Parabolic antenna for bulk solids monitoring

Endress+Hauser has expanded its Micropilot M range with the launch of the FMR250 parabolic antenna, designed primarily for monitoring levels of bulk solids.

According to Endress+Hauser, the key point to finding the optimal cost to performance ratio of free wave radar systems lies in matching the best frequency and antenna design to suit an individual application.

The design of the FMR250 makes it suitable for heavy duty bulk material applications.

Due to the FMR250s narrow beam angle of just 3.5°, it is possible to effectively angle the beam, even over long distances of up to 70m.

Its ‘ball joint’ beam alignment device makes it easy to get the right detection angle without the need to make any changes to the process connection.

Spindle and cutting tool coolant

Deublin’s new through-spindle-coolant, released through its Australian distributor Norman G Clark, is said to have lower operating costs for tools and coolant compared to flood coolant systems.

The through-spindle-coolant uses a rotating union to transfer coolant through the spindle and cutting tool, directly to the cutting edge and is said to produce faster feed rates, higher productivity and higher surface quality than other flood coolant systems.

The coolant fluid is water-based, consisting of approximately 85-95% water for cooling and 2-12% oil for lubricating the cutting edge. It also features other chemicals to stabilise emulsion and counter bacterial growth.

Solid-carbide deep hole drills

Dormer Tools has launched a range of cobalt alloyed high-speed steel (HSCo) drills to complement its CDX-DH range of solid carbide deep hole drills.

According to Dromer Tools, the drills are suitable for applications up to 15x diameters and come in a range of lengths from stub to extra length.

The high-speed steel drills cover drilling operations in most engineering materials from 3xD (A920, A921), 6xD (A900, A901), 10xD (A940, A941) and 15xD (A976, A977, A978).

With a parabolic flute design and quick helix, the solid carbide deep hole drill is said to feature increased chip space, swarf breaking and removal capabilities which allows greater hole depths without the need for pecking.

Battery-electric hybrid forklift

Komatsu has released a battery-electric hybrid forklift. The AE50HB hybrid forklift utilises two power sources – a motive power battery and a super capacitor.

The hybrid controller captures regenerative energy from kinetic energy normally lost when braking and changing direction and then stores this power in the super capacitor. Power is then released as needed.

The hybrid forklift counterbalance ranges from 1.5t to 2.5t capacity. Incorporated in its IPX4 standard water resistant design, it features a full AC system and airtight wet disc brakes.

Due to a combination of an onboard inverter charger and a sealed battery, the hybrid forklift is said to be capable of a one hour quick charge that can recharge the battery up to 80 per cent.

Battery-electric hybrid forklift

Komatsu has released a battery-electric hybrid forklift. The AE50HB hybrid forklift utilises two power sources – a motive power battery and a super capacitor.

The hybrid controller captures regenerative energy from kinetic energy normally lost when braking and changing direction and then stores this power in the super capacitor. Power is then released as needed.

The hybrid forklift counterbalance ranges from 1.5t to 2.5t capacity. Incorporated in its IPX4 standard water resistant design, it features a full AC system and airtight wet disc brakes.

Due to a combination of an onboard inverter charger and a sealed battery, the hybrid forklift is said to be capable of a one hour quick charge that can recharge the battery up to 80 per cent.

Twin pallet handlers

The new generation of Meyer twin pallet handlers incorporates a new chassis design with reinforced back frame, optimised fork spread and easy fork entry, increased ground clearance and easy reversing.

The Generation F twin pallet handlers have a modern round bar type design that can lift two pallets side by side, even with a gap in between, and also handle single pallets.

Meyer says the handlers offer improved visibility when loading pallets in operator eye sight, and optimum visibility on the forks when picking two pallets, by a reduction of 100mm in the height of the back frame.

Volumetric flow sensor

With the new SQ volumetric flow sensor, ifm now offers a sensor for low volumetric flow quantities.

