NEWS/IN BRIEF The ThinkTop V50 and V70 – the secondgeneration of control units – have been re-engineered to meet customer needs whilst incorporating the latest advances in technology. The firm says that these units offer customers, for the first time, fast and intuitive set-up and commissioning; enhanced 360° LED visual status indication; a repositioned Gore vent; a more compact and aesthetic design; burst seat clean functionality; and a QR code for easy online access to support materials and direct support. The new series covers all valve requirements and are selected based on the number of solenoid valves required. The ThinkTop V50 series matches the requirements of the Alfa Laval’s DV-ST, butterfly, single seat and double seat valves, whilst the ThinkTop V70 series matches the requirements of all these valves plus the company’s double seat and special valves. For further information, visit: www.alfalaval.com
Trelleborg updates O-ring and area and volume calculators
T
o better support engineering needs Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has overhauled its O-Ring Calculator. It has also updated its Area and Volume Calculator. By simply entering installation specifications for an application, the O-Ring Calculator recommends O-ring sizes, housing layout and corresponding part numbers. Commenting on the software, Bernd Murthum, Product Manager O-Rings, said: ‘Our O-Ring Calculator is one of our most popular engineering tools.’ ‘We have focused on enhancing the usability of the O-Ring Calculator to make it even easier for design engineers to calculate O-Ring dimensions and housing layout for their applications. This latest update will be much appreciated by the tens of thousands of users we have worldwide.’ In other news, the company has updated its Area & Volume Calculator. The tool supports a full range of area and volume calculations. Users select a shape, input the relevant measurements and the tool quickly calculates area, perimeter, volume and weight. Trelleborg says that for this latest version, it has doubled the number of shapes and subshapes available for calculation. For further information, visit: www.tss.trelleborg.com/en/resources/design-supportand-engineering-tools/o-ring-calculator www.tss.trelleborg.com/en/resources/design-supportand-engineering-tools/area-volume-calculator
August 2019
Graphene-filled epoxy targets uses requiring high thermal conductivity
T
he EP30NG two-part epoxy adhesive system from US-based Master Bond Inc has been developed for applications that require high thermal conductivity. According to the company, it contains a speciality graphene filler that contributes not only to its high compressive strength, but also to its enhanced dimensional stability. The epoxy adhesive system achieves a thermal conductivity of 5.5 W/(m K) (38.15 BTU in/(ft2 hr °F)) at room temperature, whilst its compressive strength measures 22 000-24 000 psi upon cure. It has a low coefficient of thermal expansion of 24–26 × 10-6 in/in/°C and exhibits a Shore D hardness of 85–95. The service temperature range is -51°C to 149°C (-60°F to +300°F). EP30NG bonds well to a variety of substrates, including metals, composites, ceramics, glass and many plastics. It is suitable for applications where high thermal conductivity is needed and a small amount of electrical conductivity is not a factor. For further information, visit: www.masterbond.com
Company News EnPro Industries acquires manufacturer of aseptic fluid transfer products
U
S-based EnPro Industries Inc has bought The Aseptic Group, a privately-held French company that distributes, designs and manufactures aseptic fluid transfer products for the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. EnPro Industries Inc, which specialises in, amongst others, sealing products, metal polymer and filament-wound bearings, components and service for reciprocating compressors, says that the group – comprising Aseptic Process Equipment Sas and Aseptic Services Sarl – will become part of its Garlock family of companies, which supply high-performance sealing and fluid-handling products to process industries. Commenting on the acquisition, Mike Faulkner, President, Garlock, said: ‘The Aseptic Group’s focus is highly complementary
IN BRIEF Chowbey appointed President, Aftermarket Services & Solutions, Flowserve Sanjay Chowbey has joined Flowserve Corp as President, Aftermarket Services & Solutions. The company, which manufactures and services fluid motion and control systems and products, says that Chowbey takes on the role previously held by Kirk Wilson, who is the new president of Flowserve’s Flow Control Division, following the retirement of John Lenander. ‘With his aftermarket experience and leadership, I believe that Sanjay is the right person to build upon the foundation we have in our aftermarket services and solutions organisation, and will continue to help leverage our installed base and further advance our aftermarket strategy to support Flowserve’s strategic initiatives,’ said Scott Rowe, President and CEO, Flowserve. Hardide Coatings CEO interviewed A video has been produced that records Philip Kirkham, CEO, Hardide Coatings, talking to Proactive Investors about coating aerospace components for Airbus after an eight-year test period, and other opportunities in the aerospace, oil and gas, and power-generating industries. It can be viewed at the link given below. More information: www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/ stocktube/13970/turbine-protection-canbe-a-game-changer-for-hardide-says-bosskirkham-13970.html Evonik develops digital assistant for the coatings industry Speciality chemicals company Evonik Industries Ag is developing a digital laboratory assistant especially for the coatings industry. The company says that the voice-operated COATINOTM laboratory assistant aims to reduce labour-intensive searches. The first release to customers is scheduled for 2020. Gaetano Blanda, head of Evonik’s Coating Additives business line, said: ‘With our digital, voice-activated laboratory assistant we support the coatings industry in providing a faster, more tailored, comprehensive response to customers’ needs than before.’ More information: https://corporate.evonik.de/en Andritz receives maintenance and service contract for project in Chile Plant engineering group Andritz Ag has been chosen as the maintenance and service partner for Arauco’s MAPA project in Chile. The longterm Andritz SYNERGYTM service agreement covers the company’s entire pulp mill, including all pre-engineering, commissioning, start-up and integral maintenance, supply of spare parts and aftersales service.
