News items September 2011

Nowadays, the dimensions of facilities and machines are becoming greater and more complex. When combustible dusts or gases meet up with oxygen and ignition sources in a facility, the worst case could be an explosion; followed by annihilating energies that are released, with devastating impacts. When taking explosion protection from a professional and legal view into account, the following aspects must be placed in the foreground: In reference to the German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health, legislative authorities have specified that facility operators, based on a risk assessment, must create a so-called explosion protection document. If determined within the context of the risk assessment that the facility is explosion-prone, provisions must be derived, which securely prevent explosions or reduce the impacts of an explosion to a minimum. Should the incidence of potentially explosive atmospheres not be adequately and securely ruled out, the protection

Using the right technology to fasten miniature screws to the frame DEPRAG places the focus firmly on innovative technology for micro-assembly operations Anyone looking for an overview of innovative technology for micro-assembly operations should venture a look at the DEPRAG stand at MOTEK 2011 this October, where the focus is on modern micro-assembly operations - and ground breaking new products are on display. Trendy sunglasses will be assembled live before visitors` eyes. At a single glance visitors to the exhibition will obtain a well-founded overview of how fasteners - barely visible to the naked eye - are assembled using a process-reliable method. Screwdriver, process controller, screw feeder, position control stand, electronic measurement and the DCOS control unit concept - everything on this semi-automatic assembly station is designed towards miniaturisation in the production process. Whether the task is to assemble a hearing aid, a heart pacemaker, a satellite navigation unit, a mobile phone or fashionable sunglasses - micro-assembly

Matcon is delighted to announce the appointment of Verbaten Stortgoedtechniek bv as a new agent for the Netherlands. Established in 1992,Verbaten Stortgoedtechniek bv specialize in providing a system integration service for solids handling solutions, with special focus on the food and plastic compounding industries. Verbaten Stortgoedtechniek bv, managed by René Verbaten, has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the supply of process equipment, including pneumatic conveying, gravimetric dosing, sifting and packing systems, providing the perfect complement to Matcon’s Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) Systems. Verbaten Stortgoedtechniek bv will be representing Matcon at the forthcoming easyFairs SOLIDS Show taking place in Rotterdam on 5th – 6th October 2011. Please visit Verbaten on Stand Numbers B1019 and E1012 to find out how Matcon can revolutionise your powder process and packing operations by applying Lean solutions

REMBE® GMBH SAFETY + CONTROL protects plant engineering and apparatus construction in the global industries of food processing, woodworking, chemicals and pharmaceuticals from dust explosions. In this field, and as an owner-managed company located in Brilon/Germany, REMBE® is always one step ahead and sets technological benchmarks within the industry. The comprehensive array of explosion protection products range from explosion vents over conventional explosion venting, right up to protective flameless venting systems for closed areas. Devices for explosion suppression and explosion isolation are available either as individual components and/or as a system solution. Every day at 1:00 pm, REMBE® has a real blast on the POWTECH’s open-air grounds. During their live explosion demonstrations, REMBE® engineers will show exactly what the explosion protection products are capable of when worst comes to worst. Stop by for a live demonstration at the POWTECH 2011

GEECOM offers bag filter technology of Intensiv-Filter on the South-African market South-african based GEECOM and the German Intensiv-Filter, both engaged in de-dusting solutions with different focuses, have signed a strategic alliance agreement. The two companies complement each other excellently. Whereas GEECOM provides individual and complete services for the construction and refurbishment of both wet and dry Electrostatic Precipitators, Intensiv-Filter can extend this offer with a complete spectrum of different sizes of bag filters. GEECOM is responsible for the sales and Intensiv-Filter’s part of the cooperation is the delivery of the engineering. “With the strategic alliance we are going to continue our way to offer systems that assist with the reduction of particulate emissions associated with industrial processes,” states Gustl Mischkulnig, managing director of GEECOM. “Having been involved in the environmental control industry for more than 30 years, I can honestly say that the need for these systems has never been as prevalent as

