrav OP12 Touch is made easy by language independent and self-explaining touch-sensitive input fields on a large 12.1` colour display. Based on ® Windows®, the display allows

Sales partner from different countries spent a weekend peppered with great activities During the year 2009 a Distributor Challenge was announced were different targets were given to the sales partners. Finally four were to meet or even overdo their target and were invited for this great incentive. The winners who were invited to join in for this event were from Russia, Norway, Belgium and the Czech Republic. All the days were packed with several activities. Whether it was the bobsleighing, the snow showing or simply the enjoyment of the traditional beer and food – it was a very cosy and friendly atmosphere throughout all days together with our partners. A guided tour through the facilities of the Erdinger Arena at Oberstdorf was another good experience. The gracefulness and the huge dimensions of this world-famous jump-off platform are just impressing. Even the posing on the rostrum was something special for everyone.

Vortex Valves Hit The Road! The US manufacturer of bulk dry material handling valves, Vortex®, has emulated its unique and highly popular American sales promotion tool in Europe. After their parent company spent many years showcasing their unique valve designs using mobile demonstration units Vortex® Valves Europe Limited have acquired a similar unit for the roads of the UK and Europe. The exhibition trailer has an open side activated by gas struts and contains a complete set of the Vortex® valve range. The unit has a stand alone pneumatic and both 12 volt and 220 volt electric systems that allow all products to be shown in full working order at any location however remote. The unit also contains state of the art presentation hardware to allow films and animations to be shown to support the working samples. Jan Le Blansch from ITS BV said “Although the trailer represents a considerable investment by Vortex® it is an invaluable tool to help our potential clients appreciate just

The advantages of a single-shaft shredder are well known: it is possible to fill a feed hopper which is then gradually emptied by means of a hydraulically operated ram without the assistance of operators: due to its special design, the rotor only “nibbles” at the material that is fed via the hydraulic ram. Until now it has not been possible to obtain small granule sizes with these shredders: often a 15 or 20 mm-screen has been the lower limit, making intermediate conveying and a secondary granulator necessary in order to achieve smaller granule sizes ranging from 4 to 8 mm and a satisfactory throughput. Now it is possible in one single size reduction step with the HERBOLD granulator of the HB series. The design of the HERBOLD HB granulator is a combination of a feed hopper and a hydraulic ram with a granulator. Due to the special design of the grinding chamber and the high cutting frequency, it is now possible

Industrial Filtration Division represents Dantherm Filtration, Disab-Tella and STA. Alcan International Network moves its office in Ghent (and Brussels) to a new location at Verlorenbroodstraat 63 B, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. Our Industrial Filtration Division offers turnkey solutions for dust and noise control. Therefore we represent the well-known brands Dantherm Filtration (dust filtration), Disab-Tella (central vacuum systems) and STA (noise enclosures). Our dedicated engineers guide your project from small to large and then also provide the necessary parts and service through maintenance contracts. Btw, did you know that we also provide service inspections on your existing equipment (including from third parties)?

"The clean screening method" We proudly present our new ultimate ultrasonic anti blinding system. This ultrasonic method is ways different because it is not operating with continuous resonance vibrations. The electronically controlled generator provides a permanently changing frequency through the transducer which is connected to a transducer ring on which the screen mesh is glued. This simple and patented system avoids the influence of permanently high resonance modes. They could be the reason for high temperatures (hot spots) and high stress to the transducer ring, its fixations to the screen frame and the mesh cloth. Get all advantages at www.gkm-net.de/cms/41-1-Neuer-US.html

PS Prozesstechnik GmbH broadens the range of particle meaasurement instruments XPT particle size -shape and count measurement by dynamic image analysis has so far mainly been used with XPT-C models for suspensions. Besides XPT-P probes wie offer now an extension module for XPT-C for powder measurement and an online version for powders XPT-CV

