LeakZone.com has teamed with Plant Support and Evaluations of Milwaukee WI, to offer a free Benchmarking survey for the operation and maintenance of compressed air systems.
LeakZone.com has teamed with Plant Support and Evaluations of Milwaukee WI, to offer a free Benchmarking survey for the operation and maintenance of compressed air systems. In addition to a detailed benchmarking report, survey participants will receive a free copy of a '10 Action Steps for a World Class Compressed Air System' and a free LeakZone.com 100 Top Leak Detection and Repair web sites list of links. With energy costs rising, and the use of compressed air growing, it is important to develop a sound operating and maintenance strategy for your plant compressed air system.

Compressed air waste can be eliminated and your system can reliably supply adequate high quality air by following a few key steps.

According to a recent US Department of Energy publication (1), compressed air systems account for 10 percent of all electricity usage and roughly 16 percent of U.S.

industrial motor system energy use.

Seventy percent of all manufacturing facilities in the United States use compressed air in their production processes.

Compressed air audits of industrial plant air systems find large energy saving opportunities for relatively low project costs.

The same DOE report states, 'In small-to medium-size industrial facilities, approximately 15 percent of compressed air system usage can be saved with simple paybacks of less than 2 years.

ASCO Joucomatic's new IS Piezo valve operator combines the benefits of low power energy saving with intrinsically safe operation and the ability to operate in fully distributed fieldbus systems.
ASCO Joucomatic's new IS Piezo valve operator combines the benefits of low power energy saving with intrinsically safe operation and the ability to operate in fully distributed fieldbus systems: Profibus PA or Fieldbus Foundation. The unique ceramic multilayer technology of the piezo operator means that just 8.4 milliwatts is required to operate 3 way and 4 way valves with port sizes up to 1in and CVs of up to 13. The IS Piezo operator is the first of its type suitable for fieldbus controlled industrial processes.

Operating on a 2-wire transmission medium, which obviates the need for local hardwiring, up to 125 IS Piezo operators can be configured, each controlling a process valve, over a Profibus PA fieldbus network which is expandable up to 10km.

In addition to their fieldbus compatibility, the IS Piezo valves are also designed for use in intrinsically safe systems, with ASCO 3 way and 4 way valves, in water treatment, petrochemical and process control applications.

The IS Piezo valves have USA FM (Factory Mutual) approval for use in IS systems, with SA, CE and Cenelec EEXia IIC, T6 pending.

The design of the IS Piezo valves incorporates a (patent pending) multi-layer ceramic arm operator that produces a change in state to open and close an orifice when supplied with minimal electric current (minimum 1.4mA).

The fact that there are no moving parts in this operation offers several benefits: firstly, response times are exceptionally fast: secondly, service life is practically unlimited: thirdly, since the valves are operated by voltage alone, power consumption is minimal at just 0.008mw.

The unique operation of the Piezo valves means that there are no inductive peaks when switching, so unlike conventional solenoid valves, no circuit protection is necessary.

No holding current is required for the valves to maintain position, so heat generation is not a problem either.

The IS Piezo valves are available in three versions; each rated by their current consumption at the common operating voltage of 6-30volts DC.

Ultra Low Current units are rated 1.4 - 2.3mA, Intermediate at 1.7 - 3.72mA and Low Current variants at 5.15 - 9.32mA.

All versions of the valves operate in the pressure and temperature range from 2 - 6bar and -10degC to 60degC, and all offer high levels of environmental protection.

The valves are enclosed in corrosion resistant thermoplastic housings, which are potted with epoxy to provide Nema Type 4 and 4X protection ratings.

In addition, the valves benefit from 50 micron filtration on their inlet ports and are equipped with sealed exhausts to prevent contamination entering the piezo operator.

ASCO Joucomatic's new, short form Process Valve catalogue is a single source for all process valve requirements, providing a quick and easy aid for selecting valves for process use.
ASCO Joucomatic's new, short form Process Valve catalogue is a single source for all process valve requirements, providing a quick and easy aid for selecting valves for use in the water, petrochemical, medical, food processing, petrol vending and process control industries. The new short form catalogue is a complement to ASCO Joucomatic's main process valve catalogue. Covering the UK preferred range, it integrates mainstream products in an easy to read format.

To assist easy selection product data is provided in a logical format with tables containing the product function, description and part number.

