Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) today announced that its Industrial division – with regional support from Italian distributor Leane International S.r.l. – has supplied Penny + Giles joystick controllers and rotary position sensors to Brescia Antincendi International S.r.l. (BAI) for use on the company’s second generation tunnel fire fighting and rescue vehicle, which has been designed for use in the thousands of kilometres of tunnels found in Italy and especially by the French/Italian Mont Blanc tunnel Fire Brigade.
Following the devastating fire that ripped through the Mont Blanc tunnel in 1999, BAI tirelessly researched and developed a vehicle that could quickly and easily access and retreat from tunnels. The result was the company’s first generation Janus 4000 Bifronte, a unique dual-faced, double-direction fire and rescue vehicle which, thanks to its all-wheel-drive transmission and automatic gearbox, was capable of driving in either direction at speeds in excess of 120 km/h. Additional all-wheel counter steering capabilities meant the Janus 4000 was also able to turn in very limited spaces when the rear wheels were turned in the opposite direction to those on the front and even move in an almost sideways ‘crab-like’ manner when they were turned in the same direction.
For Curtiss-Wright, the project started when BAI were looking for a friction-hold joystick to control the fire-fighting equipment installed on its second-generation fire fighting and rescue vehicle, the VSAT 13000 S, which has been specifically designed for high-temperature fire fighting operations in isolated and low visibility tunnel environments.
The new VSAT 13000 S features updated fire fighting equipment including roof- and bumper mounted fire monitors (water canons), each operated by its own Penny + Giles JC1500 friction hold joystick controller installed within the vehicle’s command cabin. The up/down function of each water canon is operated using the joystick’s X axis, with the rotational function being provided by a Penny + Giles NRH280DP rotary position sensor fitted to the bottom of each joystick. For both roof- and bumper-mounted water canon applications, the JC1500s are also used to operate water spray or jet functions, lighting, reach and direction.
To ensure that the water canons can be operated under all conditions, even if the cabin is overcome with smoke, the position of each canon can be easily identified by looking at the position of the joystick on the command cabin’s control panel.
Commenting on the reason for specifying a friction hold joystick, BAI’s Enrico Callura says: “Feedback from users of the Janus 4000 stated that, without having to refer to the control panel’s display, they wanted to easily identify the position of the joystick. The decision to specify Penny + Giles was based on BAI’s requirement for a joystick that was completely compatible with the rotary sensor and featured a low-profile design so the sensor could be fitted to its base – and with an under-panel depth of just 53mm, the JC1500 was ideal.”
BAI also stipulated that prototypes be manufactured and delivered quickly and the Industrial division’s rapid-prototyping facility was able to meet the very short lead time.
The Penny + Giles JC1500 single-axis, Hall-effect joystick controller is designed for heavy duty applications such as specialist on- and off-highway vehicles, where maintaining smooth proportional control is essential. Standard features include an IP69K rating on the sensor assembly; spring-to-centre or friction-hold lever action; lock and detent features; 5Vdc or 9-30Vdc supply; dual-channel output with optional ramp directions; analogue (Vdc) or digital (PWM) outputs; and an operating range from -40°C to +85°C.
The company’s non-contact NRH280DP Hall-effect rotary position sensor is provided with a housing activated by a separate magnet, allowing a small 6.5mm profile. The NRH280DP is designed for operation in extreme temperatures and is factory configured to provide OEMs with a wide selection of parameter options including measurement range and clockwise or anticlockwise direction output. This flexibility provides a greater amount of control to configure the sensor to best suit the needs of OEMs and achieve maximum performance. For example, the sensor can be configured so that one signal can be used in a control function while the other is used for position monitoring or display purposes.
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. For further information about Penny + Giles products and other innovative solutions available from Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division, please visit www.cw-industrial.com or call +44 (0)1425 271444.
Monodraught has supplied and installed twelve of its Windcatcher X-Air systems to provide natural ventilation for the 82,500 square foot sales area of Tesco’s newest and largest Eco Store, which opened in Corby, Northamptonshire in January 2013.
