XF510m: a single marking machine for all types of materials

Technifor can offer an electromagnetic micropercussion marking solution for use on all materials. The micro-impacts produced on the material surface using a carbide tipped stylus create a lasting mark, without creating stress or chippings. This new machine is the result of the process to optimise the Technifor range, adding a powerful electromagnet combined with an optimal guide system to produce marking of remarkable precision and quality.

Whatever the nature of the material or the conditions under which it is to be used, this type of marking can produce results which are lasting and cannot be changed. The depth of marking can be as much as 0.2 mm for a large number of metals, thus ensuring totally reliable traceability, even in the toughest environment.

The marking force is fully controlled: the different impacts are precision-controlled, producing light markings on plastic parts or deep markings on steel. Added to this, the stiffness of the mechanical assembly guarantees constant depth and repeatability of the impacts, which will be perfectly aligned by the high-precision guidance system.

The marker heads, which combine lightness, speed and compactness, are easily integrated into all production line layouts (revolving tables, robot arms etc.). Able to be used in all positions, they can be fitted to pedestal tables and fitted with protective grilles or flaps. The multipurpose XF510m range is fitted with a high-amplitude stylus, suitable for all part shapes: flat, convex, concave etc..

The fast turnaround times provided by the machine (as little as 4 seconds for a 10x10 DataMatrixTM) mean that it can work in the background, without any negative impact on production line cycle times.

The remote control unit (up to 15 metres away) includes an 18-language interface, can accommodate 14 keyboard types and has a universal power supply compatible with 90 to 250 V. It has a large backlit screen, with user-friendly icons and contextual help, enabling programming of all types of marking: text, logos, variables, time-stamping, counters, 2D codes etc..

This unit is ready for all current communication protocols for added flexibility: Ethernet, USB, RS232 including an interface card with 8 inputs and 4 outputs. It can work autonomously or can be controlled by a PC or programmable logic controller. For further information, view website: www.gravotech.com or e-mail: sales@ltd.technifor.com

Best marine energy sites could be cost competitive with nuclear
and onshore wind by 2025 with accelerated and targeted innovation

New in-depth analysis published  by the Carbon Trust shows the UK's best marine energy sites could generate electricity at costs comparable with nuclear and onshore wind^[1].  With continued and targeted innovation this could be as soon as 2025, once cost reductions from deploying the first gigawatt of energy devices have kicked-in.   In the future marine energy could provide a fifth of the UK's electricity needs.

Through its Marine Energy Accelerator programme, the Carbon Trust has established that the costs for the first wave and tidal energy farms will be around 30-40p/Kwh which is high, relative to today's more established low carbon technologies, such as offshore wind.  These costs are broadly as expected given the early stage of the technologies' development.  Importantly the report concludes how with continued and targeted innovation aggressive reductions in costs can be achieved in the next ten years.  The report also quantifies the amount of energy that can realistically be tapped and sets out the actions now needed to set the industry on a path to commercial success.

The analysis shows that wave energy could generate 50 Terra Watt hours (TWh) of electricity per year, equivalent to 13% of the UK's power needs, and tidal stream 20.6 TWh per year or 5% of UK power needs.  Between them wave and tidal stream could generate more electricity than 12 large coal-fired power stations.  The fast flowing tides of the deeper areas of the Pentland Firth between the Scottish mainland and the Orkneys alone could ultimately generate almost one third of all tidal stream energy (6 TWh/year) and at an equivalent cost to nuclear and onshore wind.

Technology innovation will be vital to tackle the harsher conditions which are encountered in the deeper areas of the Pentland Firth.  With targeted innovation energy generation costs for both wave and tidal stream technologies could reduce to an average of 15 pence per kilowatt hour by 2025 - equivalent to today's cost of offshore wind energy. 

The £3.5m Marine Energy Accelerator has already driven innovation in key areas including device deployment and mooring.  Just one of these innovations, developed with Pelamis Wave Power, has projected savings of £15m a year by 2020 through faster installation and connection of the device in rougher weather conditions.

Benj Sykes, Director of Innovations at Carbon Trust, said: "Marine energy is one of the UK's most exciting green growth sectors and one where we have a real lead.  Wave and tidal stream could provide a fifth of our electricity needs and be a major 'made in Britain' success.  The key players must now pull together to tackle the next set of challenges and innovate to drive down costs.  Our Marine Energy Accelerator, working with key industry players and Government, has shown that savings of tens of millions of pounds are possible."

Separate Carbon Trust analysis has shown that the UK could capture just under a quarter of the global marine energy market.  Equivalent to up to £76bn to the UK economy by 2050, this growing sector could also generate over 68,000 UK jobs.

The latest analysis from the Marine Energy Accelerator highlighted the following key areas for action:
· Targeted innovation is needed to drive cost reduction and de-risk the industry.  Project developers should engage in non-competitive R&D efforts to tackle challenges and costs associated with array deployment, foundations and electrical connections.
· Government needs to provide a stable revenue support framework and legislative backing through Strategic Environmental Assessments to streamline the planning process for wave and tidal energy farms.
· Utilities and project developers must continue to be more heavily involved in the industry which will generate wider investor confidence.
· Supply chain partners should look to invest now to create market-leading positions.
· Plans for grid connections to areas of marine energy need to be expanded, specifically for the Pentland Firth.