The catalogue is divided into seven main sections, covering products from 2 way direct operated valves, pressure operated valves, 3 and 4 way valves, special service valves for gas steam, and cryogenic applications and Namur and WRC listed valves.

The front of the catalogue contains details of new products: the E290 proportional valve for process applications and ASCO Joucomatic's 'next generation' full immersion manifold for dust collector systems.

Also included are details of ASCO Joucomatic's innovative Express Line Service, which guarantees rapid ex-stock deliveries of popular ranges of fluid control valves - and is especially useful in breakdown situations.

All the products listed in the short form catalogue are available from ASCO Joucomatic's network of distributors - over 40 strong - in the UK and Ireland.

Major drink manufacturers and canning, bottling and packaging contractors use Airknife systemsto dry bottles and cans on the line and to eliminate moisture from packaging
Major drink manufacturers and canning, bottling and packaging contractors use Airknife systems from Air Control Industries, based in Chard , Somerset, both to dry bottles and cans on the line and to eliminate moisture from packaging of all kinds. Easy installation, low noise, low pressure and low enerrgy consumption make the blower powered ACI Airknife and efficient, cost effective, reliable and safe system to achieve ideal packaging conditions. Drying with an Airknife straddling the line eliminates water stains and problems with water based inks in jet coding installations and also dispenses with 'carry over' problems after sterilisation procedures.

Powered by any of a wide selection of ACI fans and blowers, including multi stage, radial or compact units, ACI airknives direct air down a plenum chamber and out through a parallel slot, providing a controlled curtain of high velocity, ow pressure air.

The ACI blowers supplying the air typically generate less than 0.25 Bar (3.6 psi) so are safer and quieter than compressed air and as much as 90% cheaper to run.

Air from ACI blowers is dry, oil free and, with appropriate filtration free of particulate to food production standards.

So ACI Airknife systems, available engineered to to any size your application requires, meet all hygiene requirements.

The latest in Air Control Industries' unique range of multi stage blowers is a new backward bladed centrifugal blower capable of delivering up to 90' wg static pressure of 100cfm volumetric flow
The latest in Air Control Industries' unique range of multi stage blowers for the process and manufacturing industries is a new backward bladed centrifugal blower capable of delivering up to 90' wg static pressure of 100cfm volumetric flow. At a typical 60'wg, the new 9MS11 blower delivers a remarkable 50cfm (approximately 85m3/hr) yet draws only 6.5A motor current for its 230V, 3Ph, 80Hz motor. The supply voltage into the inverter is 240V 1Ph 50-Hz from a 13A ring main.

The ACI range of direct driven multi stage blowers provides quiet, maintenance free solutions for many of the higher pressure applications in industry, such as airknife installations, pneumatic conveying and vacuum tables.

Direct mounting of the impellers and low motor speeds produce minimal noise levels as well as high pressure performance.

OEM buyers find that the modualr nature of the multi stage range helps provide design flexibility, since designers have a wide choice of the number of stages in a given blower and can also select from a wide range of power supply requirements.

A ket difference between ACI and other manufacturers, they say, is the willingness of the ACI design and applications engineering teams to provide custom-built solutions to specific problems.

Drawing on a product range spanning centrifugal, slimline, compact, multi stage, axial and safety fans and including advanced airknife and drying systems, ACI designs and supplies unique air movement systems to provide the most cost-effective solutions.

A patented blower-driven hand-held air gun overcomes the drawbacks of using factory compressed air for machine cleaning and dusting off operations.
A patented blower-driven hand-held air gun overcomes the drawbacks of using factory compressed air for machine cleaning and dusting off operations. It is also claimed to be cheaper to operate. The ACI blow gun, being independent of an air compressor, is portable and runs on low pressure at only 138mb compared to at least 2bar from a factory supply.

The performance however is not affected - because of the low air pressure, it is much quieter at 80 dB(A) than a typical compressed air unit running at 92 dB(A).

The blow gun is connected by a flexible hose to its lightweight, portable blower unit which plugs into any 13 amp single phase supply.

The low pressure unit is also inherently safer in use than compressed air and is not subject to misuse in irresponsible hands.

The gun uses a completely new type of air pressure valve, which makes trigger free operation possible.

