NEW PRODUCTS

Waterjet cutting system

The waterjet cold-cutting process is often preferred for high-tech parts manufacturing, since a cold cutting process eliminates impact on material structure, with no micro cracks or heat affected zones. The Water Jet Sweden FiveX waterjet machine model can perform precision freeform cutting of full 3D parts. A Z-axis capacity of at least 1,000 mm is integrated with a large library of pre-designed 3D measurement cycles for quick setup and electronic abrasive feeders control. It is designed to counteract torsion, manage vibration and handle irregularities during 3D shaping. The machine is built on a heavy-duty steel frame with high walls and two independent Y-axis motors to carry the cutting units and X-beam.

waterjetsweden.com

Distributed control system

Moving control intelligence out from a central point and onto the plant floor or across a wider network allows for more flexible operations. PMSXpro is a power plant Distributed Control System (DCS) available from Mitsubishi Electric. It provides harmonization of control hardware with other networked resources, systems and software. This adapts to the plant’s process engineering structure. PMSXmicro is a control and visualization system based on the larger Pro system for use on smaller facilities such as renewable energy power plants. It runs on a single server.

mitsubishielectric.com

Wireless sensing

Laird is launching a new multi-wireless sensor platform to deploy secure, stable wireless sensors in long-range Internet of Things (IoT) applications, especially those requiring precise temperature and humidity control. Laird’s RS191/RS186 leverages LoRaWAN and Bluetooth low energy (BLE) connectivity in one IP65-rated form factor. It can be coupled with Laird’s RG1xx LoRa Gateways. The RS1xx can reliably send sensor data in harsh RF environments, and over long distances to remote LoRaWAN gateways, and with the added benefit of a BLE connectivity option, sensor data can be sent to smartphones and tablets for local configuration, control, or data visualization.

Lairdtech.com

Oil sampling

Luneta’s Hub, a multiport adapter, allows easy installation of oil level sight glasses, bottom sediment and water bowls, drain valves, and quick connects for attaching filtration equipment. In addition to four lateral ports, it features a recessed oil sampling port to prevent inadvertent impacts. It is ideal for equipment with limited or inaccessible fluid port locations. The zinc-plated steel back plate threads easily into the equipment’s port. The aluminum body slides onto the back plate and can be adjusted every 45-degress to achieve optimal orientation.

luneta.com

Proximity system

The Metrix Digital Proximity System (DPS) eliminates the need for dozens of different proximity probe drivers and transmitters. It is a field-configurable device that can work with multiple target materials, cable lengths, and older probe systems from a variety of manufacturers. It is also compatible with 5mm, 8mm, and 11mm proximity probes. It is: API 670 compliant; adjustable for target materials, probe types, and system lengths; custom configurable for unknown target materials; available as 3-wire voltage mode probe driver or as 4-20mA output transmitter; hazardous-area compliant and suitable for Metrix VibeLock connectors and triaxial cables.

Metrixvibration.com

OSIsoft adds mapping

OSIsoft has created a new version of the PI Integrator for ESRI ArcGIS mapping software, which lets users explore the history of their operations in ArcGIS web maps. This helps conduct root-cause determination, fault analysis, and facility comparisons by letting users replay data gathered from field sensors stored in the PI System and published to ArcGIS. The data can also be used to make predictions, alleviate grid pressure or plan load shed events.

Osisoft.com

Dry gas seals

Conventional Dry Gas Seals (DGS) have a flow across their face, from the high-pressure to the low-pressure side. Moisture or oils from the process can be carried into the seal gap by this flow, where they carbonize or boil from the seal and cause reliability issues.

Trying to stop this with buffer gas is like trying to stop water from flowing downhill. Although this leakage is small, it is coming under closer scrutiny from the U.S. EPA and other regulatory bodies.

New Way Air Bearings’ seal design uses externally pressurized gas bearing technology (EPGB) through a porous seal face to create pressure in the seal gap higher than the process pressure. The flow to vent is the same, but about the same amount that is vented flows back into the process.

Moisture will not enter because the gap is at a higher pressure. The process gas required for the externally pressurized bearing is 1/100 of the buffer gas used with conventional DGS, and the higher pressure differential makes it easier to condition the bearing gas reliably.

The company’s Ventless Seal can segregate gases in a single seal face. This enables a zero emissions seal. This is where all the process gas stays in the compressor and all the barrier gas exits the compressor. By using two externally pressurized bearing gases (process gas is used on the process side of the seal face and a barrier gas on the vent side), their relative pressure may be adjusted to steer the highest pressure point in the gap to be between the gases.

At this point, all process gas flows back to process and all the barrier gas exits the compressor, eliminating fugitive emissions and flaring. The balance point is determined by a gas detector in the vent that looks for any process gas molecules (say 10 to 100 parts per million as a threshold) with a control to slightly increase the barrier gas pressure, and so maintain the balance at the separation between the gases.

new-seal.com

Portable magnetometer

The FerroCheck 2000 Series of portable magnetometers from Spectro Scientific measures total ferrous wear particulates in lubricating fluids. The FerroCheck 2000 unit, which measures ferrous wear particles in oils, is joined by the FerroCheck 2100 version that adds the capability to quantify up to 15% ferrous debris in grease. The instruments enable users in field and laboratory settings to gauge evidence of ferrous wear and use the data to support condition-based maintenance programs. The process measures disruption of a magnetic field by ferrous debris in the fluid.

Spectrosci.com

Pneumatic trip system

Elliott’s pneumatic trip system with partial stroke actuation gives turbine operators a way to test the trip system in seconds while the equipment is running. The trip valve will still work if an overspeed event occurs while testing is in progress. Benefits include improved reliability, remote initiation via DCS. This provides a cost-effective alternative to a trip and throttle valve. It is available for new equipment or can be retrofitted to Elliott YR steam turbines, as well as non-Elliott machines.

Elliott-turbo.com; slm-solutions.com