The recently introduced Matrikon OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) Software Development Kit (SDK) is a fully scalable toolkit that allows users to interconnect industrial software systems, regardless of the platform, operating system or size. According to the company, the Matrikon OPC UA SDK requires the smallest amount of memory in the industry, and runs as efficiently as possible to leave sufficient computing resources for correct device functionality. The toolkit is suitable in both small embedded environments and large PC-based applications, providing the scalability to enable multiple product lines ranging from networked discrete sensors and actuators to programmable controllers. — Honeywell Process Solutions, Houston
The new generation of the XRipper twin-shaft shredder is designed to reduce the size of coarse matter that can clog pumps, pipes and fittings. In addition to shredding more evenly, new housing geometry allows for significantly higher throughput, which can be further increased with an optional add-on feature, says the company. Designed specifically for pipelines, the XRipper model XRP (photo) has the optimal type of construction for inline installation in sewage pipelines and other confined spaces, such as ducts. The easily accessible ripper rotors and cartridge seals allow quick parts replacement. A version designed especially for channel installations, the XRC, is also available. — Hugo Vogelsang Maschinenbau GmbH, Essen, Germany
This company has developed a method enabling the production of stainless coiled tubing (photo) in lengths exceeding 1,000 m from a single 125-kg hollow with zero welds. The new production technique is a combination of sophisticated pilgering, precision drawing and other proprietary processes. Production of the coiled tubing is expected to be up and running at a facility in Werther, Germany this month, with the first 1,010-m coiled reel order to be supplied in October 2016. — Sandvik Materials Technology, Sandviken, Sweden
The Allegro STR 1000 single-use, 1,000-L stirred-tank reactor (photo) provides scalable cell culture in a simple-to-install package. Installation is largely automated and requires minimal operator interaction, reducing the potential for error or damage. The cubical design and large bottom-driven impeller result in high oxygen-transfer rates and short mixing times. In addition, both disposable and reusable sensors can be integrated with the Allegro STR 1000 bioreactor for increased flexibility. — Pall Life Sciences, Port Washington, N.Y.
Lynx CDR connectors allow efficient fluid management through sterile connection, disconnection and reconnection, providing an alternative to the more time-consuming tube-welding processes and costly manifold configurations traditionally used in upstream and downstream biopharmaceutical processing. The connectors provide six sterile connections, disconnections and reconnections from one disposable device. Previous disposable connector technologies allowed users to make only a single sterile connection per device, requiring the use of multiple devices per unit operation. According to the manufacturer, the Lynx CDR’s ability to perform connections and disconnections with a wet, pressurized flow path allows for more economic fluid management than with connectors that require a dry, non-pressurized flow path. — MilliporeSigma, Billerica, Mass.
The EK-EP Series of intrinsically safe compact balances (photo) are approved for both U.S. and Canada for Zone 0 or Division 1 atmospheres where vapors are constantly present and could be accidently ignited. The Series’ models have capacities of 300 and 3,000 g, as well as 12 kg. The portable design means that weighing can take place near the vapor source or inside fume hoods and explosion-proof enclosures. Because the balances are powered by batteries rather than electrical mains, they do not require installation by a qualified electrician. — A&D Weighing, San Jose, Calif.
The newly upgraded mRoy line of metering pumps includes new features for improved safety, improved hydraulic efficiency and easier startup and maintenance. Specific enhancements include a liquid-end bleed system, making it easier to commission a new or newly maintained pump, and threaded elements on the housing to assure there is no easy access to potential moving parts. The pumps are designed to accurately control chemical dosing while meeting API 675, CE and ATEX standards. The durable, compact design enables metering of harsh chemicals with 100-to-1 turndown capabilities and repetitive steady-state accuracy of±1%. — Milton Roy, Houston
Micro Motion Advanced Phase Measurement (APM; photo) is a software option available on this company’s Model 5700 transmitter that helps improve measurement accuracy in challenging multi-phase applications. This measurement solution provides insight into the complete flow stream, including oil, water and gas, through a local display, providing continuous, realtime production data. The platform also provides measurement insight to reduce waste, maintain product quality, and identify process upsets in the presence of multiple phases in life sciences and chemical applications. — Emerson Process Management, Austin, Tex.
