GAST Manufacturing Inc. – the leading designer and manufacturer of precision air products and member of IDEX Corporation’s Health & Science division – is introducing a new range of vacuum pumps and compressors to its extensive portfolio. These new products are simple in operation, robust and an effective source of compressed air. The three pump and compressor ranges include sixteen oil-free and oil-lubricated rotary vane models and, in a first for the organization, four claw pump models.

Announcing the new ranges, GAST Manufacturing’s Business Line Vice President for Rotary, Andre Goodson explains that the company has extensive knowledge of the pneumatic industry and its customers’ needs continually drive the development and introduction of new and innovative products.

“GAST is already renowned as a world-class manufacturer of vacuum pumps and compressors and these additions to our portfolio will provide customers with products that, compared to our traditional offering, can deliver even greater flow and deeper vacuum. The addition of claw pumps also perfectly complements our portfolio and opens up new industries and sectors that we haven’t been able to participate in previously.” says Andre.

“Using simulation software and the latest manufacturing techniques, we believe that the performance of our new rotary vane and claw pump models are class-leading. The range is also more environmentally-friendly than ever and, thanks to extended maintenance schedules, total cost of ownership is also significantly improved.” he says.

GAST Claw Pumps
Claw pumps are an often-overlooked technology due to a slightly higher initial cost.  However, compared to oil-free rotary vane, claw pumps use significantly less horsepower to provide similar vacuum capability. They also provide 100% duty cycle and, with no carbon vanes and significantly less gear lubricant to replace, are quicker, easier and cheaper to maintain.

With only moderate energy consumption and very high efficiency, GAST’s four new claw pump models – PA.155, PA.315, VA.155 and VA.315 – use contactless rotors that are synchronized by gears without any lubrication in the pumping chamber. This frictionless operation avoids any residue (generated by rubbing during rotation) from contaminating the air supply; and means lower maintenance and operating costs, longer lasting performance and improved total cost of ownership.

With nominal capacities from 186 to 360m³/h at 60Hz, vacuum capability to 25.5”HgV and pressures up to 17psi, the GAST claw pump range is ideal for numerous vacuum, compression, aeration, extraction and drying applications in sectors including printing, environmental, medical, bulk material handling, CNC machining and vacuum hold-down.

GAST Oil-Free Rotary Vane Pumps
Adding to an already impressive portfolio of rotary vane pumps, two new oil-free models – SB.16 and SB.40 – being introduced feature an industrial Monobloc design with the rotor assembled directly on the motor shaft. This direct-drive design means fewer moving parts, making these new dry vacuum pumps extremely compact, reliable and easy to maintain. Additionally, a rear centrifugal fan ensures optimal cooling of the pump and each model is equipped with protective filters at the inlet and silencers at the outlet. Both models are also suitable for use as compressors.

A third model, the SC.100, has the rotor installed on the shaft and fixed by two bearings, with the motor being connected by a flexible coupling. The fan is installed between the pump housing and motor to ensure optimal cooling; and a robust and compact housing provides protection and keeps noise levels extremely low.

GAST’s new oil-free rotary vane models offer nominal capacities from 19 to 150m³/h at 60Hz. All models provide vacuum in excess of 26”HgV and are ideal for applications including printing, conveying, wood/plastic presses, automated packaging and pick and place operations.

GAST Oil-Lubricated Rotary Vane Pumps
Ideal for applications as diverse as laboratory conditioning/refrigeration appliances, mass spectrometry, packaging, medical equipment, thermoforming machines and glass and marble machining, GAST’s new ten-model range of oil-lubricated rotary vane pumps – including the LB.8, LC.12, LC20, LC.25, LC40, LC60, LC106, LC151, LC.205 and LC.305 – are ideal where the intake flow may require higher flow and deeper vacuum.

Additionally, and for applications where intake vapour is considerable, a WR version also features an integral system that separates oil and water condensate, which is then expelled when the pump is stopped.

All six oil-lubricated models offer nominal capacities from 9 to 365m³/h at 60Hz and total final pressures between 1.5 and 0.08 Torr.

Summarising, Andre Goodson says that, thanks to their advanced performance, durability and ease of maintenance and serviceability, GAST products are trusted globally to operate in critical applications. “The introduction of these new pumps now provides us with a comprehensive product line, which will allow OEMs to minimize their product development timeline and investment and get to market faster than their competitors.” he says.

For further information, call +1-269-926-6171, email GBHsales@idexcorp.com or visit www.gastmfg.com.

GAST – a leading designer and manufacturer of precision air products and member of IDEX Corporation – has launched NEW LubeFree options for their AM series air motors that utilize a proprietary vane material that provides versatility, allowing users the options to oil or not oil the motor.

