When it comes to sensors, the path often leads directly to PEPPERL+FUCHS. But sensors alone are no longer sufficient - customers want comprehensive communication solutions from a single source. That is why the manufacturer says it is fully committed to IO-Link and has strengthened its communication solutions by acquiring the business activities of industrial Ethernet pioneer Comtrol.

DICHTOMATIK , authorised UK distributor of food and beverage related products manufactured by Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, has announced that two sealing materials with high purity levels that are ideal for food industry applications, as well as those in the pharmaceutical sector are now available. The company says in fact, these advanced Freudenberg silicone elastomers - 70 VMQ 117055 and 60 VMQ 117117 - have just achieved compliance with two important food industry regulations in China, adding to a host of existing certifications applicable in the EU and US.

The University of Birmingham has purchased a laboratory-sized Eddy Current Separator and Drum Magnet modular system from Bunting-Redditch. Students and professors undertaking research at the university will use the new Metal Separation Module to determine the recovery and recycling capabilities of a wide range of materials. BUNTING says it is one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of magnetic separators and metal detectors for the recycling, quarrying, and mining industries.

The SADPmini2 range of Dewpoint Hygrometers are said to be specifically designed to offer fast and accurate measurement of dewpoint and moisture content in industrial gases and dry compressed air.

MACSA ID UK says it will highlight advanced coding and marking equipment for the food, pharmaceutical, beverage, personal care and household markets at PPMA Total 2019.

LOMA SYSTEMS says it will be highlighting its wide range of ‘Designed to Survive’ metal detection, checkweighing and X-ray inspection equipment for the global food industry at PPMA Total 2019.

JENTON INTERNATIONAL has announced it will be showing packaging and processing equipment for the food, pharmaceutical, beverage, medical device and cosmetic industries at PPMA Total 2019.

MICHELL INSTRUMENTS has launched a new fast-responding dew-point transmitter for compressed air quality: the SF82. In compressor rooms temperatures can easily reach 50 °C, while measurements of dew points below -60°C are required. Recognising this challenge, Michell’s engineers designed the SF82 to operate effectively in these specific conditions.

For the month of August BLACKFAST CHEMICALS has announced it is offering UK manufacturers 20% off its 20Litre Blacking Line. Includes 20litre tanks, chemicals to fill plus steel frame & baskets. (excl. VAT and Shipping)

Technology is evolving across every business, allowing companies to become more productive and efficient. Whether it’s the food takeaway industry utilising mobile apps or sports events using video assisted refereeing, technological advances are helping our world progress and become better.

CONTA-CLIP says its GSM-PRO2 series communication modules feature a Modbus RTU (RS485) interface that enables easy data exchange with other controllers. The modules operate in slave mode and can, for example, provide a PLC with added GSM functionality via an easy plug connection to the RS485 port directly on the C-type mounting rail.

ABB has announced it has launched Dodge Safety Mount spherical roller bearings with a built-in patented locking mechanism that reduces installation time by up to 75% compared to traditional products. ABB says best suited for bulk material and air handling applications, the new bearing mounts by tightening fasteners instead of using a hammer and other tools. The new system also allows for simple installation and removal from the same side of the bearing, which means only one person is needed for the task.

SANDVIK has announced it has opened a state-of-the-art coiled tubing line for premium grades of seamless stainless steel products in smaller dimensions at its Zhenjiang tube mill near Shanghai, China. The commitment to produce longer lengths of weld-free coiled tubing locally will enable customers in the Asia Pacific region to receive deliveries within 28 days, instead of waiting four to six months for longer length reels to arrive from abroad.

Monitoring compressed air usage within industrial applications has become increasingly important as the associated costs continue to rise dramatically. Compressed air systems are often the largest excess user of electricity for a business, with air leaks or poorly performing components contributing to a significant amount of wasted energy.

EGE has announced it has extended its DGC line of hydrostatic level meters, adding a new sensor for measuring liquid media levels up to 20 m. The sensor consists of a measuring head with integrated electronics and an IP68 probe attached to a cable. The cable is up to 20 m long to ensure the probe can be lowered to the bottom of large tanks.

What do American footballers, and the workings of their teams, have in common with system technology from RITTAL and EPLAN? Paresh Kansara, Rittal’s product manager for industrial & outdoor enclosures says “more than you might expect.”

