This company’s polyethersulfone membrane (PESU) is now integrated into two new, sterile Sartocon benchtop and production-scale single-use filtration assemblies (photo). Using these assemblies guarantees rapid and safe ultrafiltration of biologics and vaccines. Due to the fully enclosed design, the Sartocon assemblies are ideal for safely purifying vaccines and recombinant proteins, as well as monoclonal antibody manufacturing. This makes them suitable for use in cGMP environments for process development, clinical trials and small-scale production batches. The assemblies are supplied gamma-sterilized and ready to use. The integrated PESU membrane is pre-wetted and flushed, which saves hours in set-up and validation time, as well as eliminates the costs of using buffers and purified water to prepare the membrane. — Sartorius Stedim Biotech, Göttingen, Germany
This company’s Parts Fingerprint service captures equipment configurations, audits parts stores, and develops recommendations and replacement strategies to reduce production risk and find cost efficiencies. The service can help users reduce the risk of production loss due to non-available parts, and to cut costs by identifying and addressing potential weaknesses in the parts supply chain. Industry trends such as lean manufacturing, compressed product lifecycles and the prevalence of third-party parts suppliers have driven companies to find new ways to maintain required part inventories to sustain production demands. According to the company, customers may underestimate their critical spare parts needs by as much as 60%, and many users have no visibility into escalating production risks due to parts inventory deficits. Parts Fingerprint aims to address these issues. — ABB, Zurich, Switzerland
The Model 1100 sanitary vent (photo) is a stainless-steel sanitary vent designed to operate at multiple setpoints as a breather valve to avoid vacuum or overpressurization inside a tank or piping system. This unit comes with a true sanitary blanketing connection and is designed so that it can be used with this company’s VCI Model 1088 sanitary blanketing valve. Available in 2-, 3-, 4- and 6-in. sizes, the Model 1100 is offered 316 or 304 stainless steel. The weather screen, which prevents debris from entering the tank, is also constructed of stainless steel. Pressure setpoints can range from 0.43 to 3.42 psi, while the vacuum setpoint range is 0.069 to 0.385 psi, depending on the size of the unit. — Cashco, Inc., Ellsworth, Kan.
The recently enhanced CycleFlo pneumatic pump controller (photo) is designed to control pump speed and run time to deliver precise batching, metering and dosing of fluids at low and high pressures and flowrates. Featuring 32 batch presets and an intuitive programming interface, the CycleFlo controller ensures specific and repeatable fluid batches. Significant enhancements have been made to the controller in the area of power availability; previously, the company offered two CycleFlo units, each operating on a different input power. The new CycleFlo controller has the functionality of two units in one, operating on 100 to 240 V a.c. input power. The microprocessor-based unit can control pumps locally or in a remote location. When operating remotely, timers and pH controllers send signals to the CycleFlo controller to start and stop the pumping cycle once a preset volume of product has been dispensed — Graco Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.
Premier 10.7 is the latest release of this company’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. This most recent release gives special focus to research and development (R&D) functionality and usability. The R&D functionality enables users to easily develop and experiment in a “sandbox” environment without interfering with live production. Users can leverage existing cost history while quickly adding new items for R&D purposes only, while also supporting simplified conversion of R&D items into the live production environment. A cost update routine allows R&D to maintain accurate item costs based on current costs from the live production environment, and new and future item costs can be updated for quoting purposes. — Process Pro, St. Cloud, Minn.
This company has adopted advanced thermal-energy harvesting as a power source for its wireless products. Power Puck thermoelectric energy harvesters (photo) convert ambient heat commonly released in industrial processes into electricity for powering Rosemount wireless transmitters. Perpetua’s Power Puck energy-harvesting solution is especially advantageous to wireless devices in power-intensive applications, where a conventional power module may require replacements more frequently. The Power Puck thermoelectric energy harvester provides continuous, reliable power for the life of the transmitter and includes an intrinsically safe power module for backup power. — Emerson Process Management, Shakopee, Minn.
Heat Shield EPX-H2O (photo) is a two-part water-based reactive prepolymer that provides thermal insulation and corrosion prevention for a wide variety of industrial applications. Designed to withstand harsh conditions and provide a spray-on application with no cladding or covering needed, the coating has the ability to reduce hot surface temperatures to a safe touch range in a thin layer. It also has excellent splash resistance to chemicals, and is resistant to a number of harsh chemicals, including 98% sulfuric acid, ammonia, bleach, bases and fuels. Furthermore, Heat Shield EPX-H2O is also hydrophobic and resistance to mold growth. The patented product can be used on surfaces up to 400°F. — Synavax, Denver, Colo.