This new LubeFree option has expanded GAST’s range of 2AM, 4AM and 6AM Series air motors and affords operators the flexibility to modify their maintenance schedules or save money by eliminating oil, lubricator components and system maintenance.

Existing 2AM, 4AM and 6AM Series motors – which are used in a vast number of applications including chemical, paint and sanitary mixing, pump drive, material handling, and other industrial and remote applications – can be upgraded and retrofitted using a new LubeFree vane kit.

As Gast Group’s Andrew Lidington explains, pneumatic motors operating with in-line lubricators have the benefit of extended life, they improve efficiency and acts as a protectorant of surface finishes against dirty or humid inlet air. However, ensuring that motors are regularly oiled can be costly, cumbersome and, in some applications, not even an acceptable option.

“With the LubeFree AM Series option, GAST now has a simple and effective solution. In fact, independent tests have shown more than 10,000 hours of operation in completely oil-less applications and, when lubricated regularly or even occasionally, the motor’s life can be extended by up to 110%!” says Andrew.

There are two LubeFree AM Series options available. The “LL” option offers new vanes with light oil and minimal rust protection, which is ideal for applications where motors rarely get oiled or maintained or where there’s a need to eliminate lubricators completely. For a truly oil-less option where even the slightest contamination cannot be tolerated, the “NLP” option provides a fully oil-free construction with complete corrosion protection for harsh or damp conditions.

The compact and portable 2AM, 4AM and 6AM Series offer operating speeds and power output that can be adjusted to meet the precise needs of your application. Their air throttling and pressure control is not only cost-effective over electric motor controls, but they can also be stalled or overloaded for long periods without damaging the motor. Additionally, they are cool running and have no electrical spark, which makes them ideal for use in hazardous locations.

For further information on Gast’s LubeFree AM Series, call +44 (0)1527 504040, email gastgroup.uk@idexcorp.com or visit www.gastmfg.com.

Fulton will be using its stand at ISH2017 to launch its SRT Series steam boiler onto the European market and promote the company as a Global provider of heat transfer solutions. 

“Fulton’s all-new SRT Series is the most radical change to vertical steam boiler design since the company pioneered the vertical tubeless boiler in 1949,” says Carl Knight, managing director of Fulton Ltd.

By adopting a system engineering approach to design, and using its own ‘PURE’ Technology, Fulton’s SRT Series challenges the traditional heat transfer and mechanical design principles of vertical steam boilers. The SRT boasts industry-leading performance with an 84.5% Gross (93.5% Net) thermal efficiency from a fully-water-backed design with no refractory.

“With 30+ worldwide patents pending, the boiler’s spiral-rib tubeless design is a world first and creates a compact boiler with the industry’s smallest footprint.” says Knight. “In fact, compared to Fulton’s equivalent 30hp models, the SRT is an impressive 40% smaller.”

Using in-house modelling with CFD and finite element analysis, the SRT’s ‘PURE Optimised’ architecture makes it durable and reliable, with up to 6:1 turndown through its fully-modulating burner.

The SRT is CE marked and complies with anticipated EU regulations, with its combustion technology being reconfigured and the mesh burner and furnace designed as a single component, resulting in NOx emissions of less than 40mg/kWh.

With manufacturing facilities in the United States, Great Britain and China, Fulton is a global manufacturer of steam, hydronic and thermal fluid heat transfer systems. Backed by over 60 years of research, innovation and experience, Fulton is building on a tradition of success and is focused on improving life through heat transfer solutions. The company also provides sales and application advice, with full commissioning and after sales service, to a growing customer base in numerous sectors including pharmaceutical, process, petrochemical, healthcare, food & beverage, processing, etc.

For further information on Fulton or its all-new SRT Series, call the European headquarters on +44 (0)117 972 3322, email sales@fulton.co.uk or visit www.fulton.co.uk.

Following the merger between AL-KO Kober Vehicle Technology Division and Dexter Axle at the beginning of 2016 – and in a move that consolidates the UK businesses – AL-KO Kober Limited has announced the relocation and integration of the recently-acquired Bradley Doublelock business into the company’s UK headquarters in Southam, Warwickshire. The relocation is part of a group-wide review of the Yorkshire-based business and includes all sales and manufacturing departments.

Commenting for AL-KO Kober, a spokesman says: “A significant amount of work has already been done to re-energise the Bradley and Dixon Bate brands and product ranges since AL-KO Kober acquired the company in 2014 and this move has been designed to further strengthen the organisation. It will ensure that both AL-KO Kober and Bradley Doublelock provide the best range of heavy-duty towing and trailer equipment and vehicle chassis solutions available in the market; and the restructuring within the business also ensures that both brands continues to lead the industry.”

