- Email: [email protected]
Nordson EFD celebrates its 50th anniversary
NEWS stone of Lanxess’ success. With the acquisition of the elastomer business from Royal DSM Nv two years ago and the creation of the new Keltan Elastomers business unit, with its headquarters in Sittard-Geleen, Lanxess has become the world’s leading producer of EPDM rubber,’ said Werner Breuers of the Lanxess Board of Management. Günther Weymans, head of the Keltan Elastomers business unit, added: ‘The opening of the new headquarters of our still young division marks the beginning of a new era for us. The next chapter of our global success begins in Sittard-Geleen. The innovative environment that already exists at the Chemelot Campus offers us optimal conditions to continue to build on our global success. The new headquarters also underlines our clear belief in this site.’ ‘We are very proud that Lanxess has chosen the Chemelot Campus as the location for the new headquarters of its Keltan Elastomers business unit, and has been able to complete the project within only 12 months,’ said Bert Kip, Managing Director, Chemelot Campus. ‘Lanxess’ most recent investments here show that the Chemelot Campus offers the chemical industry ideal conditions for research and development, and the production of innovative products.’ The company says that it is investing E12 million in the Dutch site to convert 50% of its EPDM production capacity to Keltan advanced catalyst elastomers (ACE) technology. With ACE the amount of energy required for production processes can be significantly reduced compared with conventional technologies. The technology also makes it possible to manufacture new types of EPDM rubber. The material produced at Sittard-Geleen is used mainly in the automotive industry, construction sector, and in industrial and electronic parts. In vehicles, the synthetic rubber – which is characterised primarily by its resistance to heat, oxidation, chemicals and weathering, as well as its good insulation properties – is used for everything from seals in car bodies to parts, such as coolant hoses, in engines. In the construction sector, EPDM rubber is also used primarily as a sealing material – in profile seals for windows and doors, as a material to seal joints, for rubber sheets to cover flat roofs or in gaskets for roof structures made of plastic sheeting. It is also used in bathroom fixtures and other domestic applications, including the gaskets on washing machines. The company is currently investing ç235 million in the construction of a EPDM plant in Changzhou, China. This facility, which is scheduled to begin operating in 2015, will be capable of producing 160 000 metric tons of EPDM annually. The project will create up to 200 new jobs. 6
Sealing Technology
Since late 2011 Lanxess has been producing Keltan Eco – claimed to be the world’s first bio-based EPDM rubber – at its site in Triunfo, Brazil. It uses ethylene produced entirely from the renewable raw material sugar cane. Contact: Lanxess Ag, Kaiser-Wilhelm Allee 40, 51369 Leverkusen, Germany. Tel: +49 214 30 33333, Web: http://lanxess.com
AJI courses improve joint-integrity work done by engineers
I
n the UK, the Academy of Joint Integrity (AJI), part of the Flexitallic Group, has revealed survey results in which 100% of engineers responding agreed that the unique use of the Flexitallic Sustainable Training Unit (FSTU) in courses, both enhanced their training experience and helped to improve the joint-integrity work they carry out. The AJI makes use of two FSTUs – the only units in Europe – to enhance its joint-integrity courses through hands-on training. The FSTU enables the user to tighten a bolted joint and see the impact of tightening procedures, onscreen, by using load-monitoring software. Gary Milne, Group Technical Training Manager, said: ‘The AJI is the only training organisation to employ the FSTU. It is a fantastic tool for both the trainer and the candidate.’ ‘The trainer can easily convey the complex interactions of the flanges, bolts and gasket, whilst the candidate can clearly see the importance of following correct procedures. Our survey verifies that essential training is greatly enhanced for our engineers with the additional hands-on experience they gain with the FSTU.’ Sixty engineers from SABIC Europe recently attended AJI courses including the FSTU. Lee Allcock, Assistant Technical Engineer, SABIC Europe, commented: ‘During our recent training sessions, the FSTU rig was particularly effective at demonstrating the inconsistencies when using hand spanners. FSTU demonstrates the significant variance in load distribution and also shows how far an experienced technician can be from achieving the prescribed bolting stresses to ensure a leak free joint.’ ‘FSTU is an invaluable piece of equipment to effectively demonstrate the importance of a controlled tightening technique.’ The unit uses both an API ring type joint and an ASME B16.5 raised face flange. The two flange arrangements are fully interchange-
