Ceramicx Brands Infrared/Quartz Heating Systems

Ceramicx is investing in an extensive programme of branding and promotion for its next generation of infrared and quartz heating elements and systems. Frank Wilson, managing director, said: ‘By the time we exhibit at the international plastics industry fair in Dusseldorf in October 2010, we will have badged 75 per cent of our factory output with our full Ceramicx brand, traceability and internet back up.

Ceramicx heating technology is used in plastics thermoforming lines and for other industrial and consumer uses. The company is deploying product laser-marking systems for the project. Ceramicx’s chief product lines are infrared heaters, infrared ovens, quartz heaters and ceramic heaters. The company is primarily concerned with heat work – all of which is derived from its solar system.

Enviro Monitors Vehicle Emissions For Authorities

Enviro Technology and the University of Leeds’ Institute of Transport Studies are collaborating to provide bespoke vehicle-emissions monitoring for local authorities. The service spotlights fleet characterisation and provides emissions profile information on a per-vehicle basis. Benefits include the ability to identify the abundance and significance of high-emission vehicles, as well as segmentation of data by vehicle type, age and emission standard.

Data is gathered by Enviro Technology’s Accusan system. The system uses remote-sensor technology to measure NOx, CO, CO2, HC and the ’smoke factor’ of transport on a real-time, per-vehicle basis. Coupling this with an automatic number-plate-recognition camera ensures detailed information is captured for each vehicle passing the monitoring station, without the driver needing to stop. Measurement and analysis are typically carried out over a one- to four-week timeframe, providing comprehensive information for vehicle-emissions management strategies.

Tetra Pak has launched the Tetra Therm Aseptic Visco unit for high-viscous and particulate products. The unit is said to cut product losses by up to 50 per cent, boost production flexibility and maximise food safety due to a new heat exchanger. The high-pressure, continuous food-processing unit enables efficient, high-capacity UHT treatment for high-viscous soups and sauces, tomato pastes, custard desserts, fruit preparations, vegetable purees and baby-food products.

Capacity can run up to 18,000l/hr and higher. At the core of the unit is a high-pressure-rated coil tubular heat exchanger, Tetra Vertico, which handles pressures up to 350 bar and enables higher in-pipe velocity and lower system volumes. The technology reduces fouling in the system as the product is less likely to stick to surfaces and burn, reducing cleaning time and enabling longer running hours.

Lower product losses and cleaning volumes translate into reduced waste, simplifying waste handling and lowering environmental impact. The higher pressure in the unit also makes it less sensitive to variations in product viscosity than conventional equipment. The hygienic design of the Tetra Therm Aseptic Visco unit maximises food safety, with the fewest possible welds and easy-to-clean surfaces. Advanced automation ensures total production control and full traceability, while reducing downtime and the risk of human error.

Essemtec To Exhibit Pick-And-Place Machine

Essemtec will premier its Paraquda SMD pick-and-place machine on booth A3.358 at the upcoming Productronica exhibition in Munich, Germany. Paraquda’s pick-and-place head can simultaneously hold and measure four components. The range of components spans from 01005 resistors up to 100mm square components, which can be up to 25mm in height. The minimum pitch is specified with 0.3mm. The high-resolution fly-by vision system is equipped with the latest Cognex SMD image processing technology and can detect any kind of component, even odd-shaped parts.

The newly developed drive system optimises the travel path of the head simultaneously in all three axes by means of real-time position tracking. This minimises the travel distance, maximising performance and ensuring high-speed placement precision. The high acceleration forces are compensated with advanced materials and optimised construction. The Paraquda is said to provide fast changeovers. All feeders can be exchanged without stopping the machine and they feature a programmable pitch system. Up to 240 components can be installed in parallel; this enables fixed feeder set-ups that reduce the number of feeder changeovers.

The high feeder capacity allows the Paraquda to assemble complex PCBs with a single feeder set-up. The pick-and-place system can also replace dispensing machines. Up to two dispensing valves can be installed. Using these, Paraquda can dispense solder paste, glue or other media, for example. Jet, piezoflow, screw type or time/pressure dispensing valves also are available. Paraquda is equipped with Eplace, the new operation system from Essemtec. This operation system is claimed to allow users to produce high-quality PCBs at a low cost.

The graphical software requires minimal training time because it actively prevents wrong user input. Eplace also offers an integrated quality management system that avoids set-up errors and costly repairs. The system can be operated by touch screen. The screen position and angle can be set up for the user for the most agreeable operation. Customers currently using FLX pick-and-place machines from Essemtec can reuse the existing feeders on the new platform. Essemtec offers a trade-in programme that allows users to upgrade their pick-and-place machines.

