Remote telemetry unit

GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has released the QuickPanel Remote Telemetry Unit that is said to lower life cycle costs by nearly $1 Million.

The unit enables water/wastewater companies to monitor, diagnose and maintain water assets and processes through flexible communication architectures.

The product has the ability to integrate with existing PLC hardware locally and other RTUs throughout the system—seamlessly delivering connectivity across operations.

Its open communications makes it ideal for mixed system architectures, as the product can connect directly to existing PLCs to upgrade legacy PLCs and RTUs to Ethernet communications with store and forward capabilities.

A visual interface for local operators allows site equipment to be operated manually, mitigating the operational impact of remote communication disruptions.

The integrated controller keeps automatic equipment running through an outage.

Once communications are restored, store-and-forward capabilities and local time stamping of alarms ensure nothing is missed.

The product can range from simple, low I/O count applications through complex automation solutions that require the support of large numbers of I/O.

It provides an information-rich, graphical interface and has the inherent benefits of providing a smaller footprint, centralized time synchronization, local alarm time stamping, full IEC 61131-3 language support, and remote diagnostics and maintenance via a web hosting client.

Filter series

Schaffner has released FN 2200 DC EMC/EMI Filter series for photovoltaic panels, designed to prevent conducted RF from the inverter and significantly reducing the potential for radiated emission with the PV panels and wiring acting as antennas.

The EMI Filter series are installed between the PV panel and inverter operational blocks.

According to the company, the filters are suitable for DC voltages to 1200 Volts and are available in current ratings varying from 25 Amps to 1500 Amps and conform to IEC/EN 60939 as well as UL 1283 and CSA 22.2.

The PV side and inverter side of the filters are distinguished clearly because of the asymmetrical construction of the filter housing, which is designed to prevent erroneous installation.

The filters meet the EMC requirements of EN 61000-6-5/4.

The Schaffner FN 2200 DC EMC/EMI filter series are designed to filter out differential as well as common mode noise and for low power loss.

Westek Electronics

03 9369 8802

info@westek.com.au

www.westek.com.au

Gear unit series

SEW-Eurodrive has launched a series of locally assembled gear units, designed to absorb the high bending moments and axial forces that occur in mixer and agitator applications.

The EBD MC Compact series features helical and helical-bevel gear units and is fully assembled in Australia.

According to the company, the series consists purely of add-on components, such as stronger bearings, a larger diameter output shaft, and an extended bottom bearing housing.

Due to the potential contamination of the agitated medium by bearing lubricants, SEW-Eurodrive can also incorporate a ‘drywell’ sealing system to prevent oil leakage at the output shaft in vertical mounting positions.

EBD MC Compact series is offered in five sizes, with torque ratings of 16 to 48kNm, suitable for motor powers up to 250 kW.

“We’ve designed these units to handle anything that moves large quantities, whether they are for agitators, mixers, aerators or thickeners,” SEW-Eurodrive national product manager, industrial gear units Ian Tribe said.

SEW-Eurodrive

03 9933 1000

enquires@sew-eurodrive.com.au

http://www.sew-eurodrive.com.au

Dust problem? Nozzle solution

Spray nozzle engineering has released the Bete FF Series nozzle in an attempt to prevent dust from occurring.

According to the manufacturer, the nozzle wets the roads within the mine or quarry area to prevent dust from becoming a problem on site.

The nozzle is a fan nozzle where the liquid is forced through a relatively small elliptical hole to provide a thin, flat sheet of spray.

Available in either metal (brass or stainless steel) or plastic (PVC or PTFE), the FF Series Nozzle features a one-piece construction that is clog-resistant and durable.

It delivers a coarsely atomized, medium-impact spray that is deflected at 75 from the inlet axis; the extra-wide spray angle allowing the user to choose their required coverage.

For example, wide area coverage can be achieved quickly by attaching two, ¾” FF500 Nozzles on either corner of a water truck.

Smaller areas or single lane wetting can be achieved through the use of a smaller FF Series Nozzle, such as the FF148.

GBS02 Hydrostatic Level Transmitter

Practical Control Solutions has released the GBS02, a hydrostatic pressure level transmitter suitable for permanent use in lakes, rivers, wells, and water tanks.

The unit can also be used to measure aggressive media such as fuel, using the optional intrinsically safe version.

Lightning protection is available as an option.

Level measurement ranges are from 1 m to 250 m water column.

The level transmitter uses a piezoresistive pressure sensor with integral temperature compensation.