The SQ volumetric flow sensor has been designed for dosing of water and aqueous solutions up to 200ml/min.

Flow and temperature are measured at the same time. They can either be supplied as switching or as analogue output.

Designed for the food and machine tool industries the SQ volumetric flow sensor is said to have a favourable price compared to the systems already on the market. The measuring pipe itself is inside the unit, offering high protection against mechanical strain. The connection to the system is made via a G 1/8 process connection.

Level control for bins and hoppers

Bin Control has launched its Mini-Rotary which is designed for controlling material levels in small bins and hoppers containing powder and bulk solid materials.

According to Bin Control, the product’s small size allows for use of a level sensor where other types of equipment will not fit.

A slow speed motor rotates the paddle when no material is present. When material comes into contact with the paddle, it stops and an alert notifies the operator the bin is full. When the bin is emptied, the paddle again begins to rotate, alerting the operator a refill is necessary.

The mini-rotary features few moving parts and is said to be simple to install on the side or top of a bin. A variety of paddles are available for a range of materials.

Dual axis control system for presses

Jemtech has added a dual axis control to its line-up of software modules available for its Praxxis control systems.

The dual-axis controls were designed to provide synchronised movement for back-gauges and nut-stop presses. The system features two encoder inputs for each axis.

Outputs control the forward and reverse movement and the speed of each axis. The control software is a development of the existing single axis module. This means that it includes advanced features like backlash compensation, automatic positioning retry and stop-time compensation.

Low-voltage variable motors

Schneider Electric has released two low-voltage variable speed drives for high power ratings, the Altivar 61 Plus and the Altivar 71 Plus.

Both drives can generate 90kW to 2400kW and are pre-engineered to suit customer requirements.

Schneider Electric says the motors are factory tested and delivered ready to go and are suitable for synchronous or asynchronous motors. The Altivar 61 Plus is said to be suitable for fans, pumps and compressors while the Altivar 71 Plus is suitable for conveyor belts, mixers, extruders and lifting gear.

The low-voltage variable speed drives are said to have high power ratings, are flexible to meet application needs, have a cooling system design and come tested and approved under full load conditions.

Materials handling HD drive power pack

Bonfiglioli has released its HD drive power pack for materials handling and process applications.

According to Bonfiglioli, the product features HD helical drives fixed to the base plate, fluid couplings, disc brakes, pony drives and rigid output couplings. The HD drive capacity is 1722kW and 150,000Nm torque and uses transmittal planetaries.

Delivery-perfect pallet wrapper

Australian Warehouse Solutions (AWS) has announced its distribution of the Wulftec SML-200 pallet wrapper, said to feature a 250% pre-stretch film delivery system.

According Australian Warehouse Solutions, the product is a semi-automatic pallet wrapper with a load capacity of up to 2.2t and a large turntable which accommodates a variety of pallet sizes. The complete range of pallet wrapping machines is available for purchase and is also offered on a 48 month rental plan.

Industrial leak detection kit

Russell Fraser Sales’ new Spectroline OPK-340 leak detection kit is an all-in-one solution for locating the source of leaks in hydraulic equipment, compressors, engines, gearboxes, fuel, and water-based systems.

The heart of the leak detection kit is a cordless, rechargeable, super-high intensity Optimax 3000 blue light LED leak detection flashlight. Fifteen times brighter than standard LED lights, it has an inspection range of up to 20 feet (6.1m). Powered by a rechargeable NiMH battery, the industrial leak detection kit has an LED life of 50,000 hours.

Heavy-duty cleaning spray nozzle

Spray Nozzle Engineering’s Mini-M70LF low flow spray nozzle now has Smart Approved WaterMark accreditation.

The low flow spray nozzle is designed for heavy-duty cleaning and is said to produce consistent spray pattern changes, even at a low flow rate.