MCP Screen Printer Retains Stable Solder-Pressure

Assembleon is showing its new high-speed, high-quality MCP screen printer at Productronica 2009, from 10-13 November. Assembleon’s MCP screen printer has an innovative head design with variable attack-angle printing, allowing it to maintain constant solder-pressure independent of the stencil thickness. The single-head system also allows easy setup and reduces maintenance by half. With a board cycle-time as low as 11 seconds, it is the first stencil printer to match the high throughput of some of today’s high-volume pick-and-place machines.

It is the first printer to match their high quality, too, by reducing defect per million (dpm) figures by up to 50 per cent. As a result, the MCP is ideal for high-speed and high-quality manufacturing and is a perfect match for Assembleon’s single-digit dpm A-Series equipment and high-quality, high-mix MC-Series. High precision, high-speed printing-component miniaturisation and reduced component interspacing are challenging even to modern screen printers. While maintaining high output, screen printers should be able to handle a wide mix of components, down to 01005, with small interspacing (down to 100um).

They should also adapt to PCB material trends such as flexible printed circuits (Flexfoil). The MCP has a flat-metal single-head squeegee to improve the speed and quality of printing. The squeegee’s variable-angle print-head improves the repeatability of the paste deposition for 01005 components, even after a stencil cleaning. The squeegee maintains constant solder pressure and produces perfect solder shapes with stencil thickness down to 50um and half edging stencils with stencil steps of 30 to 50um. It is ideal for PCBs mixing 01005 (0.4 x 0.2mm) types with larger component sizes.

The fast wet or dry vacuum-cleaning system operates during the PCB transport cycle, minimising the impact on tact time. All cleaning actions are performed with a minimum use of paper. The MCP also has a special feature that keeps the stencil from shifting during the print stroke, allowing better print repeatability on any board, even Flexfoil. To accomplish this, the stencil is secured on each side of the board during the print stroke, which holds the stencil in place and prevents it from sliding on the board.

Reducing the cost of quality has a high priority within manufacturing. Of all manufacturing defects caused by the soldering process, 87 per cent are caused by soldering, and more than half of these are printer related. Costs can be significantly reduced and end-of-line yield increased by avoiding or finding defects as early as possible. The MCP’s high-speed digital-inspection camera scans the printed PCB, detecting excess or insufficient solder and bridging and eliminating them from production.

Yamaha YS24 Makes European Debut At Productronica

Royal Philips Electronics subsidiary Assembleon will showcase the Yamaha YS24 pick-and-place machine at Productronica 2009, to be held 10-13 November. Appearing for the first time in Europe, the dual-sided machine has a total of 120 feeder positions in a space of just two square metres. It has speeds of up to 72,000 components per hour. Ultra compact machines such as the YS24 can produce up to 30 per cent higher output from the same floor space.

That raises earnings while also making better use of resources, maintenance and energy. Next year, Assembleon plans to introduce its own version of the machine in those regions where it represents Yamaha. The ultra slim and intelligent electrical-feeding platform packs up to 120 feeders into the two square metres. Combined with fine-pitch placer such as the MC-1 or MC-8, the YS24 brings more than 240 feeder positions to a production line. This guarantees the highest flexibility in family setups or high mix production.

The YS24 also performs high-quality placement of a wide component range, from 0.4 x 0.2mm (01005) up to 32mm2. Combined with an MC-1 or MC-8 fine pitch placer, this can increase to 45 x 100 x 25mm high. With the additional capability of handling board sizes up to 700mm long by 460mm wide, the compact YS24 suits most applications.

The YS24 has a feature-rich GUI, with factory integration, NPI and changeover tools for highest flexibility. Excellent NPI features such as virtual sticky tape, easy editors and setup assistant help ensure quick introduction of new products. Various optimisation modes allow freedom in providing the best possible setup, minimising changeover time and therefore maximising productivity. Boosting productivity further, the dual-stage conveyor and buffers mean faster cycle times and optimised flow-line efficiency, raising production output.

DS Refrigerant Dryers Reduce Energy Consumption

Boge has brought out a range of energy-saving refrigerant dryers. The DS series features components used in compressed-air drying. Optimally dimensioned components assure reliability and efficiency, even in the most demanding conditions. The DS series dryers also constantly adapt to changes in ambient and volume flow to ensure dry compressed air is always delivered. At the same time the intelligent heat-exchanger system creates a lower pressure drop when compared with conventional systems.

