MTS Systems adds to its Temposonics line
MTS Systems Corp.'s sensor division in Cary, N.C., has expanded its Temposonics line of intelligent products by adding the high-speed networking R-Series EtherCAT sensor.
EtherCAT stands for Ethernet for control automation technology. The interface for industrial Ethernet use allows machine builders to overcome bandwidth and node limitations on other commercially available industrial networks, said Dave Edeal, Temposonics marketing manager. The magnetostrictive linear-position sensors are available for use with one to five position magnets.
In addition, the division introduced an option for sensing in extreme shock and vibration environments in steel, wood, plastics and materials-testing applications. Based on a next-generation design, the Temposonics G-Series and R-Series products operate ``beyond current industry standards,'' Edeal said.
The products stem from a patent-pending development for the mobile equipment market in MTS' M-Series mobile hydraulic product line.
Separately, the D-Series sensor uses noncontact technology with high durability in linear positioning.
Mokon's Hydrotherm sports stainless steel
Mokon of Buffalo, N.Y., said it has reorganized production and begun marketing complete centralized cooling systems.
The company also introduced its Hydrotherm II circulating-water temperature-control system, which is the first of its kind to have stainless steel as the main component for wetted surfaces, according to Jeff Mallon, Mokon sales manager. Most systems use carbon steel or cast iron.
The system has a two-pass stainless-steel heating canister. Fluid travels over the heating elements to increase heat-transfer efficiency. The unit's base price is $1,595.
Mokon reorganized its fabrication shop to allow manufacturing of pump tanks up to 4,000 gallons instead of its previous maximum of 2,500 gallons. Along with its tank line, Mokon now resells cooling towers and chillers.
In addition, Mokon introduced a redesigned HF-2 Series within its line of heat-transfer fluid systems. Mokon switched to a canister design from a manifold tube design, reduced the footprint and weight and welded the connections instead of threading them. The base price is $12,595.
In May, Underwriters Laboratories Inc. certified Mokon's electrical subpanels. Historically, Mokon has built its panels to UL specifications, but only recently requested certification. Mokon becomes the first company in the market for circulating-liquid temperature-control systems to offer UL certification as a standard feature across its product line, Mallon said.
Mokon, which employs 40, is a division of Protective Closures Co. Inc.
Instron introduces meter and pendulum
Test equipment provider Instron Corp. of Norwood, Mass., introduced its Standard Video Extensometer.
The 3300 Series SVE can test plastics, elastomers and other materials. An optional noncontacting SVE applies neither weight nor operating force on the specimen.
The SVE is controlled through setup windows integrated with Instron's Bluehill 2 software and runs on a single computer system. A user can mount the SVE on a variety of Instron testing machines and environment chambers.
Instrom also released a versatile, newly reconfigured POE2000 pendulum for impact testing of plastics, composites and ceramics. The instrument now comes standard and fully integrated with the Impulse data acquisition and analysis system. A fully configured, low-energy-consuming POE2000 system starts at $26,200.
MGS Mfg. displays add-on injection unit
MGS Manufacturing Group Inc. of Germantown, Wis., demonstrated an all-electric portable injection molding unit that a processor can add to a press instead of buying a new multishot machine.
A processor can gain a second or even third shot by installing the unit on a single-shot machine, said John Hahn, MGS vice president of engineering.
MGS markets the technology under its Universal Multishot Systems brand. Pricing starts at $70,000.
Useful in molding microsize parts, the electric units can produce shot sizes of 0.168-0.554 ounce and operate with reciprocating screws measuring 11-20 millimeters. Hahn said the 11mm version is the world's smallest reciprocating screw.
Also at NPE, the firm showed a hydraulic insert molding machine with integrated tooling and clamp. Clamping forces can range from 5-90 tons. MGS began selling the machine in late 2005, Hahn said.
MGS also introduced a vacuum unit it said can eliminate trapped gas and reduce part burns, voids and short shots. Positive pressure features include a vacuum release at the beginning of the mold opening and an air blast that aids in part release at ejection.
In March, MGS and PlastiComp LLC of Winona, Minn., agreed to retrofit as needed any UMS press with PlastiComp's direct in-line Pushtrusion process.
In November, MGS and Taiwan's Greenpoint Group started a joint technical exchange under which Greenpoint takes MGS technology and adapts it to Greenpoint equipment.
MGS employs 720 and, in addition to its main Germantown site, has Illinois facilities in Libertyville and Antioch.
Bielomatik growing North American unit
Changes for Bielomatik Inc. of New Hudson, Mich., include new management, more space and employees, and sales growth.
Marcus Rauchhaus, who joined the operation last year as president and chief executive officer, projects 2006 sales growth of 20 percent vs. last year. He declined to provide sales figures.
In linear vibration welding, Bielomatik showed upgrades using closed-loop hydraulic control with pressure feedback, along with automatic tool-weight compensation.
Bielomatik had 33,000 square feet of space until last year, when it leased another 6,000 square feet, largely for a research and development laboratory and more space for tool trials and prototype production. Employment increased to 60 from 40 with particular boosts in design and assembly capabilities.
``Ten percent of our sales volume is through prototype development work with customers,'' said Jeff Weddell, sales manager.
The parent company, Bielomatik Leuze GmbH + Co. KG of Neuffen, Germany, was founded by Hans Biel in 1946.
In 2004, Bielomatik Leuze established a joint venture for the Chinese market with Lin Gao Ultrasonic Equipment. The venture in Dongguan, China, employs 80.
In addition to the plastics welding business, Bielomatik units make machines and systems for paper processing, lubrication technology and radio frequency identification.
Sonics touts X-Press for ultrasonic welds
Welding systems provider Sonics & Materials Inc. of Newtown, Conn., showed the X-Press 20-kilohertz integrated ultrasonic welding press with a built-in microprocessor. The X-Press costs less than $9,000 and entered the market in late 2005, said Mark Caldwell, national sales manager.
The X-Press has a single-piece, cast-aluminum machine base and column hub along with accessible front-panel pneumatic and microprocessor controls. Previously, with Sonics' Model 2050 press, the machine and controls were housed separately.
In addition, Sonics showed a line of GX Series power supplies for ultrasonic plastics welding with a price of $9,000-$15,000.
The line of microprocessor-controlled ultrasonic generators was designed for Sonics' 20- and 40-kHz welding frequencies and is available for existing and new models of the firm's ultrasonic welding presses and actuators.
Each GX Series unit is more than 30 percent smaller than models in the firm's previous E and F series. Sonics reconfigured the keypad for data entry with easy-to-understand language displays and logical command flow.
All GX units have automatic frequency tuning.