The tried and tested Monodraught Windcatcher X-Air systems are on the Tesco approved list for its Eco Stores and have been specified previously on successful installations by architects Woods Hardwick, the project’s master planners and designers.
The Eco Store was built by developer Mulberry to Tesco’s specification on the St. James Industrial Estate, and is the largest Eco Store built to date. The 7.8 hectare site, which is located on one of the primary approaches to the town, has been landscaped and includes cycle routes and displays of public art. It also features a special, dynamically-designed canopy for its petrol station.
The site is also within Corby’s existing ecology zone, so rather than disrupt the natural habitat of the indigenous wildlife, the site plans were adapted to include an ecology zone adjacent to the store, which also extends into an ecology corridor leading into the town centre.
Commenting for Woods Hardwick, commercial director Karl Myhill says that in response to updated building regulations Tesco has included energy saving and sustainable initiatives to go beyond the standard requirement of 50% carbon reduction and ensure that the store is as sustainable and energy efficient as possible.
As one of the key suppliers, Monodraught was involved early in the planning stage, later supplying twelve oval Windcatcher X-Air systems aerodynamically-designed to deliver the optimum ventilation rate to extract warm, stale air from the vast main sales area of the store and introduce fresh, naturally-ventilated air.
Defining features of the Windcatcher X-Air include distinctive styling and patented LED architectural lighting, which create a unique presence on the roof of a building – day and night. For the Corby store, Monodraught also designed a unique terminal, which is now a distinctive feature of new Eco Stores and an integral part of the corporate image of the buildings.
Complementing the distinctive design are other innovative features that significantly improve the Windcatcher X-Air’s performance and create a new standard in natural ventilation systems. These include Monodraught’s Activlouvremodulating aerofoil technology featuring specially-designed louvre blades to minimise resistance and maximise airflow while providing significantly smoother internal airflow. Together they optimise ventilation control and ultimate weather protection. The X-Air units, which are constructed from fully-recyclable materials, are also fitted with composite insulated upstands to achieve low U-values and high air tightness. They also make installation much quicker and easier.
Other significant environmental features of the building include a timber frame, sustainable cladding and a rain water harvesting system.
Summing up, Karl Myhill says: “We were proud to have designed-in such sustainable features at the start and worked with Corby Council, which was involved in enhancing the environmental credentials of Tesco’s largest environmental-format store, providing electric car charging points and a number of other initiatives.” He adds that the practice is also proud that the building has achieved a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating without having to resort to retro-fit solutions such as photovoltaic cells and wind turbines.
Commenting for Monodraught, business development director Robbert Alsem says the company is delighted to have been involved in such a prestigious and pioneering retail project and, while it is too early to assess its ultimate performance, it will be interesting to learn in future how environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient the store is.
The Corby Eco Store is expected to become a benchmark for future Tesco Eco Stores.
Windcatcher X-Air and Activlouvre are registered trademarks owned by Monodraught Limited.
Ends
For further information contact:
Marketing Department, Monodraught Limited
Halifax House, Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 3SE
Phone: 44 (0)1494 897700, Fax: 44 (0)1494 532465
Email: info@monodraught.com Web: www.monodraught.com
In the current climate of soaring energy prices and the fear of global warming, increasing attention is being focused on Monodraught’s natural ventilation, natural daylighting and natural cooling product ranges.
Monodraught has always sought to invent, explore and develop innovative technologies that harness the wind and sun. Products include Windcatchers, Sunpipes, Suncatchers, Sola-Vents, Sola-Boosts and Cool-Phase.
Q8Oils has produced a new brochure for the Q8 range of soluble and neat metal working fluids.
The new ‘Smart Engineering Solutions’ brochure provides an overview of the company’s metal working fluids portfolio – including Q8 Baroni, Q8 Beethoven, Q8 Berlioz soluble fluids, Q8 Bach neat metal working oils, and Q8 Brahms neat forming oils. The solutions offered in the new brochure are the result of more than 100 years of product development and application experience.
Designed in the UK, the brochure will also be translated into various languages to cater for the 80+ countries worldwide into which Q8Oils sells its metal working fluids.