By working with device developers and other key players, the Marine Energy Accelerator has successfully driven forward innovation in the following areas to speed cost reductions:
· Optimising the design of tidal turbine blades which might otherwise be significantly over-engineered
· Developing nylon (instead of steel) ropes and gravity bag anchors for mooring devices
· Developing novel 'linear generators' which would replace hydraulics meaning fewer moving parts and less maintenance
· Developing new techniques to enable the generating equipment in floating wave devices to be disconnected from the main structure
· Developing a unique technology for connecting and disconnecting the Pelamis P2 from its mooring enabling maintenance in rougher seas
· Taking forward the engineering and commercial development of two 'next generation' concepts (Minesto's Deep Green tidal energy device and Checkmate Sea Energy's Anaconda wave energy device) which hold potential for game changing reductions in the cost of energy.

British companies such as Pelamis, Aquamarine Power and Marine Current Turbines are leading the way in deploying their technologies in UK waters, with six out of the eight full scale prototypes in the world being installed here.  Almost half of Europe's wave resources and over a quarter of its tidal energy resources are to be found off the British coastline.

The full report can be downloaded at: www.carbontrust.co.uk/publications/pages/publicationdetail.aspx?id=CTC797

Ring Purge - purge gas and time saving solution

When purging stainless steel or other reactive metals, a well purged oxygen-free environment is crucial to ensure a clean, strong weld that is free of oxidation and has a uniform and smooth internal weld profile.

The original, patented design of the Ring Purge enables the fabricator to seal this inflatable dam inside the pipe and achieve a purge around the weld within a few minutes and will therefore not only save purge gas but also considerably shorten the time spent on purging. This will increase production rates, save money and guarantees good, clean welds.

Compared to consumable purge products (e.g. purge paper) where a new product will need to be purchased for every weld and thus costs for the product will go up the more welds need to be performed, a Ring Purge system's initial purchase cost will soon be offset as it can be used for hundreds of welds if used correctly. For example, an 8" Ring Purge, used for 100 welds will only cost just over £2.40 GBP Sterling per weld, if used for 200 welds, these costs will be halved to £1.20 per weld.  Unlike Purge Paper or Purge Film products, Ring Purge and Inflatable Dams provide the welder with ways to get Purge Gas in and out of the pipe even when the root weld pass has been closed.  Ring Purge maintains a positive seal of the dams with the pipe ID so that the purge gas provides a pressure to support the weld root.

Customers using the Ring Purge in a correct operation have reported 500 plus welds from their product. The pre-set valve will minimise the risk of over-inflation and bursting of the product which will further increase life span.

For further information, e-mail: darren@weldwidesolutions.com or view website: http://www.weldwidesolutions.com 

LASERTOP marking stations achieve Class 1 certification

A new casing has helped the LASERTOP laser marking stations to achieve Class 1 certification; a level of safety ensuring that there is no risk to users. Designed for maximum safety and optimum ergonomics, the LASERTOP has a number of advantages not provided by the competition.

Safety is maximized. The door is fitted with sensors which cut off the lasers instantly when it is opened. The casing is fully sealed with regard to laser radiation, even at the bellows, customarily a weak point in conventional models. In addition to its class 1 certification, it complies with the American CDRH standard and with European standards (including EN 60825-1).

The LASERTOP features outstanding ergonomics and productivity. It provides a wide viewing window (180 x 280 mm). The U-shaped door, with an upward linear movement of 420 mm, facilitates the handling of the items to be marked and provides ample access to the wide working area. A practical feature is the counterweighting of the door for effort-free opening. The remote control unit supplied as standard has an emergency stop button and controls the laser, the Z-axis, the door, the light and the fume extractor.

A door motor can be fitted as a low-cost option. TECHNIFOR has chosen electrical rather than pneumatic actuators, as they are more reliable and much easier to implement. Door opening time is only 1.5 second, and can be optimized according to the effective travel, giving a substantial productivity gain.

Another novel feature is the light mounted on the laser head. It moves up and down with the laser, providing constant excellent viewing of the area to be marked. The footprint has been optimized to give the largest work table space (600 x 550 x 450 mm) compared with the machine dimensions (620 x 600 x 772 mm). The depth of the LASERTOP table provides tool storage space.

The LASERTOP can be upgraded easily: options can be fitted on site. In addition to the door motor, the available options include a fume extraction system, an item rotation system, a second focusing diode, PC-based Z-axis control, and handheld Data MatrixTM code reader.

The LASERTOP is compatible with all the lasers in the Technifor YAG or fibre range: TD412, TF410, TF420 and TF430. This makes it suitable for all fields where traceability is required: medical, tools, mechanical engineering, aerospace, etc.

For further information, view website: www.gravotech.com or e-mail: sales@ltd.technifor.com