Water Jet Sweden acquisition cuts costs

Among recession-beating measures are inter-company mergers, a good example of which is the acquisition by Water Jet Sweden (in UK, Yorkshire-based WJS UK Ltd.), of one of its prime sub-contractors, Swede Matic AB, a long-established and highly-esteemed team of design engineers who have contributed vital work in the development of prototype new WJS machine models before series production.  Other well-known customers include BMW, ABB and Alfa Laval.

This acquisition is seen by both companies as mutually salutary in view of the close working relationship which has grown constantly between them since the establishment of Swede Matic in 1995.  Indeed, the good personal relationship between the management goes back many years before that.

Says Lennart Svensson CEO & Chairman of Water Jet Sweden Group "As a result of our ever-growing and successful working relationship with Swede Matic in our new technology development activities, we see the full integration of the company into the group as a positive entrepreneurial step".

Says Nils Rosenquist, Managing Director, who will continue to lead and manage Swede Matic under the new ownership: "We are all proud of becoming part of the Water Jet Sweden Group and sharing in its phenomenal success"

For further information, e-mail: info@waterjetsweden.com   Refer to page 17

Swagelok Company releases new software for its
Swagelok® welding system M200 power supply to deliver
increased performance in an updated graphical interface

Combining form and function, Swagelok Company recently released new software for its Swagelok® welding system M200 power supply to deliver increased performance in an updated graphical interface. The M200 offers ease of use, portability, and 200 amp capability for orbital welding at a weight of less than 50 lbs (23 kg). A high-resolution, 12.1 in. (30.7 cm) color industrial touch screen gives users a simple, intuitive pathway to enter weld programs.

The streamlined display includes an improved weld head graphic, which presents weld progress in greater detail to help operators better evaluate the weld. The graphic shows progression, performance levels, and stop/start for each level of the weld in real-time. If the weld deviates from the selected weld schedule, those points are marked on the graphic with an indicator so that the operator can evaluate after the weld is complete. 

"In developing the version 2.01 software, we wanted to concentrate on making it easier for welders to evaluate the live progress of their welds," said John Glessman, product manager, Swagelok Company. "Plus, by improving the recording of weld data with the M200, we can help welders make more efficient adjustments and ultimately reduce downtime."

The software also includes a new tacking method to help ensure proper alignment of the workpieces prior to beginning the full weld. The new method stabilizes the workpieces during tacking to circumvent separation. The tack placement can be seen on the weld head graphic.

In addition to the version 2.01 software, Swagelok also recently introduced three new accessories for the M200 power supply: a port cover, remote pendant, and handheld barcode scanner. The port cover is designed to protect the ports on the M200's side panel from contamination at the job site.  The remote pendant enhances basic operation of the power supply. And the handheld barcode scanner allows for immediate data input and improved data integrity, delivering time savings in the tracking of welding projects.

The M200 power supply
The Swagelok welding system M200 power supply offers precision and control combined with easy-to-use touch-screen operation for orbital welding. Users can choose from one of three forms to enter weld programs, including automatic weld schedule programming. The M200's automatic shield gas control (patent pending) simplifies set-up of shielding gas, requiring no use of a separate flow meter.

Multi-language capability is built in to the M200, requiring no separate programming or special ordering. Built-in languages are English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Swedish, and Chinese. Universal voltage input (100 to 230 V [ac]) requires only a cord/plug change to accommodate an input voltage.

The M200 works with all currently available Swagelok weld heads. It includes four USB ports, Ethernet port, USB device (output) port, VGA output, and serial port. All gas and electrical connections, plus the integral, high-speed thermal printer are easily accessed from the unit's side panels.

Swagelok Company in profile
Headquartered in Solon, Ohio, U.S.A., Swagelok Company is a major developer and provider of fluid system solutions, including products, assemblies, and services for the research, instrumentation, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, power, petrochemical, alternative fuels, and semiconductor industries. Its manufacturing, research, technical support, and distribution facilities support a global network of more than 200 authorized sales and service centers in 57 countries.

