Industrial Factory Automation

Fast Associates provides automation/process audits, in-depth process studies, discrete event simulation, lean process assistance, design, and proof-of-concept services to UK manufacturing companies. From goods-in, through production, to despatch, warehouse and distribution, the Fast Associates team of multi-disciplined engineers is able to provide independent assistance in helping identify areas in a client's process where opportunities for improvement may be possible by method change or through the utilisation of automated solutions. The Fast team's knowledge and experience can help disseminate and cross-pollinate technologies observed across a range of industries to benefit its client's needs. True independence means the Fast team can assist its clients to find the most appropriate and cost-effective solution to implement. Through its drafting and design services, Fast Associates is able to offer its clients everything from straightforward layout drafting to full design...

Draeger has launched the CPS 7900, a gas-tight chemical protection suit that maintains wearer protection from hazardous substances even when being dragged along abrasive surfaces in rescue situations. Should an outer layer be damaged, the wearer is kept safe by the use of a new tear-proof, five-layer, laminated D-Mex material, which protects against chemical effects, bursts of flames and toxic and cryogenic substances. For additional safety, the wearer's arms remain in the suit sleeves at all times, ready to respond through the inclusion of a pressure gauge holder in the field of view. Freedom of movement and full awareness of the environment are vital to ensure a quick reaction. These are assured by the comfortable, ergonomic design and an almost natural field of vision through the anti-fogging visor. The ability to operate in a range of environments is essential; the D-Mex material is safe to use in potentially explosive environments and also offers protection from contact with...

Pepperl and Fuchs is offering the ML100 range of miniature photoelectric sensors, which are ideally suited for applications where long ranges and a high level of reliability are required. Due to their miniature design, the ML100 series sensors are also suitable for use in extremely confined areas. These photoelectric sensors feature high optical performance, long-term stability, a powerful lens and Powerbeam LEDs. Powerbeam guarantees excellent visibility of the red light spot and enables trouble-free alignment with no central bond spot, even on the smallest reflectors. The high power density and quality of the light spot significantly improve the reliability of the sensors. Also, a longer service life and lack of degradation will make additional teach-in processes unnecessary. The size of the light spot from sensors with Powerbeam is carefully adapted to the particular application and operating principle. The ML 100-8-H diffuse mode photoelectric sensors with background suppressio...

Intertronics has introduced the latest range of fast room-temperature-cure electronics adhesives from Dymax, which are particularly focused towards harsh-duty electronics applications. The 9422-SC is a component ruggedising and staking material, engineered to hold critical components such as ball-grid arrays (BGA) and video graphics arrays (VGA) for secondary processes or for long-term reliability. Dymax 9422-SC adhesive is engineered specifically for bonding of critical high-value electronic components, ensuring that they stay exactly in place on printed circuit boards throughout manufacture, assembly qualification and service/operation for the full product lifecycle. Dymax 9422-C features a bead shape designed to wet both the board surface and the component edge without seeping into shadowed areas and is highly thixothropic for zero movement prior to cure, as well as being halogen and silicone free and RoHS compliant.

Plastics recycling specialist Axion Recycling has signed up to the Safety in Manufacturing Plastics (SIMPL) initiative, formed to improve health and safety in the sector. Supported by the Health and Safety Executive, the SIMPL initiative joins all parts of the industry, from polymer producers to trade organisations and unions, in an effort to boost progress on reducing accidents and ill-health within plastics-related businesses. SIMPL runs for three years from 2011 to 2014. By signing up to the SIMPL pledge, firms demonstrate their commitment to improving the health and safety record of the industry as a whole. In return, employers can get help with achieving this within their own businesses. The strategy includes sharing best practice with cross-fertilisation of ideas between different groups and making sure basic minimum standards are being adhered to.

Beka has launched a range of panel- and field-mounting, intrinsically safe and non-certified safe area models to complement the Type n 4/20mA loop-powered indicating temperature transmitter. The intrinsically safe transmitters have Atex, FM, cFM and IECEx certification, permitting installation in all gas and dust areas. The field-mounting BA474D also has associated apparatus certification allowing, when installed in a safe area, direct connection to a hazardous area sensor without the need for Zener barriers or galvanic isolators. All the models are Hart-enabled and feature a large, easy-to-read, 20mm-high, five-digit display, plus a 31-segment bar graph that may be illuminated by an optional loop-powered backlight. The field-mounting instruments have a robust IP66 GRP enclosure with an armoured glass window and a separate terminal compartment suitable for installation in harsh industrial and offshore environments. The panel-mounting transmitters have an IP66 front panel and an IP66 ...

Status Instruments has introduced the HTR integrated head temperature transmitter for applications in energy management, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and machine building. The design is said to be the first complete transmitter that fits into the miniature MAA connection head. Normally, due to space constraints, the head is only used as a junction box, requiring the transmitter to be mounted some distance away from the sensor. The HTR can be used with RTD, slide-wire and resistance inputs. The standard product has more than 30 resistance sensors to choose from, including Pt100, Pt500, Pt1000, Ni100 and Ni1000. Designed to meet the needs of both industrial and HVAC applications, the three-wire voltage output version can be programmed to output any value between 0-10VDC. For example, the product can be configured to accept Pt1000 sensors and provide a 0-10VDC output direct from the head, which is said to be ideal for HVAC applications. To optimise the use of buil...