PIX's 'X'tra cogged raw edge V belts handle much
greater torque than the wrapped construction equivalent

An operator of a gas booster running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at a landfill site near Grantham in Lincolnshire has switched their choice of transmission belts to the PIX 'X'tra range, because no other belt they tried coped as well with the extreme demands of the site.

Managed by CLP Envirogas, an independent developer of landfill gas fuelled power generation projects, the Colsterworth Landfill Project provides 2.1 MW of electricity, from landfill gas power.

The problem, as described by Richard Wiles, Field Service Engineer for the Company, was that other belts could not get enough grip. "During full load, the demand on the belts is tremendous, and slippage was a major problem. Since using PIX's XPA 2500mm belts, we haven't had a problem".

Refer to the pictures above: With impressive oil resistance and anti-static properties, the X'tra range can work in temperatures ranging from -30C to +90C.

PIX's 'X'tra cogged raw edge V belts handle much greater torque than the wrapped construction equivalent. With impressive oil resistance and anti-static properties, the X'tra range can work in temperatures ranging from -30c to +90c. Cut edge belt technology is becoming the first choice in many exacting applications, and their superior qualities are most evident in situations involving small pulley diameters, high belt speed, or high ambient temperatures.  The cut edge belts offer the best technical and economic solution for rigorous working conditions through their use of high-grade components, coupled to the most advanced production machinery.

The gas boosters at the site are powered by 18Kw motors, and the PIX belts have now ran for more than 6000hrs non stop…. and still going strong!!

The gas comes from wells that are connected by a plastic ring main. A large vacuum pump sucks out the methane at a rate determined by the slow decay and prevailing conditions; not too quick, that reserves are depleted, but not so slowly that gas can collect in pockets. It is a fine balancing act, controlled by wellhead valves and operator's experience.

Concluding Richard Wiles said, "Until our local PIX distributor, Anglia Bearings of Peterborough, came up with the solution, we were looking at a major recurrent problem, for which we thought there wasn't an easy solution, now thanks to the performance of the new belts, we're running non-stop without slippages".

It is little known fact that energy from landfill sites accounts for the biggest proportion of the UK's renewable energy total. Landfill gas gives us more than four times the energy than we get from the "much-trumpeted" wind turbines, and it is all due to bacterial decay!! For further information, e-mail: dbrannigan@pixeuro.com or view website: www.pixeuro.com   Refer to page 84

Upgraded range of ultrasonic sensors meet the
requirements of an even wider range of applications

SICK UK has upgraded its successful 30mm ultrasonic sensors, launching the UM30-2 series to offer additional performance and usability, meeting the requirements of an even wider range of applications.

Refer to picture on the left: Digital or analogue output variants of the UM30-2 are available.

Launched at the same competitive cost as its current best-selling 30mm ultrasonic sensor range, the improved UM30-2 series includes a filter setting adjustment which enables the user to change between a high security mode, which protects against false signal switching but has a slower update, and a fast response mode for highly dynamic applications which do not require such a high level of false switching security.  This gives the customer the facility to fine tune the performance of the sensor enabling the UM30-2 to be used in even more diverse application areas.

Another new feature is the Multiplex switching mode that enables up to 10 UM30-2 sensors to be connected to measure large areas, with integrated phase switching to prevent mutual interference and false switching. Targets of different colours or even transparent materials, water and film present no difficulty.

Despite now being 25% shorter than the original sensor (between 84 and 105mm long), the UM30-2's 30mm to 8000 mm operating range is one of the widest available for this class of sensor, covering applications from level sensing and product detection to crane and vehicle collision control. The clear display indicates distance to target and larger buttons increase ease of set-up.

Comments Darren Pratt, Product Manager for SICK UK: "SICK listened carefully to what customers wanted from ultrasonic sensors and launched a sensor which meets today's requirements, whilst at the same time retaining the features which have made it a best seller, like temperature compensation in the transducer head, which delivers the very best measurement results possible."

"Set up and rapid programming via integrated push buttons has always been important for SICK sensors," points out Darren. "Teach devices like special programming keys, used by some other manufacturers, risk being mislaid or even dropped during use. If it's into a food hopper or to the bottom of a tank of liquid, that's bad news."

