Using this facility, Tooling Intelligence will often be able to identify and rectify a fault before the customer is aware that a problem exists.

The versatility and flexibility of SupplyPro's offer provides benefits for all types of users. The company's SmartDrawer dispensers can be configured to accommodate a wide variety of products from different manufacturers, along with items such as inspection equipment, power or hand tools, welding consumables, maintenance spares or safety equipment. The system also allows users to specify the most appropriate security levels for their needs.

Tooling Intelligence Ltd in profile
Based in Coventry, Tooling Intelligence is an independent UK company specialising in improving the return on investment achieved by companies through their spend on non-production materials such as cutting tools, safety equipment and general MRO (maintenance, repair and operations) procurement. The company is also the UK and Ireland channel manager for industry-leading SupplyPro engineering point-of-use dispensing solutions.

Owned and run by engineers and business improvement experts, Tooling Intelligence offers a comprehensive one-stop shop of services ranging from consultancy and equipment specification, through to system configuration, installation, training and ongoing customer support.

Lista UK Ltd in profile
Headquartered in Erlen, Switzerland, Lista is a leading supplier of workshop equipment and storage systems - with products  ranging from single cabinets to fully integrated workshop solutions.

The group employs more than 800 staff and has production operations in Switzerland, Germany and the USA. It is also represented in over 40 countries around the globe and is certified to ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004 standards.

Lista products are characterised by high quality, durability, long service life and the ability to be easily tailored to individual application requirements. They incorporate modular design principles and have been supplied more than 100,000 companies worldwide, including blue chip organisations such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Goodrich, BAE Systems and Virgin F1.

For further  information, view website: www.toolingintelligence.co.uk

Miniature pressure transmitter simplifies construction
of high performance test and assembly automation

Festo has launched a compact pressure transmitter module providing a very flexible solution for closed-loop control and monitoring of pneumatically-operated automation components. Capable of sensing both pressure and vacuum, the new SPTE pressure transmitter is a highly versatile and easy-to-use feedback device. Typical applications include vacuum detection in pick-and-place machines, such as those used in semiconductor chip testing, and surface-mount component placement machines for PCB assembly.

Designed primarily for cost-sensitive high volume applications, SPTE is the smallest pressure transmitter in Festo's product range. It has a grid size of just 10 mm, facilitating extremely tight packing densities in crowded control racks, and a very low weight which makes it ideal for integrating directly with moving machine parts. The transmitter's extremely small physical dimensions also mean that it has minimal internal volume, enabling it to react quickly to changes in pressure and provide a fast response output signal.

The SPTE uses a piezo-resistive pressure cell capable of measuring vacuum over the range 0 to -1 bar and pressure over the range 0 to 10 bar. The pressure transmitter is available with a choice of 0 to 10 V or 1 to 5 V analogue output, enabling users to employ the control scheme of their choice without need for conversion circuits - the signal can be fed direct to a PLC or other form of control system, helping to minimise installation costs.

A unique benefit of Festo's SPTE pressure transmitter is that it offers users considerable flexibility in mounting, with a choice of three configurations featuring different pneumatic connection schemes.

One configuration, available in 4 mm and 6 mm sizes, enables the transmitter to be plugged directly into pneumatic socket-type connectors. Another provides push-in fittings for standard pneumatic tubing and is available in 3 mm and 4 mm sizes. This form of transmitter module can also be used in conjunction with single and 8-way mounting brackets, which use a simple clip retaining mechanism to facilitate fast assembly and disassembly without the need for tools. The third type of configuration uses a highly cost-effective flange-mounting arrangement, which requires no additional hardware. The module is secured direct to the body of the pneumatic component that it is monitoring - such as a cylinder or valve - and uses an O-ring seal to secure an air-tight connection. By dispensing with the need for pneumatic tubes this approach provides the shortest path between the component and transmitter, minimising evacuation time and resulting in the fastest possible signal generation.

Typically, high throughput pick-and-place machines use any array of tightly packed vacuum gripper nozzles of various sizes, depending on the types of parts to be moved. Each nozzle may require a different vacuum level, the presence or absence of which indicates whether or not a part has been successfully picked. Due to limited space, it is often impractical to use sensors with built-in teach functions to determine the performance of each nozzle at its point of use. By using SPTE pressure transmitters to monitor the vacuum levels, the various thresholds can be defined on the control unit.

Festo's SPTE pressure transmitters are supplied complete with a 2.5 m cable for electrical connection. Designed for operation with filtered compressed air, the transmitters have a full-scale accuracy of 3 percent, and accommodate media and ambient operating temperatures over the range 0 to 50 degrees Celsius.

