Powerful steam cleaner

AUSTRALIAN Pump Industries has released the new 5,000 psi diesel drive Aussie Hydrotek steam cleaner – a high pressure solution that is said to makes maintenance of industrial equipment easier.

According to Australian Pump, the Hydrotek melts away grease and grime facilitating efficient and accurate maintenance checks to reduce cleaning times.

With a maximum pressure rating of 5,000 psi, the new machine reportedly delivers 8,500 psi EWP (effective working pressure) when used with the Aussie Turbomaster turbo lance.

Powered by a Kubota 20HP water cooled diesel engine, the unit has an emergency shut off equipment as standard.

The Hydrotek also features a water tight electrical box for dirty, damp environments. The 110 volt burner is powered a 2.9kW generator that provides additional power outlets for running lights or accessories. 

Australian Pump Industries
02 8865 3500
www.aussiepumps.com.au

Free-floating level switch

Dwyer Instruments has release its news series of FSW2 Free-Floating Level Switch designed for the automation of pumps, specifically filling and draining of tanks, wells and reservoirs.

The FSW2 features a mercury-free microswitch housed in a waterproof casing made of polypropylene.

The polypropylene body consists of a double airtight chamber with high-pressure melted polypropylene re-injection sealing to ensure a perfect seal against infiltration.

The FSW2 comes with a piggyback plug option, and cable length options ranging from 10 to 70 ft (3.04m to 21.34m).

According to Dwyer, the mercury-free self counter-weighted floating switch is ideal for use in sewage water applications.

Dwyer Instruments
02 4272 2055 – info@dwyer-inst.com.au
www.dwyer-inst.com.au

Fluke introduces an entry level thermal imager

Fluke is introducing a rugged entry-level thermal imager with best in class image quality.

The Fluke Ti9 brings accurate thermal imaging within the reach of many more electricians and technicians in industrial plants. The imager has a widescreen format colour LCD display to show every detail.

Users just point the instrument and pull the trigger to capture the full image, saving time, and greatly increasing the speed of inspecting, repairing and verifying electrical and (electro)mechanical equipment.

Hot spots regularly indicate an imminent problem or equipment failure in electrical equipment. Frontline electricians, usually under severe time pressure, must often rely on infrared thermometer measurements. These show only a single hot spot at a time, which is not enough for an accurate evaluation.

Thermal imagers show the full picture instantly, with different colours representing different temperatures. Although there are low-cost thermal imagers on the market, the image quality is often too poor for a good understanding of the root cause of a problem. They also struggle in the harsh industrial environments the instruments must often endure.

Fluke’s Ti9 has a 19,200 pixel detector. The instrument incorporates a thermal imager lens with adjustable focus, and detects a wide -20 degC to +250 degC temperature range. There is a 23º x 17º viewing angle and a minimum focus distance of 15 cm. Small details are visible in a perfectly focused image.

The Fluke Ti9 is easy to use. All users need to do is point and pull the trigger to capture the full picture. The IP54-rated Fluke Ti9 resists dust and water, and withstands a drop test of two meters.

The Fluke Ti9 helps extend equipment lifetime, avoid electrical fires, and validate installation, repair and maintenance procedures. It can detect problems in a wide range of equipment including switchgear, motor control centres and lighting systems.

Even small temperature differences are visible in components like transformers, panels, controls, fuses, receptacles and bus bars.

Fluke SmartView software is included with the product as well as a 2GB SD memory card, a rugged hard carry case, a soft transport bag, an adjustable hand strap, rechargeable internal battery, AC power supply/battery charger (including mains adapters) and training DVD.

Uniquely, the Ti9 can be upgraded with Fluke’s IR-Fusion to convert it to a full-featured Fluke Ti10 thermal imager with advanced analysis and reporting. IR-Fusion shows a full thermal image, or one combined with a visual image to pinpoint potential faults.

Fluke’s other thermal imagers include the Fluke Ti10, Ti25 and Ti32.