The operator's thumb covers a hole in the gun, raising the air pressure in the hose to inflate a bag in the base unit.

The bag lifts a plate which vents a second bag, which in turn deflates allowing air to the gun.

The reverse sequence of operations takes place when the operator takes his thumb off the hole in the gun.

Capable of replacing two ordinary AS-i air boxes, with significant savings, the CA44 AS-i valve terminals from Bosch-Rexroth can accommodate any two valves from the company's MC range.
Capable of replacing two ordinary AS-i air boxes, with significant savings in space and assembly time, the new CA44 AS-i valve terminals from Bosch-Rexroth can accommodate any two valves from the company's extensive MC range, including double-solenoid 4/2-way types. This provides exceptional flexibility, and allows up to four valve functions to be implemented in a single compact assembly. In addition, unlike conventional AS-i air boxes, the new valve terminals allow users replace valves easily, should their requirements change.

No alteration is needed to the AS-i addressing when new valves are fitted.

The valve terminals require only a single AS-i address, allowing the AS-i system to be used to its full capacity.

They are optionally available with four auxiliary digital inputs which use standard M8 plug-in connectors.

These inputs provide a convenient and cost-effective way of connecting position switches, sensors and similar devices to the AS-i network.

Designed for easy mounting on DIN rail, CA44 valve terminals use industry-standard AS-i coupling modules which incorporate an insulation-displacement connection system.

This means that new valve terminals are connected simply by clamping the coupling module in place at any point on the AS-i cable - no wire stripping is needed, and the possibility of incorrect connection or reversed polarity is completely eliminated.

The pneumatic connections are equally convenient.

They use standard PN connectors, all of which are located on the same side of the valve terminal, ensuring that the connections occupy the minimum of space.

Ideal for use in automation, handling, transfer and process engineering systems of all types, Bosch Rexroth CA44 valve terminals have an exceptionally long service life of at least 100 million operations, and can support flow rates up to 200 litre/min.

They are normally supplied ready fitted with the user's choice of valves, but are also available without valves.

Parker Pneumatic 3D automation products, compact cylinders and pneumatic power valves have been specified for the automatic loading system of a five-station rotary transfer machine designed and constr
Parker Pneumatic 3D automation products, compact cylinders and pneumatic power valves have been specified for the automatic loading system of a five-station rotary transfer machine designed and constructed by special-purpose machine builder, Dunelm Machine Tools of Crewe, for installation at the Corus plc commercial steels manufacturing plant in Scunthorpe. The machine produces Charpy test samples for impact testing. The five stations mill the faces of 50 mm long test pieces, cut a V-notch approximately 2 mm deep in the centre of the piece, and impact mark one face with a code number and temperature.

The necessary level of steel sample testing has risen dramatically in recent times because european standards now require that a sample of every piece of manufactured steel is tested and receives a compliance certificate before it can be sold.

The rotary transfer machine's automatic loading system comprises Parker Pneumatic 3D Linear Units, Lift Units and Rotary Units and P5T Compact Cylinders, which act as a jaw to grip the test samples, under the control of PVLB pneumatic power valves.

In operation, a test sample is automatically loaded from an input conveyor into a fixture for one circuit of the machine's five stations.

The test sample is then lifted from that fixture and transferred to a second fixture by the Parker 3D Linear Units.

Quieter than compressed air guns, the ACI BG-32 blow gun claims to be ten times cheaper to run than compressed air and is safer
Airknife technology for industries as diverse as food, can and bottle filling, plastics, PCB manufacturing and vehicle refinishing can be given better reliability, better performance and improved cost efficiency with the introduction of a new range of compact blowers, recently announced by Air Control Industries. Designed to be more robust and reliable than current US imported belt-driven units, the new AI blower range delivers flow rates up to 2000M3/Hr and pressures up to 250Mbar. Compact, powerful and quiet, the new ACI EP10 belt-drive blowers are available with motors from 5.5 through to 18.5kW in standard metric or NEMA frames, and can be easily retrofitted to US models.

The completely re-designed bearing assemblies achieve better load distribution, much more efficient heat dissipation and a greater bearing reliability.

The impeller shaft is manufactured as a replaceable cartridge with pre-loaded factory run-in bearings, making servicing in the field quick and inexpensive, a mjor advantage in continuously running process environments.

