Vistagy and Beta CAE Systems SA have announced a technology partnership that will enable manufacturers to leverage the value of composites by closely integrating analysis and design. The companies will integrate Vistagy's FiberSIM composites engineering software and Beta CAE Systems' Ansa CAE pre-processing software.

The FiberSIM suite of software supports the design and manufacturing methodologies necessary to engineer innovative, durable and lightweight composite products and parts. Ansa is an advanced multidisciplinary CAE pre-processing tool that provides all the necessary functionality for full-model build up, from CAD data to ready-to-run solver-input files, in a single integrated environment.

Variohm EuroSensor has launched a range of potentiometric linear position sensors for precision measurement from 10 to 300mm that are supplied in open housings. The PTP series from Novotechnik is a robust two-part design including a multi-fingered wiper assembly and separate, open-sided, extruded aluminium housing containing a conductive plastic track.

This design facilitates straightforward mounting to equipment where sealing against dust or fluid is not necessary, or where customers are able to integrate these component parts within their own sealing arrangements. The PTP series also allows for a variety of feature customisation suited to high-volume applications. The extruded housing has a cross-section of 13 x 9.6mm and includes longitudinal slots for mounting with optional fixing clamps or alternative fixing available via pre-drilled holes. The inner profile provides a rigid, low-friction bearing surface for the wiper assembly that includes threaded hole, follower pin and rod driving options - allowing complete design flexibility within the customer's application.

The conductive plastic resistance elements comprise multiple printed layers using Novotechnik's conductive inks in combination with multi-fingered precious-metal wipers featuring an elastomer damping mechanism to maintain complete contact under demanding working conditions. The PTP series specification includes a typical life of 50 million movements, with a vibration rating to 20g at 2000Hz and shock to 50g. With a speed capability to 10m/sec, repeatability to 0.01mm and linearity to +/-0.05 per cent, these sensors are aimed at high-accuracy, high-reliability position measurement in clean-environment applications or within customer-sealed housings.

The Open Design Alliance (ODA) has announced the first production release of DGNdirect, available to ODA members globally. DGNdirect includes a comprehensive feature set for DGN files, including the ability to load V7 and V8 files, convert V7 to V8 files, save V8 files, access data, edit data, render data and export to PDF and SVG file formats.

Invensys Operations Management has partnered with Codelco to improve the performance and longevity of Codelco's processing assets. This will increase the overall economic value of the company's business through the use of advanced process and regulatory control, real-time business performance measurement, simulators and operator training systems.

After a consultation in which Invensys Operations Management experts and Codelco senior management examined all aspects of Codelco's operations in the smelter process, Invensys Operations Management is implementing a range of multivariable advanced process control (APC) solutions targeted at generating optimal value from Codelco processes. The current implementation has so far improved product quality and consistency, reducing variability and shutdown frequency, thereby increasing Codelco's asset utilisation.

The programme began with operations at the Codelco Norte Division's concentrate smelter complex. There, APC has been implemented at the CT Converter to reduce slag temperature variability, reduce copper concentration variability in white metal and control other parameters more precisely. Invensys Operations Management will implement the solution at other Codelco facilities as part of Codelco's asset improvement programme, which was adopted by Codelco senior management to support the company's broader business objectives.

The SI1000 series of panel-mount display/controllers from Solartron Metrology has a compact design and is intended for use with the company's displacement and gauging transducers. The display/controllers are suitable for a range of laboratory and industrial linear position monitoring and control applications. The three models in the range offer plug-and-play operation and have a seven-digit red light-emitting-diode (LED) display that can be updated at up to 10 readings per second.

The SI1100 model provides up to 0.1um resolution when used with Solartron's LVDT displacement and gauging transducers. With 4-20mA and DC inputs, the SI1300 is appropriate where long cable runs are required. A two-wire loop-powered 4-20mA connection to Solartron's S or SR series displacement transducers, for example, produces a high-performance system that it said to be simple to install. DC/DC operation is also standard for use with the DC versions of the S and SR models.