Operating temperature is from -10 to 85°C

The GBS02 features a welded, non-corrosive design with a sealed water-proof connecting cable.

Pressure compensation is achieved via the cable which incorporates an integrated air path to the atmosphere.

Cable lengths up to 300 m are available. The cable material is FEP.

Combination prep tool

Rojone has released the CST-400 All-in-One Combination Prep Tool, which can be used with LMR-400 low loss coaxial cables including standard LMR, DB, FR, PVC, LLPL and -75, and the first strip step on LMR-400-Ultraflex.

The tool’s combination feature allows preparation of LMR-400 cables for either crimp or clamp connector attachment.

The product is suitable for use with virtually all LMR-400 connectors and provides consistently sharp cut of dielectric for best VSWR performance.

The unit also includes a built-in debur tool eliminating the need for a separate tool.

Rojone is experienced in the GPS, Antenna, RF & Microwave industries, and is proudly 100% Australian owned & privately operated.

Liners extend tubular life

Western Falcon has designed a high-performance seamless thermoplastic liner using Victrex Peek polymer because of its unique combination of tensile strength, chemical resistance, ductility, temperature capabilities and resilience.

The liner, called Extremetube, offers optimal resistance to damage from artificial lift rod wear, wireline and slickline, coiled tubing, and other common downhole tools.

According to Western Falcon Vice President, Rob Davis, Victrex Peek polymer acts as a barrier isolating the corrosive and abrasive fluids and gasses from standard Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG).

The unique mechanical properties of the polymer, together with its abrasion resistance, indicates that it will perform well as a long-term wear solution, protecting the tubing from internal rod wear and erosion from produced fluids and gasses.

Western Falcon’s exclusive mechanical bonding process, coupled with the elasticity of Victrex Peek polymer, allows the protective liner to move relative to the steel tubing without compromising its ability to remain bonded to, and continue protecting, the steel tubing.

“The marriage of our bonding process with the properties of Victrex Peek polymer represents a true breakthrough that offers our industry a real cost-effective technology to replace expensive Corrosion Resistant aAlloy (CRA) tubulars with our lined standard American Petroleum Institute (API) steel OCTG,” Davis said.

Cut More Than Cost – BUMP SODA??

ADVERTORIAL — Sponsored by Australian Soda Blasting Supplies

Cut More Than Cost — BUMP SODA??

Until recently, traditional methods for crack detection, cleaning, stripping and coatings removal, required chemicals, acids and costly procedures. With mechanical parts requiring cleaning, they needed to be degreased, dismantled, placed in acids for many hours, then bead blasted in a cabinet to remove the last of the baked-on carbon.

Australian Soda Blasting Supplies (ASBS) now offers an environmentally friendly, cost-effective process that can accomplish a far superior result within minutes. SODA BLASTING is an exciting new non-destructive method whereby a food grade baking soda is applied against a surface using low pressure compressed air. The soda, being under low pressure, is released, through a length of hose, to the nozzle and applied to a surface in a controlled manner.

In a variety of industries, soda blasting can replace toxic chemicals and hours of manual labour and get the task done in a fraction of the time at a greatly reduced cost. The actual baking soda itself is a very mild abrasive being very sharp yet very soft with the ability to remove a variety of contaminants in a single step and with very little or no damage.

Baking soda can remove products such as grease, baked-on carbon, paint, glue, varnish, lacquer, powder coating, resin paints, epoxy, oils, fats, tarnishing, bitumen, graffiti and antifouling among others. These contaminants can be removed off many surfaces such as glass, aluminium, bronze, brass, copper, stainless steel, chrome, fibreglass, brick, sandstone, some plastics and timbers.

ASBS has recently unveiled its full SS range of soda blasters which has been designed from the ground up. Direct injection through a controlled device allows the minimum amount of soda (media) to be used. Further changes include the added benefits of installing quick release, high pressure couplings enabling the main soda valving system to be totally disconnected and completely removed in less than 20 seconds. “No special tools are required to remove the valve, unlike many of the imported machines,” says Dean Kesarlal of ASBS.

Servicing requires washing the specialised parts with water. Moisture is not an issue with ASBS BUMP Soda; ASBS’s new SS range can be reassembled wet and run again instantly.

Another feature is the ‘air only switch’ on the handle which allows jobs to be blown down with air with the flick of a switch.

ASBS have also designed a new range of cost effective nozzles which increase blasting patterns.

The new E.L.F. (Extra Low Flow) water nozzle uses approximately 1.4 litres of water per minute at 3 bar, yet, still eliminates nearly all of the dust.

