Lowestoft-based Nexen Lift Trucks – a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of forklift trucks and warehouse equipment – has launched the FBXT and FBX, the company’s latest electric additions to its premium, UK-built X-Range series.
Commenting for Nexen Lift Trucks, sales director Pamela Oakes says: “We are delighted to announce the launch of the FBXT and FBX to our X-Range. These eagerly awaited models have undergone exhaustive pre-launch application tests and have exceeded design expectations for stability, reliability, driver comfort, performance and energy efficiency.”
She goes on to say that as part of the continuing expansion plans for its UK-based manufacturing facility, the research, design, development and production of the new electric counterbalanced forklifts was undertaken at Nexen’s European headquarters in Lowestoft, rather than those the company owns in Taiwan. This allows Nexen, which has over 40-years’ experience in the materials handling sector, to place the design and production in the hands of some of Britain’s top designers and engineers.
A strong emphasis during the design process ensures these machines provide class-leading performance, with the 3-wheel FBXT and 4-wheel FBX counterbalanced electric forklifts offering lifting capacities from 1,600 to 2,000kg. Both are available in long- and short-wheel-base formats, providing a productive and energy-efficient solution for numerous indoor/outdoor lifting applications.
All models offer the latest technological advancements associated with the material handling industry, including high-capacity, DIN-STD batteries for multiple-shift operations. Both models are built to the highest exacting standards using premium quality components which, combined with Nexen’s signature X-Range fully-floating cabin design, provides exceptional operator comfort and superior ergonomics that dramatically reduces driver fatigue.
Nexen’s FBXT and FBX electric forklifts feature regenerative braking to enhance battery life and improve energy efficiency. An automatic parking brake ensures no adjustments are required, which further reduces equipment maintenance requirements. Numerous options are also available for Nexen’s X-Range, including operator presence, fingertip controllers, load weighing systems, etc.
Like all Nexen forklift trucks, the electric-powered X-Range series has been designed with an emphasis on ease of maintenance and features class-leading accessibility to all serviceable parts, including the complete control panel, which can be completely removed in less than two minutes. Nexen will offer a unique service exchange programme to ensure downtime is kept to the absolute minimum. To further enhance accessibility, an optional fully-tilting cabin feature is also available; all models feature rapid and stress-free side entry battery removal.
The FBXT and FBX are the latest in Nexen’s line-up of counterbalanced forklift trucks and add to an ever-increasing portfolio of X-Range models that already incorporates diesel and L.P.G. machines up to 5,000kg. X-Range trucks have been designed with the versatility of logistics and warehousing sectors in mind; and Nexen is expecting these latest additions to be a global success, with the company’s strong international dealer network having already placed strong pre-launch orders.
Summarising, Pam Oakes says that the need for many operators to review their environmental impact and carbon footprint is leading to many traditional internal combustion(IC) applications being forced to change to electric power. However, the high-duty cycles associated with traditional IC applications means electric vehicles have to provide similar levels of performance and productivity, because they were designed from the ground up, Nexen’s FBXT and FBX models have technology that’s built in to provide an unprecedented combination of performance, productivity and cost-effectiveness, without having to compromise on operator comfort and safety.
For further information on the new FBXT and FBX models, call Nexen Lift Trucks on +44 (0)1502 532211, email info@nexenlifttrucks.com or visit www.nexenlifttrucks.com.
Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division has today announced its Industrial division will be exhibiting at this year’s CeMAT show in Hannover, Germany; and using its stand to promote products from its PG Drives Technology, Penny & Giles and Williams Controls brands, all of which have extensive experience in designing and manufacturing solutions for the monitoring and control of material handling vehicles.
