Atlas Copco offers specialist
products and services for biogas industry

Atlas Copco offersbiogas and biomethane industry products and services for the UK market that bring solid design, construction and service knowhow in the biogas industry. Based on its own specialist technologies, the products are backed up by an all-embracing service network and were launched at EBEC 2011 exhibition where the principle application focus on the company's stand was biogas upgrading, grid injection and natural gas boosting for fuelling vehicles.

John Cornes, Atlas Copco Compressors' Sales Manager for high pressure air and gas, said: "Visitors to the stand were able to find out more about how Atlas Copco has grown from being a biogas pioneer in the mid-eighties, into a major industrial player in the biogas field through its acquisition of Cirmac, Greenfield and Intermech − highly specialised companies with a worldwide reputation".

Experts on the stand discussed with visitors the economically viable business partnership opportunities in biomethane ventures Atlas Copco offers and how it delivers solutions designed to reduce environmental impact by minimising methane and CO2 emissions.

Biogas upgrading: This is the starting point for bringing biomethane to end users. During the process of extracting methane from raw gas, undesired inert and corrosive substances are removed. Atlas Copco biogas upgrading equipment is specifically designed to cope with the raw gas composition at extraction sites. Three upgrading technologies are available together with the expertise to match these solutions to specific application requirements. Installations with capacities ranging from 60 to 3500 Nm³/h are in operation throughout Europe.

Grid injection: Atlas Copco offers gas compression technologies which meet the stringent specifications of natural gas for upgraded biogas (biomethane) injection into the gas grid, compressed to the local gas pipeline pressure.

Natural gas boosting: Compression technologies are applied when natural gas in lower pressure pipelines needs boosting for injection into higher pressure pipelines to ensure efficient gas pipeline balancing.

Fuel stations: With the use of natural gas as vehicle fuel continuing to gain popularity worldwide, a growing number of commercial and public transport operators are benefitting from natural gas to fuel vehicle fleets. For several decades Atlas Copco has built-up a strong worldwide reputation in high-performance compression systems and refuelling stations.

Atlas Copco Compressors is the GB sales and service operation of the Atlas Copco Group providing oil-free and oil-injected stationary air compressors,  gas and process compressors, turbo expanders, nitrogen generators, air treatment equipment (such as compressed air dryers, coolers, and filters) air management systems, and custom designed engineered packages. 

Atlas Copco Compressors' sales and distribution network means that specialist compressed air advice and service is always within easy reach. A team of over 80 service engineers operates across the country, to ensure maximum running efficiency and minimum downtime at its customers' sites.

In the United Kingdom, Atlas Copco also handles the sales and marketing of construction and mining equipment, portable compressors and electric power generators, industrial power tools and assembly systems - all backed up by a nationwide sales, distribution, service and maintenance network. 

For information, view website: www.highpressurecompressors.co.uk

For further information, e-mail: gba.info@uk.atlascopco.com or view website: www.atlascopco.co.uk  Refer to page 166

"hi-flex" cable vs. Chainflex design: 
Longer life - smoother movement, less wear, more security

igus Chainflex flexible electrical cables are unique in their design making them last longer than standard "hi-flex" cables in energy chains and other flexing applications.

igus Chainflex cables do not suffer from tensile stress on the conductors; this is due to the innovative igus bundled and twisted design. In comparison, the conductors in standard "hi-flex" cables are only braided in layers, causing a high tensile stress - this simple braiding can also put high tensile forces on shield wire where present, which can create wide gaps and loss of EMC protection. The igus Chainflex system does not suffer from these problems as its optimised braided shield almost eliminates the tensile force on the shield wires; hence no opening in the shielding and loss of EMC protection.

The igus Chainflex system has a further advantage; it has a centre core element, unlike the "hi-flex" design, which absorbs the tensile stress. The core element is surrounded by a gusset filling that is extruded throughout; standard "hi-flex" cables do not have this feature. In addition, standard "hi-flex" designed cables are loose stranding, without any fixation by the outer jacket, allowing movement and hence wear or damage.

To watch how the "hi-flex" cable carrier cable and Chainflex design compare, view website: http://bit.ly/b2Botj Regular updates: Twitter: http://twitter.com/igusUK

For further information, view website: www.igus.co.uk   Refer to page 71

Kitagawa's new chucks and workholding products

High clamping torques, extreme rigidity and fast operation are key features of Kitagawa's new GT series heavy duty rotary tables. Available in three models with tables from 200 to 320 mm diameter, the new units incorporate a novel piston design that delivers component clamping torques of up to 2800 Nm. Productivity is further enhanced by the tables' rigid yet compact design, which allows maximum metal removal rates to be combined with high indexing accuracy and repeatability. The GT series also features a rapid clamping action for reduced cycle times and maximum production throughput. (The GT 320 is pictured on the left).

In parallel, the company's new MXM series rotary tables offer reduced clamping time and rotational speeds of up to 75 rev/min, making them ideal for high speed or mass production machining operations.

Kitagawa's DXR240 rotary table, the first of a new generation of compact, low energy units incorporate high efficiency direct drive motors to achieve increased torque at lower power consumptions. The prototype model provides rotational speeds of up to 75 rev/min with no backlash - for maximum productivity and precision. (Refer to picture on the right).

Kitagawa's new NV chuck range has been developed to meet demands for large vertical lathe power chucks. Produced in eight models for components from 62 to 1000 mm diameter, NV series units feature a protective jaw cover and scraper system that prevents the ingress of swarf or coolant into the chuck mechanism. They have maximum speed ratings from 800 to 2900 rev/min and are designed for use with standard range Kitagawa jaws and Y2035R type cylinders.

The new BBT208 2-jaw chuck, (pictured on the left), features a 66 mm through hole and is ideal for machining irregular shaped workpieces at up to 5000 rev/min. It is designed to be directly interchangeable with Kitagawa's popular BB208 Chuck, (pictured middle left), without the need for special adaptors.

An updated version of the company's DL 200 chuck is more versatile than conventional draw down chucks. The DL200 series units feature an innovative 2 stage gripping action. In operation, the jaws initially clamp in a radial direction before pulling the workpiece back for seating confirmation. The DL chuck also includes a dust proof sealed body design for low maintenance and long service life.

Kitagawa's new QJR08, QJR10 and QJR12 quick change chucks, (pictured bottom left), are designed to be interchangeable with the company's popular large through-hole B208 / B210 / B212 and BB208 / BB210 / BB212 models. The new units' base jaws are quickly and easily changed using a manually operated wrench and feature metric serrations to accommodate a wide variety of popular jaw types.

The high capacity VE125LWN is the latest addition to Kitagawa's range of VE125 power-operated workholding vices. Its compact, low profile design provides three levels of clamping force and a jaw stroke of up to 405 mm for maximum production versatility. In addition, extremely close manufacturing tolerances ensure that individual vices in the range have a maximum height variation of just 20 microns - for ultra consistent set ups and manufacturing consistency.

Examples from Kitagawa's long established and proven machining and workholding products ranges, include  BB200 chucks, SS cylinders, DH collet chucks and the company's MR series NC rotary tables. Details of all these and other products from this company can be obtained via the e-mail address or website address given below.

Kitagawa Europe Ltd in profile
Based in Wiltshire, Kitagawa Europe offers one of the most comprehensive ranges of workholding and productivity solutions in the UK. The company draws on more than 60 years chuck development and manufacturing experience - and has established its B200-series units as the world's most popular power chuck range.

For further information, e-mail: enquiries@kitagawaeurope.com or view website: www.kitagawaeurope.com   Refer to page 152