able and give the client direct experience of tightening the full range of gaskets, including solid metal, ring type joints, spiral wounds, Kammprofiles and soft gasket types. Key to the unit’s appeal, says the AJI, is the immediate feedback provided by the load-monitoring software. This automatically displays data on bolt stress, gasket compression and torque-pre-load relationships in real time, in an easily understandable layout. The software takes the calculation and guesswork out of interpreting results and the data-logging facility can be used to capture data from experimentation or record the results of each student’s performance. This is beneficial when the client requires evidence of competence. Using this unit, training instructors demonstrate the effects that different gaskets and assembly techniques can have on a gasketed joint assembly. Using hands-on training, students can easily see for themselves the importance of correct assembly techniques, adequate gasket compression, the effect of creep relaxation on gasket performance, and numerous factors affecting the torque-pre-load relationship, including lubricant selection, application, and standard wrench usage. Ad-hoc experiments can be devised and conducted to answer questions concerning specific plant applications. Direct comparisons between different gaskets, fastener lubricants, and other materials are also easily accomplished using the FSTU. Contact: The Academy of Joint Integrity, Hunsworth Lane, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire BD19 4EJ, UK. Tel: +44 1274 860795, Email: [email protected], Web: www.academyofjointintegrity.com
Nordson EFD celebrates its 50th anniversary
P
recision fluid-dispensing and fluidmanagement systems company Nordson EFD, says it is celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout 2013 by participating in numerous trade shows in North America and worldwide, through a global advertising and public relations campaign, and special customer incentive programmes. According to the firm, which is based in East Providence, Rhode Island, USA, thousands of manufacturers throughout the world use its dispensing equipment to apply controlled amounts of adhesives, lubricants and other fluids used to assemble a wide variety of products – ranging
June 2013
NEWS from small medical devices and mobile phones to commercial aircraft. ‘This year marks 50 years of commitment to developing innovative technologies that help our global customers build their own products better, faster and more cost-effectively,’ said Ken Forden, Vice President and General Manager, Nordson EFD. ‘The recent enhancements to our Pico dispensing systems are a good example of our focus on understanding and anticipating the fluid management needs of the companies and industries we serve. We have more than tripled their speed so they can operate continuously at up to 500 cycles per second – making them the fastest piezoelectric valves in the industry. This will help high-volume manufacturers, which continuously run their production lines, make more product in less time than ever before.’ EFD was founded in 1963 and after years of steady growth was acquired by the Nordson Corp. Contacts: Nordson EFD, 40 Catamore Boulevard, East Providence, RI 02914 USA. Tel: +1 401 431 7000, Fax: +1 401 431 7079, Email: [email protected], Web: www.nordsonefd.com Nordson Corp, 28601 Clemens Road, Westlake, OH 44145, USA. Tel: +1 440 892 1580, Fax: +1 440 892 9507, Web: www.nordson.com
Publications of Interest Report examines emerging applications for elastomers
A
ccording to a report produced by Smithers Rapra Publishing, entitled ‘Emerging Applications for Elastomers to 2017’, the global market for elastomers is forecast to grow by 18.5% to reach 33.3 million tonnes in 2017. This market, which consists primarily of natural rubber and various synthetic elastomers, was estimated to have a size of 28.1 million tonnes in 2012. This study covers the market for natural rubber and 12 separate classes of synthetic elastomers, and provides market forecasts and trends by end-use and geographic region. It also highlights emerging applications, global consumption rates and the continued battle to reduce costs. The company says that it provides information – crucial to decision-making – on:
June 2013
UÊ iiÀ}}Ê>««V>ÌÃÊvÀÊi>ÃÌiÀÃÊÛiÀÊÌ iÊ iÝÌÊvÛiÊÞi>ÀÃÆ UÊ ÌÀi`ÃÊLÞÊi`ÕÃiÊqÊVÛiÀ}ÊvÀÊiÝ>«i]Ê`ÕÃtrial products, and the building and construcÌ]Ê>`Êi`V>Ê>`Ê i>Ì V>ÀiÊÃiVÌÀÃÆÊ>` UÊ vii`ÃÌVÊ>Û>>LÌÞÊ>`Ê`Þ>VÃÊ>`ÊVÕÀrent production processes. The full table of contents and a list of figures are available on Smithers Rapra’s Web-site at the address given below. Contact: Smithers Rapra Publishing, Shawbury, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 4NR, UK. Tel: +44 1939 252313, Email: [email protected], Web: www.polymer-books.com, Web: http://info.smithersrapra.com/publishing