This low-pressure drop means that the compressor generation pressure can be reduced, with each 1 bar pressure reduction translating into a six per cent energy saving. By ensuring the lowest possible pressure loss, a high level of energy efficiency can be achieved. As the energy consumption of the compressor is greater than the dryer, these savings have a much larger impact and so increase the efficiency of the compressor. It is estimated that over a five-year operating period the purchase price of a compressed-air dryer accounts for only about a third of the total cost.

A third of all costs are spent on the electricity required to run the dryer for five years. A further third is consumed over a five-year period by the compressor in order to overcome the dryer’s pressure drop. With the Boge DS series, lowest possible pressure losses reduce energy consumption year on year, impacting on the associated electricity used year on year. The DS dryer control continuously adapts the dryer operation to the real operating conditions. This ensures continual energy saving.

The new DS series dryers are compact and have been designed for ease of maintenance. The DS series has a standard 3C pressure dew point and a flow capacity from 7.5 to 180m3/min. The range is environmentally friendly, emits zero ODP and low GWP and is Montreal Protocol compliant.

Pan-And-Tilt Positioner Integrates Electronics

Aerotech has launched a pan-and-tilt positioner with integrated drives and motion controls for high-end camera security, surveillance and defence applications. The APT series includes built-in electronics using the company’s Ensemble MP series of motion controls and brushless servomotor drives for a completely integrated design with top- or side-mount camera bracket and housing mounted connectors for camera, 24-80VDC power and Ethernet control.

A slip ring mounted in the base of the unit transfers power, motor signal and camera connections through the assembly, enabling a continuous 360 rotation of the pan axis and a tilt-axis travel range of +/-95. The overall specification for the standard APT-100 model is position resolution of 7.6 arc seconds and accuracy to 120 arc seconds. Repeatability is 30 arc seconds for bidirectional positioning and 10 arc seconds for unidirectional positioning. Maximum speed in both axes is up to 180 per second. The APT-100 has a 625mm diametrical footprint clearance and an overall height of less than 352mm.

With a payload rating of 35kg, the complete assembly is built for high reliability and low maintenance with a black anodised finish and optional sealing to IP66 ratings for harsh environments. The worm wheel drive mechanism includes a self-adjusting gear preload feature that ensures consistent positioning performance over the life of the product. The standard unit may be application customised for increased tilt-stage travel, increased payload or alternative camera mounting.

Aerotech can provide an inertial stabilisation option, fitting gyroscopes and sensors to maintain ‘line of sight’ when the unit is operated on moving platforms such as aircraft, ships and land vehicles. The version of the company’s Ensemble MP multi-axis motion controller built into the APT-100 has a standard 10/100 Base-T Ethernet port to communicate to a PC or other Ethernet device. The Windows-based Integrated Development Environment software package takes care of setup, programming upload/download, diagnostics and auto-tuning.

The Ensemble may be programmed with Aerotech’s Aerobasic or using Microsoft .Net tools for C#, VB.Net and managed C++ or with Labview VIs. The Ensemble may be permanently connected to a main control system via Ethernet or operate in standalone mode using its complement of digital and analogue I/O for control interfacing.

Nitrogen Generators Cut Costs Of Food Packaging

Phil Green, at Parker Hannifin’s industrial division, explains how the latest nitrogen-generation technology can help food and beverage companies increase their operational efficiency and cut costs. Nitrogen is used in food-and-drink manufacturing, processing and packaging for a range of industrial applications, from modified-atmosphere packaging for perishable-food products to blanketing alcoholic drinks to prevent oxidation.

However, while nitrogen is all around us, making up 78 per cent of the air we breathe, obtaining a ready supply of the gas can be problematic and expensive. Typically, food and beverage businesses use supply methods such as high-pressure cylinders, liquid mini tanks or bulk-storage vessels. Each of these options introduces a range of problems that need to be solved. There is the need to source a reliable supplier, set aside valuable space in or outside the company’s premises and install and maintain the network of pipe-work.

The cost of addressing these logistical issues can be high and difficult to budget for, while the price of gas and supplier rates are changing continually. One potential solution lies in a new range of gas-generation systems that enable users to produce their own supply of nitrogen onsite. As a result, companies can generate as much or as little nitrogen as they need, at a fraction of the cost of having the gas delivered by an external supplier. These integrated systems, such as the Midigas and Maxigas ranges from Parker Hannifin, use a principle known as pressure swing adsorption (PSA) to produce a continuous stream of nitrogen.