Commenting for Q8Oils, brand and communication manager, Neil Grieve says: “It is essential that we offer a product range from which customers can confidently choose a metal working fluid best suited to their process and application; and the brochure is designed to illustrate that various options are available. They can then contact us for advice on the products that perfectly match their specific requirements by consulting with a Q8Oils engineer or sales manager’’.
The new Smart Engineering Solutions brochure features easy-read tables and graphs to help guide customers to the correct Q8 metal working fluid grade and contains details on how they can contact Q8Oils sales and technical staff.
For your copy of the new ‘Smart Engineering Solutions’ brochure from Q8Oils, email metal@Q8Oils.com or contact the international office on +32 (0)3 247 38 11 or UK office on +44 (0)113 235 0555.
Harry Barr has been appointed as Q8Oils’ field service technician (FST) for Scotland. Harry, who studied mechanical engineering at college and went on to serve his apprenticeship as an agricultural engineer, has also worked for British Steel and as a site manager within the Rolls Royce group.
Harry’s primary role is it to monitor the condition of Q8Oils metalworking fluids and lubricants at his customers’ sites. A variety of tests are carried out to ensure Q8Oils are performing correctly, including visual inspections, determination of the lubricant concentration, pH monitoring. In addition, conductivity, total dissolved solids, biocide concentration and the bio-burden are measured and FSTs also offer advice, which can help customers increase coolant life and performance, refine and improve cutting and forming processes, and reduce machine down-time.
The Q8Oils Field Service Technician service was launched at MACH 1992 and was so well received in the wider industry that, at METCUT 1994, it received a ‘Technical Innovation’ award from Metalworking Production.
Twenty-two years on from its launch, Q8Oils will be using this years’ MACH and Subcon shows to re-launch its FST service. The new offering, which uses a tablet-based system and bespoke app, will enable Q8Oils FSTs to monitor fluids, complete their audits and deliver results all while onsite; ensuring that if bacteria are found in cutting fluids it is reported as soon as possible.
Commenting for Q8Oils, Harry says: “We’ve been trialling this new system for a while now and it’s a real innovation and promises tangible benefits for Q8Oils customers.”
For further information, Q8Oils will be demonstrating the new FST system at MACH 2014 (Stand 5584) or Subcon 2014 (Stand G23). Alternatively, call Q8Oils on +44 (0)113 235 0555 or email Marketing@Q8Oils.com.
Advanced Insulation (www.aisplc.com)
Since its formation in 2007, Advanced Insulation has become a single source provider for insulation and fire protection systems to the oil and gas industry, and represents one of the most respected and progressive names in topside and subsea insulation worldwide.
Advanced Insulation offers a wide range of products to meet the growing demand for fire protection and thermal insulation systems adaptable for elevated service temperatures and pressures.
AL-KO Kober (www.al-ko-co.uk)
Since 1931, AL-KO Kober has been manufacturing premium, high quality components used in the Automotive, Commercial and Leisure industry.
The extensive range of chassis components, premium accessories and spare parts are engineered to last, ensuring whatever product you have purchased, you will benefit from the generations of development and enjoy a lifetime of service.
Arc Energy Resources (www.arcenergy.co.uk)
Arc Energy Resources is one of the UK’s leading specialists in weld overlay cladding and fabrication for the oil & gas industry. The company’s expertise provides protection against corrosion and wear for a variety of process and pipeline equipment for use in any hostile environment.
The company recently made a major investment in two new Rotating Head welding machines costing £500,000. This has increased productivity and extended the size and scope of work it can handle, which now includes complicated component geometries for the full or partial cladding and fabrication of a huge range of component sizes weighing up to 15 tonnes. The company’s in-house designed cladding workstations feature state-of-the-art control systems developed to suit its customer’s specialised engineering requirements, and can clad bores up to four metres diameter and areas of restricted access within bores as small as 20mm diameter. Arc Energy also offers in-house test weld, heat treatment, PMI and NDT facilities.
Industry certifications include ISO 9001:2008 quality management, ISO 3834-2 fusion welding of metallic materials, and the internationally renowned ASME U and R Stamps, as well as ISO 14001:2004 environment management, Investors in People and OHSAS 18001:2007 Health & Safety management system.