The Eclipse Series of metallic gear (photo) pumps features 12 different models to handle a wide variety of chemicals, connection sizes and flow ranges for water treatment and chemical processing applications. Equipped with a patented front pull-out design that simplifies routine maintenance, the Eclipse series features the fewest number of parts compared to any other external gear pump on the market, says the manufacturer. Two different types of metallic gearing — Alloy C and 316LSS — are available for addressing higher temperatures (up to 450F) and wider viscosity ranges for process chemicals. Each member of the Eclipse Series is magnetically driven, with no seals to wear or replace, providing reliable handling of highly corrosive fluids in a wide range of temperatures. — Pulsafeeder Engineered Products, Rochester, N.Y.
This company has launched a new pulsation dampener designed specifically for air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) pumps. The AODDampener (photo) is constructed of 316L stainless steel with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) diaphragm, and employs an automatic air-control mechanism that utilizes the existing compressed-air source in an AODD pump system for charging. Because there is no need to adjust the dampener’s charge at pump startup or when there is a change in system pressure, the AODDampener’s automatic air control works with AODD systems where fluid pressures vary substantially on a regular basis. Another benefit of the dampener’s automatic air control is that air is not required unless the average line pressure in the system changes. — Blacoh Fluid Control, Riverside, Calif.
The UD18-2 ultrasonic sensor for double layer and splice detection (photo) is able to determine whether one, two or no material layers are present between its sender and receiver. The UD18-2 can reliably detect objects regardless of material, including paper, cardboard, shiny metal, transparent plastic and more. The UD18-2 also features the functionality for up to four sensitivity levels, and the sensor can switch between sensitivity levels during operation. This allows the sensor to tackle complex applications and ensure permanent system availability. In addition, the UD18-2 features rapid commissioning thanks to plug-and-play technology, as well as variable mounting distance for flexibility during installation. The UD18-2 is also immune to dirt, dust and humidity, making it appropriate for a wide variety of applications in the packaging, paper, electronics, solar, metal and steel industries. — Sick AG, Wildkirch, Germany
Developed through advanced catalyst technology and process research, Exceed XP performance polymers are specifically designed to run at faster film-production rates in a variety of film applications. The polyethylene (PE) resins offer a high level of protection and preservation for a broad range of flexible packaging products, and are especially well-suited for challenging applications, such as liquid and food packaging, construction liners and agricultural films (photo), says the manufacturer. In the food-packaging sector, Exceed XP can be used in highly demanding environments with low temperatures or high volumes. — ExxonMobil Chemical Co., Spring, Tex.
This company’s line of wireless limit switches (photo) feature an internal electrodynamic energy generator — no battery is required. Displacement of the actuator generates power to send a uniquely coded signal to one or more compatible, easily-programmed receivers. If the limit switch does not receive the confirmation signal within 15 ms, it transmits a second signal. The receiver accepts up to 10 discrete signals per channel. With a transmission range of 40 m indoors and 450 m outdoors, the switches are available for operation at 915 MHz (for use in the U.S, Canada and Australia) or 868 MHz for use in Europe. A variety of actuator styles are available, including roller plunger, roller lever, rocker lever, spring rod and more. — Steute Industrial Controls, Inc., Ridgefield, Conn.
Developed with computational fluid dynamics (CFD), as well as practical combustion tests, the ACE low-emission burner (photo) produces very low NOx emissions. Its CO emissions are also very low. In typical conditions, the NOx emissions of natural-gas combustion are less than 60 mg/Nm3 with these burners. In addition to combustion emissions, the burner’s noise emissions are significantly lower than those of earlier models. ACE burners are suitable for natural gas, light and heavy oil, as well as other liquid and gaseous fuels. The ACE product family consists of several different burner capacities, currently covering the 6.5–70-MW power range. — Oilon Oy, Lahti, Finland
The HS430S Advanced FIT 1.5-in. high-pressure AODD pump is now available in an aluminum version (photo) that is well-suited for applications that require high head pressures, such as viscous and solid-laden slurries. The aluminum pump comes equipped with the FIT wetted path, which minimizes the number of fasteners and allows for single-socket reassembly for simpler maintenance. The pump’s Simplex design allows for one liquid chamber to pump fluid while the other is used as a pressure-amplification chamber. With a two-to-one pressure ratio, the pump generates 250 psig and does not require external boosters or amplifiers to achieve this discharge pressure. — Wilden Pump and Engineering, Grand Terrace, Calif.