The SI1500, meanwhile, is designed for use with digital probes, in particular Solartron's high-performance Orbit-based digital probes, linear encoders and modules. Communication with PLCs is claimed to be simple, with DC and 4-20mA outputs and alarm relay outputs provided across the range. RS232 and RS485 serial communications ports are also standard on all models. With a case size of 48mm x 96mm x 137mm, the SI1000 range is now available from stock.

One example of the interesting nature of the mini films is from France focusing on a vineyard that uses a variable speed drive compressor with integrated dryers for traditional uses such as the bottling process, while also embracing advanced technology by utilising Atlas Copco's nitrogen generation units to chase oxygen from the bottles before filling and corking. Alongside the films from Turkey, Russia, Switzerland and India are several applications from the UK.

The first, filmed on a dairy farm, looks at how oil-free air compressors deliver ISO 8573-1 Class 0 air to ensure all products are fit for consumption with zero spoilage attributable to compressed air. The second clip, filmed at Knauf in Liverpool, illustrates how the Atlas Copco Airconnect online monitoring system allows the system pressure band to be regulated remotely as part of an effective energy saving installation.

Co-investment from Axion Consulting and European logistics company TDG will see more than a million HDPE (high density polyethylene) chemical drums and containers recycled every year. The fully integrated take-back scheme involves TDG collecting waste cleaning agent containers, which are then recycled back into high-grade HDPE resin at Axion's processing facility. Launched in May, the scheme offers genuine environmental and economic benefits to both partners who hope it will inspire other companies to follow their lead.

Axion Consulting, a division of plastics recycler Axion Recycling, developed the technical solution and provided technical support for the design, layout and project management for a shredding and washing unit within TDG's existing tanker cleaning and effluent treatment plant at its Batley site, near Leeds. End-of-life 25 and 200 litre detergent drums and 1,000 litre IBCs (intermediate bulk containers) are shredded and washed to reduce volume and remove any residues, before being shipped to Axion's Salford processing plant. Here the polymer is recycled into high-grade pellet and clean chip for reuse in new products, such as drums or applications for the automotive industry. The plant went live in May - around 18 months after Axion first approached TDG with the integrated collection and recycling concept - with the first batches of material currently undergoing processing and testing at Axion's specialist facilities.

The agreement is structured on a joint-venture basis, so both companies share in returns from the project. Axion director Roger Morton says tracking individual drums using TDG's computer system is key to making the whole 'responsible recycling' scheme work. 'This means we can be certain of what's been in the drums before they get shredded so we can ensure the polymer is safe when it's recycled,' he said. 'Demand is high for HDPE and we've had a lot of interest from the packaging sector, which is keen to minimise its carbon impact and reduce cost by using high grade recycled content in new containers,' he added. For TDG, recycling its end-of-life containers offers a significant environmental and alternative disposal route, as well as an added-value service to its customers.

Rotron SW Minispiral regenerative blowers provide low-noise solutions for developing ideal air pressures and vacuums in office equipment and other applications with small design envelopes. These instrument-grade blowers perform quietly (to NC-47 office equipment specifications), feature lightweight construction at 1.9lb (0.86kg), and measure 106.2 x 46.5mm.

Their regenerative air technology generates pressures or vacuums using a spinning, non-contacting, oil-free impeller. Blower design and simple operation contribute to cleaner, safer, more reliable, and virtually maintenance-free pneumatics. These blowers can be specified in three DC versions offering maximum flow variability and in AC versions available in voltages ranging from 24-230AC, depending on model. They incorporate a glass-filled moulded phenolic blower housing, cover, and impeller and a shaded pole motor with ball bearings promoting up to 30,000h of service life.

SE Minispiral blowers can achieve maximum flows up to 9 SCFM and pressures and vacuums up to 20 IWG, depending on blower style. All versions are ISO 9001 and CE compliant and can be customised as sealed units or with a range of options and accessories to satisfy application requirements.

Perkinelmer's 16-element thermopile array features increased sensitivity, providing improvements in temperature resolution, thus enhancing energy conservation by up to 30 per cent in HVAC applications. The company claims that Cool Eye offers greater flexibility as a result of microcontroller integration and is easier for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to integrate into their overall system.