Curtiss-Wright Industrial Group, which includes the legacy brands of Arens Controls, Penny & Giles, PG Drives Technology and Williams Controls, is a recognized leader in providing components and sub-systems which enable customer specific solutions for on- and off-highway vehicles. These include medium- and heavy-duty trucks, buses and motor coaches, construction and agricultural vehicles, materials handling, and other specialty vehicles, as well as sophisticated wheelchairs and scooters for medical mobility.
We are a leading provider of electronic throttle controls, transmission shifters and sensors for commercial off-highway equipment and heavy trucks, so helping to address the long-term trend towards attaining higher fuel efficiency and lower emissions. We also supply operator controls and advanced motor controllers for hybrid and electric vehicles, such as buses, forklift trucks, pallet stackers, wheelchairs and rehabilitation chairs.
With a proud legacy spanning more than 85 years, Curtiss-Wright 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, we have a long tradition of providing reliable solutions through trusted customer relationships.
Further information is available from the Curtiss-Wright Industrial website (www.cw-industrialgroup.com) or by calling +44 (0)1202 034000.
Euchner (UK) Limited (www.euchner.co.uk)
Safety for people, machines and products has been the maxim of this family-owned company since 1953. Stefan Euchner is the third generation to take the helm.
As specialists in industrial safety engineering, Euchner develops and manufactures products and solutions tailored to the requirements of customers from a wide range of sectors. Using its guards on machines and installations helps to minimise hazards and risks, which in turn protects people and processes. For its 800 employees around the world, safety is the watchword.
Further information is available from the Euchner (UK) Limited website (www.euchner.co.uk) or by calling +44 (0)114 256 0123.
Industry Superstore (www.industrysuperstore.co.uk)
Industry Superstore is a one-stop-shop for a wealth of budget-friendly, high-quality products tailored to industry!
Further information is available from the Industry Superstore website (www.industrysuperstore.co.uk) or by calling +44 (0)1892 664499.
Exmac Automation Limited has many years experience in the design, manufacture, and installation of unit conveyors, conveyor systems and associated materials handling equipment for most industry sectors.
Exmac Automation is part of the MacDonald Humfrey group of companies and are market leaders in the supply of automated materials handling equipment to the automotive, aerospace, white goods, warehouse & distribution, nuclear, pharmaceutical and food & beverage industries.
The group supplies to most industry sectors and have over 250 employees with many years experience in the design, manufacture and installation of unit conveyors, conveyor systems and associated materials handling equipment.
Projects have ranged from individual standard conveyors and bespoke handling applications, through to complete turnkey contracts involving conceptual and process design, installation and commissioning.
We are ISO 9001 accredited and constantly strive to achieve continuous improvements in the overall quality of our products and service.
Exmac Automation has has established a reputation for supplying high quality, robust systems at competitive prices.
In-house resources enable us to provide clients with a single source for complete systems integration including simulation, engineering, machining, fabrication, assembly, controls, installation & commissioning and after sales service.
Our 70,000 sq ft facility in Worcester has extensive design, manufacturing and assembly resources. Our skilled team of customer focussed automation professionals offers a broad base of knowledge and experience in a wide variety of industries.
A large workshop enables us to carry out comprehensive pre-installation assembly and factory acceptance tests on all projects.
Fulton Limited (www.fulton.co.uk)
The Fulton name has been synonymous with steam since the company first introduced the vertical tubeless steam boiler in 1949 and Fulton was established in Bristol in 1966. Fulton is still one of the world’s leading manufacturers, producing an unrivalled range of multi-fuel steam boilers. But increasingly these are ordered by customers as part of bespoke turnkey systems designed to meet exacting specifications.
Today Fulton Limited is an important design and manufacturing base in Fulton’s global network that also includes production facilities in the USA and China. The company’s UK facility makes it possible to manufacture products more efficiently and assemble completed units for whenever and wherever they are needed throughout the UK and in export markets.
