Mechanical & Hydraulic Solutions

Higher-Thrust Spur Gearbox

Rotork’s recently introduced IS21 gearbox adds higher thrust ratings to the company’s established lineup of multi-turn, thrust-taking, spur gearboxes. Retaining most parts of the Rotork IS20 design, the IS21 incorporates a new F60 cast-ductile-iron thrust base, thrust bearings, spigot ring, and output sleeve. Thrust ratings have increased to 4,350 kN for manual operation and 2,900 kN for motorized operation, or 30% more than the previous maximums. Corresponding maximum output torques have increased to 4,6100 Nm and 43,386 Nm, respectively. Suitable for the operation of gate, globe, and sluice valves; penstocks; and designed with customer stocking in mind, all IS gearboxes feature removable output sleeves for separate spindle machining. The units’ standard IP67 watertight and temporarily submersible enclosures can be optionally increased to IP68, and the standard operating-temperature range of -40 to 120 C can be expanded to suit specific high- or low-temperature demands.

Rotork plc
Bath, UK
rotork.com

Next-Gen TEFC Vertical Motors

Baldor has launched a new above-NEMA vertical P-base motor platform. The Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled (TEFC) G series is available in a power range of 200 to 900 hp, in frame sizes 5,010 to 5,012, at a variety of voltage ratings including 460, 2,300, 4,160, and 6,600. The entire platform has a cast-iron frame with a steel fan cover, and TEFC Enclosure in a more compact design than the previous generation. Designed for pumping and fan applications, the units meet standard NEMA-specified P-base dimensions for vertical-pump applications or horizontal mount for tunnel-fan applications. The G-series models feature a grease-lubricated ball bearing on the drive end with a thrust bearing on the upper (non-drive end) as standard. Oil lubrication and different bearing arrangements are optional features for applications subject to heavy loading. Options such as certifications to meet oil & gas-industry needs, including IEEE841 to
500 hp, API541 and API547 above 500 hp are available, as are non-reversing ratchets that control motor backspin upon de-energization to protect an entire pumping system.

Baldor Electric Co.
Fort Smith, AR
baldor.com

Multi-Tasking Butterfly Valve

Emerson Process Management’s high-performance Fisher 8590 butterfly valve provides a selection of disk seals, actuator designs, and material combinations to meet plant-wide throttling and on-off requirements. According to manufacturing, the new offering lets end-users combine a single-valve platform with a selection of technologies to control a variety of CL600 process demands. Using a lugged body design across the CL600 size range of NPS3 to NPS24, the 8590 can incorporate a splined shaft that accepts either a spring-and-diaphragm or pneumatic-piston actuator. Square or keyed shafts, that combine with hand levers, handwheels, or pneumatic-piston actuators, are available. The pressure-assisted design of the 8590’s disk seals provides tight shutoff and allows use of smaller, less expensive actuators for compliance with ASME B16.34. In addition to elastomer and metal seals, optional Enviro-Seal packing is available to keep emissions below 100 ppm. Trim and bolting materials allow sour-liquid and -gas services, in compliance with NACE MR0175-2002, NACE MR0175-2002-2003, MR0103, and MR0175/ISO 15156.

Emerson Process Management
Marshalltown, IA
emersonprocess.com

Rotating-Equipment Monitoring 

ITT’s PRO Services brand has launched the i-ALERT2, a Bluetooth SMART-enabled machine health monitor that tracks vibration, temperature, and run-time hours, then wirelessly syncs the data with iOS smartphones and tablets through an i-Alert2 mobile app. With the technology’s wireless range about 100 ft. (approx. 30 m.) and the ability to scan as many as 30 i-ALERT2 devices at once, personnel can quickly and safely inspect multiple pieces of equipment and receive alerts to problems before they become critical failures, 24/7/365. According to the manufacturer, its technology extends the practical reach of in-plant monitoring systems from pumps to cover between 80% and 90% of industrial machines, including motors, compressors, and gearboxes. The product is engineered and rated for use in a wide range of environments, including those with corrosive chemicals and explosive gases, dust, and fibers.

ITT Corp.
Seneca Falls, NY
itt.com

Conveyors From Pipes

EXAIR’s aluminum 3/8-in. and 1/2-in. NPT threaded line vac air-operated conveyors convert ordinary pipe into systems for moving parts, scrap, trim, and other bulk materials. Designed to attach to plumbing-pipe couplers, the products allow users to build powerful conveyors using ordinary pipe and fittings. The operating principle involves ejection of a small amount of compressed air that produces a vacuum on one end of the device and high-output flows on the other. Response, according to the manufacturer, is instantaneous. Regulating the compressed-air pressure provides infinite control of the conveying rate. Their small size makes the units well suited for use in cramped spaces and the tight confines found in many production lines.

Exair Corp.
Cincinnati, OH
exair.com

Torque-Checking Technology

According to Snap-On Industrial, a torque wrench is only as good as its accuracy. The company says its new 25 to 250 ft. lb.-range industrial digital torque checker provides a straightforward, cost-effective way for technicians to test the accuracy of mechanical and electronic torque wrenches any time. Designed for testing 1/2-in.-drive torque wrenches and, with the included adapter, 3/8-in. units, the device can be mounted on a wall or in a bench-top vise for quick access. Features and capabilities include three primary torque-check functions (track, peak hold, and first peak); accuracy of +/- 1% CW and +/- 1% CCW, 10% to 100%; a large, easy-to-read backlit LCD display; tough, composite housing with integrated 3/8-in. adapter storage; and adjustable auto shutoff. The manufacturer says these CEE-approved tools provide long working life with three AA batteries (included) or optional AC and DC adapters. Mounting hardware is included.

Snap-On Industrial
Kenosha, WI
snapon.com/industrial

Upgraded Flexible Couplings

According to TB Wood’s, its Sure-Flex Plus couplings, with EPDM and Neoprene sleeves, have a 30% higher torque rating than the company’s original Sure-Flex design. The sleeves allow many common applications to use a one-size-smaller coupling, which can reduce the cost of the initial coupling purchase and future sleeve replacements. The upgraded components also offer longer service life in demanding applications than the original design. The Sure-Flex Plus sleeve design is 100% compatible with all existing TB Wood’s and competitive coupling flanges. Retrofitting a sleeve eliminates the need to replace the full coupling.

TB Wood’s Inc.
Chambersburg, PA
tbwoods.com