All British ACI airknife technology provides Total Solutions for processes requiring drying, cleaning, spreading or cooling.

Ease of installation and low energy consumption make ACI Airknife Systems an efficient, cost effective solution, providing significant savings over compressed air wind jet nozzle systems.

They can reduce running costs by up to 90% and payback for systems is normally within 6 months of installation.

An interactive CD ROM featuring the compact blower and airknife product range is available from ACI.

Compact, powerful and quiet, the new ACI EP10 belt-drive blowers are available with motors from 5.5 through to 18.5kW in standard metric or NEMA frames
Airknife technology for industries as diverse as food, can and bottle filling, plastics, PCB manufacturing and vehicle refinishing can be given better reliability, better performance and improved cost efficiency with the introduction of a new range of compact blowers, recently announced by Air Control Industries. Designed to be more robust and reliable than current US imported belt-driven units, the new AI blower range delivers flow rates up to 2000M3/Hr and pressures up to 250Mbar. Compact, powerful and quiet, the new ACI EP10 belt-drive blowers are available with motors from 5.5 through to 18.5kW in standard metric or NEMA frames, and can be easily retrofitted to US models.

The completely re-designed bearing assemblies achieve better load distribution, much more efficient heat dissipation and a greater bearing reliability.

The impeller shaft is manufactured as a replaceable cartridge with pre-loaded factory run-in bearings, making servicing in the field quick and inexpensive, a mjor advantage in continuously running process environments.

All British ACI airknife technology provides Total Solutions for processes requiring drying, cleaning, spreading or cooling.

Ease of installation and low energy consumption make ACI Airknife Systems an efficient, cost effective solution, providing significant savings over compressed air wind jet nozzle systems.

They can reduce running costs by up to 90% and payback for systems is normally within 6 months of installation.

An interactive CD ROM featuring the compact blower and airknife product range is available from ACI.

UK rolling element bearing maker has invested GBP 1.5 million in new CNC grinding, laser etching and measurement equipment to meet demand for custom solid bearings and split roller bearings.
Revolvo is 'bucking the trend' of investment in UK bearing manufacture with the purchase of new CNC grinding, laser etching and measurement equipment to the value of GBP 1.5 million. The new machines are required to help Revolvo meet expanded demand for both its custom designed solid bearings and SRB series of split roller bearings. 'Our ability to radically reduce delivery times, especially on large diameter bearings means that we have developed a great deal of business in this area of late,' said Adrian Menzies.

'At the same time, more and more companies across all market sectors are realising the benefits to their production of using our latest generation of split roller bearings, which cut downtime drastically.' A member of the WYKO Group of companies, Revolvo manufactures solid bearings in sizes from 25mm bore to 1400mm external diameter and SRB in sizes from 35mm bore to over 1000mm internal diameter, plus imperial equivalents.

In addition, the company also manufactures inch, special custom designed, and obsolete sizes of solid ball and roller bearings, which are used to keep older machinery in operation.

All Revolvo bearings are produced to DIN PO/ABEC 1 standards, with up to P5 available on request.

The bulk of Revolvo's latest investment is directed at expanding and improving the company's CNC grinding capability.

This is exemplified by the purchase of new GER CNC internal/external grinding machine.

At the very forefront of grinding technology, the GER machine incorporates the latest developments in electro-dynamic wheel balancing, in-process gauging and measurement systems, and is entirely focused on achieving vastly reduced set-up and cycle times and the highest precision requirements.

Further substantial investment has also been made on three highly advanced CNC internal grinding machines.

The machines feature incredible resolution and accuracy - 0.00025mm is standard.

They are equipped with hydrodynamic ways, offer taper and vector grinding capability and in-process gauging, and provide incredible versatility to satisfy demands for both long production runs and small batches.

Complementing Revolvo's expanded grinding capability is an additional GBP 60,000 of investment in a new laser etching machine, and a Mitutoyo surface measurement system.

Costing in excess of GBP 20,000, the Mitutoyo equipment has been purchased to further improve Revolvo's process capability, while the GBP 40,000 bearing laser etching machine has been acquired to improve the speed and quality of Revolvo's product coding and branding.

'With upwards of GBP 1.5 million already spent, most companies in our position would be holding back on further investment for a while,' said Menzies.

'However, we do not see it that way.

