Compiled by Angela Godwin
Inkjet-fume extractor
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Purex has introduced a filtration and recirculation system that addresses the problem of solvent fumes given off by some continuous inkjet printers in the workplace. The system extracts air containing solvent vapor from around the inkjet, filters it and then returns clean air to the workplace. The system utilizes two specially designed delta cowls, one to extract fumes from the print head and the other to extract from the vents on the printer control unit itself. This two-point approach ensures that fumes are not allowed to pollute the work area. The delta cowls are attached to 38 mm flexible stainless-steel arms, which are easy to position yet remain in place once installed. The system uses a specially formulated blend of activated carbon and a chemisorbent media to filter the solvent fumes from the extracted air. Purex filters can be changed in seconds and can usually be changed at the same time as scheduled ink replacement, preventing expensive unplanned downtime. Various controls and sensors have also been incorporated into Purex systems to deliver extra benefits. An ON/OFF control relay, for example, automatically starts/stops the extraction unit when the inkjet printer is switched on/off. Purex units are manufactured from stainless steel and are mounted on castors so they are easy to maneuver. The extraction system works with many different brands of inkjet printers and the Xbase model offers storage for replacement inks and a mounting surface for the inkjet itself.
Purex International, Ltd.
Rotherham, U.K.
www.purexltd.co.uk
Ultrasensitive voltmeter
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TREK, Inc. announces the introduction of Model 325 Electrostatic Voltmeter, an ultrasensitive instrument for noncontacting electrostatic voltage measurement and monitoring in applications within high-tech, semiconductor, materials processing, materials science and R&D sectors. The instrument was specifically designed to be used in applications that require highly accurate, low noise, noncontacting measurement of electrostatic voltages from millivolts to +/- 40 V over a wide range of probe-to-surface distances. Features of Model 325 include sensitivity of 1 mV, speed of response less than 3 ms, and accuracy better than 0.05 percent of full scale. The company’s patented low impedance probe sensor assures measurement accuracy that is essentially independent of probe-to-test-surface spacing while eliminating the external environmental effects of high humidity and contamination, such as airborne dust, ions, chemicals and other particulates, on measurement accuracy. Special features of the Model 325 allow tuning the performance of the unit to compensate for specific test conditions. It can be operated as a benchtop unit or in a standard rack (with optional hardware).
TREK, Inc.
Medina, N.Y.
www.trekinc.com
Packaging, thermal-seal inspection system
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Multivac’s Thermoform Fill-Seal Systems offer manufacturers a comprehensive solution for package quality and seal integrity. The company now offers its horizontal thermoform fill-seal (TFFS) machinery integrated with Ircon MAXLINE® 2 thermal-seal inspection technology. The systems combine Multivac’s rollstock packaging technology with Ircon’s thermal imaging and monitoring capabilities, enabling users to package product at high speeds while inspecting, identifying, tracking and, if necessary, rejecting packages based on specific parameters of their choosing. This solution allows for completely non-destructive inspection of every seal without slowing production, substantially lowering the likelihood of out-of-spec items being delivered to customers.
Multivac, Inc.
Kansas City, Mo.
www.multivac.com
Ultrafiltration cartridges
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Koch Membrane Systems, Inc. (KMS) offers TARGA®-10 Ultrafiltration cartridges for industrial water treatment applications. TARGA-10 Hollow Fiber cartridges have a 10-inch diameter and deliver 60 percent more product water than conventional 8-inch cartridges, resulting in significant cost savings. By using TARGA-10 cartridges, system size is significantly reduced because of the additional flow per cartridge. Requiring 50 percent less floor space, these smaller systems result in substantial savings in building costs and a reduction in the number of skids, lowering shipping and installation costs. Additionally, the larger capacity cartridges reduce the number of connections, thereby improving reliability and further lowering costs. TARGA-10 cartridges feature ultrafiltration membranes and are designed to remove particulates, colloids and larger molecular weight components. The cartridges function as an ideal pretreatment step for spiral RO membranes and have demonstrated the ability to reduce turbidity to less than 0.1 NTU, and SDI to between 1.0 and 3.0. The cartridges utilize KMS polysulfone membrane material, which can handle a broad pH range, from 1.5 to 13, and can tolerate up to 200 ppm of chlorine. KMS also offers KOCHKLEEN® Membrane Cleaners to help prolong membrane life, enhance membrane performance and reduce cleaning cycle time.
