MechChem Africa May-June 2021

⎪ Products and industry news ⎪

KSB introduces remote pump acceptance testing

ings taken and displayed during testing. “In addition to pressure and flow data, the test software recordsall furtherperformancedata bearing temperature and vibration is avail- able. Thesearealsodisplayed live inparallel to thedescriptionof the acceptance testing pro- cedure prior to the test. This includes details on themeasuring instruments used, including the corresponding calibration certificates. After the acceptance test, KSB displays the results for comment and then e-mails the certificates within minutes,” says Friedrich. Online acceptance testing is available at KSB Pumps and Valves South Africa’s test centre inGermiston, which canaccommodate pump setswith a drive rating of up to550 kW, flow rates of up to 3 000 m³/h and discharge pressures of up to60bar. String testswith the customer’s original motors, transformers and frequency inverters can also be performed. www.ksb.com/ksb-za

has alsoallowedbusiness to continue as usual during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. According toKSBPumps andValves tech- nicalmanager, FriedrichGörgens, acceptance tests and final inspection are an essential proof of compliancewhen purchasing pumps and equipment to ensure the guaranteed val- ues aremet. In thepast, customers alwayshad to travel to the test facility to witness their purchased pump being tested. “Onlineacceptance testing

Local pump manufacturer, KSB Pumps and Valves has launched an innovative online acceptance test procedure that no longer requires customers or their engineering teams tobe presentwhen acceptance testing takes place. The service was initially implemented to curb expenses that are usually incurred through travel and accommodation to test centres. The remotepumpacceptance testing

is KSB’s answer to improve the ease and convenience of acceptance testing. Tests are transmitted live from the test centrevia the Internet andare encrypted to be accessible only to required users. This allows the customer to see a live camera view of the pump in the test facility as well as the characteristic curve being generated live from read-

KSB Pumps and Valves recently introduced remote acceptance testing for live testing of pumps and hydraulics via the internet.

Scan this QR code to see an online test in operation.

Say goodbye to gas maintenance headaches

the pump. It can also alert the instrument operator to theneed to replace a gasmonitor, before it fails – and it can be replaced auto- matically. An iNet Exchange box is delivered with a new unit, allowing plant operators to spend more time managing their safety pro- grammeand less timerepairinggasdetectors. The service is also very easy to access. Simply contact COMTEST and an iNet Exchange expert will be in touch to answer any questions you may have. www.comtest.co.za

SKF has launched a new Blue Range of food line ball bearing units, with an extended hygienic-design. Since 2012, the global food and beverage industry has seen a significant increase in product recalls – a 92.7%spike in FDA recalls and an 83.4% uptick in products recalled by the USDA. According to SKF South Africa’s F&B IndustryManager, ZachryViljoen, bacte- rial contamination and undeclared allergens together represent 75%of the top reasons for FDA product recalls. Proactive food safety has, therefore, become the foremost concern for food and beverage executives. Victoria van Camp, CTO&President for Innovation andBusiness Development at SKF says: “Traditional re- lubrication, wash-downs and dry cleaning of bearings can create hidden means by which Anyone who purchases a gas detector is responsible for ensuring that the instrument works properly and will alert workers to potential hazards. But it can be difficult to know when there is an issue, what the issue is, how long it could take to fix it and how much it will cost. The good news is there is now an option to reduce or eliminate these maintenance headaches. COMTEST, a leading local distributor of test and measurement instrumentation to industry, represents Industrial Scientific, the

contaminants thrive, such as airborne drop- lets, wastewater or contaminated grease. Eliminating these food-safetythreats requires a different approach to hygienic design, and that’swhat the Food Line ball bearings –Blue Range are designed to deliver.” SKF has specifically developed its Food Line ball bearing units to improve hygiene, performance, and compliance with food safety regulations. Thanks to an innovative sealing system, high performing bearing grease, and complete sealability of the units where needed, SKF Food Line ball bearings deliver outstanding performance benefits. “This enables OEMs to innovate the per- formance and hygienic design of their food processing equipment using bearing units that last longer, are re-lubrication-free and highly cleanable,” says Zachry. “As a result, global gas solutions provider and developer of iNet® Exchange, which allows customers to say goodbye togasmaintenance, warranty claims, unexpected costs, anddowntime, and say hello to an always-ready fleet. iNet Exchange uses a DSXi Docking Station to predict when an instrument will need maintenance, repair, bump tests, cali- brations and record keeping. Every time the monitors are docked, Industrial Scientific reviews the performance of the monitor, sensors, circuit board, microprocessors and

New standard set for food line bearings

food andbeverage processing companies can reduce unnecessary risks to food safety. The hygienic design of the bearing units reduces the risk of bacteria build-up in hard-to-clean areas and minimises the spread of bacteria during cleaning,” he says. www.skf.com

SKF’s ground breaking Food Line bearing units incorporate an innovative sealing system and a high performing bearing grease for complete sealability.

34 ¦ MechChem Africa • May-June 2021