Further development of Sales, Marketing and Service Frank Schimmelmann changed into the management of the system manufacturer of filtering installations by September 15th, 2011. The 45-year-old processing engineer takes over the overall responsibility for operational activities. Frank Schimmelmann has a 20-year-old experience in filter technology. Prior, he was active with the Herding GmbH Filtertechnik as managing director and Director national/international Sales. Before it Schimmelmann was responsible for the foundation of a new Herding company in the USA. “I am looking forward to the cooperation with Frank Schimmelmann. We will profit from his extensive technology and market knowledge in the filter branch and experiences with the development and opening up of new markets. As a result we will further develop our international focusing in the field of process filters“, points out Thomas Blüggel, managing partner of Intensiv-Filter GmbH & Co. KG. Today the Intensiv-Filter group occupies worldwide approx.

Fair presentation on the POWTECH This year the POWTECH takes place again In Nuremberg. From October 11th to 13th, 2011 we show you current and new Infastaub products again. The cartridge filter INFA-MICRON MPR is exhibited for looking and touching on our exhibition stand hall 9, booth 9-658. As a special highlight a cartridge change with "Safe Change" is demonstrated three times a day. This is necessary according to the protection from contamination. The demonstrations are daily at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 03:00 p.m. „The demands for capacity, functionality and operational safety with the filtration of lung-current, harmful or toxic dusts and suspended matter are high. Contact of the operating staff with contaminated materials from the inside of the filter must be prevented efficiently. At the same time an efficient cleaning system with permanently low differential pressure should also guarantee good cleaning results of very sticking dust. For these demands, we have developed the INFA-MICRON

Smaller system, sleeker styling, smarter sizing -meet the new Mastersizer 3000 particle size analyze Raising particle sizing to a smarter level, the new Mastersizer 3000 from Malvern Instruments delivers unique performance and productivity advantages, wrapped in a stylish, compact and practical instrument design. Now anyone can make good measurements and get exactly the data they need quickly and easily. With an extended dynamic range that spans 0.01 to 3500 microns, the Mastersizer 3000 laser diffraction particle size analyzer delivers precise, robust wet and dry measurements right across the milli-, micro- and nano-meter size ranges. Smart design of the new optical core packs this high performance into a small footprint system that boasts equally well-engineered sample dispersion accessories, including an entirely novel dry powder dispersion unit. Such flexibility makes the system ideal for the multitude of particle sizing applications for which laser diffraction is now the technique of choice. Friendly and intuitive software drives every Mastersizer 3000 measurement,

Ideal for storing hazardous substances Narrow-neck bottles with child-safe, press and turn safety closure. The cover also has a tamper-proof ring which makes it evident when the bottle has been opened for the first time. More info:www.buerkle.de/shop/_bottle-with-child-safety-lock-narrow-neck.html

Just in time for POWTECH - our new internet appearance! Enjoy its fresh, creative, re-designed look. With transparent structure and innovative content: up-to-date, user-friendly, better navigation. An exciting discovery. For first-time visitors who’d like to know our company, just as for our long-time clients, partners and friends. Join us! We look forward to your visit – to our site, as well as personally at our POWTECH stand.

Efaflex clean room doors EFA-SRT-CR are now TÜV-certified As the Lower Bavarian specialist for high-speed industrial doors - EFAFLEX supplies clean room doors to five continents. The clean room door EFA-SRT®-CR (Clean Room) is now TÜV-certified. This test certifies that in accordance with EN ISO 14644-1, this type of door is suitable for use in clean rooms up to ISO category 5 (for particle sizes >= 0.3 µm). Pharmaceutical companies use EFAFLEX clean room doors almost without exception. With the EFA-SRT®-CR, Efaflex is setting very high standards for an effective, economical and GMP-orientated operation of clean rooms. The overall door construction is distinguished by an entirely smooth surface without recesses, protrusions or undercuts. The construction is designed in an easy to assemble way and maintains clip technology. The contact strip cable connection with the control has been replaced with a radio transmission link. This in turn omits the need for an energy chain covering element and the gate therefore