On show for PG Drives Technology will be the C3-CE which has been CE marked as a safety component with EN ISO 13849 Category 3 hardware architecture – including dual microprocessors, dual inputs and a dedicated B+Safe output provides a safer and more convenient approach that, unlike the conventional and widely-used Category 2 architecture, doesn’t require the safety function to be checked at ‘machine start-up’ and ‘prior to the initiation of any hazardous situation’. Also on the stand will be the C3-36V and i-Drive – which incorporate a host of specialist features that provide OEMs with motor controllers for small ride-on and material handling vehicles.
The recently launched Penny & Giles SRH301 and SRH302 shaft-operated, rotary position sensors will also be on show. Offering a combination of performance, safety and cost for OEMs designing vehicles and control systems. With a sensor body depth of 17.3mm, and the 28mm diameter flanged housing with crush-proof mounting zones, these sealed IP69K-rated sensors offer exceptional performance against water, dust, shock, vibration and temperature and are ideal for use in challenging environments, as a cost-effective solution for medium-volume applications where a wide range of options or degree of customization may be required. Also on the stand from Penny & Gilesis the NRH300DP, a fully-encapsulated, IP68/IP69K-rated rotary position sensor that offers exceptional levels of performance against water, dust, shock, vibration and temperature which, using non-contact sensing technology, ensures a long mechanical life.
For Williams Controls, a selection of products from its electronic throttle controls range will be on show, including the recently lunched WM-558 electronic floor pedal, which uses a non-contacting, Hall-effect sensor that can be programmed for analog output and/or integrated switches. Suitable for countless vehicle applications, the WM-558 is constructed using die-cast aluminum and high-strength composite plastics, designed to suit numerous mounting options and is available with a standard treadle angle of 35 or 45 degrees. Other Williams Controls products on show include lever-operated and rotary electronic hand controls and the WM-580 electronic CANbus joystick, which includes a fully-configurable button panel, Hall effect non-contact sensing, and a totally encapsulated CANbus circuit board.
Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division is a recognized leader in the production of critical controls and assemblies for specialty vehicles, including sensors, electronic throttle controls and joysticks. Further information about Penny & Giles, PG Drives Technology or Williams Controls products is available at www.cw-industrial.com.
Sales Inquiries: Please forward all sales and reader service inquiries to Curtiss-Wright Industrial, Tel: +44.1425.271444; email: cwig.uk@curtisswright.com.
For more information on Curtiss-Wright Industrial products, visit www.cw-industrialgroup.com or call +44.1425.271444.
Steam is often seen as a traditional source of indirect heat for brewing and distilling processes but, with the recent explosion in micro-breweries and resurgence in craft brewing, the regulations and additional ongoing investment required for running a pressure-based system often adds too much cost when considering steam as a heat transfer solution. So when Rebellion Beer Company was looking to replace its ageing steam boiler system, they turned to two of the UK’s major thermal fluid specialists for help.
Established in 1993 by two school friends from Marlow, Rebellion Beer Company is a medium-sized micro-brewery that uses traditional brewing methods and natural ingredients to produce four million pints of beer from its Chiltern Hills-based brewery every year.
Having secured a new 20-year lease on its premises, and as part of a three-stage development plan for the business, Rebellion’s Mark Gloyens decided that an upgrade to some of the company’s original brewing equipment was required and, with its steam boiler reaching the end of its operational life, he started looking at options for new heat transfer equipment.
“This was the first time we had approached thermal fluid system specialists for a project of this sort and, having met with two of the UK’s main suppliers to discuss the project, we were impressed with Fulton’s enthusiasm and interest in getting involved with what turns out to be one of only a handful of brewery-based thermal fluid heat transfer projects in the UK.” says Mark.
Explaining the potential energy savings, Mark says that Fulton’s new FT-C 240 vertical coil thermal system should save money on the company’s energy bills as it is possible to easily turn the heater on and off as required, and with minimal heat-up time. In contrast, the old steam-based system needed to be turned on at the beginning of the day and left running regardless of the demand for steam.