Furthermore, the E.L.F. nozzle can also aid in polishing brass, bronze, copper, stainless steel, chrome and even glass.

The water nozzles on most imported soda blasters use large volumes of water — some as much as 7.9 litres of water per minute.

ASBS also lays claim to another unique attribute — the new SS range comprises the only Australian designed and manufactured Soda Machines to Australian Standards AS-1210. The SS09, SS2 and SS4 are designed to reliable and user friendly for all types of projects from small mechanical parts to large mining equipment.

For more information visit www.asbsupplies.com or phone (02) 9627 7886.

Electro-magnetic field analyser

Westek Electronics has released a universal electro-magnetic field analyser that is said to be suitable for measuring magnetic and electric fields in the frequency range from 5 Hz to 6 GHz.

The frequency is measured through the selection of appropriate interchangeable probes, isotropically or as single axis measurements; and over bandwidths as determined by user-configurable band-pass, selective and notch filters.

Temperature and humidity sensors and a GPS module providing exact physical location of the measurements are provided as standard.

The electro-magnetic field analyser is available with an optional GPRS module permitting remote data transmission.

Other optional interfaces available include RS232 (electrical or optical), USB, Ethernet (RJ-45), and SD card slot as well as a 0-5 Volt scanning input.

According to the company, the analyser also has a data memory of 512 MB thus allowing the on-board storage of up to 250 hours of measurement results.

Results can be displayed as instantaneous, average, and maximum values or as amplitude-time variations.

The electro-magnetic field analyser has a VGA 6.4 inch TFT display, alphanumerical keyboard with specific function access keys integrated navigational trackball.

Integra Packaging expands its horizons

Integra Packaging has expanded its horizons to include Queensland and New South Wales, merging with Melbourne-based companies Pallet & Case and The Wooden Box Factory.

According to the Integra Packaging’s managing director Roger Till, the expansion allows the company to service the Eastern Seaboard in defence, mining, infrastructure and logistics.

“Our teams across three States (a total of over 60 people) are now in a position of combined strength to better service cross-border customers. It means we can provide a total East Coast service with similar expertise – locally, state-wide and tri-state,” Till said.

Integra Packaging Chairman, John Fisher OAM said it was great to welcome Jamie Rothnie and his Melbourne business.

“Jamie brings real experience and skill to our leadership and he and his team strengthen our total Eastern Seaboard service to customers.”

In Victoria, Integra Packaging already services significant customers such as Terex Jacques, Radio Frequency Systems and Ronson Gears.

N Jamie Rothnie

General Manager

Richard Hancock

Business Development

03 9548 5332

Portable refuge chamber

MineARC Systems has released the 4HRM-PLP, a four person hard rock mine powerless portable refuge chamber.

According to the company, the chamber is designed to provide miners working in single entry headings with access to a safe and effective means of refuge in the event of an emergency.

Jumbo drillers and other operators working ahead of boggers and trucks within single entry headings, have raised the contentious issue: how to ensure these workers are not cut off from safe-refuge should an emergency situation such as fire, explosion and subsequent smoke and gas occur?

Practices such as halting work on trucks and boggers until jumbo operators are clear, as well as escape shafts, have been tried – neither achieving any great practical success, whilst at the same time effecting productivity.

Of major concern to industry is the irresponsible practice of using vehicles as make-shift refuge chambers, by supplying breathable air to the vehicle’s occupants via compressed air cylinders and face masks. Numerous inherent problems associated with this method include:

Over the past 2 years, MineARC has refined its standard HRM 4 person refuge chamber to allow greater scope in mobility, although ultimately the size and electrical requirements have limited its success.

The chamber measures 1.5m high x 1.8m long x 1.8m wide – easily loaded onto the back of a flat-bed truck and then transported to virtually any location.

The unit can then be loaded off the truck using an IT (Integrated Tool-carrier) and placed directly at the working face.

The chamber utilises the company’s intrinsically-safe (non-electrically powered) scrubber/air-conditioning system.

The powerless scrubber removes carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from inside the refuge chamber, whilst also cooling the interior of the chamber via the air-con unit.

The scrubber/air-con requires no electrical power supply, eliminating the need for external electrical services to be supplied to the refuge chamber.

Custom manufactured bearings

Metallized Carbon Corporation has launched a range of custom manufactured Metcar bearings for a wide variety of customer needs and specifications.

Most journal, thrust and guide bearing sizes and shapes can be customized and supplied to meet user application demands, providing a solution for oil or grease free lubrication in the most challenging applications, according to the manufacturer.

