New Products & Services
January 2018
Phoenix Contact
With this company’s cloud-based solutions, status information on standard and safety functions are transmitted continuously via a Profinet control solution to the Proficloud (photo). This information is then evaluated there. Thanks to the holistic consideration of resources and machinery, completely new opportunities are opened up for operators and designers to increase operational performance. This enables, for example, the determination of interdependencies between safety and process parameters. Or the monitoring of operational and maintenance processes across the entire line during normal operation. With access to this information, measures can then be derived and operational patterns determined. The machinery design can thus be optimized and work sequences designed to be more efficient. — Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co.KG, Blomberg, Germany
Endress+Hauser
Proline 300 Coriolis and electromagnetic flow instruments (photo) have been updated for safety, enhanced measurement quality, device accessibility and GMP (good manufacturing practice) compliance for sterile processes. The flowmeters’ hygienic 316L stainless-steel housings are optimized for reliability and they have been designed to support an optional IP69 ingress protection rating, making them impervious to water ingress from high-pressure washdown. The sensors are designed according to several international standards, and provide full GMP compliance for sterile processes. They offer simple integration into many applications through a wide range of digital conductivity protocols including EtherNet/IP. The design is optimized for cleaning and sterilization, offering full drainability even in near horizontal installations. Both the Coriolis and electromagnetic flowmeters are available in models suitable for clean-in-place (CIP) or steam-in-place (SIP) processes in hygienic and sterile process applications. — Endress+Hauser Inc., Greenwood, Ind.
Yokogawa Electric
Scheduled for release this quarter, this enhanced version of the Stardom network-based control system (photo) will include a new E2 bus interface module that has been developed for use in FCN-500 autonomous controller extension units. This enables the construction of systems that have more I/O points and cover a wider area. Stardom is a network-based control system that consists of the FCN autonomous controller, the VDS web-based HMI and the FAST/TOOLS SCADA package. Since first releasing Stardom in 2001, the company has continued to improve the functions of this system to satisfy its users’ evolving needs. One such recent need is for the collective monitoring and control of applications where many different input and output devices are distributed over a wide area, in locations where conditions are often harsh. Other needs have included the reduction of wiring and maintenance costs while ensuring high reliability. — Yokogawa Electric Corp., Tokyo, Japan
Emerson
The new Clarkson SU10R polyurethane knife gate valve for mid-service applications eliminates the compromise between light-service and heavy-duty valves with a high-performance, low-maintenance, bi-directional, abrasion-resistant design. The two-piece body construction and field-replaceable snap-in liner design provides more reliable sealing than competing products. An integral seat-face seal eliminates the need for flange gaskets in many conventional flanged installations. This, along with an improved gland, will make the product particularly suitable for users across the mining spectrum, from alumina to coal, copper, gold, silver and uranium. The snap-in urethane liner design means that no special tools are required to replace the liner. The valves will initially be available in sizes ranging from 50 to 600 mm, and operate at 10 bars pressure and up to 80°C. — Emerson, St. Louis, Mo.
PatSnap
Licensee Locator is an analysis tool that enables users to identify and locate potential acquirers or licensees for patented technology. Licensee Locator playbook takes any patent or technology description and automatically identifies potential acquirers or licensees, based on objective metrics of licensability, revealing suitable organizations that may not otherwise have been considered. This is made possible by its ability to process hundreds of millions of data points about all possible licensees — expanding the potential for commercialization far beyond the patent owner’s existing network. — PatSnap, London, U.K.