If required, the SPTE pressure transmitter can be combined with a Festo SVE4 signal converter to produce two digital output signals for applications where an analogue input is not available or cost-effective within the control unit. This arrangement can be used, for example, to monitor upper and lower operating limits.

The SPTE pressure transmitter is a direct result of Festo's on-going research into all-electronic, contactless sensors; in recognition of the advances that the company is making in this area, the product received an honourable mention in the Red Dot Design Awards for 2011.

Festo in profile
Festo is a leading international supplier of automation technology. With its innovations and problem-solving expertise in the field of pneumatic and electrical automation, the company has established itself as the performance leader in its sector.

Festo's innovative strength is demonstrated by around 100 new products which it launches every year, as well as its R&D ratio of 8.5% and the 2,900 patents it holds world-wide. Its new approach to product development, using bionics and biomechatronics within the framework of the Bionic Learning Network, represents a true first in the field of automation technology.

For further information, view website: http://www.festo.co.uk or e-mail: nicola_meadway@festo.com

BMT recognised amongst top 100 fastest growing companies in Europe

BMT Group Ltd, the leading international maritime design, engineering and risk management consultancy, has been recognised for its outstanding achievements in generating sustainable growth and jobs by Europe's 500, a non-profit organisation which promotes entrepreneurship.

Former German Chancellor, Gerard Schroeder, presented BMT with the accolade at the European Parliament in Brussels on the 3^rd February.  For over 15 years Europe's 500 has been identifying and compiling a list of the Top 500 most outstanding businesses in Europe, with D&B (Dun & Bradstreet), the world's leading business ratings agency supporting since 2009. 

Peter French, Chief Executive of BMT Group comments: "Being recognised as one of the fastest growing European companies and featuring in such prestigious league tables is an honour for us.  Our business growth has helped contribute towards job creation and competitiveness in today's European market which gives us immense pride, especially in such difficult economic times.  The passion, commitment and expertise of our people is second to none and this award recognises all of their efforts towards making our business such a success."

Mr David McSweeney BMT Group Fianance Director.

Over the last 25 years, BMT has gone from strength to strength, providing consultancy services to customers in the defence, energy and environment, marine risk and insurance, maritime transport and ports and logistics sectors.  With 60 offices in 24 countries, BMT has developed a wide range of business services to assist companies and governments investing in major capital projects and seeking to operate their businesses in the most cost-effective, safe, reliable and environmentally responsible manner. For further information, view website: www.bmt.org  

New range of analogue panel meters

Elektron Technology, owner of the Arcolectric, Bulgin and Sifam electronics manufacturing brands offer Sifam's new Fast Response Presentor range of analogue panel meters. Fast Response Presentor offers a lower cost alternative to full specification PPM meters currently being used in the broadcast market, this affordability is achieved with no sacrifice in quality or performance.

The highly flexible and versatile Fast Response Presentor range is available in three different sizes (FR19, FR29 and FR39) with each size coming in a choice of four mounting styles - simple back of panel mounting (style W); back of panel mounting with accompanying bezel (style WF); front of panel mounting with lower mask (style M); and front of panel mounting with full bezel (style B).

Illumination options include overhead, light box and LED forms. Overhead is available for all sizes of style W and WF, with the unit containing Ø6mm 6V, 12V, or 24V festoon style lamps. Light box illumination is available for all styles of FR29 and FR39. The unit is available with 6V, 12V, 24V festoon style or T1¾ flanged lamps. T1¾  flanged LEDs are also available in either 12V or 24V. Internal LED illumination is available for all sizes and types.

Sifam's Fast Response Presentor meters feature taut band core magnet movement with a compact 26mm diameter barrel. This rugged movement means that the meters are ideally suited for both portable and fixed applications. There is also no calibration effect when mounted on a ferrous panel.

Lisa Hamon Sales & Marketing Director of Elektron Technology comments: "The Fast Response Presentor range is a complementary addition to Sifam's popular and proven Industrial and Audio Level series.  It provides the broadcast market with a compelling alternative to expensive full specification PPM meters through a winning combination of high performance and affordable prices. The wide range of size, style and illumination options also make Fast Response Presentor a highly flexible and versatile offering which will really appeal to customers." 

Sifam's Fast Response Presentor meters are constructed of transparent acrylic front and high impact translucent rear body moulding. Masks and bezels are moulded in black ABS. The meters' white tube pointer, flattened arc scale and black dial is designed to be easy-to-read.

For further information, e-mail: equiries@elektron-technology.co.uk or view website: www.elektron-technology.com