Compiled by Angela Godwin
Autoclavable labels
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Computer Imprintable Label Systems (CILS) has launched a label specifically developed to stop vials from fusing together in the extreme environments of autoclaves. To prevent damage to the label, loss of important data and the vials becoming unusable, the company has developed a new material/adhesive combination to withstand the sterilization process. The new labels remain unaffected by the environmental conditions experienced in bulk cleaning and subsequent filling-without jamming. A computer-imprintable coating ensures crisp, sharp print quality with no loss of data. The labels are available in plain and preprinted formats to suit specific requirements.
CILS International
Beverly, Mass.
www.cils-international.com
Corrosion-resistant brush
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Felton Brush has introduced a flexible brush that is suitable for clean-processing environments. The DesignFlex™ brush uses synthetic, inert materials and is flexible, lightweight and chemical-resistant. The brush can be used in industries-such as food processing and pharmaceuticals-where stainless-steel cylinder brushes are typically used. It can be integrated with a plastic cylinder and, using various capture methods, its polymer base can be secured without the need for fasteners such as screws and clips. This product is particularly suitable when a brush must conform to radii; perform in clean areas or oxidative environments; be installed with long, uninterrupted length, customized shape, or all-plastic assembly; or be field-replaceable. Applications include air filtering in HVAC systems, draft seals for doors, label application, and leveling, guiding, and tension of products being moved.
Felton Brush
Londonderry, N.H.
www.feltonbrush.com
Compact pipette pump
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The compact and lightweight design of the Scienceware® Pipette Pump III™ Pipettor adds only 152 mm (6”) to the pipette length, which is ideal for use in fume hoods and controlled-environment glove boxes. The thumb wheel aspirates and dispenses easily and accurately, down to a volume of one drop at a time, with a more relaxed grip. The pump is available in three different pipette volumes (2 ml, 10 ml, 25 ml), each color-coded for easy identification. A self-stabilizing collar inside the silicone chuck holds either glass or plastic pipettes. Pipettors are resistant to acids, alkalis and most solvents and can be disassembled for cleaning.
Bel-Art Products, Inc.
Pequannock, N.J.
www.belart.com
Slide-culture system
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The MycoVue™ system from Hardy Diagnostics is a ready-to-use, diagnostic slide-culture system for identifying fungi. It provides a standardized, comprehensive method that eliminates the time-consuming preparations and technical difficulties encountered with the classical slide-culture technique. It simplifies the slide-culture method by providing all the necessary components for this procedure in one ready-to-use, disposable unit. The system comes with a protective lid and a built-in humidifying chamber. The device is designed to fit easily onto a microscope stage, thereby allowing direct viewing of the developing fungus through the device, thus eliminating the disruption of the fungal colony. The cover slip can be removed and stained for further evaluation or preservation. MycoVue is offered with a choice of media formulations: Potato Flake Agar or SABHI™ Agar.
Hardy Diagnostics
Santa Maria, Calif.
www.hardydiagnostics.com
Laser particle monitor
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Kanomax USA, Inc. has recently introduced its cleanroom monitoring system to the domestic U.S. and international markets. This fully-featured, continuous monitoring system is designed to measure particle contaminant levels, temperature, relative humidity and air velocity in all types of manufacturing and research cleanroom applications, including: pharmaceuticals, circuits/disk drives, food processing, and cleanroom accessory manufacturing. The laser-based measurement platform and 0.1 CFM flow rate conform to ISO 14644 recommendations for the specification of air cleanliness and determination of particle concentration limits. The model 3714 Particle Laser Sensor is designed to measure particles sized at 0.3 μm and 0.5 μm, meeting the requirements of the electronics and computer components industries. Similarly, the model 3715 PLS is configured for pharmaceutical and other industries utilizing a detection platform of 0.5 µm and 5 µm. This comprehensive system combines particle, temperature, humidity and various other sensors with a central communication hub and complete collection, display and reporting software application.