KRAL
The KRAL Smart Solution (photo) is a compact electronic unit to which a Volumeter flowmeter is connected. The Smart Solution processes the signals that the flowmeter generates with its integrated sensors in such a manner that measured values are available that can be passed on via the Modbus. Up to 32 Smart Solution electronic units can be switched in series and thus save a multitude of cabling and their installation in comparison to conventional measured data acquisition. The flowmeters supply very precise measured values like the flow quantity, the flow direction and temperature to the Smart Solution, which processes this information into a flow value. — KRAL AG, Lustenau, Austria
Bürkert Fluid Control Systems
The AirLINE Type 8562 (photo) is a new valve island for control cabinets. Type 8652 was designed for applications in the water-treatment, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food-and-beverage industries. It offers user-adjustable, integrated monitoring and diagnostic functions that improve system availability and process reliability, while also enabling preventive maintenance. An integrated display shows detailed onsite information, such as the current-switching statuses of the pilot and process valve, and issues a message if pre-set pressure-limit values are exceeded. The valve island is significantly smaller than its predecessor, says the manufacturer, and therefore fits into compact control cabinets that can be placed close to process valves. The valve island communicates via common industrial Ethernet protocols or Profibus DP. Each valve can be replaced during live operation without shutting down the system. As an additional safety function, check valves are used in the exhaust channel to prevent the unwanted activation of valves by pressure peaks and the resulting mixing of media. This also provides reliability on the pneumatic side. — Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, Ingelfingen, Germany
Pall
The Crixus Fluid Monitoring Platform (photo) is a fluid-cleanliness management solution designed to provide industrial customers with intelligent fluid monitoring. The patent-pending fluid-monitoring platform meets the growing need for lubrication and hydraulic fluid cleanliness in industrial manufacturing equipment and filter performance. The Crixus provides realtime data that instantly flag performance issues and warns of potential problems. Information from the Cloud is pushed to the Crixus mobile and web app, where systems and applications from multiple sites can be monitored. — Pall Corp., Port Washington, N.Y.
Sartorius Stedim Biotech
SIMCA is an advanced data analytics and visualization program (photo) that makes it possible to combine and analyze data from all sources to isolate, understand and act on the “hidden gems” that hold the secret to better decision-making and greater business success. SIMCA’s multivariate data-analysis engine enables companies to swiftly detect and analyze deviations from normal operating conditions by modeling an idealized process. Once this model is transferred into SIMCA-online, it serves as a valuable reference for users’ current production. The newly enhanced software offers an intuitive graphical interface and the flexibility to handle complex data, such as reworking, splitting and merging, and more. SIMCA projects can be uploaded directly to an available SIMCA-online server.— Sartorius Stedim Biotech, Göttingen, Germany
Kemutec Group
The Gardner HE Series of U-trough ribbon mixers (photo) has mixing troughs with unconventional short aspect ratios (length to diameter). Short mixing times combined with low-energy, gentle action and high efficiency ensure that minor ingredients are dispersed homogeneously without the need for pre-mixing, says the manufacturer. The mixer is equipped with a high-efficiency “double helix” agitator that has only six mixing blades. The Gardner HE Series has capacities ranging from 50 to 20,000 L. The mixer also features a large top cover for ease of access and is suitable for handling sticky powders. — Kemutec Group Inc., Bristol, Pa.