RETSCH cutting mills are powerful size reduction tools which are used for grinding difficult materials such as electronic scrap, tires or wood down to a final fineness below 1 mm. RETSCH offer a complete product family of cutting mills: the economically priced basic unit SM 100, the versatile standard model SM 200 and the high-performance model SM 300 with additional flywheel mass (RES technology) and variable speed. The mills provide maximum operating convenience and safety and are quickly and easily cleaned. The wide selection of accessories, including hoppers, rotors and sieves as well as the cyclone-suction-combination allow for perfect adaptation to application requirements. The RETSCH cutting mills are now presented in a new product video which demonstrates the technical principle, safety features and applications in a descriptive way. Benefits cutting mills: • Powerful size reduction with high torque • Comfortable operation; quick and easy cleaning •

Cleanliness at its best: easy clean and hygienic designs Clean feeding is the central subject Brabender Technologie focuses on at this year"s Powtech exhibition in Nuremberg from 11 to 13 October 2011. Accordingly, the company has compiled a selection of gravimetric metering feeders from its product line ranging from easy clean to hygienic designs. The result is a wide variety of feeders on show that equally appeal to users from all kinds of industries processing bulk ingredients subject to high demands on cleanliness. The basic "easy clean" models comprise loss-in-weight feeders distinguished by particular ease of dismantling and cleaning, which makes them perfectly suitable for both highly contaminating and perishable bulk ingredients. Among them, so-called "easy change" loss-in-weight feeders are outstanding variants featuring fully removable feed units (screw trough, screw and storage hopper) that can be lifted off as one unit for external wet or dry cleaning. For processes that do not only

Belt Alignment & Rip Detection Switch 4B have launched the new 4B Bulldog belt alignment and rip detection switch. This electro-mechanical system has been designed to detect dangerous misalignment of the conveyor and also detection of belt tear damage. The switch will detect horizontal misalignment of belts when contact is made with the roller; the roller arm will be forced to pivot by the belt activating a switch at 15º to trigger an alarm, and 30º to trigger a shut down procedure of the conveyor. The sensors are usually installed in pairs on opposite sides of the belt. A steel flexible wire is set below the running conveyor belt approx 20-30mm attached by a rare earth magnet at each end. If the belt is ripped or damaged the wire is pulled away releasing the magnet connection which in turn will activate a switch. The Bulldog’s robust design makes it suitable for the use in heavy duty applications such as quarrying and mining. It is easy to install and doesn’t need calibrating. The Bulldog is compatible

Cleanability of fluid bed units in all scales Fluid bed and spouted bed units of Glatt are used to produce or improve granules and pellets. Spray granulation, agglomeration, coating and encapsulation are the most common processes. Glatt is supplying production size equipment with automatic cleaning systems since several years. Now it is possible to test the cleanability of the equipment in all scales. At Powtech 2011 Glatt will show a new feature of the largest mobile lab unit – a WIP system. The ProCell LabSystem is now equipped with cleaning nozzles in the filter plate and in the processing chamber, which clean the unit without the need to open it. Two different filter types can be used in the ProCell LabSystem – pleated cartridges and washable filter bags. The cartridges are only precleaned in the unit – the narrow places in the pleats must be cleaned manually. Still the WIP system makes sure the operator does not get in contact with the dry dust. The filter bags can be completely cleaned in the unit.

Level of sales before crisis has already been achieved Our success is based on innovation and further development of well-known technologies. Therefore we mastered the crisis very well and have already reached the level of sales of the year before crisis in 2008. MOLLET Füllstandtechnik is a producer of high-end devices for measurement and control systems. Customers in the whole world coming from many different industries trust in our safety equipment for silos and bulk material facilities. Mollet meets customers’ highest requirements with the wide range of level control units for all kind of bulk solids. Another product line of Mollet is hose couplings with integrated limit switches or with electronic encoding systems. A stand alone silo-safe-system for fully-automated monitoring of the filling process for silos that have to be filled pneumatically by silo trailers completes the product range. We would appreciate to support you with our enhancing knowledge about products and processes in bulk solids handling. Use

