Pumps and Valves

It can be a lengthy but essential process validating and approving industry design, which ensures components are suitable for operation in specialist applications. Bürkert Fluid Control Systems has achieved over 20 approvals for its solenoid valve range - that together provide a guarantee to end users that every product has met or surpassed the required standard.

In recent years, modern coatings technology has been advancing rapidly; used to prevent oxidation, corrosion and improve wear resistance as well as provide protection from high temperatures, manufacturers are keen to exploit new coatings to improve the durability of their products. However, not all coatings are the same and the quality of the final product relies on high quality equipment and expert application techniques.

Advancing its portfolio of air preparation products, IMI Precision Engineering has introduced the lighter and smaller IMI Norgren Excelon Plus. The latest generation of air preparation equipment, Excelon Plus is a modular Filter, Regulator, Lubricator (FRL) range suitable for all industrial applications. Designed with safety in mind, it combines great performance and is compact and lightweight.

As a part of its global focus on factory automation, Parker Hannifin has added smart connectivity of its pneumatic valve islands to machine controllers by introducing new IO-Link modules that can be quickly integrated with existing Parker valve ranges. Ethernet based protocol independent and vendor neutral, this new module offers plug-and-play valve compatibility for customers currently using Industrial Ethernet, meaning they can benefit from similar performance and reduced system complexity at a lower cost.

Plans to extend its IMI Buschjost flange valves range have been announced by IMI Precision Engineering, and are to begin spring 2017. Developed in accordance with the current version of the Pressure Equipment Directive, 2014/68/EU, the larger DN 65, DN 80 and DN 100 valves have been redesigned and are now available as new series 86480, 86500 and 86540.

Expanding the ASCO Numatics 580 Series fieldbus electronics platform, Emerson has introduced an IO-Link communication option. For use with the ASCO Numatics 500 Series valve islands, the new IO-Link module will allow machine automation designers a convenient, cost effective and reliable solution for solenoid valve control through direct digital data communication with the machine controller plus the ability for event-based and I/O mapped diagnostics - both important predictive maintenance requirements for Industry 4.0.

Generally designed to perform long-term, some for decades even, large pumps have a valuable asset that requires periodic maintenance. When the performance of an older pump begins to deteriorate, it may be a sign that the impeller is worn or the volute has become corroded, and by the time this happens, finding new parts can be a considerable challenge. Fortunately, modern design techniques and manufacturing processes can create a vast range of components using reverse engineering.

As growth within the global pumps market continues to pick up pace, it is driven by rapid development in the water, wastewater and sanitation, and chemical industries. Government stimulus programmes, which are encouraging manufacturing plants and industries to invest more in energy-efficient upgrades, will also boost innovation and technology development in pumps.

  Parker Hannifin’s Precision Fluidics Division has announced the release of its newest model for the miniature proportional valve VSO LowPro for OEMs looking for innovation in size, power, and manufacturability when controlling the flow rate of inert gases.

Extending its agreement with ECS Engineering Services for the supply, installation and repair of Archimedes screw pumps, Scottish Water is one of the largest operators of this type of equipment in the UK. The original Agreement was for one year and covered the supply of a complete service for screw pump provision, maintenance, repair and refurbishment, as does the extension.