Once just a steam boiler manufacturer, Fulton now specialises in ready-to-ship skid mounted and fully packaged boiler plant rooms to meet the current demand for off-site fabrication. The company puts great emphasis in providing sales and application advice and a full commissioning and after sales service to a growing customer base in hospital and healthcare facilities, food and beverage processing, laundries and other applications.
Design and manufacturing resources are shared and coordinated around the world, but no matter where your product originates, it will always be produced to the highest quality in a facility that is wholly owned and managed by the Fulton Group, which remains a privately owned family business.
Fulton’s heating and hot water systems can be delivered as fully prefabricated plant rooms or complete skid-mounted units, built to fit a prepared location and connect direct to your services.
Using the latest CAD equipment its design team can accommodate the most sophisticated engineering specifications in surprisingly compact spaces, locating components in the best possible position to suit the installation.
In every sense, today’s Fulton boiler systems are solutions that fit the requirements of the modern age of steam.
Gast Group (www.gastmfg.com / www.jun-air.com)
Since 1921, Gast Manufacturing, Inc. has been designing and manufacturing quality air-moving products. Our vacuum pumps, compressors, air motors, gear motors, vacuum generators, regenerative blowers and Smart Air technology meet the many challenging applications of OEMs and end-users worldwide.
For industrial manufacturing, health care lab, or environmental cleanup applications, Gast provides a full range of ideally suited and cost-effective solutions to any pneumatic problem.
Monodraught (www.monodraught.com)
In the current climate of soaring energy prices and the fear of global warming, increasing attention is being focused on Monodraught’s range of energy-free products.
Monodraught has always sought to invent, explore and develop innovative technologies that harness the wind and sun. Products include Windcatchers, Sunpipes, Suncatchers, Sola-vents, Sola-boosts and Cool-phase.
Nexen Lift Trucks (www.nexenlifttrucks.com)
Disillusioned with the ever-increasing complexity of new forklift trucks and the failure of the major manufacturers to provide a high level of support to their dealer networks, the decision was taken to develop its own range of forklifts.
In 2003 Nexen Lift Trucks was established with the vision to design and manufacture its own range with a combined 70 years experience of the lift truck rental industry. Nexen's ultimate goal is to build worldwide brand recognition based on its product's design and build quality as well as outstanding reliability at competitive prices.
In 2007 Nexen completed the purchase of the second largest lift truck manufacturer in Taiwan, creating the Nexen Motor Corporation. Initially the existing models were improved whilst a European based design team was established to develop a completely new range of trucks from the ground up to meet Nexen's standards.
Q8Oils (www.Q8Oils.co.uk / @Q8OilsUK)
Q8Oils has become a major player in the global lubricants market. Our success is founded on significant corporate resources, a commitment to product development and uncompromising standards of quality and service.
Q8Oils has a unique and innovative approach producing some of the world´s finest quality lubricants. Manufactured in its state of the art plant at Leeds, West Yorkshire, Q8Oils represent the very best and latest in lubricant technology. With over 1000 grades of finished lubricants, base oils, process oils, extracts and waxes.
We are dedicated to serving the needs of our customers by striving to understand, anticipate and satisfy their needs faster and better than our competitors. To achieve this our objective is to develop and supply products and services which reflect customer demands in each of our market sectors.
TLV Euro Engineering (www.tlv.co.uk)
TLV Euro Engineering UK is part of TLV, an internationally-established designer, manufacturer and provider of steam traps, condensate recovery pumps, pressure reducing valves and other specialist steam solutions. The company plays a leading role in the promotion of efficient energy systems and increased environmental conservation on a worldwide scale through its products and consulting and engineering services.
Rockatek (www.rockatek.com)
Cheltenham-based Rockatek Ltd is an engineering consultancy that offers design, analysis and physical testing services that set it apart from others. Its directors have over 40 years’ experience in complex engineering product optimisation and development; and its engineers specialise in engineering solutions for harsh environments and value improving reliability and performance.
Verco (www.ver.co.uk)
Founded in 1965, Verco quickly built a reputation for supplying quality refrigerated glass door and open chill cabinets to supermarkets, convenience and forecourt stores. Verco is now a leading supplier of retail refrigeration and the largest UK manufacturer of glass door cabinets.
