PRODUCTS & PRACTICES
Mitsubishi Electric launches HMI for extreme environments
As outdoor applications of automation increase in popularity, HMIs are expected to
operate in much harsher environments. To address these needs, Mitsubishi Electric
has added a new ruggedised variant to its HMI product range. The GOT2507T-WTSD
is a 7” HMI with an extended operating temperature range of -20°C to +65°C.
Focus crane from Mammoet
set to become a reality
Mammoet has announced
that it will move forward
with the development of the
Focus, a 30,000tm crane that
can be erected vertically in a
very small area.
After the announcement
of the concept in 2018,
Mammoet has made
adjustments to the initial
design, which is said to
have further improved its
performance.
In the improved design,
the crane’s upper structure
is placed on a pedestal,
enhancing the crane’s
stability and lowering ground
bearing pressures to less
than 10 tons per square
metre. The crane requires a
minimum amount of space
for assembly and operation:
a 22x22 metre area.
Another improvement
is in the assembly of
the crane. The Focus
utilises a climbing frame
to build itself vertically,
as opposed to the
initial principle of an
extension ladder. All in
all, the assembly process
is claimed to be less
complex, safer and more
efficient, and significantly
reduces the costly
downtime of assembling
a crane.
The new design will
also include a variable
superlift system, with
a radius that can be
adjusted under load from
16 to 30 metres.
It is expected to be
available in the second
quarter of 2020.
Zero emission genset from ULEMCo
Liverpool-based ULEMCo
has announced plans to
launch a zero emission 50
kW (KVA) generator later
this year – targeted for use
in urban areas, where the
impact of harmful emissions
from non-road mobile
machinery is increasingly
being monitored.
The company says that,
when running over an
eight-hour construction
shift, the 50 kW genset
will use around 15-20kg of
hydrogen, depending on
the average load. It will emit
zero emissions from an air
quality perspective, without
any aftertreatment and,
depending on the source
of hydrogen, will save up to
640g/kWh CO2 against a
diesel-powered comparator.
When tested under the Type
D2 ISO 8178 generator
set engine standard, it
demonstrates thermal
e ciency from the engine
of up to 45%, the company
adds.
Says ULEMCo MD
Amanda Lyne: “This latest
product represents a further
opportunity for hydrogen
fuel to make a real di erence
in reducing harmful
emissions, and to support
initiatives such as the new
London ULEZ to improve air
quality.”
ULEMCo plans to have
a production ready genset
available in autumn 2019.
BEARING STOCKPILING
Miniature bearing supplier
SMB Bearings has increased
its capacity from 1.5 million
bearings to 2.6 million at its
Oxfordshire warehouse. The
increase in capacity has been
carefully planned to alleviate
the pressures associated with
European customers stockpiling
bearings ahead of predicted
Brexit shortages. Requiring
changes to the facility’s
warehouse shelving structure,
this increase has not happened
overnight, but rather is the
result of months of preparation
and planning for market
volatility.
NEW AC MICRO-DRIVES
A new series of AC micro-drives
developed for the widest range
of industrial applications that
combine valuable functions
and features to provide
important benefits through the
whole life-cycle of a machine
or installation, have been
introduced by motion control
specialists Yaskawa. GA500
Variable Speed Drives are
said to set new standards in
performance, helping users to
simplify complex technologies
by combining reliability, easeof
use, power and adaptability.
COMPAIR COMPRESSORS
Gardner Denver has unveiled
its newest oil-lubricated
compressors for its CompAir
L-Series range. Available in 90
kW, 110 kW and 132 kW units,
the compressors are claimed to
deliver efficiency improvements
of up to 6%, when compared
with previous models, plus a
7% higher flow rate. They are
available in both fixed and
regulated speeds, as well as
air-cooled and water-cooled
options.
32 www.operationsengineer.org.uk June 2019
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