CONTA-CLIP now offers a combination of a hydraulic hand pump and sheet-metal punching tool. Users can thereby produce break-outs in control cabinets for KDSClick, KDS-FB, KDS-KV, and KES cable entries within a few minutes. The company says the hydraulic hand pump contains no hose and features a user-friendly, compact design.

“Working on 3-phase systems is more dangerous than working on single-phase domestic circuits simply because of the high energy loads they are designed to deliver,” said Brendan Beaver, manager of METREL UK, provider of innovative test solutions. “Making and breaking connections can be a risky business particularly when you are working live.”

At the SVTM vacuum technologies and materials treatment exhibition (Stand 96), FLUKE PROCESS INSTRUMENTS says it will present powerful temperature profiling systems based on robust Datapaq TP3 data loggers. Featuring up to 20 thermocouple channels and an outstanding 3.6 million data points memory, the loggers perform up to 10 consecutive measurement runs.

Condition monitoring is the best way to detect developing bearing problems before they become the cause of costly production machinery failures, says Phil Burge, marketing and communications manager at SKF.

ENGIS UK, the European Division of Engis Corporation, has announced it has launched its new innovative ball valve lapping gel. Engis says it has worked closely with valve manufacturers to create the new LD Gel, which has been developed specifically for this application and offers a number of significant benefits.

Taking a proactive approach to bearing health can reap dividends in manufacturing, with one company reporting annual savings of around £2 million.

With the demand for a reduction in food waste increasing, most major retailers are now taking steps to improve their supply chain and help reduce food wastage with one initiative being the use of data embedded barcodes on some of their shorter shelf life products.

On-site compressed air pressure dew point monitoring is now said to be accurate and easy with the S505 handheld tester from SUTO-iTEC GmbH and MEASURE MONITOR CONTROL. The results can be read straight from the screen and the S505 measures pressure dew point directly through internal pressure and dew point sensors, removing the need for calculations or correlating readings, saving time for more tests.

MOTIVAIR, a UK air compressor expert, has announced the appointment of Nigel Paton as chief operating officer. Nigel has an extensive background in large scale service delivery and project execution, gained over the last 4 years as operations director at Synectics and 21 years at G4S.

ABB has announced Betech has been appointed the first UK ABB authorised value provider for low voltage motors covering the North American NEMA standard.

Compressed air systems can lose a significant amount of air through leakage. FLUKE says its new ii900 Sonic Industrial Imager enables maintenance teams to quickly, and visually, pinpoint the location of compressed air, gas, and vacuum system leaks even during peak production periods and leaks can be detected in a matter of minutes.

ABB has announced it has expanded its all-compatible drives offering to include the ACS6080 medium voltage (MV) drive for critical applications. ABB says the new drive introduces a breakthrough control technology, it has developed, that brings high performance motor control to demanding processes used in industries such as mining, metals and marine and the drive also enables plants to operate more efficiently and produce higher quality output.

“Our work with Westermans International enables us to integrate new technology into the manufacture of our full range of pressure vessels in a very cost effective way – enhancing the performance and value of our service to customers.” Henry Price, MD of Abbott & Co. (Newark) , is clear about the value of the refurbished welding and machining equipment available from Westermans International.

LAMTEC says its CMS Combustion Management System is now available and based on an innovative modular architecture it offers the most flexibility on the market allowing users to meet the most demanding combustion applications.

FLUKE PROCESS INSTRUMENTS has announced it will present its range of thermal profilers and infrared temperature measurement solutions at the THERMPROCESS trade fair, Stand C73.

Belgian lubricant manufacturer WOLF OIL CORPORATION has announced it has developed a range specifically for the construction industry that optimises operating times, improving the efficiency of the machinery fleet.

DAWSON SHANAHAN, a specialist in cold-forming and specified machined components, has announced it is attending the Global Automotive Components and Suppliers Expo in Stuttgart, Germany next month, Stand G6380.

From the beginning of April, HUMIDITY SOLUTIONS - based in Leatherhead – has announced it will be the sole UK distributor for the West Midlands manufactured Vapac range of electrode boiler steam humidifiers.