Sealing Technology
3
NEWS with Garlock’s strategic market vision. With expert product design knowledge, world-class manufacturing and supply chain integrity, The Aseptic Group platform is highly “leverageable” as we continue to build our global capabilities.’ ‘This addition will enable us to further expand our product offering and deliver value-added solutions to further support our customers in these demanding and highly regulated industries.’ Steve Macadam, President and CEO, EnPro Industries, added: ‘The acquisition of The Aseptic Group represents our ongoing commitment to invest in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries that form a key part of the strategic growth plan for Garlock.’ ‘In particular, we are highly impressed with the focus that The Aseptic Group places on the biopharmaceutical industry. For further information, visit: www.enproindustries.com & www.asepticprocess.fr/en
Evonik’s new plant for fumed silica comes on stream in Antwerp
S
peciality chemicals company Evonik Industries Ag is expanding its production capacity for fumed silica. The German company has started up, on schedule, its new plant complex in Antwerp for producing the material. It says that the move enables it to serve the high demand for fumed silicas marketed under the AEROSIL® brand. It has invested a sum in the upper double-digit million euro range in the facility. Typical applications include paints and coatings, advanced adhesive systems, transparent silicones and non-flammable high-performance insulation materials. ‘We are pursuing a clear growth strategy for our silica business. With the additional capacities, we are ensuring supply for our customers over the long term,’ said Harald Schwager, the deputy chairman of Evonik’s executive board. Along with the market for hydrophilic fumed silica, demand is also growing for speciality hydrophobic silicas, says Evonik. The existing plant in Antwerp has accordingly been upgraded to enable hydrophilic fumed silica to be given hydrophobic properties, using a special post-treatment process. The firm now produces hydrophobic AEROSIL at a second European site in addition to Rheinfelden, servicing the continued high demand. AEROSIL is produced as fumed silica by high-temperature hydrolysis of silanes in a hydrogen flame. For further information, visit: www.evonik.com
4
Sealing Technology
Nadcap recognises Super service centre Hardide for its helps John Crane commitment to quality support customers in India ardide Coatings, a Hardide Plc
H
group company based in Bicester, Oxfordshire, UK, that develops and applies advanced surface coating technology, has been recognised by Nadcap for its superior performance and commitment to continual improvement in aerospace quality. Nadcap – formerly the National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP) – is a global cooperative accreditation programme for aerospace engineering, defence and related industries. Philip Kirkham, CEO, Hardide Coatings, which develops, manufactures and applies advanced technology tungsten/tungsten carbide metal matrix coatings to engineering components across a range of industries, including the aerospace sector, commented: ‘We are extremely pleased to have been awarded Nadcap Merit Status within two years of being Nadcap accredited. This is testament to the skill and dedication of our staff to delivering a top quality product and service.’ Hardide Coatings has held Nadcap accreditation since 2017. Having demonstrated its ongoing commitment to quality by satisfying customer requirements and industry specifications, the Nadcap Task Group determined that the firm has earned special recognition. This means that instead of having its next Nadcap audit in twelve months, it has been granted an accreditation that lasts until 31 January 2021. Michael Hayward, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Performance Review Institute, which administers the Nadcap programme, said ‘Nadcap accreditation is universally acknowledged as a significant undertaking. Validating compliance to industry standards, best practices and customer requirements, Nadcap has long been incorporated by the aerospace industry into their risk mitigation activity. Some companies, such as Hardide Coatings, go even further when achieving Nadcap accreditation to obtain Merit status and it should be proud of it.’ ‘A less frequent audit schedule means a reduction in audit costs and associated pressures. It also demonstrates the trust that the aerospace industry has in Hardide Coatings, based on its past performance in Nadcap audits.’ For further information, visit: www.hardide.com & https://p-r-i.org/Nadcap
J
ohn Crane, which designs and manufactures a variety of products, including mechanical seals and systems, couplings and predictive digital monitoring technologies, has opened its super service centre in India. Located in Pune, the country’s second largest city, the facility builds on the vast experience of its local workforce and provides the firm with the capabilities necessary to offer support for its customers within the region, whilst also enabling it to offer quick turnaround services and reduce downtime costs. John Crane says that the centre enhances its local service and support network for original equipment manufacturers serving the oil and gas, power-generating, and chemical and pharmaceutical markets. Differing from a traditional service centre – designed only for repair services – the Pune facility serves as a centre of excellence for machining capabilities, providing additional engineering capabilities in addition to repair services. Philippe Lambert, Vice President, Asia Pacific GeoMarket, John Crane, said: ‘Our new Pune super service centre not only provides key manufacturing support for our local market, but also acts as a centre of excellence for our machining capabilities, as well as an assembly centre for our local OEMs.’ ‘The addition of the Pune facility also provides us with a wide breadth of local talent, which brings valuable skills to our team, whilst also strengthening our engineering and service capabilities.’ According to Lambert, Asia is an important growth market for John Crane, and will provide rapid expansion opportunities in the near future.’ Lambert continued: ‘Our continuous investment in local capabilities, as well as a higher level of technology and service differentiation, are key drivers for John Crane as we continue to strengthen our service capabilities around the world and strategically build out our strong global footprint of more than 200 facilities.’ The company recently opened a service centre in Yeosu, South Korea – adding critical service capabilities for its customers in the Asia–Pacific (APAC) region (Sealing Technology June 2019, pages 3–4). In addition, earlier this year we reported that the company opened a service centre in Shannon, Ireland, which bolsters its manufacturing capabilities (Sealing Technology March 2019, pages 3–4). For further information, visit: www.johncrane.com
August 2019