The new system also provided value-for-money, as thermal fluid heaters are non-pressurised systems and therefore not subject to the costs of running a system under the pressure regulations. For example, thermal fluid heaters use specialist oils as heat carriers and operate, at atmospheric pressures, up to 300°C. To gain a similar operating temperature from traditional water- or steam-based systems would require a pressure of 85 bar. And while Rebellion Beer Company prefers to operate its thermal system at lower temperatures of around 135°C to ensure a quality product, for many processes where high process temperatures are required, thermal fluid heaters are an ideal source of heat.
For Rebellion, the system is also much simpler than a steam solution and was therefore less expensive to set-up and maintain. Additionally, Fulton’s FT-C thermal fluid system is more compact than the original steam-based system, which has freed up much needed space for other valuable process equipment.
Commenting for Fulton, Doug Howarth explains that unlike steam, thermal systems provide useable temperature with very little pressure and a variety of cost savings should therefore be expected. The additional control provided by thermal systems also allows multiple, easy and accurate temperatures throughout a single system that can also include cooling. There are also no freezing hazards, they provide rapid start up and shutdown with minimal heat losses and there’s no requirement for blow down or condensate losses.
“The whole life costs for thermal systems can also be cheaper because they require fewer insurance inspections, which minimises production downtime and shut down periods. There’s also no requirement for water treatment or chemical dosing, which leads to zero waste disposal and minimal maintenance costs.” says Doug.
Fulton’s thermal fluid heat transfer solution is now used throughout Rebellion’s brewing process. From the brewhouse, where liquor (water) is heated to 66 degrees for the mashing-in process and wort is boiled with hops for 90 minutes; to heating the brewhouse and fermentation tank CIP system.
Fulton’s highly-efficient FT-C thermal fluid boiler offers a compact, fuel-fired, 4-pass heater design capable of operating at temperatures up to 345°C. The system is designed to provide high-fluid velocities and low-film temperatures for improved longevity. The system’s compact footprint also means it could be skid-mounted, accommodating ancillaries such as circulating pump, expansion tank and related pipework, to minimise the floor space required for installation.
Summarising, Doug Howarth says that whilst the company is known as a reliable source of multi-fuel-fired steam boilers, Fulton is also synonymous with heat transfer solutions and produces an unrivalled range of thermal oil and hot water solutions. And because Fulton offers a complete range, they are well placed to offer customers an unbiased review of their heat transfer requirements.
For further information on its thermal fluid systems, including the FT-C vertical coil, FT-N vertical electric and FT-HC horizontal coil heaters,call Fulton on 0117 972 3322, email sales@fulton.co.uk or visit Fulton’s new-look website at www.fulton.co.uk.
GAST / JUN-AIR: Hall A1, Stand 435
ANALYTICA 2016, Munich, Germany
10 - 13 May 2016
Gast Group – the leading designer and manufacturer of precision air products and member of IDEX Corporation’s Health & Science Technologies division – will be using its stand at Analytica to continue its launch of the JUN-AIR 86/87R Series Systems, its new range of oil-less rocking piston-based compressed air systems.
Commenting, Gast Group’s Andrew Lidington says: “With the new 86/87R Series Systems, we set out to dramatically reduce sound, enhance flow, improve aesthetics and create a standard footprint for easy retrofit anywhere in the world. The new JUN-AIR systems will enhance Gast Group’s already extensive range of compressed air solutions and help to create new and exciting opportunities in many different sectors.”
Designed to suit virtually any medical/analytical application and be even quieter and more durable in operation, JUN-AIR 86/87R Series Systems provide best-in-class reliability, quality and performance. Their compact footprint makes them easy to install and they are ready to use at point of installation, making them easily integrated into most applications. Open models are fitted with handles, which also help to protect the motor from external damages during installation and operation. Cabinet models are equipped with castors for easy and convenient mobility.
