Transponder-based access control system

The EKS Light from EUCHNER is a transponder-based access control system consisting of two components: an Electronic-Key with RFID transponder and an Electronic-Key adapter with integral read unit. The EKS Light was designed particularly for smaller, decentralized applications to permit reliable controlled access to individual machines or to entire installations there as well. The new FSA version of the EKS Light was specially developed to solve the widespread problem involving tampering of safety guards.

It is simple to operate. Every user receives an EKS Electronic-Key with a certain access and authorization profile. This Electronic-Key is required to access an object or machine protected by EKS Light FSA. The check integrated into the device releases access with a certain access level if the Electronic-Key is valid.

The new FSA version of the EKS Light was specially developed to solve the widespread problem involving tampering of safety guards. For this purpose, it was specifically expanded for safety applications in combination with the mode selection. The user is assigned the access rights via the EKS. He can then select the desired operating mode using an additional facility, such as a selector switch or touch display. Trained personnel are thereby specifically authorized to perform critical setup and maintenance work in a special, hazardous operating mode.

The FSA version features an additional floating switched semiconductor output that can be utilized to form a safe shut-down signal. For this purpose a safe evaluation must be included downstream. This characteristic allows the EKS Light FSA to be used in a safety-relevant manner as per Category 3 according to EN 13849-1. The machine is reset to a safe operating mode by removing the Electronic-Key.

Like all EKS Electronic-Key adapters from EUCHNER, the EKS Light FSA has also been conceived specifically for industrial use. In addition to the high degree of protection (IP67), its other impressive features are its robust, compact design and the option of placing the Electronic-Key on the installation during the
work. For further information, e-mail: info@euchner.co.uk

K1 Qualification of 8NA Series junction boxes for EPR

SOURIAU has obtained K1 qualification of new 8NA Series junction boxes, especially developed for EPR programs (European Pressurized Reactor).

Compliant with RCC-E 2005 design and manufacturing code, those new junction boxes integrate a robust cable gland with 360° screen termination mechanism that ensures perfect ground continuity and high shielding performances.

K1 is the qualification for inside containment safety related equipments, that have to demonstrate their ability to remain functional under accidental and post accidental conditions, including in case of a Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA). K1 qualification of new 8NA Series junction boxes for EPR has been performed by
SOURIAU, and validated by EDF SEPTEN.

New 8NA Series junction boxes for EPR are derived from existing 8NA Series K1 qualified interconnect systems, which have been used for decades in numerous nuclear power plants worldwide.

Available in a large variety of Input / Output configurations, the new 8NA Series junction boxes for EPR are fully compliant with the other existing products from 8NA Series, including connectors, cable assemblies and flexible metallic conduits. For further information, view website:  www.souriau.com/nuclear  Refer to page 107

Verlinde equips NZ Steel

A unique challenge saw KraneQuip, Verlinde reseller in New Zealand, put on its thinking caps to design and build a 16 tonne crane for a tight space at NZ Steel.

In September 2008 KraneQuip were approached by NZ Steel for the commissioning of a 16 tonne crane for the removal and installation of the radiation shaft in its slab making plant. This was by no means a standard crane design. There were a number of constraints and conditions that made this a special design application, says engineer Cobus van der Walt of KraneQuip.

The space available to fit this crane into was the first problem. "To fit a 16 tonne crane into a four metre wide space was a huge challenge. Especially when the height of lift is 30 metres," Van der Walt says. "Normally you would use a rope hoist for this, but a hoist drum big enough to store 30 metres of rope for that size of lift would mean the hoist drum would be just about the same size as the space available". The point load had to move from east to west on the crane girder, but a rope hoist could not do this, due to the size. "Then we looked at chain hoists. The problem with chain hoists is that the biggest size you can get off the shelf is five tonnes, or 7.5 tonnes in our case as our supplier, Verlinde, could do one that big. But this was nowhere close to the 16 tonnes we were aiming for."

The team at KraneQuip then put its thinking caps on and came up with the suggestion to use two chain hoists that could each lift 10 tonnes. But to achieve this they had to combine two five tonne chain hoists to get to 10 tonnes per assembly. Then place two of these assemblies on the crane beam.

"Several weeks later, thanks to powerfull 3D design capabilities, we managed to fit these hoists on a monorail crane beam to achieve the moving point load dimensions required. We had to redesign the end stops to achieve this, but we made it by just a few millimetres."

The next challenge was to design a crane beam to accommodate 16 tonnes. The maximum standard "I" beam was not sufficient and a box girder would have been too expensive. So KraneQuip had to design an "I" beam girder with extra thick top and bottom flanges to take the load. By doing this they shortened the delivery time and saved NZ Steel the extra costs for not manufacturing a box girder.

The shear size of the chain bags presented another problem. The two hoist assemblies, although they fitted well with the design, could not get close enough to each other to achieve the required approach distances east and west. So the middle two chain bags had to be redesigned. "We could not go lower as we had no headroom space. So we decided to go wider," says Van der Walt. This presented another problem in that the chain had to fall away into the full width of the bags. They had to fit deflector plates in the middle and open the bag throat to allow the chain to fill into the bag properly. The first design did not work but several modifications later achieved success.

During commissioning a lot of fine tuning had to be done to ensure that the two hooks ran equally at the same height and that the limit switches activated at the same time. Numerous difficulties appears with the long travel speed, since the crane could only go at very slow speeds in all directions. Variable speed controls have been used to smooth the operation. But with the long travel a lot of dust was accumulated on the rails, and the wheels were extra wide to take the load of the whole crane and the maximum SWL (safe working load). The power at slow speed was barely enough to make the crane move and the dust resulted in quite a few jams. In the end it was decided that the only way out was to ensure that the rails are blown clean of dust prior to every use.

"This project was a unique challenge for the team at KraneQuip and we feel proud that we succeeded with it," says Van der Walt. "It was great to have the opportunity to help NZ Steel with a very specific requirement, even though sometimes it looked impossible!"

For further information, e-mail: jean-yves.beaussart@verlinde.com or view website: www.verlinde.com  Refer to page 37

VERLINDE's CB type roller units are designed for
traversing systems for travelling cranes or hoist trolleys

VERLINDE's CB type roller units are designed for traversing systems for travelling cranes or hoist trolleys. CB type rollers units can be used for variable speed or two-speed trolleys. For variable speed trolleys, VERLINDE markets a unit integrating 4 rollers (2 powered and 2 free-running), 2 motors and gear boxes, I cabinet-housed speed variation system, 4 rubber stops. For two speed trolleys or travelling crane girders, the only difference is that the speed variation system is not included. The roller units can be integrated not only in the construction of new hoist units but also for modernisation projects involving existing hoists and travelling cranes.

CB type units are available in four models (design for interior use, 400V/50Hz voltage, FEM 1Am, distribution of loads at centre of trolley):

1) D125, maximum load of 8 tonnes, speed from 6.5 to 27 m/min, running rail width from 40 to 50 mm,
2) D160, maximum load of 25 tonnes, speed from 5 to 25 m/min, running rail width from 50 to 60 mm,
3) D200, maximum load of 30 tonnes, speed from 6 to 24 m/min, running rail width from 50 to 65 mm,
4) D250, maximum load of 58 tonnes, speed from 5 to 32 m/min, running rail width from 70 to 75 mm.

For further information, e-mail: jean-yves.beaussart@verlinde.com  or view website: www.verlinde.com  Refer to page 37