For fast recipe changeover and high process reliability Flexibility with regard to recipe changeover and process reliability is called for when processing bulk materials. Gericke has therefore developed an entirely new belt weigher which has been designed to meet these requirements. Gericke has thereby set new standards in the field of continuous feeding technology. The new hygienic DBW-400 belt weigher has been engineered to take on applications where fast recipe changeover and high process reliability are of great importance. The weigh feeder has been constructed according to hygiene criteria in order to achieve high cleanness of product on the one hand, and short changeover times between various products on the other hand. Belt weighers are used for the conveying and feeding of lumpy, crumbly, brittle and free flowing products, e.g. oat, wheat, barley, cornflakes, nuts, sweets or washing powder. In many cases, the belt weighers presents an interesting alternative to screw feeders as it achieves high feed rates and

S+S has the solution for all conveying applications At POWTECH 2011 in Nuremberg (hall 7, stand 7-667) S+S Separation and Sorting Technology GmbH of Schönberg in Germany, a specialist in metal detection solutions, is showing a range of magnetic and metal separators for bulk materials. At POWTECH this year S+S is focussing primarily on solutions for the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries, where in addition to the strict hygiene requirements for consumer protection, machine protection and quality assurance are also of prime importance. Metal and magnetic separation systems are proven methods of contaminant detection and separation for this type of application. The GF 4000 metal separator from S+S trade is designed for pneumatically conveyed bulk materials where high speed is the critical element. The fast-acting reject flap separates magnetic and non-magnetic metal particles with minimum loss of good material. GF 4000 units can be installed in any orientation. Rapid 8000 systems are designed for large

During the Easyfairs SOLIDS 2011 exhibition (Rotterdam, 5-6 October 2011), Delft Solids Solutions will for the first time showcase her newly acquired dust measurement equipment fully working in accordance with the EN 15051 standard “Workplace atmospheres – Measurement of the dustiness of bulk materials”. This method is more and more often used in the quantification of dustiness of existing but especially newly-introduced powder materials. It is also a required method by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the USA. In view of workplace safety and healthiness, more and more attention is paid to the formation of dust during conveying of powder-containing or powder-releasing products. The harmfulness of airborne dust particles is classified in so-called inhalable, thoracic, and respirable dust fractions. This classification corresponds to the size of the particles, the degree of penetration in the human respiratory system and thus the health hazard. The

Dinnissen Process Technology develops new functionality Dinnissen is to launch a new application of its Pegasus® Mixer during the exhibitions Solids Rotterdam and Powtech Nurnberg: “Mixing and synchronously spray-coating and drying ingredients”. The advantage of this new functionality is that fluids can be added to bulk solids quickly, efficiently and homogeneously without any risk of caking and damage to fragile products such as granulates, soluble powders and flakes. The twin-shaft Pegasus® Mixer is one of Dinnissen Process Technology’s top selling products. This mixer’s popularity can be attributed to the twin-shaft mixing mechanism that throws up powders, granules and granulates during mixing. This unique mixing technique is the secret of the Mixer’s success. The action of throwing up the ingredients during mixing creates a unique fluidised zone which forms ideal conditions for supremely gentle product handling, rapid blending and extreme energy efficiency. In addition, the Pegasus® Mixer has proven its

Celebrations with the Prime Minister and the German Ambassador for Malta Adpro-Instruments Ltd, a member of the UWT Group, has just celebrated its 10th Anniversary. The celebrations were inaugurated by The Prime Minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi, in an event also attended by H.E. Dr. H. Ziegler, the German Ambassador for Malta, and various dignitaries, together with all Adpro employees. During the official speeches the support of the Maltese government, especially during the recession was highlighted positively. Uwe Niekrawietz, Adpro’s Managing Director, explained the decisive points that have led to the decision for the location Malta more than 10 years ago. He also stated that Malta has done very well during these 10 years and the future is a bright one for this plant. Following these festivities the open day was on the program. For this the families of all employees together with all local suppliers, service providers and other stakeholders were invited. At the end of the company tour all visitors were offered typical Bavarian Food. Some