Fluke Ti32 features and benefits include:

* the ability to marry high-precision thermal images with visible light images in full screen, picture-in-picture or blended views for enhanced problem detection and analysis
* helps plant and system maintenance professionals reduce energy consumption, strengthen preventive maintenance programs and increase reliability by expanding problem detection and providing customised reports
* includes a three-button menu designed for intuitive operation and navigation, on-screen emissivity correction, transmissivity correction and high temperature alarm
* comes with two field-swappable, rechargeable batteries that enable virtually continuous imager use, with a typical battery life of more than four hours each
* tested to withstand a drop of 6.5 metres and is IP54 rated to withstand water and dust. It has a widescreen, full colour LCD display, increased thermal sensitivity, ?0.05 ° C at 30 ° C target temperature, and a temperature measurement range of -20 °C to +600 °C
* a 2 gigabyte standard definition memory card that will store at least 3,000 basic infrared images, .bmp or .jpg formats, or 1,200 fully radiometric, .is2 IR Fusion file format, infrared and linked visual images, each with 60 seconds of voice annotation, as well as a multi-function memory card reader for downloading images into a computer
* rugged hard carry case and a soft transport bag, an adjustable hand strap for right- or left-handed use, two rechargeable lithium ion smart batteries, a two-bay external charger, an AC power supply and an interactive training DVD
* Fluke SmartView software, with free software upgrades for the life of the product. SmartView software is a modular suite of tools for viewing, annotating, editing and analysing infrared images that fully supports Fluke IR Fusion technology.

Fluke 810 Vibration Tester now available in Australia and New Zealand

Fluke Corporation has introduced the Fluke 810 Vibration Tester which enables maintenance teams to rapidly collect data and diagnose and solve mechanical problems with an affordable, easy to use tool.

The handheld Fluke 810 is designed and programmed to diagnose the most common mechanical problems of unbalance, looseness, misalignment and bearing failures in a wide variety of mechanical equipment, including motors, fans, blowers, belts and chain drives, gearboxes, couplings, pumps, compressors, closed coupled machines and spindles.

When it detects a fault, the Fluke 810 identifies the problem and rates its severity on a four-level scale to help the maintenance professional prioritise maintenance tasks, and recommends repairs. Context-sensitive on-board help menus provide new users with real-time guidance and tips.

Many industrial maintenance teams work under severe financial and time constraints. The Fluke 810 Vibration Tester uses a simple step-by-step process to report on machine faults the first time measurements are taken, without prior measurement history.

The combination of plain-text diagnoses, severity ratings and repair recommendations helps users make better maintenance decisions and address critical problems first.

Typical vibration analysers and software are intended for monitoring machine condition over the longer term, but they require special training and investment that may not be possible in many companies.

The Fluke 810 is designed specifically for maintenance professionals who need to troubleshoot mechanical problems and quickly understand the root cause of equipment condition.

Mechanical diagnosis with the Fluke 810 begins when the user places the Fluke triaxial TEDS accelerometer on the machine under test. The accelerometer has a magnetic mount and can also be installed by attaching a mounting pad using adhesive.

A quick-disconnect cable connects the accelerometer to the Fluke 810 tester. As the machine under test operates, the accelerometer detects its vibration along three planes of movement and transmits that information to the Fluke 810.

Using a set of advanced algorithms, the 810 Vibration Tester then provides a plain-text diagnosis of the machine with a recommended solution.

Evaluating mechanical equipment typically requires comparing its condition over time to a previously established baseline condition. Vibration analysers used in condition-based monitoring or predictive maintenance programs rely upon these baseline conditions to evaluate machine condition and estimate remaining operating life.

In contrast, the Fluke 810 is a troubleshooting tool that analyses current machinery condition and identifies faults by comparing vibration data to an extensive set of rules developed over years of field experience.

The Fluke 810 determines fault severity using a unique technology to simulate a fault-free condition and establish a baseline for instant comparison to gathered data. This means that every measurement taken is compared to a “like new” machine.

The Fluke 810 Vibration Tester includes Viewer PC software, compatible with Windows XP and Vista, to expand its data storage and tracking capability. With Viewer the user can:
* create machine setups at the computer keyboard and transfer the data to the 810 Vibration Tester
* generate diagnostic reports in a PDF file format
* view vibration spectra in greater detail
* import and store JPEG images and Fluke .IS2 thermal images for a more complete view of a machine’s condition.

The Fluke 810 Vibration Tester comes with embedded diagnostic technology, triaxial TEDS accelerometer, accelerometer magnet mount, accelerometer mounting pad kit with adhesive, accelerometer quick-disconnect cable, laser tachometer and storage pouch, smart battery pack with cable and adapters, shoulder strap, adjustable hand strap, Viewer PC application software, mini-USB to USB cable, Getting Started Guide, illustrated Quick Reference Guide, User Manual CD-ROM and a hard carrying case.

Self-aspirating submersible aerator

Australian Pump Industries has released the 40 kW Tsurumi submersible aerator with an air flow rate of 528 cubic metres per hour.

Designed for waste water and sewage applications, the Tsurumi 150TRN-440-52 can operate from depths of 6 metres with a maximum of up to 8 outlets.