The gaps in the bearing market, and new opportunities with our SRB brand, mean that our business has growing potential, and we mean to exploit it.

Future planned investment will be the purchase of another very large vertical CNC grinding machine, which will give us the capability to expand our capacity further, by enabling us to grind bearings up to 1.5m OD.' * About Revolvo - Revolvo has been producing high quality, rolling element bearings since 1968.

Over nearly four decades, the company has developed a detailed understanding of the requirements of a diverse range of industries, including aerospace, power generation, paper and pulp, petrochemical, printing, railways and steel.

Revolvo serves these industries with a flexible, high quality manufacturing facility, focusing on the production of ball and roller bearings.

This is backed up with a full technical support service to provide assistance in bearing selection, and also a custom design service to meet the needs of specific applications.

Free booklet explains aspects of the EU Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive, including noise, vibration and heat, energy efficiency, water efficiency and many more.
James Walker has produced a 24 page booklet explaining aspects of the EU Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive, which is available free to help companies through this new legislation. The directive covers an integrated approach to pollution prevention including noise, vibration and heat, energy efficiency, water efficiency, waste production, land contamination, emergency preparedness, accident prevention and management systems, in addition to fugitive emissions to the environment. The booklet gives guidance on all aspects of the little-understood IPPC Directive 96/61/EC, which can carry large fines or even imprisonment for non-compliance to permit conditions.

It is essential reading if you did not know this or appreciate other Directive conditions such as the concept of Best Available Techniques (BAT) requiring the assessment of product and service technologies and how plant systems and procedures impact on environmental protection.

Sections cover how the regulations apply to new and existing installations and what must be done to obtain permits required prior to operating new installations or to keep existing ones running.

It also details operating responsibilities under a permit including reports to be submitted.

Finally, it explains how James Walker can help companies, with its solutions to control and reduce VOC emissions in refineries, petrochemical, chemical and other process industries, and an extensive range of products and services which offer the Best Available Techniques (BAT), many approved to TA-Luft and the appropriate ISO standards.

Single row cylindrical roller bearings are offered in wide range of variants and comprises more than 3,000 types - all are made to order in NKE's new assembly plant to very short leadtimes.
Bearing manufacturer NKE Austria introduces its new series of single row cylindrical roller bearings. The salient feature of this series is the wide range of variants it comprises: more than 3,000 types are made to order in NKE's new assembly plant in the Austrian town of Steyr. In addition to being exceptionally flexible, the modular production facility enables very short lead times on all products.

The applications of the new single row cylindrical roller bearings are as numerous as its variants: they are used in pumps and compressors, mechanical presses, electric motors, gearboxes, traction motors and axle bearings for railway vehicles, in steelworks and many other industrial applications.

The new roller bearings are available in 164 sizes in design variants NU, NJ and NUP.

The bearing cages are available in roller-guided and outer ring-guided versions and are made from brass and polyamide, with pressed steel versions available soon.

In addition to radial clearance groups CN (C0) as standard, C3 and C4 groups are also available.

Special versions, for example traction motor bearings (SQ1), wheel set bearings (SQ2) and electrically insulated bearings (SQ77) are available at short lead times.

To maximise their lifespan, the new cylindrical roller bearings are made from clean bearing steel.

The superior surface finish of the raceways further helps reduce friction as well as lowering the operating temperature.

The optimised geometries of raceways and rolling elements increase the loading capacity, while a modified cage design improves the formation of lubricant film.

Thanks to the improved design of bearing guiding flanges for NJ and NUP variants, the bearings can take up higher axial loads.

Misalignments can be compensated through modified contact geometry and crowned inner raceways.

Tighter tolerances for the roller sorting ensure a uniform load distribution.

In addition to these numerous technical benefits, the new cylindrical roller bearings feature optimum operational reliability and maximum cost effectiveness.

All NKE bearings are subjected to stringent quality procedures and are tested using state-of-the-art procedures and equipment.

The Steyr site is certified to ISO 9001:2000 (design, development, production and distribution of bearings) and ISO 14001.

In recognition of the exceptional quality of NKE's products, the company was awarded the prestigious Austria Quality Seal earlier this year.

* About NKE - NKE Austria is a bearing manufacturer with headquarters in Steyr, Austria.

Founded in 1996 by a group of senior staff members of former company Steyr Waelzlager, NKE offers both standard and special bearings for all industrial applications.

