Mechanical Technology February 2015

⎪ Products and services ⎪

Force monitoring for manual presses

means that external counters are un- necessary. Simple control tasks can be optionally implemented using a special sequential control function. This can be used for additional tasks such as pneumatic clamping and release of work pieces, blowing out pressed parts, blocking and return stroke of the press or control of OK/not-OK sorting diverters. The option of saving measurement curves on a USB flash drive provides the user with an extremely cost-effective method of storing curves at the machine as well as archiving for later evaluation on an office computer. The parameterisation and evaluation software uses FMControl, which is included in the system, and can be used to read out the measured values stored in the ForceMaster 9110 and to display and configure the active evalua- tion elements. www.asstech.co.za checked before being operated in a mine environment,” says Anton Lourens, managing director of Booyco Electronics. The electronic checklist system com- prises a high resolution human machine interface (HMI) touch screen with an IP 65 rating. It is completely programmable to the requirements of each vehicle type, mine or shaft’s code of practice (COP), and features multiple inputs and outputs. The unit can also be utilised on explosive boxes for stock control, diesel pumps to control who filled which vehicle with what quantity of diesel, as well as key control and lock out applications for criti- cal areas or projects. The introduction of images in con- junction with each ‘check’ item renders it operator friendly. Each ‘check’ is con- firmed with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and the checklist is randomised to ensure that the operator completes it in its entirety. All data is recorded on each individual unit and can be downloaded by either wireless or by plugging an Ethernet cable directly into the unit. www.booyco-electronics.co.za

German instrumentation specialist Burster, has introduced the new eco- nomically priced ForceMaster 9110 that can monitor both complex and simple pressing operations for manual presses in manufacturing and assembly processes. The device monitors force/time or force/displacement/time and is particu- larly suited for application in the chemi- cal, pharmaceutical and food industries; production, manufacturing and assembly processes; and medical engineering. Smart auto-configuration, combined with automatic sensor recognition, means that even trainees can learn to use the ForceMaster 9110 within a few minutes. ‘Card & Go’, the SmartCard management

Booyco Electronics has unveiled its new electronic checklist system, a comple- mentary product to its biometric control system. “This particular combination of products will ensure that only licensed users with a valid red ticket can operate any specific vehicle or range of vehicles, while also confirming the vehicle is The integrated visual and acoustic signals of the devices indicate whether the produced parts are OK or not-OK. The adjustable tone and volume control allows differentiation between several ForceMaster machines in the produc- tion facilities and also provides support, which is essential during monotonous manufacturing processes. Additionally, integrated stroke and unit counters system, provides tamper-proof operation with access rights for handling bad parts as well as administration of all sorts of different press tools using tool data. In case of recurrent parameters for tested items, this data can be quickly and reli- ably loaded into the system. Setup and configuration is reduced to a minimum, therefore preventing possible errors when connecting the sensors. reliable ultrasonic gas leak detection with unprecedented suppression of false alarms. With the incorporation of ANN technol- ogy, the breakthrough Gassonic Observer-i detector makes it possible to fully analyse the sound spectrum above 12 kHz. The ANN algorithm has been ‘trained’ to automati- cally distinguish between unwanted acoustic background noise and dangerous gas leaks. MSA Africa fixed gas and flame detection product manager Robbie Taitz explains that this advanced ANN technology provides a broader leak detection range, which also in- creases sensitivity to smaller gas leaks with- out interference from unwanted background noise. “It enables the Gassonic Observer-i ultrasonic to be installed without time con- suming training sequences, and provides industry-leading detection distance, with unprecedented suppression of false alarms.” Designed to support large plant distrib- uted control systems, the detector features HART and Modbus communication compat- ibility, along with a 4-20 mA output, provid- ing complete status and control capability. It features ATEX, IECEx, FM, and CSA approv- als and is SIL 3 suitable. www.msanet.com

Electronic checklist system for mine operators

The Burster ForceMaster 9110 can monitor complex and simple pressing operations for manual presses.

Intelligent ultrasonic gas leak detector MSA has announced the introduction of the new Gassonic Observer-i ultrasonic gas leak detector with artificial neural network (ANN) intelligence and real-time broadband acoustic sound processing technology, set- ting a new global industry standard in highly

The Gassonic Observer-i ultrasonic gas leak detector with artificial neural network (ANN) intelligence sets new standards for ultrasonic gas leak detection.

The new electronic checklist system from Booyco Electronics complements its biomet- ric control system.

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Mechanical Technology — February 2015