For further information on the M200 power supply, view website: www.swagelok.com   Refer to page 16

SABIC Innovative Plastics' high-performance materials help
domestic boiler manufacturers warm up homes, not the planet

To enhance the cost and environmental benefits of wall-hung condensing boilers for residential use, SABIC Innovative Plastics offers high-performance Noryl*, Ultem* and Cycoloy* resins to replace traditional metals such as copper and brass used in boiler components, such as condenser housings and manifolds. These engineering thermoplastics, developed and tested here at the company's Fluid Engineering Centre of Excellence, may enhance design freedom, extend part life, and avoid the use of heavy metals such as lead. (Refer to pictures on the left).

"Although wall-hung domestic boilers have been widely used in Europe for years, accelerating efforts to reduce global warming and cut fuel costs are driving more global use of high-efficiency condensing models," said Gunes Celik, SABIC Innovative Plastics' new business development manager in Europe. "SABIC Innovative Plastics is deeply involved in developing new materials for our customers to enhance the performance, longevity and fuel efficiency of heating boilers. Through our research and testing, we offer customers the latest material solutions for designing next-generation products that can efficiently heat homes without overheating the planet."

New Resins Outperform Traditional Metals in Boiler Design and Operation
SABIC Innovative Plastics has developed the new resins to provide many advantages over existing metals. For high-efficiency condensing boilers, which are growing annually by 10 percent in Europe, Noryl PPX resin offers a better choice than stainless steel for condenser housings. As wall-hung boilers become more efficient, the temperature requirement for the housings drops, while chemical resistance becomes more important (due to condensation of exhaust fumes). With greater exposure to chemicals, metal corrodes. Noryl PPX resin provides exceptional chemical resistance for longer part life, as well as the ability to withstand the required heat from the condenser.

Other candidates for metal replacement are boiler manifolds, which have historically been made of copper tubing and brass parts. Using metal is labour-intensive, complex and expensive. Further, brass contains lead, which is being increasingly discouraged by authorities and is already restricted in California, U.S.A. By upgrading to Noryl glass-filled resin or Ultem resin - SABIC Innovative Plastics materials for highly demanding designs - manufacturers may be able to consolidate parts, create new products more easily, reduce weight, and save on fabrication and assembly costs.

For further information, e-mail: helen.vandebovenkamp@sabic-ip.com or view website: www.sabic-ip.com    Refer to page 27

New ball bearing inserts from QBC feature dual seal construction

New Ball Bearing Inserts from Quality Bearings & Components (QBC) feature dual seal construction. These set screw type and locking collar type units, identified as the BBXINS...Series, are stocked in many sizes to fit shafts ranging from 1/2" to 4" in diameter. The set screw type bearing inserts have 2 set screws. Tightening the set screws contacts the shaft, which effectively locks the shaft to the bearing so that the two will turn as one.  Bearing widths range from .5512" to 1.5748".  Bearing inserts are widely used in textile machinery, conveyor systems, ventilators, as well as machines for food processing and packing. Quotes plus online orders are available at our new QBC eStore.

QBC has in stock: miniature bearings, plastic bearings, rod end bearings, spherical bearings, pillow blocks, sintered bronze bushings, radial ball bearings, thrust bearings & washers, sleeve bearings, needle bearings, inner races, roller clutches, guide wheels & rail systems, linear ball bearings, inner and outer ring spacers and shafting. QBC stocks both inch and metric sizes. New to the Web site is our eStore, which allows you to check price and availability, place an order or request a quote anytime. QBC also provides custom-made bearings and shafting to the customer print. We also offer on-site relubing of bearings in a certified class 1000 clean room.       

Detailed technical specifications are contained in catalogue B620, available free upon request from Quality Bearings & Components (QBC).

New Ball Bearing Inserts from Quality Bearings & Components (QBC) feature dual seal construction. These set screw type and locking collar type units, identified as the BBXINS...Series, are stocked in many sizes to fit shafts ranging from 1/2" to 4" in diameter.

This catalogue can be viewed in PDF format, and downloaded by section, from website: www.qbcbearings.com    Refer to page 18