Fike has introduced a bidirectional explosion diverter to enhance its range of passive explosion protection equipment. The explosion diverter - also referred to as back flash interrupter or explosion decoupler - will enable the protection of new and existing vessels to be validated using a passive device. There are 9 nominal sizes available for the Fike explosion diverter, ranging from DN100 to DN600. As standard explosion vents are not suitable for this application, Fike offers a third-party-tested and -approved non-fragmenting explosion vent certified for use on this type of device. The bulged vent ensures a smooth flow diversion; coupled with low burst pressure and inertia, the diverter will provide a low risk of flame propagation beyond the diverter. If a deflagration is allowed to propagate through a conveying line, this may cause pressure piling, rapid flame acceleration and transition to detonation if not disengaged in a timely manner. The resulting explosion

Introduction to Powtech in Nuremberg On the next Powtech in Nuremberg Goudsmit Magnetic Systems from Waalre (Hall 9, Stand 322) will present a new set of clean-flow magnets. Both the standard and the rotating clean-flow magnets will not include welded seams in the new design, which allows for a very smooth finish and excludes the formation of bacteria. The Ra values between 0.05 and 0.3 will ensure that even the finest iron dust will be removed from powders. The construction of the door was also changed. This door now includes a quick release between the extractor and magnets, as a result of which the former will always be pulled outwards as well. This will prevent the extractor from remaining in the product flow during magnetic cleaning and iron getting back into the product. Because of a new seal, working with a high overpressure will be possible, without any leakage occurrence. This is particularly important when filling pressure-sensitive big bags. CLEAN-FLOW Clean-flow magnets come in

• Varied supporting programme provides broad spectrum of practical solutions POWTECH 2010 from 27–29 April again offers the around 15,000 expected trade visitors the opportunity for three days of intensive exchange of views with well-known manufacturers, developers and production experts. This year, almost 700 exhibitors present pioneering products, the latest technologies and future trends at the leading exhibition for powder, granule and bulk solids technologies. The extensive supporting programme offers a variety of ideas for everyday work at events ranging from explosion protection and nanotechnology live to free presentations in the halls. For example: Nanotechnology live At least one of the dimensions of length, width and height of the structures that scientists investigate in nanotechnology is smaller than 100 nanometres. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research presents its “nanoTruck” again at this year’s POWTECH/TechnoPharm. This is a roadshow and communication centre that presents nanotechnology live at two levels

Knowledge lead and inspiration: Extensive information and many training platforms The Nürnberg exhibition centre will be geared to pioneering technologies once again in a few months’ time. TechnoPharm, Europe’s leading forum for life science process technologies in the pharma, food and cosmetics segments, has some 300 exhibitors and a highly topical supporting programme in store from 27–29 April. Despite the economic upheavals, the pharmaceutical industry is still a definite growth market. Growth needs investment – especially in more efficient processes and plants, which is precisely where TechnoPharm in Nürnberg holds a leading position. Machinery and plant manufacturers at this international event show the latest developments from sterile processes to packaging. TechnoPharm’s unique selling point is the high quality of contacts. The three concentrated days of the exhibition give exhibitors and visitors excellent opportunities for new top-quality contacts, in-depth discussions and firm sales.

The acquisition of the proximity sensor business of Siemens strengthens Pepperl+Fuchs` market position for ultrasonic sensors Mannheim - February 2010: Pepperl+Fuchs, worldwide leading manufacturer of electronic sensors and components for intrinsically safe explosion protection, acquires the proximity sensor business of Siemens. Pepperl+Fuchs increases its product portfolio in the field of inductive proximity sensors, photoelectric sensors, and at the same time strengthens its position in the market for ultrasonic sensor technology for factory automation. On 27th February, 2010, Pepperl+Fuchs, Mannheim, and the Siemens Division Industry Automation, Nuremberg, signed an agreement on the acquisition of Siemen`s business with discrete proximity sensors for factory automation by Pepperl+Fuchs. To begin, the parties agreed upon an integration period during which they will prepare a transfer of the business to Pepperl+Fuchs. During this period, Siemens will continue to