With low-cost operation in mind, the new systems have also been designed to operate at 8 bar (120psi) for over 10,000 hours before any mechanical maintenance is required. To provide continuous clean air flow at up to 28lpm, the JUN-AIR 86/87R Series Systems also benefits from an integrated double air filtration arrangement, with a 50μm intake filter on the compressor and a 5μm filter regulator for air leaving the tank. Optional ancillaries are also available to further improve the supply air filtration to as low as 0.01μm.
Supported by an extensive knowledge of compressed air applications in the laboratory, medical and analytical markets; customers can also take advantage of Gast’s many successful relationships with OEMs and its partnerships with equipment distributors. The company’s expertise covers multiple applications in sample management, in-vitro diagnostics and numerous analytical instruments, from material and surface science to spectrometry, chromatography, microscopy and other general lab air applications.
Gast Group will also be promoting other JUN-AIR oil-less and oil-lubricated ranges of clean and quiet compressed air solutions at Analytica. For further information call Gast Group on +44 (0)1527 504040, email gastgroup.uk@idexcorp.com or visit www.jun-air.com.
Andrew Robinson, Managing Director of leading weld overlay cladding and fabrication specialist Arc Energy Resources, has joined the advisory board of the National Skills Academy for Nuclear (NSAN). The move follows an initial approach from the organisation’s regional operations manager, with a view to helping companies that want to be involved in the nuclear sector and are currently working on their nuclear skills agenda.
Says Andrew: “NSAN is concerned that there may not be sufficient skills in UK engineering specifically for the nuclear sector, and the Academy has been formed to help redress the problem. The more we looked at the training available, the more we felt this was an organisation we would like to be involved with. We also made contact with them at a couple of conferences and they then emailed me with an opportunity to get more involved and to become a member of the NSAN advisory board. For manufacturers the board considers topics ranging from what employers want, to what is actually lacking, so it is a useful facility to have.”
The unit has an extensive range of online courses available to help interested companies. This includes NS4P - an online nuclear skills matrix that companies and their employers can log onto, to work towards a nuclear passport.
Membership also gives Arc Energy Resources access to companies such as Cavendish Nuclear, BA Systems, the MOD, Babcock and Rolls Royce, as well as all the nuclear operators out there. And as Andrew says: “For manufacturers like ourselves it is really helpful to be around a table with companies such as these, discussing the issues we are collectively facing. It is also useful to find out if the perspectives taken by large companies and SME’s are different, and generally it does appear that the same issues are coming up. “
Also, from the NSAN point of view, with many bigger companies on board it is good for them to have input from smaller companies such as Arc Energy Resources that have qualified for the entry level Fit for Nuclear qualification. And for Arc Energy, with its location so close to the new nuclear site at Hinkley Point in Somerset, Andrew is keen to build its experience and ensure that these companies can help the main contractors with specialised engineering experience provided locally.
Arc Energy already has an apprenticeship programme, in common with many other companies in the nuclear industry. But the delays to the new build programme mean the UK could find itself in a situation where current graduates find work in other industries, and are not available when the reactors are approved for construction. If several projects all then receive their approvals at roughly the same time, this could cause a significant skills shortage. Our job is to keep training engineers, and maintain the skills of the existing ones.
“Nuclear has a great deal of potential for us,” says Andrew: “and I believe Arc Energy Resources really has an important role to play.”
With the company already launching a new, radically-designed vertical steam boiler and celebrating 50 years of manufacturing in the UK in 2016, Fulton could be forgiven for concentrating its efforts on these two major events. But, as sales and marketing manager Doug Howarth explains, following an extensive review of its existing aftercare fleet, Fulton has secured eight new commercial vehicles, enabling the company to provide a more flexible approach when it comes to managing resources and reinforcing its reputation as a world class aftercare provider.
“The new fleet has the potential to provide substantial benefits for Fulton’s customers. Six new VW Caddy Maxi service vehicles means the aftercare teams are now able to follow optimum timetables and provide a rapid response to emergency needs, which in turn reduces downtime by getting equipment back in service.” says Doug.