A number of enhancements have been made to the Lancom 4 Portable Gas Analyzer (photo) to improve usability. Now available as a free download, Lancom 4’s data-acquisition software, Insight, allows users to interface their analyzer with a PC for remote control and data logging. Insight offers graphing and analysis tools for data visualization and reporting purposes, providing easier access to data. Communications between Insight and the user’s PC require a USB-RS232 interface converter, which is now supplied with every Lancom 4 for quick and easy setup. In addition, Lancom 4 now includes Wake and Sleep functions, allowing measurements and data logs to be recorded over an extended period. The Lancom 4 fluegas analyzer can be used for checking or testing a boiler system or pollutant process, and can monitor up to 9 different gases, 17 measurement parameters, and has the ability to data log up to 250,000 records. — Ametek Land, Dronfield, U.K.
This company’s centrifugal magnetic-drive pump range is now being supplemented with two new sizes — CTM40 and CTM50 (photo, p. 37). The new pumps offer a wide spectrum of application with heads going up to 21 m and flowrates up to 29 m 3 /h. All CTM pumps are available with BSP thread, flange or hose connections. The pumps can be used for chemically corrosive and toxic liquids, as well as for clean and thin liquids, such as pure chemicals, acids and alkalis, because the wetted components are non-metallic, injection-molded thermoplastics that offer excellent corrosion resistance. — Tapflo AB, Kungälv, Sweden
Duraflow is a lightweight and ergonomically designed Powered Air Respirator (photo) with realtime airflow control technology. The new solution gives complete wearer assurance of respiratory protection to focus on the job rather than the protective equipment itself, in a multitude of hazardous situations and industries. Duraflow’s automatic-monitoring features ensure the airflow rate is maintained at precisely the correct level to afford protection for the user. Visual and audible diagnostics alert the user of any drop in airflow below the required level or when the battery needs re-charging. Duraflow is compatible with the company’s headtops, filters and accessories. — Scott Safety, Skelmersdale, Lancashire, U.K.
This fully integrated technology platform (photo) combines an expression system with equipment and process control for the rapid development and scaleup of robust, high-titer commercial manufacturing processes. By leveraging this upstream technology platform, biopharmaceutical manufacturers will be able to reach the clinic in 14 months, says the company. The system accelerates clone selection and scales up readily to Biostat STR single-use bioreactors, which biomanufacturers have successfully implemented at pilot and GMP production scales. — Sartorius Stedim Biotech, Göttingen, Germany
The Orb Pilot (photo) is a user-friendly, floor-standing scaleup jacketed reactor that is designed to provide flexible and cost-effective pilot-scale batch chemistry. Available in a choice of single and vacuum-jacketed vessels in sizes ranging from 10 to 50 L on a single system with a number of optional accessories and stirring options, the system can be customized to meet exact requirements. Engineered to withstand temperatures from –40 to 235°C, the reactor system features a rapid oil-drain mechanism that offers fast vessel changes, while a spring-loaded base avoids the need for frame adjustments to accommodate different vessels or thermal expansion. — Syrris, Royston, U.K.
As is the case for all MiniMesh S metal filter cloths, the pore size of MiniMesh RPD HiFlo-S metal filter cloth can be calculated precisely in advance and adapted to the respective requirements. These precision pores can achieve extremely high cut-points and dimensional stability, says the manufacturer. Previous filter cloths with small pore sizes lead to reduced flowrates and significant pressure loss in the production process. Due to the new three-dimensional cloth structure, the open surface over an area is significantly increased. For a given pore size, the flowrate is more than doubled compared to conventional woven-metal filter media, says the company. In addition, the flow conditions are optimized and turbulence around the filter cloth is effectively avoided. — Haver & Boecker OHG, Drahtweberei und Maschinenfabrik, Oelde, Germany
The Vacuum Dispersion and Mixing System manufactured by VMA-Getzmann GmbH is now available from this company. This range of Dispermat CHS Vacuum Systems is ideal for small batches and sample production where vacuum is required. The Dispermat CHS vacuum system offers users exceptional versatility because it is designed to accept single-wall pails, buckets, non-standard and even users’ own containers. This means that materials can be processed without the need for dedicated vacuum containers, significantly reducing the time associated with handling and cleaning. The Dispermat CHS30 (photo) accepts 30-L containers, but is also available for container volumes up to 60 L. An explosion-proof ATEX-certified version is also available. — Fullbrook Systems Ltd., Hemel Hempstead, U.K.