In order to receive accreditation, the heavy-duty cleaning nozzle was assessed by an independent technical expert panel against criteria of water saving capabilities, fit for purpose, meeting regulations and standards, and environmental sustainability

The nozzle has an instant water shut-off system which saves water by ensuring no water loss after the trigger is released. A stainless steel seat also helps stop water leakage at the nozzle seat.

Duct-mounted axial fan

The Minitube series of duct-mounted axial fans has been updated and will now be manufactured from ABS plastic.

According to Fantech, the ABS plastic has good resilience, meaning if the fan suffers a minor bump it will automatically revert to its original shape.

Fantech says installers will also appreciate the new tapered ends where standard flexible duct slides on. The new generation Minitube is supplied pre-wired and comes complete with a three-pin plug and lead. The original version will also continue if an all metal version is required.

Latest line of pressure transducers

HBM’s latest compact P3IC-series of pressure transducers is said to be ideal for measuring static and dynamic pressures.

The pressure transducer measure from 10 to 3000bar and features a measuring body finished from a continuous piece of steel with no welded seams, which makes it highly suitable for general industrial applications.

HBM’s pressure transducer is said to provide precision and durability and is available in high accuracy classes from 0.1 to 0.2. Industrial class pressure transducers in the range are available with either standard M12 connection techniques as the P3ICP version or with fixed cable in the standard P3IC version.

Compressed air industrial blowers

CAPS Australia has launched the new Conquest GT Eco-Turbo blower range.

The blower range is said to deliver superior performance as it features a high-efficiency motor and an integrated variable frequency drive system which minimises the loss of compressed air into the atmosphere.

Suitable for water, wastewater, power, petroleum and chemicals as well as general industry applications, the industrial blower range includes over 10 blower models from 4kW to 250kW with a capacity from 3.5m3/min to 228m3/min.

SMC Pneumatics releases equipment tubing range

SMC Pneumatics says its new tubing range Series TUZ is designed specifically to combat problems which arise from continual energy chain movement on machine tools, robots, material handling equipment and industrial machinery.

According to SMC Pneumatics, continual movement can often lead to increased abrasion when using conventional polyurethane tubes in general machine applications.

Series TUZ is also suitable to work in tandem with SMC Pneumatics’ one-touch, insert, stainless steel or miniature fitting ranges. The tubing is made from special polyurethane material, and is designed to work at pressures of up to 0.8MPa and at temperatures between -20ºC to + 60ºC.

Portable 3D laser scanner

Z CORP, through its Australian distributors Hi-Tech Metrology, has introduced a portable 3D laser scanner said to provide high-resolution 3D data capture at an economical price.

The ZScanner 600 extends Z Corp’s line of handheld, self-positioning scanners, which are more portable and easier to use than traditional 3D scanners.

The scanners are designed to streamline data capture for reverse engineering, product design, cultural preservation and other applications. The ZScanner 600 combines these advantages with resolution down to 0.1mm and XY accuracy up to 80 microns.

The scanners capture data in one continuous scan rather than in numerous shots from fixed positions. The software, included with the scanner, automatically produces an .stl file for import into a 3D CAD software package or output to a 3D printer.

New motion controller module from Omron Electronics

Omron Electronics has launched a Trajexia motion controller module to integrate with CJ-series PLCs.

The motion controller module is designed to handle motion tasks for up to 30ac drives over a high-speed motion network. It is compatible with CPU models CJ1M, CJ1G, CJ1H and CJ2H, enabling OEMs to scale control to match machine and process requirements.

According to Omron Electronics, the product can operate up to 14 tasks simultaneously and control up to 30 axes. It has digital I/Os, including 16 inputs, two with registration functionality and eight outputs, one with hardware position switch functionality.

The motion controller module also features a serial port for external encoder input and has selectable cycle times from 0.5ms to 4ms which is said to provide flexibility to servos and AC drives. The module uses CJ1 interface board options to communicate to other Fieldbus systems like Ethernet, Profibus and DeviceNet.