NKE's core functions - engineering, product development, final processing of components, assembly, quality assurance, logistics, and sales and marketing - are centralised at its Steyr headquarters.

The site is accredited to ISO 9001:2000 (design, development, production and distribution of bearings) and ISO 14000.

Its wide range of standard bearings is available from stock or at short production lead-times.

It also provides tailored products and solutions.

In addition to product and application development, NKE also provides a full range of technical services, consulting, documentation and training.

NKE's products are distributed through 14 international representative offices and more than 220 distribution outlets in 55 countries.

Designed for general purpose air and water applications, lightweight and compact couplers have impressive performance, due to a novel connecting method, via a robust resin sleeve lock.
Designed for general purpose air and water applications, (connection of air tools, including air and spray guns, impact wrenches and air drivers), the new series of S couplers (designated KK, KKH, KKA and KK13), although lightweight and compact, have impressive performance, due to a unique connecting method, via a robust resin sleeve lock, which prevents accidental opening during use. These couplers are easy to use, have low leakage, and are available in male, female, and one-touch thread options, including straight, elbow, and bulkhead types. The socket (KKH) includes additional benefits, such as high impact resistant resin and rubber cover, which absorbs impact energy (of up to 90.5J) when dropped.

These are available with threaded male, female, and nut fitting options.

In addition, a lubricant free, stainless steel (SUS304) coupler (KKA) with or without check valve (in either plug or socket end), is included within this range, and is ideal for applications using cooling water up to 100degC as required in, for example, semiconductor, food and chemical industries.

The range is completed by the inclusion of an 'O' ring constructed plug and socket (KK13), reducing air loss and giving high durability.

For high precision transfer applications, in narrow spaces, series MY2C rodless cylinder will give space savings of over 30% when compared with the existing MY1C, advises SMC Pneumatics.
For high precision transfer applications, in narrow spaces, series MY2C, from SMC Pneumatics should be the rodless cylinder of choice. The MY2C with its low profile design, reduced height and low centre of gravity, will give space savings of over 30% compared to its sister range, the MY1C, without compromising stroke lengths (up to 5000mm - 25 and 40 bore). It will take increased load capacities, of up to seven times higher than previous similar models, and this is due to the larger diagonal cam followers, which also give increased rigidity.

And, because of the low profile design, heavy duty shock absorbers can be mounted, without interfering with the workpiece.

The standard unit is supplied complete with air cushion and centralised piping - all versions have a stroke adjusting unit, are double acting, and do not require lubrication.

For ease of maintenance, the cylinder can be replaced without removing the workpiece.

Motion and fluid control specialist's 2003/2004 catalogue, produced in 12 different language versions, focuses on pneumatics products and systems for a wide variety of industry sectors.
Norgren, the motion and fluid control specialist, has recently introduced its 2003/2004 catalogue focusing on its range of pneumatics products and systems for a wide variety of industry sectors. Produced in 12 different language versions the catalogue is perfect for international OEM's who want the reassurance of global support in export markets. With a fresh new look and feel the catalogue has been structured to deliver competitive advantage to customers who are seeking to make product selections fast.

Showcasing 17 new products and featuring Norgren's flagship VM10 system technology the catalogue contains over 500 pages of detailed product information and outlines the comprehensive range of engineering solutions to suit today's most demanding applications or projects.

Featuring deep website links on every product page the user can type the unique URL into a web browser and be automatically taken to the relevant section within the Norgren web site.

When at this page the user can down load full product data sheets and even buy the product on line via Norgren's web store facility.

Many companies today are spending time and money carrying out audits by energy specialists in the effort to save in energy costs, whereas an ultrasonics leak detector could save costs.
Many companies today are spending time and money carrying out audits by energy specialists in the effort to save in energy costs. They are all to be commended for addressing this issue in energy saving. They are employing energy specialists to carry out week long audits of existing equipment, where they insert intelligent data logging systems, which use non-obtrusive monitoring techniques.

System pressure, compressor load and power consumption are all monitored for the full week and readings are taken every five seconds and the collated data presented graphically.

Finally, a computer model printout/report is obtained of the comparative energy savings that a new system or different configuration can achieve.

They are in fact paying for information, most plant maintenance managers, in their own mind, already know.