Kanomax USA
Andover, N.J.
www.kanomax-usa.com
Modular air-quality booth
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The Gold Series® Booth (GSB) from Farr Air Pollution Control (APC) provides a convenient, manufacturing-friendly system for protecting workers from dusty environments. The GSB encloses the work environment on three sides and creates a crossdraft in the work area, pulling the dust away from the breathing zone and providing high-efficiency removal of dust, fumes and other particulates. The booth encloses and isolates areas associated with industrial “dirty work” and may eliminate the need for respirators-making it ideal for production of castings or other parts subjected to grinding, sanding, abrasive blasting, welding, powder painting and similar operations. The GSB uses Farr’s high-efficiency (99.99 percent on 0.5 micron) HemiPleat™ filter cartridge. The GSB is offered as a self-contained unit with blowers, light fixtures and easy-to-access controls.
Farr Air Pollution Control
Jonesboro, Ark.
www.farrapc.com
Magnetic field cancellation system
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Technical Manufacturing Corporation (TMC) has introduced Mag-NetX™, a magnetic field cancellation system that compensates for magnetic interference that diminishes the performance of scanning and transmission electron microscopes, electron-beam lithography systems, focused ion-beam instruments, and other tools that incorporate a charged beam. Designed for both point-of-use and OEM applications, this system detects magnetic fields and sends out an equal and opposite field to cancel the interference. The system comprises a dedicated controller with automated calibration and self-test features, AC and DC magnetic sensor, and Helmholtz coils in a structural casing. It can be floor-, wall- or tool-mounted and sized to user-specific requirements.
Technical Manufacturing Corporation
Peabody, Mass.
www.techmfg.com
Ultrafiltration membranes
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Millipore has announced the availability of its family of ultrafiltration (UF) membranes for the microelectronics market. The company’s void-free polyethersulfone (PES) and regenerated cellulose UF membranes can collect and concentrate extremely small particles and dissolved molecules from fluids. The UF membranes are available in a broad range of molecular weight cut-offs to suit a variety of filtration applications. Biomax® membranes are well suited for applications requiring high flux, low-protein binding, and harsh chemical cleaning and sanitization. The PES composite membranes are caustic- and chlorine-resistant, and provide a stable hydraulic environment for mechanical strength and integrity. High flux and high retention levels optimize processing speeds and yields. Amicon® PM membranes are ideal for the concentration and desalination of concentrated samples or in applications where a short processing time is required. These low-protein PES membranes are designed for high flux and separation of concentrated solutions. The membranes are offered with polyethylene (PE) or polyolefin-blend backing material. Amicon YM membranes are best for the concentration and desalination of extremely dilute solutions or hydrophobic samples. These UF membranes maximize retention and minimize membrane adsorption. Finally, patented, composite Viresolve® membranes provide reliable and consistent viral clearance (greater than 3-log removal of viruses). The low-binding polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) structures yield greater than 90 percent protein recovery. Viresolve membranes are appropriate for normal flow and tangential flow filtration.
Millipore Corporation
Billerica, Mass.
www.millipore.com
Stainless-steel gages
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Dwyer Instruments, Inc., has announced the release of its new Series SGL stainless-steel gages. These gages feature dual English/metric scales with 1 percent ASME Grade 1A accuracy, and are designed with 304 stainless-steel housings and 316L stainless-steel wetted parts for excellent chemical compatibility. Units can withstand ambient temperatures up to 149°F (65°C) and process temperatures up to 572°F (300°C). A wide selection of ranges is available from full vacuum, compound to 20,000 psi.
Dwyer Instruments, Inc.
Michigan City, Ind.
www.dwyer-inst.com
Silicone tubing
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PumpSil® from Watson-Marlow Bredel is a platinum-cured silicone tubing designed with an ultrasmooth bore to control protein binding and bacterial growth. The tubing is post-cured to minimize leachables and extractables. With a high level of purity and clarity, this tubing is ideal for use in sanitary environments and meets quality-testing standards, including USP Class VI, ISO 10993 and USDA requirements. The tubing’s unique LaserTraceability™ feature allows for the tubing to be laser-marked with part and lot numbers and use-by date. A 100 percent indelible fine etch is produced on the surface of the tube, preventing contamination from inks and other materials. The end-to-end lot traceability, validation information packs, and certificates of analysis in every box result in simplified validation. Pumpsil is available in standard and custom sizes from 50-foot boxes to 500-foot spools, with custom-molded assemblies and manifolds.