The company can supply a range of metcar grades which include a broad range of carbon-graphite and electro-graphite materials that can be impregnated with metals, synthetic resins, or inorganic salts to provide enhanced lubricating qualities under the most severe conditions.

According to the manufacturer, all of the metcar materials are manufactured and machined at Metallized Carbon Corp. to ISO 9001:2000 quality standards.

The bearings are self-lubricating, non-galling, dimensionally stable and have high compressive strength.

Cat to go ‘International’

Caterpillar will re-emerge in the Australian market tied with truck brand International, with new trucks expected to hit showrooms before end of 2009.

The company has announced it will form a new joint-venture with truck and engine supplier Navistar, parent of the International brand, to pursue commercial truck opportunities around the world with a particular focus on the Australian market.

Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Jim Owens said the milestone agreement will position the new joint-venture as a significant player in the on-highway truck market.

Owen says Australia is as an initial focus, along with Brazil, China, Russia, South Africa and Turkey.

The portfolio of products will feature both aero nose and cab-over designs and will be sold under both the Caterpillar and International brands.

CJD Equipment launches Volvo A25E

CJD Equipment has introduced the Volvo A25E which is suitable for use in the mining industry.

The Volvo A25E features a tight turning circle, due to a short wheel base and the option to equip the vehicle with turn-around wheels. These wheels enable the machine to turn in tunnels only 9.5 metres wide.

Designed for transporting materials in mining, tunnel and rock quarry applications, the A25E comes with frame steering and a frame joint. A low profile cabin option enables high manoeuvrability in underground work.

CJD Equipment says the mine vehicle has a low fuel consumption rate and high power and rimpull are enabled by the D9 engine featuring Volvo Advanced Combustion Technology.

The automatic Powertronic transmission gives the A25E 4×4 maximum performance, ensuring smooth shifting.

A full load can be dumped in seven seconds, with a single button shifting transmission to neutral and activating the service break.

Optional body wear plates can maximise body protection when hauling shot rock or other abrasive materials.

Fluid levels are electronically monitored and no daily or weekly greasing increases uptime and productivity.

Motion control for chain hoists

XLNT Advanced Technologies is set to unveil the PowerMotion DS8 Pro and Pro Plus series of solid state motion controllers for chain hoists.

According to XLNT Advanced Technologies, each DS8 motion controller can control up to eight direct or low voltage control chain hoists.

The device features solid state MCB per individual motor/channel, plus adjustable maximum power output up to 9A and a PL D, ISO 13849-1 and SIL2 compliant emergency stop system.

The DS8 series is available in two types — for direct control and for low voltage control chain motors. Each type also comes in a choice of two versions: Pro and Pro Plus.

XLNT says the Pro version is suitable hoist control for all typical professional rigging applications, while the Pro Plus version adds extra multi-unit flexibility for an optimal work environment including remote connection, link connection and functionality, and link-through.

The motion controllers are fitted with ‘group safety mode’, which cuts power to all connected hoists should power fail to one hoist, and standard integrated automatic phase inversion correction.

The DS8 controllers are built using heavy-duty industrial grade toggle switches, buttons and output connectors, and are fully CE compliant.

XLNT will introduce the DS8 at the Pro Light+Sound trade show in Frankfurt on 1 to 4 April 2009.

Inspection system

TechRentals has introduced the Hilti Tester 4, an inspection system to test safety bolts and fall arrest bolts on building exteriors.

These bolts need to be tested when installed and every year after in order to comply with OH&S requirements covered in the Australian standards, which are AS189.4-2000 & AS4488.201997.

According to the company, using the Hilti Tester 4 can ensure any fall arrest and safety bolts comply with Australian standards.

The Hilti Tester 4 also comes equipped with a testing bridge and safering testing hook.

TechRentals

02 9933 1100

nsw_sales@techrentals.com.au

www.techrentals.com.au

Gladiator protection

Hawk Measurement Systems has released the Gladiator Pump Protection switch, which is designed to be used in applications where pipe or wall mounting with minimal protrusion is required.

The switch has immunity to build-up and monitor materials with a wide range of dielectric constants, so the system is applicable to a large variety of liquids.

Hawk has designed the unit to operate in tough industrial environments.

According to the company, the Gladiator is simple to set up and calibrate, and has excellent temperature stability.

Several probe types are available to meet specific application requirements, and all types are resistant to product build-up.

The Gladiator communicates using Modbus, HART, or Profibus protocols and a remote amplifier can be positioned up to 500 metres away from the unit.