NACE
Impact Plus is a new platform designed to benchmark best practices and improve corrosion management across many industry sectors. Built as a tool for management professionals, the program gives users the option to manage their own application of the product or use a trained navigator with corrosion management and consulting expertise. Navigators will help users evaluate and compare their current asset-management strategies and advise them on future asset-protection and corrosion-management strategies. Features of the Impact Plus portal include: an integrated platform for corrosion management professionals; a straightforward way for companies to identify gaps in processes that could lead to the reduced lifecycle of assets due to mechanical, integrity or human error; a maturity model that creates a roadmap of activities, investments and best practices that lead to higher performance and a reference library to manage knowledge and information collected through all components of the portal. — NACE International, Houston
COG
Elastomer seals that are used in valves, pipelines, fittings or pig traps have to face exceptionally high requirements. A sudden decrease in pressure can lead to damage of the sealing, a phenomenon known as explosive decompression. The elastomer material is either torn in various places or has blistering on the surface (photo). Only high-tech sealing compounds that are especially tested and designed with very good physical properties can be used in this situation. This company has developed seven different high-tech compounds that were intensively tested and are resistant against explosive decompression. All of these seven high-tech compounds fulfill the NORSOK Standard M-710 requirements for resistance against explosive decompression. Furthermore, some of the compounds fulfil the API 6A and 6D standard, as well as the NACE TM 0297 (Explosive decompression) and TM 0187 (sour gas) standards. — C. Otto Gehrckens (COG) GmbH & Co. KG, Pinneberg, Germany
Fluke
Vibration screening is one of the most effective ways to detect and prevent equipment failures or downtime, but performing vibration analysis can be complex. The new 3560 FC Vibration Sensor (photo) wirelessly and remotely captures simple vibration screening data on imbalance and misalignment. Remote vibration monitoring allows maintenance managers to monitor asset health with ease and reduce the reliance on vibration specialists. The wireless sensor is small enough to fit in hard-to-reach places and affordable enough to place on multiple locations on equipment. The generated data are wirelessly transmitted and stored on the company’s Connect Condition Monitoring software. — Fluke Corp., Everett, Wash.
Cortec
This company’s Vapor-phase Corrosion Inhibitor (VpCI) Technology turns basic packaging materials like paper, cardboard boxes and plastic bags into corrosion-inhibiting tools that protect by vapor phase action without the direct application of a rust preventative or coating to the metal. One special means for creating effective corrosion inhibiting packaging is CorShield 352 coating for paper and corrugated cardboard, which is powered by Nano VpCI, a coating that contains multi-metal Vapor-phase Corrosion Inhibitors. Applied to normal Kraft paper or linerboard, CorShield 352 Coating creates an excellent protective material for interleaving or individually packaging metal parts. When metal articles are enclosed within flexible packaging or corrugated boxes coated with CorShield 352, protective molecules from the VpCI coating vaporize off the packaging material to provide complete corrosion protection to enclosed metals. — Cortec Corp., St. Paul, Minn.
Andritz
SmartSIM (photo) is a sophisticated solution for efficient implementation of new machine-control systems or optimized training of new operators. It is available for various models of solid-liquid separation machines and systems with a Metris addIQ control system. Among the benefits of SmartSIM training are reduced downtimes, because there are fewer operating errors and lower maintenance costs due to operators being highly trained. SmartSIM includes a computer-assisted classroom training course, which can be used at any time without affecting actual plant operation. Using the original operating interface, trainees have the opportunity to control a “digital twin” of the machine, including the individual parameters of production operations. In the course of the training, participants learn — with on-site support from this company — how to run the machine, respond properly to alarm situations, and improve the performance of the machine or the process. — Andritz AG, Raaba-Grambach, Austria
W.L. Gore & Associates
The PolyVent Ex+ (photo) is the newest addition to this company’s line of screw-in protective venting. It has been certified to explosion-proof safety standards of IECEx and ATEX. The vents’ rigorous certifications enable installation in areas with potentially explosive atmospheres caused by combustible gases or dust. The vent body and cap, as well as the patented membrane-sealing system, are constructed of 316L stainless steel. The membrane is made from ePTFE and provides stable pressure equalization, along with long-lasting oleophobic and hydrophobic protection. The membrane is rated for an airflow rate of 1,600 mL/min at 70 mbars. A silicone O-ring with a high flammability-resistance rating adds another layer of safety. — W.L. Gore & Associates, Newark, Del.
Siemens AG
This company has upgraded its Simit simulation platform for virtual commissioning and operator training (photo) with a new release. Version 9.1 enables Simit to also be used for virtual commissioning and operator training in modular plants, speeding up actual commissioning by as much as 60% and reducing unwanted standstill periods to a minimum, particularly during plant conversion and migration processes, says the company. Simit can also be used to implement a realistic operator training system. Version 9.1 comes with an array of innovations designed to improve operating convenience, support simulation modeling and contribute to improved efficiency, openness and flexibility. — Siemens AG, Munich, Germany