By using a BORGER Rotary Lobe Pump, a leading disposal company reports it has made substantial savings on traditionally high procurement and operation costs by being able to use its PE tanks as mobile units.

HYDRA-CELL METERING SOLUTIONS has announced it has solved a pumping problem for one of the world’s largest suppliers of polyurethane foam production equipment. The company was using external gear pumps to deliver a curative catalyst in the production of ‘sound deadening’ foam for the automotive industry.

Finding the correct bearing for an application can be daunting but SKF has developed an eight step plan to help achieve maximum performance.

ABB has launched a full range of IEC Food Safe motors designed for applications in the food and beverage industry that need frequent sanitation. The new IEC Food Safe motors are part of ABB’s Food Safe family that includes stainless steel NEMA motors, mounted ball bearings and gearing.

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies says it is creating a turning point in the purchasing of B2B seals and components with its "Industrial Supply and Services" online platform exclusively starting in the UK as the first local market.

ABB has announced it has launched its smallest, lightest robot yet as part of its growing offering of solutions for small parts assembly. The IRB 1100 was designed to meet the challenges of semiconductor, pharmaceutical and electronics manufacturers needing to handle small and often delicate parts while working at speed without compromising productivity or quality.

HERAEUS NOBLELIGHT reports The National Composites Centre (NCC) in Bristol is using its sophisticated Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) technology to optimise the thermal input and control, necessary for selected composite pre-preg lay-up operations. CAE has been extensively employed to determine the precise positioning of infra-red modules during laying up of pre-preg material.

At the 2019 SMTconnect, FLUKE PROCESS INSTRUMENTS reports it will be presenting its new Datapaq DP5 data loggers for inline temperature profiling in reflow soldering processes. Launched at last year’s show, the profilers are now in serial production. The company says they will be showcased along with a comprehensive array of system components building on the established Datapaq Reflow Tracker program, which also comprises a dedicated software suite.

CONTA-CLIP has further enhanced its range of usability aids for VK cabling ducts, adding fast-mount wire holders. The wire holders can be clipped into the cabling ducts without tools. The company says they make it easier to neatly arrange conductors and keep signal and power lines clearly apart and they also simplify adding new wiring, since existing cables stay put and do not come lose and entangled when the cover is removed and last but not least, users will find it easier to clean their well-organised cabling duct of dust.

When it comes to optimising production, HBM – a market leader in the field of test and measurement – says it has the answers in its latest free webinar, which takes place on 5th and 16th April 2019.

SANDVIK’S Mehsana production unit in India has received approval from the Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) for the supply of its product Category 12.20: tubes, heat exchangers, stainless steel and alloy steel to its refineries.

HI-LINE INDUSTRIES, a leading UK supplier to the compressed air sector, has unveiled a range of Activated Carbon Towers to suit a number of diverse applications, including those involving breathing air equipment or food production, for example. The company says the new carbon towers are manufactured from the same high-quality vessels used for Hi-line’s dryers, and filled with either zeolite minerals or carbon to suit the suit the specific application.

GENAIR UK, a leading hire company specialising in the supply of air compressors, desiccant dryers and associated equipment is celebrating having one of its new products selected as a finalist in this year’s prestigious Hire Association Europe, Hire Awards of Excellence.

In March 2017, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), recorded a 17-year high for manufacturing. There were over 170,691 vehicles manufactured at UK-based plants throughout that month, which was up by 7.3% compared to March 2016. The launch of the new registration plate concludes that March is the busiest month for those working in the automotive industry. March and September are always forecast to be the industry’s busiest months for sales, meaning manufacturing is also up in the months of March and September to meet the high demand for new registrations. But 2017 saw the most cars produced in Q1 than the past 17 years – 471,695 units in total, a 7.6% increase on previous years.

CONTA-CLIP reports it has added a transformer terminal for wire cross-sections up to 16 mm² to its TKS series. The terminals are used to adapt coil ends to screw connections to implement power supply of specific devices or machinery in a larger system. The company says their hinged cover elements open wide and can be fixed in place when opened to enable comfortable, time-saving soldering of the coil ends.

The UK’s largest provider of design, manufacture and support services for heat exchanger and boiler equipment has reportedly been created through a new partnership between Green’s and THORNHILL.