The aerator features an integrated semi open impeller which draws air through the intake, mixes it with the liquid being aerated and discharges at a high pressure.

The unit is suitable for circular tanks of up to 17 metres diameter and square tanks of up to 15 metres diameter, with depths of up to 6 metres.

For larger tanks two or more aerators can be installed to provide the right results. The aerators can be supplied with stands or “draught tubes” that maintain proper water depth and best operating results. 

Australian Pump Industries
02 8865 3500
www.aussiepumps.com.au

SaaS solution provides critical operations data on iPad2

ManuDyn has released a new SaaS solution for the iPad2 and other tablet PCs, called Cloud 9, designed for manufacturing managers who require critical operational and financial data on-the-go.

Cloud 9 runs on a wireless network or 3G/4G data service in the plant, allowing businesses to save money on computer servers and internal IT staff.

The solution can provide quoting, sales orders information, inventory control, data on accounts payable and receivable, and other general reporting.

It is designed for operators, supervisors and management, offering real-time operations and accounts data in seconds from anywhere in the world.

Cloud 9 takes advantage of the new iPad2’s 10-hour battery life, light weight, and built-in conferencing capabilities. It can also be used with other compatible tablet PCs.

According to ManuDyn, the system’s cost of ownership is low, with users paying a monthly fee-per-user charge only.

Toyota launches new 7-Series forklift range

Toyota has launched a new range of 6-8 tonne capacity forklifts with industry-leading safety features.

The new Toyota 7-Series forklift range has the Toyota System of Active Stability (SAS) incorporating the active mast function controller and tilt-levelling as standard equipment – a first for a forklift in this capacity range.

The new Toyota 7 Series has a three-way closed loop catalytic muffler system, a double-action hand operated park brake, neutral start safety switch and a memory tilt steering column. In addition low, wide entry steps with dual operator assist grips, low noise emissions and a high visibility overhead guard are all part of the standard offering.

The new Toyota 7-Series forklifts comprise of three models – the 7FGU60, 7FGU70 and 7FGU80 in 6000kg, 7000kg and 8000kg capacities – which replaces the current 5-Series models.

The 7-Series forklift models are built at Toyota manufacturing facilities in the US.

Toyota Material Handling Australia’s (TMHA’s) range of material handling equipment includes Toyota forklifts from Japan, BT Lift Trucks from Sweden and Raymond forklifts from the US.

According to TMHA’s Toyota product brand manager Jim Lobow, the new 7-Series forklift range 7FG/DU60, 7FG/DU70 and 7FGU80/7FDU80 offer two power plants – a r4.3-litre 66kW overhead valve V6 engine designed for LPG and dual fuel systems, or Toyota’s advanced 5.2-litre 63kW OHV inline six-cylinder diesel engine.

"Both are matched to an automatic transmission with two-stator torque converter and electric shifter that delivers exceptional handling and smooth acceleration,” Lobow said.

The range features an optional EZ pedal which allows operators to change direction while leaving both hands free for steering and working the hydraulic controls.

Lobow said optimal comfort and ease of operation has been maximised through the highly responsive Centralised Hydraulic Power-assist System (CHPS), which controls tilt, lift, attachment, steering and braking functions with a simple and reliable single-pump design.

Full hydrostatic power steering reportedly provides precise control for greater manoeuvrability and reduced operator fatigue.

In addition, SAS offers automatic fork levelling at the press of a button on the mast-control tilt lever. The operator can therefore work more efficiently and confidently, with less chance of damage to loads and storage racks, Lobow added.

Racking audit system now multilingual

Victorian company Independent Racking Inspections & Audits’ (IRIA) racking audit software is now multilingual to accommodate clients with global bases.

IRIA’s Rack Audit Technology (RAT) was developed to collect and store steel racking audit data in a range of industrial and commercial operations, aiding racking safety. Faults are recorded for storage in a centralised database, allowing users to generate damage reports on-site.
 
The technology now offers the facility to operate in various languages, accommodating global clients with language barriers. 
 
According to IRIA, the multilingual capability was added to the company’s RAT software because many companies with steel storage racking in their business failed to realise their responsibilities within the Australian Standard, including annual inspections.
 
The software complies with the Australian Standard for Steel Storage Racking (AS4084) and the European FEM standard (FEM 10.2.04).

“Clean Ear” System from CK Safety

 The “Clear Ear” reusable ear plugs are manufactured from medical grade silicone material in two (SNR24) or three (SNR25) flange styles and exert only sufficient pressure within the ear canal to ensure the required acoustic seal. They have the the unique benefit of different coloured, reusable ear plugs (ie, red = left ear & blue = right ear) on either end of a cord or Expand-a-band (adjustable head band) and have been designed for maximum comfort and performance.