Additionally, the aftercare team has also taken delivery of two new long-wheel-base VW Transporters, which enables small boilers and energy-saving products including modulating burners, TDS energy recovery systems and economisers, to be delivered to site and installed or retrofitted on the same day.
The eight new vehicles will also enable on-board stock holding to increase, which will in turn increase the already high first-time-fix ratio that Fulton is acknowledge for.
Additional investment in in-house software and field-service tablet devices has also streamlined workloads and provided an improved monitoring system of Fulton’s network of highly-skilled engineers. Integrated GPS tracking of the vehicles also means Fulton can identify the location of its vehicles, which has improved call-outs by cutting the time it takes for its engineers to reach customers in need of emergency appointments.
For further information on Fulton’s service packages, call +44 (0)117 972 3322, email service@fulton.co.uk or visit www.fulton.co.uk.
Commercial Vehicle Show, NEC Birmingham, 26-28 April 2016, Stand 5G100
AL-KO Kober Limited – the leading manufacturer of premium components for the automotive, commercial and leisure industries – will be using its stand at the Commercial Vehicle Show 2016 to showcase its range of AMC Chassis conversions.
As one of the best attended and largest road transport and logistics events held in Britain, the company believes the Commercial Vehicle Show is a fantastic opportunity to promote the AL-KO brand and its AMC Chassis conversions and associated products.
The company’s experience in sheet metal engineering has driven the development of chassis design and, by using lighter gauge sheet metal and engineering techniques to strengthen individual chassis components and improve the overall efficiency of the chassis, AL-KO Kober’s AMC chassis are designed to replace those shipped as standard by commercial vehicle OEMs.
Commenting for AL-KO Kober, a spokesperson says: “Our AMC Chassis conversions reduce whole-life operating costs by increasing output and productivity, thus enabling fleet managers to increase profits over the lifetime of their fleet.”
From box vans and low-profile car transporters, to larger plant-carrying vehicles, AL-KO Kober’s chassis conversions deliverdistinct advantages over standard vehicle options by offering increased load space and payload levels, while retaining a high torsional strength. AL-KO’s new AMC chassis conversions are available for Fiat, Peugeot, Citroën, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Renault and Vauxhall units and can be up to 145kg lighter, massively exceeding what is currently available from leading commercial vehicle manufacturers.
With innovative low-frame designs, tandem-axle assemblies and broad-gauge chassis, the extensive AMC Chassis range allows customers to adapt fleets to suit almost any application and significantly improve vehicle performance, road handling and driver safety. Hot-dip galvanised frame parts guarantee optimal corrosion protection, while bolted frame parts offer a service-friendly solution and ensure shorter downtimes for repairs and maintenance.
For further information on its range of AMC Chassis conversion, visit AL-KO Kober on stand 5G100, visit www.al-ko.co.uk, email marketing@al-ko.co.uk or call 01926 818500.
Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division has today announced the launch of a new range of robust pressure sensors, which have been designed for numerous industrial pressure sensing applications across sectors including: factory automation, process control, automotive and specialty vehicles, hydraulics, pneumatics and environmental systems.
The wide range of models and configurations offer an extensive choice of cost-effective solutions from low-cost, high-volume OEM production to high-performance Research & Development.
Featuring thin-film and diffused-silicon sensing elements, the piezo-resistive sensing technology is inherently accurate, small and robust with stainless-steel body construction.
Stainless-Steel Technology: Thin-film polysilicon resistors are applied to a stainless-steel diaphragm that deflects under pressure from the measured media, providing a varying voltage that can be converted into other electrical outputs. Benefits include long-term stability exceeding 0.1% per annum and excellent compatibility with a wide range of gas and fluid media, operating at ranges up to 0 to 4000 bar.
Silicon Technology: The sensing element features a silicon diaphragm into which pressure-dependent resistors have been diffused. The technology is a cost-effective solution for high-volume manufacturing, and especially suited to large-batch production. This technology is more suited to non-aggressive gas and fluid media, operating at ranges from 0.1 to 40 bar.