Koch Membrane Systems
Wilmington, Mass.
www.kochmembrane.com
Fluid processor
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Microfluidics offers the M-110S Microfluidizer® processor, a laboratory fluid processor suited for a range of applications including emulsions, dispersions, liposomes, cell disruption and liquid-liquid or liquid-solid processing applications. The M-110S is a portable, benchtop unit featuring a 25 mL stainless-steel reservoir with a manual priming and purging pressure feed and integral recirculation. Additionally, the processor features a removable product-cooling coil and bath, and dual-position spool valve with single-pass or recirculation mode. Air-powered intensifier pumps, designed to supply the desired pressure at a constant rate to the product stream, drive the stream through precisely defined fixed-geometry microchannels within the interaction chamber. As a result, the system is capable of processing a wide variety of fluids ranging from simple oil-in-water emulsions to highly immiscible solid-in-liquid suspensions. Process pressures are highly variable and reproducible, ranging from 3,000 psi to 23,000 psi. The processor features a flow rate range of 250 to 600 mL/min. It’s designed for clean-in-place procedures, which prevents the risk of sample cross-contamination. Optional equipment includes a sanitary-finish diaphragm pressure transducer with reader and a large-capacity reservoir and adapter.
Microfluidics
Newton, Mass.
www.microfluidicscorp.com
Patented ultraclean container
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Novapak Corporation has recently introduced a new, patented, 4-liter, ultraclean, pressure-bottom container intended for packaging of solvents, acids and other ultrapure chemicals utilized in electronics manufacturing, laboratory testing and other contamination-sensitive applications. The pressure bottom is designed to resist bulging, distortion and loss of container stability associated with chemicals that build internal pressures up to 35 psi. The HDPE containers are blow-molded, using nitrogen as the blowing gas, and then capped to ensure cleanliness for particulate-sensitive chemicals and processes. In addition, the containers can be fluorinated in-line using a mixture of fluorine and nitrogen as the blowing gas, chemically modifying all interior surfaces of the molten HDPE container and creating an inner barrier that resists permeation by non-polar (oil-based) solvents. The solid strap handle provides a means to hold and pour the bottles securely, while eliminating the potential source of particulate contamination of hollow handle designs. The container is 13.645 inches tall, 6.030 inches in diameter, has a 38/439 neck finish and weighs 210 grams.
Novapak Corporation
Eatontown, N.J.
www.pvcc.com
Disposable point-of-use filters
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Whatman has recently announced the release of its new line of OEM in-line disposable filters designed specifically to remove bacterial pathogens from hospital water. The disposable filters provide a point-of-use solution for protection from waterborne infection. Decontamination of hospital water is especially important for high-risk patients, and these in-line filters, which remove waterborne bacteria, can be applied wherever such contamination may harm patients. Point-of-use filters are particularly useful for showers and wash stations, as well as for the rinsing and reprocessing of medical equipment. Constructed from virgin polypropylene and manufactured in cleanroom facilities, the in-line capsule filters deliver high flow rates and are individually tested for integrity. The disposable capsules are designed for 7-day use. A variety of inlet and outlet connectors are available to customize the filters, and Whatman can work with OEM partners to create unique disposable water filters for specific markets.
Whatman
Florham Park, N.J.
www.whatman.com
Electronic packaging materials
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NuSil Technology has introduced EPM-2493 to its line of electronic packaging materials (EPMs). This low-viscosity, thermal interface material was designed to meet the challenges of the high-temperature and high-stress operating conditions in electronic packaging. The material’s low outgassing property is ideal for situations, such as those encountered in electro-optic systems, in which contamination is a concern. Its low viscosity provides users an easy-to-dispense material that flows easily through dimensionally intricate electronic configurations. Both manufacturing and operating environments can cause drastic temperature cycling, resulting in encapsulant embrittling or outgassing. NuSil’s EPMs are designed to perform well in these situations.
NuSil Technology
Carpinteria, Calif.
www.nusil.com
new literature
Valve product guide
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GF Piping has introduced a comprehensive new product guide that details the company’s new pressure-regulating valve product offerings in an easy-to-order format. The new PRV Product Guide describes all available body materials and options, new body types for smaller size valves, seal materials, and important flow chart information integral for selecting the proper regulator for a given application. The guide also includes installation, operation and maintenance instructions and a sample application schematic. The PRV product line ordering system is configured to allow customers to specify a standard base valve or specify an alternate mounting option. With the wide selection of body materials, end connections, and seal materials available, GF Piping’s Pressure Regulating Valves are suitable for use across a diverse range of industries including automotive, electronics, food processing, manufacturing/industrial equipment, control and instrumentation, power generation, pollution control, water supply and sewage, semiconductor, and biotechnical.
GF Piping Systems
Tustin, Calif.
www.us.piping.georgefischer.com
Commissioning handbook now on CD
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NEBB’s 560-page Design Phase Commissioning Handbook, first released as a bound hard copy in 2005, is now available on CD. The CD is identical to the bound version and provides user-friendly access to all sections, tables, and appendices. The handbook is intended to be used by commissioning professionals in reviewing building mechanical system design documents and determining their relevance and completeness to the total quality of the projects. To order the catalog, visit http://www.nebb.org/nebbpublications.htm, or contact Sheila Simms at [email protected] or (301) 977-3698.
National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB)
Gaithersburg, Md.
www.nebb.org