The BTC01 is a new standalone industrial-box thin client that is ideal for modular virtualized human-machine-interface (HMI) systems. It comes preloaded with this company’s new proprietary operating system, RM Shell 4.0. The BTC01 features enhanced security, a new user interface that simplifies integration and auto-connect and connection-loss features. The fully customizable unit can simultaneously run up to four systems, and it restricts operators to predefined web addresses. Shock and vibration resistant, the BTC01 is built on an aluminium chassis with a fanless design. All internal moving parts are eliminated, and the unit can operate safely at temperatures between –20 and 60C. — Pepperl+Fuchs North America, Twinsburg, Ohio
The new Multi-Point Wireless I/O system allows users to transfer I/O or Modbus data to and from multiple locations without the hassle of wires, conduit, trenching or permits. The secure system deploys quickly and can be used indoors or outdoors in a variety of industries. The system can be expanded as the needs of the user’s application expand. Three module types — two analog and one digital — allow users to customize their setup. The Multi-Point Wireless I/O system can be used in three different methods: I/O to I/O; I/O to Modbus serial; and Modbus serial to Modbus serial. The digital module also serves as a counter. — ProSoft Technology, Inc., Bakersfield, Calif.
The recently released Engineer 16 structural-design software features over 350 updates upon previous versions, including important enhancements in concrete and steel design. For concrete designs, new workflows, a new shear-wall and frame module and improved beam and column design functionalities have been added to the software package. For steel projects, improvements have been made in the areas of composite floor members, cold-formed steel design and bi-axial steel-connection design. The software’s analysis and results capabilities have also been updated to include extensions for plastic strains, additional yield criterion and triangular finite elements during meshing for membrane elements. — SCIA nv, Herk-de-Stad, Belgium
This company has introduced a new cloud-based version of its gas cylinder inventory intelligence service, Accura (photo). Each time a cylinder is moved, it is scanned and traced, and realtime location data is uploaded to the Accura platform. The service enables live information on cylinder stock levels, movement history and usage patterns, which can be accessed through a mobile application for smartphones and tablets, or via a regular web browser. Tools such as re-ordering assist and gas-consumption reports help increase productivity, especially for customers requiring an uninterrupted gas supply for process continuity. Additional benefits of the service include enhanced visibility of potentially hazardous products and cylinder expiry dates. — Linde Gases, a division of The Linde Group, Munich, Germany
A mobile version of this company’s FKM 600 ploughshare mixer, dubbed Mixer in the Box (photo), was specially designed for users in heavy-duty industries, providing the ability to perform practical wear tests directly on their premises. Completely mobile and installed in a 40-ft standard container, the fully assembled machine has a drum volume of 600 L. Suitable for mixing heavy and coarse products, the Mixer in the Box is constructed of highly durable materials with a replaceable rubber lining to protect the cylindrical container and front plates from wear. The mixing mechanism itself has shovel armor plating made of tungsten carbide, which significantly increases service life. — Gebr. Lödige Maschinenbau GmbH, Paderborn, Germany
The F4T version 3.0 temperature and process controller (photo) features advanced data logging and graphical trend charts, as well as encrypted data-log records to help meet industry requirements, such as AMS 2750E and CFR 21 Part 11. Other benefits of the data-logging feature include the ability to log directly to a USB memory stick and transfer files over Ethernet. Users can create up to four trend screens and scroll through a matching color legend of parameters on the trend chart. The F4T also features a 4.3-in., capacitive color touch panel with high resolution and a graphical user interface that provides customized control. — Watlow Electric Manufacturing Co., St. Louis, Mo.