The HawkLink GSM/CDMA communication option allows a technician to commission, calibrate, test, or check the output of the unit from anywhere in the world.

Hawk Measurement Systems

03 9873 4750

info@hawk.com.au

www.hawk.com.au

Purpose built off-road trucks

Since Tatra trucks have became available in Australia they have proven to be the battleship of all vehicles in the mining, drilling and service industries, according to Offroad Trucks Managing Director, Larry Gill.

The company is now selling about 100 of the trucks a year to these specialised industries.

Gill, who has a long history with trucks and the mining industry, said it was difficult bringing a new make of truck into Australia with existing competitors, but determination has put numbers on the board.

“After recent discussions with existing and potential clients, identified larger carrying capacities and Roll-Over Protection Systems (ROPS) as high priorities when purchasing the trucks,” Gill said.

With this in mind, Gill went back to the Tatra factory with design concepts for larger vehicles, and Tatra management, and the company’s R&D department, were only too pleased to assist.

“Tatra has now developed an ADR approved 10×10 truck, with a GVM of 48 tonne, specifically suited for heavier drill rigs,” Gill said.

“Offroad Trucks are also manufacturing 29,000L Fuel Tanks and larger capacity service modules to suit larger mine sites.”

Tatra has also been working on the first ROPS production cabin for road registerable vehicles to suit their full range of vehicles.

Offroad Trucks plan to display the first ROPS cabin at QREX 2009 in Rockhampton from 21-23 July.

The company will also display the first 10×10 29,000L stainless steel Fuel Tanker.

Offroad Trucks Australia carries 100% spare parts stock in Australia, which are available 24/7.

They also have fully trained mechanics available in each state for any service or maintenance that their clients may require.

According to Gill, because Tatra only make specialized off road trucks, they have the ability to negotiate with the client for any special modules, designs or tip trucks that the client may require.

“With the new low profile ROPS cabin being available after August, Offroad Trucks will now be able to offer purpose built vehicles for underground mining,” Gill said.

Key contact:

Offroadtrucks

08 9459 8911

www.offroadtrucks.com.au

Resource planning

Infor has announced the release of Infor MyDay for Infor ERP LN, an enterprise resource planning solution for companies in the project-based manufacturing industries.

MyDay is a Web 2.0 user interface for Infor applications that provides central access to the critical information users need in their daily work.

The system takes large amounts of business data captured and stored by ERP LN and delivers the pertinent information to employees based on their roles within the organisation.

Infor MyDay sets relevant data free and presents it so that the appropriate decision-makers in the company can respond quickly when necessary.

Infor has identified more than 150 roles for which Infor MyDay will personalise information in functional areas such as operations, sales, manufacturing/production, and finance.

According to the company, the information presented to users in these roles can help manufacturers improve cash flow, boost profits, reduce operating expenses, improve product quality, increase revenue, and speed time to correct problems.

Infor

02 9021 7100

sales@infor.com

www.infor.com.au

BHP calls in all-terrain crane

WATM has delivered a Grove GMK7450 all-terrain crane to mining giant BHP Billiton Iron Ore.

BHP put the crane to work immediately, with its first job the dismantling of the primary iron ore crusher at its main mining facility, the Mt. Whaleback Mine, in Newman, Western Australia.

Stephen Lazenby, sales manager for WATM, said that BHP purchased the crane for its mobility and high lift capacity.

“BHP already owns several Grove all-terrain cranes, but the company needs more lift capacity for the maintenance work on the main iron ore crusher,” he said.

“Until recently, it was renting high capacity cranes from Perth, more than 1,200 km away. Therefore it made perfect financial sense to purchase a crane the company can keep at the mine.”

The job for the GMK7450 on the Allis Chalmers primary crusher was to lift out two of the central components.

The crusher has been in service since 1969 and the GMK7450 was responsible for removing the 68 t ‘spider’ and the 62 t mantle from the equipment.

This process will be repeated approximately three times a year. This first job completed without incident and the crane then moved to other remote sites to perform routine bi-monthly maintenance on other BHP mining equipment.

The GMK7450 all-terrain crane is the largest mobile crane from Manitowoc’s Grove brand.

It has a 450 t maximum capacity and a 60 m main boom featuring Grove’s TWIN-LOCK pinning system. With jib extensions, reach can extend to 130 m.

The seven-axle carrier includes a fully automatic Allison transmission and Grove’s unique MEGATRAK independent suspension system for optimal performance both on- and off- road.