BYPASS FILTER

Perma Pure's FB-Series inertial bypass filters are said to eliminate large amounts of particulate from monitoring equipment. The filters can be used to remove large particles of dust and ash from gas samples, preventing them from clogging and damaging the finer porosity filters of analysis equipment. The high-velocity flow through the filter allows it to self clean. The series' stainless steel construction tolerates corrosive gas environments, with a range of flow rating and filter element available to suit any monitoring application. For high-temperature wet samples, an optional heating system is available to prevent sample loss through condensation. The filters also can be used to provide fast-loop readings, reducing analyzer response time. Perma Pure, (+1) 732-244-0010
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SHAFT-MOUNTED REDUCER

This company has added a hollow-shaft mounting option to its Planetgear reducer series. The new reducers provide an alternative to traditional helical shaft-mounted reducers. The modular design and interchangeable components make its easier to change ratios with a minimal spare parts stock, according to the manufacturer. Because they are mounted directly on the driven shift, there is no need for a low-speed coupling, chain drive, or reducer mounting base. The self-aligning gear train has at least six teeth in contact per reduction to share the load equally. The shaft-mounted configuration is available on the Orion, Titan, Jupiter, and new Hercules sizes, with output torque ratings ranging from 280,000 to 2,900,000 lb-in. Ratios are available to meet application requirements from 20.41:1 to 1785:1 Rexnord Industries, (+1) 414-643-22300
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ACOUSTIC SENSOR

SITRANS AS 100 Acoustic Sensor has received European ATEX II 3D approval, certifying the device for use in hazardous areas and conditions where explosive dust may be present. It is a high-frequency acoustic sensor for continuous solids flow detection, which monitors changes in high frequency, structure borne, sound waves from equipment and materials in motion. The sensor reacts instantly to changes in solids flow to warn of blockages, product absence, or equipment failure, such as burst filter bags. The 0-10 V DC analog output works with the SITRANS CU 02 controller or the customer's PLC to signal conditions of high flow, low flow, or no flow. Changes in flow are immediately detected, enabling operators to take early preventative action and avoid costly damage or unscheduled downtime.

Easily mounted on the outside of chutes, pipes, and fan housings, SITRANS AS 100 is suitable for production monitoring of fine powders to large granular material in hazardous or hygienic environments. Common applications also include pneumatic conveyors or aerated gravity flow systems. With no moving parts and a stainless steel housing sealed against dust and moisture, the manufacturer notes, the noninvasive unit requires little or no maintenance. Siemens Energy & Automation (+1) 215-66-7400, ext. 2592
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WEAR PROTECTION PIPE SYSTEM

The Kalflex flexible wear protection pipe system provides a solution to connect structural components that move due to vibration, thermal expansion, or as a result of intended movement. In the diverter valve, the Kalflex pipe allows the plant to choose between two outlets in a pneumatic system by mechanically shifting one end of the flexible pipe. Protective linings inside the pipes add savings and longer life, while Kalmetall hard cast-iron segments are used in Kalflex components to withstand impact wear and sliding abrasion protection. Abresist Corp., (+1) 800-348-0717
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MOTIVATIONAL CUSTOM COINS

An integral part of a new plant safety program at a Louisiana refinery, custom coins have proven effective as a motivational tool, product developers note. Plant employees who are found to be operating safely are rewarded with a custom coin bearing the company logo on the front and a safety message on the back. After amassing a number of tokens, employees can trade them in for other prizes.

In addition to motivating individual safe practices, custom coins and medallions are also used to reward departments or whole plants for reaching safety milestones, e.g., attaining a specific number of days without a lost-time accident. Inexpensive tokens thereby form the basis of continuity programs when they are used to reward departments or teams for attaining safety goals such as hours without a lost-time accident measured in 500-hour increments.

In other programs, the manufacturer affirms, inexpensive tokens are distributed to plant employees and carried around as a daily reminder and incentive to work safely. Supervisors can challenge workers to show their tokens; successfully doing so then earns the employee additional prizes. Thus, random checks and rewards are said to reinforce the safety message. Osborne Coinage, (+1) 800-488-2646
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FLOWMETER

With reported accuracies of ±0.5% of actual feed rate, the Multicor flowmeter's compact design makes the unit easy to install. According to the manufacturer, the unit is unaffected by external forces, wind, or vibration. The automatic, on-stream calibration capability is able to verify accuracy while feeding the process without interruption. The Flowmeter makes it possible for cement producers to feed and blend materials like fly ash, slag, and cement. The unit also comes in sizes with feed rates up to 300 metric tph, and handles material temperatures to 266°F. Schenck Weighing Systems, (+1) 800-558-0184
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X-RAY DIFFRACTOMETER

A new horizontal sample mount X-ray diffractometer for thin film materials, the SmartLab system features software that allows users with any level of expertise to perform advanced measurements. SmartLab was designed to enable research and development of advanced thin film materials, such as organic EL films for flexible displays, GaN epitaxial films for blue laser, and next-generation magnetic films for ultra-high-density magnetic recording media.

Product developers note that intelligent automation comprises the core of the new SmartLab design, as the Guidance software engine is used to automate all processes from setting and aligning the optics to sample measurements. The software is programmed with various analysis techniques and information to make advanced measurements — including film thickness, texture, and pore/particle size analyses — easy for all users. The Guidance software suggests the best optical configuration for each application, checks the hardware settings, and runs an automatic alignment.

To enhance performance, SmartLab employs a new rotating anode X-ray generator specifically optimized for optics and geometries, allowing the diffractometer to achieve three times higher intensity than current products while cutting power consumption by 50% (from 18kW to 9kW). In addition, the world's first high-resolution horizontal sample mount geometry prevents either bending or bowing of the sample, enabling measurements of large wafers. Finally, SmartLab features an ergonomic design that simplifies sample mounting while the use of direct-connection attachments greatly reduces cabling. Rigaku/MSC, Inc., (+1) 281-363-1033, ext. 207
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