Capital Equipment

A specially designed Helix Mixer (for a 4.4 m diameter, 14m high tank) from Chemineer is on its way from Derby (UK) to a major processing plant in Saudi Arabia, run by one of the world’s leading manufacturers of metals, plastics, fertilizers and chemicals.

In the current economic climate, many companies are postponing plans to invest in new capital equipment. As a cost effective alternative to new profile cutting machine investment, ESAB Cutting Systems offers a range of fully modernised and refurbished machines that provide performance levels on a par with those of a new machine but at a much lower cost.

Leading by example in reducing its carbon footprint, the Shenton Group has installed the innovative and cost effective CHP system, powertherm, at its headquarters in Andover in Hampshire. The company’s large workshop is being heated utilising the system by hot water being pumped around the building to unit heaters in the 16,000 square foot area. It has been calculated that powertherm will provide the Shenton Group with energy savings of around 80%.

MOSA’s GE 125 JSX and GE125 JMSX diesel driven generators are now available, with a new generation of JCB water cooled, diesel engines and Stamford (JSX) or Marelli (JMSX) alternators respectively, from Wilkinson Star Limited, the Worsley, Manchester based industrial equipment supplier and sole UK representative for MOSA engine driven welding and generating equipment.

Heason Technology has launched its new OFXY range of open frame X-Y tables which bring together high resolution ceramic motors from its distribution partner Nanomotion and super-compact TONiC™ encoders from Renishaw in a unique design that provides a large working through-aperture with sub-micron resolution positioning, better than 1 micron repeatability and 200 mm/sec scanning performance in a durable and extremely compact design.

LG Motion Limited has launched a new range of manual and motorised rotary stages for precision positioning applications across laboratory, optical bench and industrial automation with standard accuracy to 0.1 degrees and loads up to 500 kg.

No newcomer to robots, Marley Eternit Ltd, has recently completed installation of two new robot systems at its Burton-on-Trent tile manufacturing plant. Comprising six FANUC robots in total, the systems were needed to replace older dedicated machinery and to accommodate additional capacity transferred from another facility.

For many people, the word “ultrasonic” is often immediately linked to medical equipment for diagnosis and therapy, or if you are involved in manufacturing, joining systems for plastics and packaging. The role of ultrasonic technology in cleaning however has been widespread for many years, with this process quietly performing a crucial role in many areas whilst the more publicised welding and joining applications captured the limelight.

The continuing downturn in the global economy towards the end of 2008 presented many UK companies with the challenge of reducing costs in an attempt to secure profits or in some cases just break even. Against this pessimistic background however, Telsonic UK Limited has reported a record year with 2008 turnover exceeding expectations at 24% above target.

Profi Puller winches from the J D Neuhaus range now offer pulling power of up to 3500kg (previous limit was 3000kg). Their air operated winches fitted with 6kW rated motors not only have higher pulling power, but also higher rope speeds for faster rope pay-out and recovery times.