Digital or analogue output variants of the UM30-2 are available, with the analogue variants capable of producing 4-20mA or 0-10V at their output.  Selection of analogue output type is either automatic - the sensor detects the impedance of the load at power up, or manual - via the intuitive menu structure.  Such flexibility reduces the number of different models required to meet installation needs, and therefore reduces inventory costs.

For further information, email: ann.attridge@sick.co.uk or Andrea.hornby@sick.co.uk    Refer to page 38

primeflex - The new top-class steel bellows coupling

primeflex stands for innovative technology oriented towards future applications at an exceptionally economic price. In contrast to other plug-in bellows couplings, it can be dismantled safely without putting the steel bellows at risk even after longer operating times.

At first glance all steel bellows couplings seem alike; but on taking a closer look, we find substantial differences in the technical details. The construction, structure and manufacturing quality of the steel bellows are the main factors for operational safety, reliability, service lifetime, misalignment capability and functional safety of the entire coupling. Further quality-influencing factors are the connection of the bellows to the hub components and the shaft-hub connections. They influence, for example, the transmittable torque and the coupling running characteristics decisively.

primeflex - The new top-class steel bellows coupling.

The new primeflex unites the collective know-how of one of the leading manufacturers for backlash-free shaft couplings. mayr® power transmission has been developing and manufacturing such couplings for several decades. Thanks to its years of experience in the field, the company knows all the demands placed on electrical power transmission, and has developed new unique features to enhance reliability and facilitate operation.

The backlash-free primeflex can be plugged in for easy installation and disassembly. It can be dismantled safely without putting the steel bellows at risk even after longer operating times. Herein lies one of the decisive technical advantages. On many other plug-in steel bellows couplings, there is a risk of damaging or even destroying the steel bellows when loosening the plug-in connection (tribo-corrosion effect on the conic hub). primeflex features specific material and geometry to fix this problem.

The extremely compact and high performance-density primeflex can be mounted easily onto the shafts via clamping or shrink disk connections. Another outstanding performance characteristic is the excellent misalignment capability of the new cost-effective steel bellows coupling. It compensates for axial, radial and angular shaft misalignments. The torque is transmitted via frictional locking or via frictional and positive locking. Furthermore, the internal mechanism integrates a stop in order to avoid bellows damages which can occur with excessive mounting pressure.

We currently offer three sizes, with nominal torques from 24 to 120 Nm. In the field of shaft couplings, mayr® power transmission has specialised in backlash-free couplings in servo power transmission services. With its steel bellows, elastomer and disk pack couplings, the company is able to provide the three most common constructional designs for this power transmission segment.

Steel bellows coupling are most often utilised to enable a power transmission between a motor and a reducer or a shaft, while allowing a correction of misalignment. The Main applications include all kind of machines (food processing, machine-tool, packaging...).

For further information, e-mail: sales@mayr.co.uk or view website: www.mayr.co.uk

Control knobs from aMsp feature four 
standard options for specific applications

All Metric Small Parts (aMsp), a leading provider of metric hardware components, announced the availability of the MMAHOFM Series of control knobs. They feature four standard configuration options for specific applications. They are stocked with and without handles and 0-100 scales, plus with and without handles and/or scales. These control knobs are available in diameters of 50 mm, 60 mm and 70 mm. 3-D CAD models are available for download at the aMsp Website. 

The aMsp online eStore allows you to choose from a great selection of control knobs, knurled knobs, dimpled knobs, wing knobs, triangular, scallop knobs, spherical knobs, and many more. You can browse the knob selection and buy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

aMsp offers an extensive selection of all Metric standard industrial machine components. Their products include: Knobs, Door Latches, Panel Latches, Cabinet Latches, Boat Latches, Handles, Handwheels, Cranks, Grips, Levers, Locks, Catches, Hinges, Screws, Washers, Springs, Keys, Plungers, Pins, Leveling & Support Feet. All of these products are 100% RoHS Compliant.

Detailed specifications are contained in catalog M100, available free upon request from All Metric Small Parts, 2101 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY 11042-5416. Tel: 516-302-0152, Fax: 516-302-0153, Website: http://www.allmetricsmallparts.com/press/controlknobs.htm   Refer to page 46