The move to integrate the Bradley business and the manufacture of the diverse product range into the plant in Southam will enable long standing customer relationships to continue, whilst improving the efficiency of supply of products that have led the trailer and towing components market for decades.

The company has also completed a product rationalisation program that identifies similar products across the ranges from both companies. Where possible, this has led to a refinement in the products being offered and opened up the wider availability of components to both Bradley and AL-KO customers.

“Meeting buyers expectations for service, deliveries and ensuring our customers get what they need, when they need it has been a major objective throughout the project. To meet this, we have put in place supplier relationships with wholesalers to hold stocks of the frequently ordered ranges to improve and maintain consistent delivery lead times to original equipment manufacturers, trailer and towing components outlets and end users.”

The Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland territories will continue to be supported by the sales and distribution office based in Athlone, County Westmeath. This facility will continue to stock, supply and support both AL-KO and Bradley ranges of trailer and towing components and assume responsibility for customers in Ireland.

Order and logistics management have already been relocated to AL-KO Kober’s Warwickshire headquarters and, whilst manufacturing of numerous of Bradley Doublelock products is still ongoing and supplied from Bingley in West Yorkshire, the relocation of machinery and production to Southam is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.

“This is a great opportunity to reinforce both brands to customers of Bradley and AL-KO products alike. It’s also an opportunity to demonstrate that the UK’s market-leading towing and trailer components will be more widely available and the ranges being delivered more efficiently and with greater manufacturer support.”

Fulton Limited has celebrated 50 years of manufacturing heat transfer solutions in the UK by hosting a ceremony and party at the M-Shed in Bristol for distributors, dignitaries and employees past and present.

Established in Bristol in 1966 and initially manufacturing a range of vertical tubeless steam boilers primarily for the laundry and dry cleaning market, Fulton Limited is today an important manufacturing base in the corporation’s global network that also includes production facilities in the USA, Canada and China.

Ronald and Bramley Palm (the son and grandson of Lewis Palm, Fulton’s founder) from Fulton’s parent company in the USA flew in to attend the celebrations and, amongst others, were joined by former managing director and co-founder of Fulton Boiler Works, Ian Davidson, and former sales and marketing director Gordon Bareham, who were both asked to take to the floor and give speeches.

Congratulating employees past and present on their achievements over the past 50 years, Fulton Limited’s managing director Carl Knight says the company’s Bristol-based manufacturing and design facility makes it possible to design, engineer and manufacture products more efficiently and assemble completed units for whenever and wherever they are needed for domestic and export customers.

The achievements were echoed by Bramley Palm, CEO of the Fulton Group, who added that, with a pride in workmanship that is second-to-none, Fulton’s UK facility has been responsible for designing and manufacturing some of the corporation’s highest quality steam boilers and heat transfer systems. “The company has a solid reputation with great products and many more on the way,” says Bramley “and we’re looking forward to our future with the UK facility!”

During his speech on the day, former sales and marketing director Gordon Bareham says: “I joined Fulton in the early 1990s as the company was going through major changes in every department and further centralising its operations in Bristol. This meant building a new office block and investing in plant, machinery and an extensive mezzanine floor for storage and production offices at the former Broomhill Road facility. This was real proof of the owners’ commitment to the future of Fulton in the UK; and was quickly followed by the adoption of the ISO9001 Quality Assurance standard, with the British Standards Institute rating Fulton as an excellent example of a specialist manufacturer following and meeting the standard.

“However, perhaps the most progressive change for Fulton at that time – and a first for any UK-based steam boiler manufacturer – was the company’s move from simply manufacturing steam boilers, to designing and building skid-mounted and pre-fabricated packaged plant room heat transfer solutions, some of which didn’t even feature a Fulton boiler! While a steep learning curve for every department, Fulton succeeded and I’m proud to have played a part in what was a very important transition for the company.” says Gordon

For the company’s dignitaries, distributors and former employees, the celebrations started with a tour of the current Bristol manufacturing facility which, on the day, housed Fulton Limited’s largest ever plant room build featuring two of the company’s fuel-fired FB horizontal boilers.

Summarising, Gordon Bareham goes on to say that ten years ago, he organised the 40th Anniversary celebrations at the old facility in Broomhill Road and has fond memories of that day. “Today, when I see the magnificent new facility and the ‘monster’ plant room in build, together with the lavish celebrations, it is clear that Fulton has made great progress in the last ten years!”