Symphonite is a comprehensive portfolio of supply-chain and production-management software services designed to boost reliability, responsiveness, agility and efficiency for a range of manufacturing industries. Symphonite is broadly grouped into two areas: Supply Chain solutions and Production Management solutions. New software releases available with the Symphonite portfolio include the following: Refinery and Petrochemical Modeling System (RPMS R510), which enables users to optimize profitability and reduce planning cycle times; Capacity and Distribution Planner (CDP R230), which improves production and inventory forecasting; and Production Accounting and Reconciliation (PAR2000), which introduces an integrated graphical workflow with an enhanced statistical solver. — Honeywell Process Solutions, Houston
DuroShell (photo) is a specially engineered plate-and-shell heat exchanger with unique design capabilities. Already used in the offshore oil-and-gas industry, it is now being introduced for demanding marine duties such as LPG/E (liquefied propane gas and ethane) cargo reliquefaction. An innovative construction and a patented roller-coaster plate pattern make DuroShell significantly more robust, allowing it to condense cargo with a higher ethane content. DuroShell withstands pressures up to 35 bars when titanium plates are used, along with temperatures as low as –198°C. — Alfa Laval AB, Lund, Sweden
This company’s line of strainer gaskets remove particulate matter and debris from process fluids. They are suitable for standard flanged connections and can be inserted upstream from sensitive and costly processing equipment. The gaskets may be deployed as a single filter or as a graduated system of several strainers that consume less space and at a lower cost than other methods, such as filtration cartridges. The strainer gaskets are offered in a variety of gasket materials and thicknesses. Stainless-steel plain mesh weave is standard, in 20, 40, 50, 60 or 100 mesh, or dual layers are also available. Other configurable options include the following: non-standard sizes including rectangular designs; optional tab for gasket installation and location identification; and inner diameters ranging from 1.2 to 30 in. — Garlock, Palmyra, N.Y.
The EPL-TL-1X10W-C-PA LED signal light (photo) is equipped with an audible horn and approved for use in hazardous environments where explosive and flammable gases, vapors and dusts exist or have the potential to exist. This explosion-proof signal stack light is designed for processing-status indications in manufacturing facilities. The signal light is equipped with a single 10-W LED lamp that produces an optional color output of red, blue, green, amber, purple or white. — Larson Electronics, Kemp, Tex.
This company’s line of fork sensors now includes IP69K-rated self-contained through-beam sensors (photo) that incorporate a 316L stainless-steel housing that is able to withstand exposure to aggressive cleaning solutions, coolants and lubricants. The protection provided by the housing makes these sensors suitable for the food and beverage, packaging, metalworking and pharmaceutical industries. These sensors are available in 50- and 80-mm widths, and feature normally open and normally closed outputs that allow for easy integration into control schemes. The sensors are equipped with power infrared light sources, as well as LEDs for power and switching indication in the connector. — Balluff Inc., Florence Ky.
The AquaPrime cloth-media filtration system (photo) utilizes a disk configuration and the OptiFiber cloth filtration media to effectively filter screened, de-gritted, raw sewage. The proven technology easily handles significantly higher solids loading rates compared to secondary clarified effluent (by a factor of 3 to 5) with the added ability to sustain a low total-suspended-solids concentration, says the manufacturer. Furthermore, the AquaPrime system operates in less than 10% of the footprint of conventional primary settling basins and offers the added advantage of improving gas production (energy harvesting) in the anaerobic digestion system due to significant reduction in organic materials. The cloth-media filtration system produces consistent effluent under variable influent conditions that are typical in both primary-treatment and wet-weather applications. — Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc., Loves Park, Ill.
The new iFD-Stator 2.0 (photo) features a two-part, reusable stator housing and replaceable stator, and is compatible with all NEMO NM Series progressing cavity pumps. According to the manufacturer, the iFD Stator 2.0 delivers reduced pulsation and improved fluid flow compared to conventional stator design, as well as a considerable increase in efficiency due to reduced starting and running torque. There is no limitation of speed or pressure when measured against the standard stator, and the axial mobility of the elastomer leads to a prolonged service lifetime. Replacement of the stator costs less than with traditional stator designs and is more environmentally friendly because the housing can be reused. — Netzsch Pumps North America, LLC, Exton, Pa.
Two new models of level transmitter — Type 2290 and 2291 (photo) — have been designed for use in challenging tank applications where other contacting or non-contacting measuring principles face limitations. Type 2290 is a compact non-contact radar level transmitter that is available in a variety of materials to resist very corrosive environments. With its tank mapping function, it is easy to block out objects like internal pipes, welding seams, stirrers or heating elements. Type 2291 is a guided-radar level transmitter that provides measurement even in very turbulent process vessels. The radar signal is sent down the probe assembly, eliminating the interferences caused by low dielectric liquids, heavy fuming, slightly conductive foams or internal tank obstructions. Both transmitters are suited for applications in harsh environments, and communication can be either via HART or analog. — GF Piping Systems Ltd., Schaffhausen, Switzerland
In August, this company launched Version 6.1 of its Simatic IT eBR software (photo, p. 37), which is at the heart of its Manufacturing Operation Management for the life science industries. The new Version enables users to easily implement paperless manufacturing solutions by offering two main features: A new web-based MBR (Master Batch Record) module, which facilitates the management of key process parameters, and native integration with the company’s automation layer, Simatic PCS 7 process control system and human-machine-interface (HMI) systems. The new version reduces the work involved in engineering and operation, helps users to enforce standardization and makes for a more transparent production process, thereby shortening the time to market, says the company. — Siemens AG, Munich, Germany