It is difficult, in some circumstances, when companies with a compressor installation over ten years old cannot decide to remain with the existing system for another year or look to undertake to purchase a newer system.

However, obtaining a Logis-Tech EP ultrasonic leak detector, to detect the leaks in the existing compressed system will thus immediately improve system performance and the almost instantaneous notable savings in energy can straight away outstrip the cost of purchasing new equipment.

It is also common to find relatively new installations that are costing more in energy than need be to meet the actual compressor air needs.

Logis-Tech Associates has recently introduced the latest generation of EP ultrasonic sensing detecting equipment, which serves two main functions; leak detection and mechanical fault finding.

The results of both of these operations achieves substantial savings in; energy costs and maintenance costs - thus reducing the possibility of any uncontrolled production stops.

The advantages of these handheld, portable, easy to use, environmentally friendly, fault locating detectors is that there is no longer any requirement for using sprays to detect leaks in airlines, pipe systems, etc They also quickly repay their initial cost outlay and improve overall system performance and efficiency and are ideally suited in noisy environments.

They are essential equipment for including within preventative/predictive energy saving maintenance programmes.

Energy Efficiency; http://www.energy-efficiency.org.uk states: 'Compressed air ~ a 5 mm diameter hole in an airline costs around GBP 1,400 per annum'.

{As an example; in locating just one, 2.5mm diameter hole, (or 5 x 0.5mm diameter holes) has paid for the EP542 ultrasonic detector set and may only take about 10 minutes to detect in some situations}.

Applications: .Leak detection: * Compressed air * Gases.

* Air lines, pipe systems.

* Vacuum.

* Steam traps, etc * Exhaust systems.

* Electrical systems.

* Tanks, boxes, etc Mechanical trouble shooting: * All moveable parts in machinery.

* Bearings.

* Gearboxes.

* Detection of rubbing, lubrication, etc

Norgren, the motion and fluid control specialist, has redesigned and re-launched its website with a host of added value services and functions such as 3D and 2D CAD downloads.
Norgren, the motion and fluid control specialist, has redesigned and re-launched its website. The new look website has been developed to be the gateway to a host of added value services and functions. Developed to be an invaluable partner to customers who are seeking to achieve competitive advantage by reducing time to market and improving business practices, more and more customers are turning to this facility.

The key to Norgren's new website is functionality and ease of use.

The facility is much more than a 'shop window' to its products.

A whole host of online facilities are available at the customer's fingertips on the home page.

Items such as 3D and 2D CAD downloads are available to make customers design decisions as quick and easy as possible.

The web store area within the website allows customers to check price and availability in real time wherever they are in the world and product can be ordered on line delivering even more competitive advantage through reduced administration times.

Norgren has seen considerable growth in web traffic over the last few years and has recognised the importance of continually developing and re-engineering this useful facility.

Via the website customers will also find technical assistance available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Detailed technical information is right at hand with data sheets, a frequently asked question section and facilities such as valve island configurator all instantly available.

The customer can also talk online to an experienced Norgren engineer who can help to solve issues fast.

'With over 150,000 visits per month our website is fast becoming one of our best routes to market' stated Mark Stevens Norgren's commercial marketing director.

' Having seen substantial growth in the number of CAD downloads we recognise that functionality is all important to our customers.

New versions of SMC's popular magnetically coupled CY series cylinders have been designed for applications demanding space saving features, such as cutting and transferring
Continuing with development of rodless cylinders, SMC have launched new versions of their popular magnetically coupled CY series, the CY3B and CY3R, which has been designed for applications demanding space saving features, such as cutting and transferring in horizontal, inclined and vertical operations. The units offer improved durability in bearing performance; this is due to an increase in wear ring length. And, by incorporating a special resin soft wiper on the dust seal, ideal lubrication on the external surface of the cylinder tube is achieved, therefore attaining a decrease in sliding resistance, and a reduction in the minimum operating pressure.

The result of these improvements is increased operational performance and improved product lifespan.

By adopting this new soft wiper, the minimum operating pressure has also been reduced by 30%.

The CY3 is available in bore sizes of 15, 20, 25, 32, and 40mm with stroke options of between 50 and 1,000mm.

In addition, for bore sizes of 20mm diameter or larger, three types of piping port threads are available Rc, NPT and G thread.