Both technologies are integrated into stainless-steel housings with a choice of pressure port and electrical connection options. This enables it to be readily adapted into numerous different sensor configurations to suit specific customer needs.
Pressure modes include absolute (relative to a vacuum), gauge (relative to ambient atmospheric), differential and sealed reference options, with measurement accuracies nominally 0.5% at room temperature, with an option to 0.1% in the high precision range. Special intrinsically-safe ATEX / EX approved versions are also available for use in Zone 0 and 1 hazardous areas.
This extensive pressure sensor range complements the existing range of Curtiss-Wright position sensors from the Penny & Giles brand family, and offers existing and new customers a wider choice of sensing solutions from one supplier.
Sales Inquiries: Please forward all sales and reader service inquiries to Curtiss-Wright Industrial, Tel: +44.1425.271444; email: cwig.uk@curtisswright.com.
For more information on Curtiss-Wright Industrial products, visit www.cw-industrialgroup.com or call +44.1425.271444.
About Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE:CW) is a global innovative company that delivers highly engineered, critical function products and services to the commercial, industrial, defense and energy markets. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of providing reliable solutions through trusted customer relationships. The company employs approximately 8,400 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.
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Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division today announced the launch of the SRH301 and SRH302, a new range of shaft-operated, rotary position sensors offering an optimal combination of performance, safety and cost for OEMs designing vehicles and control systems.
With a low-profile sensor body depth of 17.3mm, and using the popular 28mm diameter flanged housing with crush-proof mounting zones, these sealed IP69K-rated sensors offer exceptional performance against water, dust, shock, vibration and temperature. The SRH301 and SRH302 rotary position sensors – from the Industrial division’s brand family of Penny & Giles - are ideal for use in challenging environments and as a cost-effective solution for medium-volume applications where a wide range of options or degree of customization may be required.
The sensors can be powered from either a 5Vdc regulated supply or from a varying voltage in the range of 9-30Vdc, such as a vehicle’s battery.
All variants of the SRH301 and SRH302 rotary position sensor use proven, wear-free Hall-effect sensing technology to provide a long mechanical life. There is a choice of two shaft configurations, both compatible with existing de-facto industry standards for straightforward inter-changeability on existing equipment. The electrical output spans of both models can be set to correspond to rotations of 20° to 360° in 1° increments. Factory-programmable electronics can be set to one of two analog voltage output ranges (0.5-4.5V or 0.2-4.8V) or one of three PWM frequencies.
Connection options are industry-standard AMP Superseal or Deutsch DT04 series connectors, or simple 18AWG flying-leads for customer termination. The sensor can also be supplied with a protective NC10 flexible conduit for the cabling.
The SRH301 and SRH302 are designed to complement Curtiss-Wright’s already highly-respected portfolio of rotary position sensors, which provide exceptional performance and safety for use in harsh or rugged environments.
The Gast Group – the leading designer and manufacturer of precision air products and member of IDEX Corporation’s Health & Science Technologies division – has launched an all-new website (www.gastmfg.com) providing visitors with a more visual experience and an interface that makes navigating the company’s numerous products and services as effortless as possible.
Commenting for Gast Group, European sales director Andrew Lidington says: “They say a picture paints a thousand words, so this fresh look and easy-to-access website is designed with a more visual impact and places a real emphasis on application and product images.”
The site also features a Gast blog that will be used to communicate information on the Gast range of products and services and will be used as a platform to share general content that is related to the numerous industry sectors and many customers that the company serves. Additionally, sector-based white papers, case studies, product comparisons and rich content including videos and animations will feature in a Research & Insights section of the blog.
Since its launch on 19th February, the site has already attracted huge numbers of visitors and very positive feedback from users, with the company already planning a similar update and features for a new JUN-AIR website.