Recently Published Papers UÊ °Ê8]Ê°Êi}]Ê °Ê }]Ê °Ê9>}Ê>`Ê8°Ê*i}]Ê School of Energy and Power Engineering, 8½>Ê>Ì}Ê1ÛiÀÃÌÞ]Ê >\Ê Ý«iÀiÌ>Ê investigation of pressure distribution between the piston rings and its formation in reciprocating compressors, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, Volume 226 No. 11, November 2012, pages 2701–2712. The severe non-uniformity of pressure distribution has been suggested as the essential reason for the premature failure of piston rings in reciprocating compressors. In this study, a testrig was built to investigate the dynamic pressure distribution and its formation process, so that the root cause of the non-uniform pressure distribution could be revealed. The experimental results showed that the pressure distribution between the rings was always significantly non-uniform under various test conditions, and the first ring bore more than 75% of the total pressure difference. Further analysis of the experimental data indicated that when the suction pressure was not higher than that in the crankcase, the first piston ring switched its contact position with the piston-ring groove twice in one cycle – at angles of around 63° and 170° – respectively, while the others switched contact positions at about 90° and 270°. If the suction pressure was higher than the pressure in the crankcase, the first ring still switched its contact position twice in a cycle – at the crank angle of about 47° and 195°, respectively – but the other rings no longer changed their positions. The experimental results also demonstrated that the formation of pressure difference on different rings was not synchronous, which indicated that the rings could not work until their pressure difference reached a critical value.
IN BRIEF Trelleborg Sealing Solutions launches e-learning modules on sealing technology Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has launched a series of e-learning modules on sealing technology. Covering major sealing product areas, these modules aim to answer questions most commonly asked by design engineers when facing sealing challenges, says the firm. The information presented in the upcoming learning modules is not only targeted at design engineers at equipment manufacturers, but also will be helpful to technical purchasing, maintenance and repair staff. More information: Web: www.tss.trelleborg.com/global/en/ service/e_learning/e-learning.html Momentive starts up new resins plant in Thailand US-based Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc has announced that it has started up its new plant in Chonburi, Thailand, which significantly increases its capacity to produce acrylicbased resins and service customers in SouthEast Asia. The site, which is located on land purchased by the company in the Pinthong Industrial Estate Park, is capable of producing the latest generation of acrylic resins designed for use primarily in coatings, adhesives, and building and construction applications. SKF signs strategic partnership agreement with Nordex SKF has signed a global agreement with Nordex, a major developer and manufacturer of wind turbines, for the delivery of mainshaft bearings, and lubrication systems. ‘We are pleased to extend our partnership with Nordex with the signing of this global agreement – further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two companies,’ commented Henrik Lange, President, SKF Industrial Market, Strategic Industries. Parker’s multi-platform app makes it easy to identify part numbers Parker Hannifin Corp’s Tube Fitting Division recently launched a mobile, tablet and Webbased app that brings the hydraulic tube fitting and adapter identification process to users’ fingertips. Called ‘Parker FittingFinder’, it enables customers to quickly and easily identify and locate fittings by selecting the fitting’s shape, end-type, size and material. Using that information, it provides a specifications sheet containing product dimensions, which can be sent via email, and a link to the fitting’s CAD file on the Web. Parker FittingFinder is available for free on Android and Apple IOS devices from the App stores or from the Web-site below. More information: Web: www.parkerfittingfinder.com
Sealing Technology
7
Sealing Technology
Since late 2011 Lanxess has been producing Keltan Eco – claimed to be the world’s first bio-based EPDM rubber – at its site in Triunfo, Brazil. It uses ethylene produced entirely from the renewable raw material sugar cane. Contact: Lanxess Ag, Kaiser-Wilhelm Allee 40, 51369 Leverkusen, Germany. Tel: +49 214 30 33333, Web: http://lanxess.com
AJI courses improve joint-integrity work done by engineers
I