From collection point to malthouse Bühler has decisively enhanced its capabilities in the fields of grain handling, cleaning, drying, and storage through the acquisition of the German plant supplier Schmidt-Seeger and integrated them in its new Grain Logistics business unit. Bühler is now in a position to provide products and complete solutions ranging from grain collection points to food production plants. “We have concerned ourselves in depth with the expected development of the global grain markets up to the year 2050,” explains Marcel Scherrer, head of the new Grain Logistics business unit. “A look at the population growth forecast shows that in 40 years, some 9 billion people will have to be fed. The additional requirements must be covered by higher yields through improved growing methods, prevention of post-harvest losses – which today amount to as much as 20 percent – and the development of new growing regions. Grains are delivered to the collection points just

Real-Time extension from Kithara is now available for 64-bit systems Kithara’s Real-Time extension allows execution of real-time applications on the 64-bit version of Windows 7. Kithara Software announces their Windows real-time extension »RealTime Suite« now in a special 64-bit version, in order to combine real-time under Windows with all the benefits of the 64-bit world. Users in automation, robotics, image processing as well as builders of test benches and special machines are able to implement powerful solutions very efficiently. All major function modules are source-compatible both for 32-bit and 64-bit compilers and development environments. These include C/C++ or Delphi as well as the .NET-languages like C#, if the time-critical program parts are moved into a DLL. Part of the »RealTime Suite« are real-time multi-tasking and timer, which are not inferior to stand-alone real-time systems, though much easier to use due to the Windows integration. Additionally, communication mechanisms such as Ethernet sockets with UDP or

IQsafeLink is technically already known as the most simple solution for remote connection to your machine- and process controls worldwide. With the new pricing the choice to start using this (in the Benelux) successful concept has become easy as well. After the election of “Product of the Year 2010” by engineering Holland, the use of IQsafeLink has grown enormously in this country (as well as Belgium). Several machine construction companies are using IQsafeLink - worldwide - to optimise service for their customers. Something now-a-days is an inevitable part of a competitive offer. IQsafeLink is complete and offers: • simple installation • easy to use • safe connection • intelligent solutions • a free helpdesk and … • NOW an even more attractive pricing! Introduction offer: license costs half a year for free with your first IQsafeLink-box! From the 1st of September 2011 IQsafeLink has a new pricing, that will be hard to resist for new

Boron nitride - also called white graphite - is considered to be the world’s second-hardest material after diamonds. It is not found in nature and is therefore produced synthetically. Compared to diamonds, boron nitride has the advantage of being much more heat resistant and suffering little loss of hardness even at 1000°C. For the production of this material, which is mostly used as grinding medium, AVA has once again found an innovative technological solution: A vertical reactor with a gross volume of 1000 litres working at a temperature up to 700°C, the vessel at full red heat. This temperature can be reached and held only with special steels, ceramic heating elements and very special insulation. Inside the reactor a Mitrava helix with particular design moves the product mixture up along the heated vessel wall, where it flows down in the centre along the shaft, first as a powder, then as a molten mass and finally as the solid end product. Feeding and discharge

FlowSlide measures 25 different products with one calibration The Dutch company `Agrifirm` produces large quantities of animal food. The receipts are consisting of different raw material like cereals, maize and different flours. After finishing the mixing procedure the food is conveyed via elevators to the truck loading station. The typical feed rate is between 80 and 160 t/h. The densitity differs from 500 to 1200 kg/m³. In the past Agrifirm has use impact meter to load the trucks with the desired weigth. Due to the different product characteristics the deviation exceeds the allowed range. Agrifirm has installed a 300 m³/h `Maxi FlowSlide` to optimize the batching procedure. The FlowSlide system is nearly independend from density and grain size and is able to provide a tolerance between 300 and 500 kg. The FlowSlide electronics includes a pre selectable counter to stop the batching process after achieving the desired weight. After a testing period of 3 month Agrifirm was sure, that the FlowSlide fullfills their demand and bought the system.