Pre-treated air from a standard industrial compressor is essentially ’sieved’ so that oxygen and other trace gases are adsorbed while nitrogen is allowed to pass through. While using a carbon molecular sieve (CMS) for air separation is not a new idea, the radical design and control system employed on these latest nitrogen generators has maximised gas output and reduced compressed-air consumption to achieve even higher levels of efficiency than were previously achievable. Being able to control the nitrogen supply in this way, as opposed to having to rely on a third party, can reduce costs considerably.

Unlike cylinders, liquid mini-tanks and bulk-storage vessels – which present rental, refill, delivery, environmental levy and order-processing costs – once a nitrogen-generation system has been purchased, the ongoing costs can be reduced by more than 90 per cent when compared with traditional methods of supply.

If a company using liquid nitrogen was to switch to gas-generation technology, it could expect the new system to pay for itself in less than two years, while for a company using cylinders, the payback period could be even sooner – less than 12 months in many cases. In addition to the cost benefits, nitrogen-generation units offer a more convenient solution than sourcing gas externally and storing it onsite. The latest compact systems can be installed quickly, easily and at minimum cost and disruption, simply requiring a pre-treated compressed-air stream to start producing nitrogen. With no need to transport or contain the gas, the environmental impact of using nitrogen for industrial processes can be minimised, while the new systems can also make the workplace considerably safer for employees, eliminating the safety risks of storing, handling and changing heavy high-pressure cylinders.

Generating its own nitrogen on-site puts a food or beverage company in control of its gas supply, producing as much or as little gas as needed and at a consistent, measurable cost. This more-efficient nitrogen supply is a flexible solution to a company’s changing gas needs, as the modular design of the latest systems means that extra banks can be added as required at minimum cost. Furthermore, to guarantee 100 per cent back up and secure the supply when routine maintenance on one set of systems is required, additional banks of units can be quickly and easily setup onsite. A large US-based coffee packager that was using nitrogen delivered in liquid form to displace the oxygen in its packs of coffee and prolong shelf life decided to install banks of nitrogen-generation units at its site.

The improvements were immediate; the company no longer needed to worry about late deliveries, fluctuating prices, de-icing the evaporator or signing long-term supply contracts. Most importantly, the company expects to save more than USD100,000 per year after a payback period of four years. With the system providing a service life of more than 15 years, the cost savings should be substantial. By eliminating the problems and costs associated with sourcing nitrogen from an external supplier and storing it onsite, companies can achieve a considerably more reliable, efficient and affordable source of gas for a wide range of applications.

Marathon Announces Availability Of 1000V CE Rated Products For Solar & Wind Power Applications

Marathon Special Products, an industry leader in electrical/electronic components, is pleased to announce availability of 1,000V AC/DC rated products for Solar, Wind Power and other industrial and commercial applications. Marathon’s Power Distribution Blocks, Fuse Holders and Terminal Blocks have been evaluated and rated to IEC 60947-1 and the appropriate IEC component standards. In addition, Marathon’s Power Distribution Blocks, Fuse Holders and Terminal Blocks are compliant to UL 1741 for use with Flexible Stranded Wires.

“Availability of 1000V AC/DC rated products allows customers to comply with CE/IEC standards and exploit Marathon’s shortest industry lead-times to serve end users effectively” said Vijay Chahar, Marathon’s Vice President and General Manager. Most of Marathon’s products are UL rated for multiple wires and can be supplied in many configurations including Finger Safe Power Distribution Blocks (IEC 60529), Din Rail and panel mounting. Marathon’s products are manufactured in United States of America.

Marathon Special Products, headquartered in Bowling Green, Ohio, has been an industry leader in electrical/electronic components designed for circuit protection and connection applications for over 60 years. Our market focus is major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Electrical Panel Builders. We reach our customers using a broad network of Electrical and Electronic Distributors. Our product offering includes Fuse Holders for power fuses, Power Distribution Blocks, Single and Double Row Terminal Blocks, Heavy Duty Terminal Blocks, NEMA and DIN Sectional Terminal Blocks.

Our recent addition of Enclosed Power Distribution Blocks provides touch proof safety for electrical panels. Marathon also has high Short Circuit Current Ratings for a number of our Terminal Blocks, along with approval for flexible stranded wire per UL508A. Marathon’s products are also used in combiner boxes and inverters for the solar and wind power applications. In addition, we have the expertise to design and manufacture custom products for specific customer applications. Marathon Special Products is a division of Regal-Beloit Corporation.