The new system also includes a unique, hygienic storage box; the “Clean Ear” storage box has been specifically designed to enhance reusable ear plug hygiene and safety. This box has clearly marked individual storage compartments for the left and right ear plug and drain holes to allow air to pass through to assist in drying the plugs after washing / cleaning etc. Manufactured from high impact resistant plastic, in both detectable and non-detectable plastic versions, the “Clean Ear” storage box is compact (L62mm x W40mm x H23mm), lightweight (17g) and easy to clean. The storage box also has a facility incorporated within the design for the user to attach a safety chain or lanyard to help keep the ear plugs convenient, clean and protected between use.

Transmitters with switching functions

NOSHOK Electronic Indicating Pressure and Temperature Transmitter/Switches provide local monitoring, 4-20mA current output and switching control.

The 800/810 Series utilise ceramic or thin film sensors to deliver a high level of repeatability and durability. They also provide continuous monitoring and allow the programming of set points without pressurising.

Applications include hydraulic and pneumatic systems, moulding and extruding equipment, stamping and forming presses, pumps and compressors, HVAC, power generation, transportation equipment and marine.

The 850 Series utilises PT100 technology to provide continuous temperature monitoring, electronic temperature switching, and transmission of analogue output of 4-20mA while providing local digital indication. It allows for one or two switching outputs as well as an optional analogue output.

A wide measuring range (between -200°C and 600°C) covers the majority of temperature measuring and switching applications 

AMS Instrumentation & Calibration
03 9017 8225 – sales@ams-ic.com.au
www.ams-ic.com.au

Robot replacement service

HEADLAND Machinery is offering a new service called the Robot Exchange Program, in which one of Headland’s ‘Robot Integrators’ pick-up an old and tired robot from the factory, and replace it with a suitable KUKA robot.

The Robot Exchange comes with a 5-year warranty on the robot itself and is packaged up into a monthly fee including parts, labour and retraining of the staff so there isn’t a strain on the immediate cash flow.

An integrator will identify the right KUKA robot to replace the existing model, and in many cases swap the robot over in just a few days.

Headland developed the program to alleviate the risks associated with using old robots in the factory, including breakdown and lack of spare parts, both of which cause expensive downtime.

Headland suggests manufacturers using robots from the 1990s or older should take advantage of the program.

Headland Machinery
03 9244 3524
www.headland.com.au

New controllers and software

ROCKWELL Automation has introduced a new controller family and software which it claims simplifies installation, saving acquisition costs and assembly time for machine builders.

Allen-Bradley Micro800 controllers and Connected Components Workbench software offer fully customisable solutions for nano- and micro-level controller applications. They are suited for machine builders and end users who need a cost-effective control solution for their small applications.

Together, the controllers and software are said to be easy to configure, install and maintain. They are designed to be used with other Allen-Bradley component class products, such as drives, motion control and operator interface products.

The new Micro800 family is ideally suited for standalone machine applications with fewer than 48 I/O, the initial launch consists of two controllers – the Allen-Bradley Micro810 and Micro830 controllers – and Connected Components Workbench software.

Robot replacement service

HEADLAND Machinery is offering a new service called the Robot Exchange Program, in which one of Headland’s ‘Robot Integrators’ pick-up an old and tired robot from the factory, and replace it with a suitable KUKA robot.

The Robot Exchange comes with a 5-year warranty on the robot itself and is packaged up into a monthly fee including parts, labour and retraining of the staff so there isn’t a strain on the immediate cash flow.

An integrator will identify the right KUKA robot to replace the existing model, and in many cases swap the robot over in just a few days.

Headland developed the program to alleviate the risks associated with using old robots in the factory, including breakdown and lack of spare parts, both of which cause expensive downtime.

Headland suggests manufacturers using robots from the 1990s or older should take advantage of the program.

Headland Machinery
03 9244 3524
www.headland.com.au

Indicator light with independent push-button

MICROMAX Sensors & Automation has announced the Banner Engineering EZ-LIGHT K50L with an independent push-button.

The push-button is mapped to a dry contact output and is designed for use with wireless sensor networks, specifically Banner SureCross FlexPower battery-operated devices.

Operating independently from its attached wireless device, the K50L push-button consumes minimal power for electrical circuits or control, while three sourcing inputs control the green, yellow and red indicator lights.