Watson-Marlow Bredel
Wilmington, Mass.
www.pumpsil.com
Water purification system
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Millipore has announced the availability of the new RiOs 3 water purification system, designed to meet the needs of laboratories that require up to 30 L/day of high-quality, pure water from tap. This adaptable system is suitable for general, noncritical laboratory applications such as manual cleaning/rinsing and buffer preparation. It also can be used to provide feedwater for glassware washers, autoclaves and humidifiers, or as a pretreatment for ultrapure water systems. The compact and lightweight (7.0 kg/15.4 lbs) RiOs 3 system can be wall- or bench-mounted. Type III reverse osmosis (RO) product water is produced at a flow rate of 3 L/h at 20°C. This product water is typically > 94 percent free of ionic contaminants and > 99 percent free of organics, bacteria and particles. The water can be used on demand or stored in the integrated 6 L reservoir in optimal condition for use when needed.
Millipore Corporation
Billerica, Mass.
www.millipore.com
Valve actuators
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Flowserve Corp. has announced the launch of the Limitorque Actuation Systems L75 series of electric valve actuators. The L75 series provides remote-control actuation of quarter-turn valves and other rotary devices, including On/Off and modulating rotary valve applications. This product is appropriate for water and wastewater treatment, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage applications, among others. The L75 series is lightweight, compact and available in eight sizes. It features a baked-polyester finish as its standard coating, but special coatings are available for hazardous-environment applications. These actuators are ideal for the control of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning duct systems, as well as automatic and remotely operated equipment. The L75 series can be ordered with a variety of options, including a cycle-length control feature, a feedback potentiometer, a position indicator board, and a heater/thermostat.
Flowserve Corp.
Dallas, Texas
www.flowserve.com
Clear protective film
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Integument Technologies, Inc. has announced the availability of FluoroGrip® optically clear, fluoropolymer film to protect windows, machine guards and equipment from harsh manufacturing environments. The film offers cost-effective protection of standard polycarbonate glass used on equipment such as critical clean and etch, post-ash clean/photoresist strip, and other systems. It provides resistance to a wide range of aggressive chemicals and withstands the high temperatures found in harsh semiconductor processing environments. The product is available in a variety of thicknesses (3 to 30 mils), widths and lengths, as well as materials, including Teflon® (FEP) and HALAR® (ECTFE), to meet specific cleanroom requirements. With its peel-and-stick installation, this product can be easily applied over polycarbonate glass and other surfaces. The film can be furnished pre-applied to polycarbonate sheets or in ready-to-apply rolls.
Integument Technologies, Inc.
Tonawanda, N.Y.
www.integument.com
Equipment tracking solution
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AdvantaPure has announced the availability of Process Equipment Tracking (PET), an equipment identification and lifecycle analysis system designed to identify and track process equipment such as pumps, hoses, biobags, diaphragm valves, filters, and UV lamps. Applicable industries include pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical, chemical, biomedical/biotechnology, food and beverage, and others involved in critical processes. PET uses RFID technology to assist with equipment monitoring: Usage and cleaning cycles, for example, can be tracked to ensure timely maintenance and replacement of parts. RFID tags are attached to process equipment by various methods-a molded pouch, silicone fusible tape, lamination, or watchband-style encasement-and each tag’s stored information can be accessed using a handheld reader/writer. Data can later be transferred to a networked computer, allowing other users to view the information. The tags are safe for use with CIP, SIP, and autoclave processes.