n the UK, the Academy of Joint Integrity (AJI), part of the Flexitallic Group, has revealed survey results in which 100% of engineers responding agreed that the unique use of the Flexitallic Sustainable Training Unit (FSTU) in courses, both enhanced their training experience and helped to improve the joint-integrity work they carry out. The AJI makes use of two FSTUs – the only units in Europe – to enhance its joint-integrity courses through hands-on training. The FSTU enables the user to tighten a bolted joint and see the impact of tightening procedures, onscreen, by using load-monitoring software. Gary Milne, Group Technical Training Manager, said: ‘The AJI is the only training organisation to employ the FSTU. It is a fantastic tool for both the trainer and the candidate.’ ‘The trainer can easily convey the complex interactions of the flanges, bolts and gasket, whilst the candidate can clearly see the importance of following correct procedures. Our survey verifies that essential training is greatly enhanced for our engineers with the additional hands-on experience they gain with the FSTU.’ Sixty engineers from SABIC Europe recently attended AJI courses including the FSTU. Lee Allcock, Assistant Technical Engineer, SABIC Europe, commented: ‘During our recent training sessions, the FSTU rig was particularly effective at demonstrating the inconsistencies when using hand spanners. FSTU demonstrates the significant variance in load distribution and also shows how far an experienced technician can be from achieving the prescribed bolting stresses to ensure a leak free joint.’ ‘FSTU is an invaluable piece of equipment to effectively demonstrate the importance of a controlled tightening technique.’ The unit uses both an API ring type joint and an ASME B16.5 raised face flange. The two flange arrangements are fully interchange-
able and give the client direct experience of tightening the full range of gaskets, including solid metal, ring type joints, spiral wounds, Kammprofiles and soft gasket types. Key to the unit’s appeal, says the AJI, is the immediate feedback provided by the load-monitoring software. This automatically displays data on bolt stress, gasket compression and torque-pre-load relationships in real time, in an easily understandable layout. The software takes the calculation and guesswork out of interpreting results and the data-logging facility can be used to capture data from experimentation or record the results of each student’s performance. This is beneficial when the client requires evidence of competence. Using this unit, training instructors demonstrate the effects that different gaskets and assembly techniques can have on a gasketed joint assembly. Using hands-on training, students can easily see for themselves the importance of correct assembly techniques, adequate gasket compression, the effect of creep relaxation on gasket performance, and numerous factors affecting the torque-pre-load relationship, including lubricant selection, application, and standard wrench usage. Ad-hoc experiments can be devised and conducted to answer questions concerning specific plant applications. Direct comparisons between different gaskets, fastener lubricants, and other materials are also easily accomplished using the FSTU. Contact: The Academy of Joint Integrity, Hunsworth Lane, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire BD19 4EJ, UK. Tel: +44 1274 860795, Email: [email protected], Web: www.academyofjointintegrity.com
Nordson EFD celebrates its 50th anniversary
P
recision fluid-dispensing and fluidmanagement systems company Nordson EFD, says it is celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout 2013 by participating in numerous trade shows in North America and worldwide, through a global advertising and public relations campaign, and special customer incentive programmes. According to the firm, which is based in East Providence, Rhode Island, USA, thousands of manufacturers throughout the world use its dispensing equipment to apply controlled amounts of adhesives, lubricants and other fluids used to assemble a wide variety of products – ranging
June 2013
NEWS from small medical devices and mobile phones to commercial aircraft. ‘This year marks 50 years of commitment to developing innovative technologies that help our global customers build their own products better, faster and more cost-effectively,’ said Ken Forden, Vice President and General Manager, Nordson EFD. ‘The recent enhancements to our Pico dispensing systems are a good example of our focus on understanding and anticipating the fluid management needs of the companies and industries we serve. We have more than tripled their speed so they can operate continuously at up to 500 cycles per second – making them the fastest piezoelectric valves in the industry. This will help high-volume manufacturers, which continuously run their production lines, make more product in less time than ever before.’ EFD was founded in 1963 and after years of steady growth was acquired by the Nordson Corp. Contacts: Nordson EFD, 40 Catamore Boulevard, East Providence, RI 02914 USA. Tel: +1 401 431 7000, Fax: +1 401 431 7079, Email: [email protected], Web: www.nordsonefd.com Nordson Corp, 28601 Clemens Road, Westlake, OH 44145, USA. Tel: +1 440 892 1580, Fax: +1 440 892 9507, Web: www.nordson.com
Publications of Interest Report examines emerging applications for elastomers
A
ccording to a report produced by Smithers Rapra Publishing, entitled ‘Emerging Applications for Elastomers to 2017’, the global market for elastomers is forecast to grow by 18.5% to reach 33.3 million tonnes in 2017. This market, which consists primarily of natural rubber and various synthetic elastomers, was estimated to have a size of 28.1 million tonnes in 2012. This study covers the market for natural rubber and 12 separate classes of synthetic elastomers, and provides market forecasts and trends by end-use and geographic region. It also highlights emerging applications, global consumption rates and the continued battle to reduce costs. The company says that it provides information – crucial to decision-making – on:
June 2013
UÊ iiÀ}}Ê>««V>ÌÃÊvÀÊi>ÃÌiÀÃÊÛiÀÊÌ iÊ iÝÌÊvÛiÊÞi>ÀÃÆ UÊ ÌÀi`ÃÊLÞÊi`ÕÃiÊqÊVÛiÀ}ÊvÀÊiÝ>«i]Ê`ÕÃtrial products, and the building and construcÌ]Ê>`Êi`V>Ê>`Ê i>Ì V>ÀiÊÃiVÌÀÃÆÊ>` UÊ vii`ÃÌVÊ>Û>>LÌÞÊ>`Ê`Þ>VÃÊ>`ÊVÕÀrent production processes. The full table of contents and a list of figures are available on Smithers Rapra’s Web-site at the address given below. Contact: Smithers Rapra Publishing, Shawbury, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 4NR, UK. Tel: +44 1939 252313, Email: [email protected], Web: www.polymer-books.com, Web: http://info.smithersrapra.com/publishing
Recently Published Papers UÊ °Ê8]Ê°Êi}]Ê °Ê }]Ê °Ê9>}Ê>`Ê8°Ê*i}]Ê School of Energy and Power Engineering, 8½>Ê>Ì}Ê1ÛiÀÃÌÞ]Ê >\Ê Ý«iÀiÌ>Ê investigation of pressure distribution between the piston rings and its formation in reciprocating compressors, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, Volume 226 No. 11, November 2012, pages 2701–2712. The severe non-uniformity of pressure distribution has been suggested as the essential reason for the premature failure of piston rings in reciprocating compressors. In this study, a testrig was built to investigate the dynamic pressure distribution and its formation process, so that the root cause of the non-uniform pressure distribution could be revealed. The experimental results showed that the pressure distribution between the rings was always significantly non-uniform under various test conditions, and the first ring bore more than 75% of the total pressure difference. Further analysis of the experimental data indicated that when the suction pressure was not higher than that in the crankcase, the first piston ring switched its contact position with the piston-ring groove twice in one cycle – at angles of around 63° and 170° – respectively, while the others switched contact positions at about 90° and 270°. If the suction pressure was higher than the pressure in the crankcase, the first ring still switched its contact position twice in a cycle – at the crank angle of about 47° and 195°, respectively – but the other rings no longer changed their positions. The experimental results also demonstrated that the formation of pressure difference on different rings was not synchronous, which indicated that the rings could not work until their pressure difference reached a critical value.
IN BRIEF Trelleborg Sealing Solutions launches e-learning modules on sealing technology Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has launched a series of e-learning modules on sealing technology. Covering major sealing product areas, these modules aim to answer questions most commonly asked by design engineers when facing sealing challenges, says the firm. The information presented in the upcoming learning modules is not only targeted at design engineers at equipment manufacturers, but also will be helpful to technical purchasing, maintenance and repair staff. More information: Web: www.tss.trelleborg.com/global/en/ service/e_learning/e-learning.html Momentive starts up new resins plant in Thailand US-based Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc has announced that it has started up its new plant in Chonburi, Thailand, which significantly increases its capacity to produce acrylicbased resins and service customers in SouthEast Asia. The site, which is located on land purchased by the company in the Pinthong Industrial Estate Park, is capable of producing the latest generation of acrylic resins designed for use primarily in coatings, adhesives, and building and construction applications. SKF signs strategic partnership agreement with Nordex SKF has signed a global agreement with Nordex, a major developer and manufacturer of wind turbines, for the delivery of mainshaft bearings, and lubrication systems. ‘We are pleased to extend our partnership with Nordex with the signing of this global agreement – further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two companies,’ commented Henrik Lange, President, SKF Industrial Market, Strategic Industries. Parker’s multi-platform app makes it easy to identify part numbers Parker Hannifin Corp’s Tube Fitting Division recently launched a mobile, tablet and Webbased app that brings the hydraulic tube fitting and adapter identification process to users’ fingertips. Called ‘Parker FittingFinder’, it enables customers to quickly and easily identify and locate fittings by selecting the fitting’s shape, end-type, size and material. Using that information, it provides a specifications sheet containing product dimensions, which can be sent via email, and a link to the fitting’s CAD file on the Web. Parker FittingFinder is available for free on Android and Apple IOS devices from the App stores or from the Web-site below. More information: Web: www.parkerfittingfinder.com
Sealing Technology
7