The K50L’s power-optimised electronics, combined with Banner’s reliable SureCross wireless network, provide an ideal solution for call lights and machine status indication, even for remote areas without wired power or data connections.

The EZ-LIGHT indicators display multiple colours with solid, flashing or sequenced flashing cycles. The illuminated dome is easy to see, providing operator guidance and indicating equipment status.

Micromax Sensors & Automation
1300 362 626 – info@micromaxsa.com.au
www.micromaxsa.com.au

 

Compact industrial unmanaged Ethernet switches

B&B Electronics Manufacturing has added the ELinx ESW100 series featuring LC small-form-factor fiber connectors to its family of next-generation industrial unmanaged Ethernet switches.

Industrial-hardened with 61000-6-2 Level 3 Heavy Industrial Certifications, the switches are designed for rugged, noisy, dirty applications such as industrial automation, SCADA, traffic control, water management and wind power.

With dual power ports (12 to 36 VDC and 10 to 24 VAC), the switches run on either AC or DC power and consume 4 watts maximum power. They support IEEE 802.3, 802.3u and 802.3x standards, offer 2K MAC addresses and operate over temperature range of -10 to 60 degrees C.

B&B Electronics Manufacturing
sharrigan@bb-elec.com
www.bb-elec.com

Programmable panel meter

Dwyer Instruments has released the Series SPPM Smart Programmable Panel Meter; a configurable, full color display that can be used in a variety of applications.

Utilising a USB connection, the panel meter can be configured with downloadable software, using any computer running Windows based software.

Available with either a 2.4 inch or 2.8 inch screen which features remarkable graphics that can easily be customised to read and/or graph parameters, including pressure, temperature, humidity and gas concentration.

Up to two transmitters or transducers can feed the panel meter’s user scalable inputs. The Series SPPM includes a gasket and mounting clip for quick installation into a panel.

Dwyer Instruments
02 4272 2055 – info@dwyer-inst.com.au
www.dwyer-inst.com.au

High accuracy rotary piston meters

TRIMEC’S MP series of rotary piston meters is marketed as a simple but reliable range of metering solutions providing high levels of accuracy and repeatability for liquid applications.

The meters can be used for viscous lubricants, chemicals and food bases and non-conductive solvents and fuels. Applications include alcohols, acetic acid, caustic soda, ethanol, fuels, grease, glucose, ink, insecticides, latex emulsions, liquid sugar, margarine, mayonnaise, molasses, resin, tallow, urethane, water, xylene and liquid yeast.

The rotary piston meters are manufactured in line sizes from 10 to 50mm and in a variety of body materials, such as aluminium, stainless steel and UPVC.

Standard options include flanged and hygienic process connections, explosion-proof, integral and remote LCD totaliser-batch totalisers, flow rate totalisers, scaled pulse and more.

ERP provides total integration and automation services

Software Solutions company eCommerce Industries Inc (ECi) has released version 8.0 of its ECi M1 enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, which is said to provide total integration and automation services, from quoting through to invoicing. 

ECi M1 is designed for discrete manufacturers that are planning growth, helping them improve their processes to save time, resources and money.

Version 8.0 offers more intuitive dashboards than its predecessor, along with integrated business intelligence tools that are said to give users more insight into internal performance and customer buying habits, says ECi. 

The ERP system offers Google Maps, to allow users to see their sales distribution by location. It also incorporates a new Design Studio wizard, which reportedly makes it easier to design and deliver customised products in response to demand. 

Improved security and administration functionality are also present, says ECi.

 

Precision measurement test set

TechRentals has introduced the Megger 3 Phase Transformer Tester to its test and measurement rental fleet.

The Megger 3 Phase Transformer Tester is a standalone or remote-controlled transformer and ratio test set that reportedly measures ratio, phase deviation and current accurately.

Test results can be downloaded to a PC for archiving, analysis, trending, and/or printing with included PowerDB LITE PC software.

It features a QWERTY keyboard, RS-232, USB and Ethernet ports and 5.7 inch VGA bright colour display, which can be seen in direct sunlight.

The Megger 3 Phase Transformer Tester can store up to 100,000 data sets.

Lightweight sound level meter

THE new 3M Sound Detector SD-200 is a compact, lightweight sound level meter designed for accurate measurement of workplace noise levels.

Its intuitive design is said to make it easy for users to measure sound levels and determine the degree of hearing protection that may be required.

Its advanced integration feature computes the average sound pressure level, allowing for more accurate assessment of intermittent sound levels.

The meter can compute average sound pressure levels for accurate measurement of intermittent sound levels, plus its selectable LED alert screen provides quick visual reference of sound levels.