AdvantaPure, a division of NewAge Industries
Southampton, Pa.
www.advantapure.com
High-purity gas regulator
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The Veriflo division of Parker Hannifin has recently introduced a miniature point-of-use pressure regulator designed to reduce semiconductor tool real estate and costs. With a compact footprint of just 1.25 square inches (31.75 mm), the new MiniQR offers excellent performance including a Cv of 0.1 and an ability to accommodate inlet pressures to 500 PSIG (35 BarG) with a choice of outlet pressure ranges of 1-30, 1-60, 2-100 or 3-250 PSIG (from 2 to 17 BarG). It’s a threadless style, non-tied, double-diaphragm regulator for pressure control of high-purity gases. This relatively high Cv and broad operating range means that the regulator is purged rapidly, and may be used in a wide variety of regulator applications, allowing tool OEMs to standardize on one component across a range of systems. Fabricated from 316L stainless steel, with Hastelloy C-22® diaphragms and an Inconel® poppet, this regulator is available with either tube-stub or face-seal connections. The valve features a PCTFE seat with a self-centering poppet design. The standard surface finish (Ra value) is 10 micro-inches or less, with a 5 micro-inch finish available as an option. The regulator operates over a temperature range of -40 to +150°F (-40 to +66°C).
Parker Hannafin Corporation, Veriflo Division
Richmond, Calif.
www.parker.com
Electrostatic voltmeter
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TREK, INC. has introduced the Infinitron™, its new ultrahigh impedance voltmeter with a hand-held probe that enables contacting voltage measurements to be made with virtually no transfer of electric charge to or from the measured object. It measures site-specific voltage on devices sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD) during their handling and processing in order to identify and rectify problems in the process that could result in potentially devastating ESD events. Applicable industries include: semiconductor, electronic assembly, hard disk drive and other electrostatic-sensitive environments and applications. The voltmeter features an extremely high input impedance (resistance greater than 1016 ohm) and very low input capacitance (less than 10-15 Farad). It provides a measurement range of 0 to ±100 V DC or peak AC at ±0.1 percent accuracy. Bandwidth is greater than 10 kHz and speed of response is less than 100 μs for a 100 V step change (10 to 90 percent). Additional features include: user-friendly design, informative digital display, hold-and-zero modes, and optional probe-tip shapes and sizes.
TREK, INC.
Medina, N.Y.
www.trekinc.com
Pleated filters
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D-Mark, Inc. has recently expanded its OdorGuard® Plus product line to include 1-inch, 2-inch and 4-inch pleated filters with adsorbent loadings of 125, 250, and 375 grams per square foot of filter area respectively. The “Plus” pleats offer equal volumes of 60 percent activity activated carbon and activated alumina impregnated with 5 percent potassium permanganate to remove a wide range of odors, VOCs and light gases, including ammonia, formaldehyde, hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide. The pleats are extremely clean, will not shed or dust in the application, and have UL Class 2 approval. They are available in standard and special sizes.
D-Mark, Inc.
Chesterfield, Mich.
www.dmarkinc.com
Validatable heat-sealer
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Accu-Seal Corporation has introduced its new high-temperature Cryo530 Medical Pouch Sealer, a validatable heat-sealer with CryoBand© sealing element. This machine was designed for sealing fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) cryobags and sterile barrier products intended for cryopreservation of tissues and cells. It features improved temperature accuracy and variance across the seal area at very high temperatures required for sealing FEP pouches. The digital controls ensure that all seal parameters (temperature, time and pressure) are maintained seal-to-seal. The device has external calibration ports and laser-cut and welded stainless-steel case to resist harsh antimicrobial agents.
AccuSeal Corporation
San Marcos, Calif.
www.accu-seal.com
Stainless-steel feeding adapter
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PIAB Vacuum Conveyors has introduced the Feed Station, a stainless-steel feeding adapter that can mix air with material being transported in a variety of processing or manufacturing environments. This adapter is an ideal accessory for PIAB’s automatic or semiautomatic vacuum conveyor systems. It can be easily connected to the vacuum conveying system, allowing users to convey different materials to the same container. It contains silicone sealings, which are in accordance with all FDA requirements. Nitrile sealings are antistatic and also in accordance with FDA requirements. FPM sealings are available as an option, and they are suitable for applications in harsh environments and in varying temperatures.
PIAB Vacuum Conveyors
Hingham, Mass.
www.piab.com