The RFG-1000 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge is packed with features including a large backlit LCD display, auto linear compensation and sound velocity measurement. The full kit includes an aluminium carry case with foam insert, stainless steel calibration block and 10mm 5MHZ transducer with couplant. This item which will serve basic thickness gauging applications very well.
Teamed with advanced inverter electronics for smart control functionality, standard asynchronous motors providing IE2 or IE3 efficiency and permanent-magnet IE4 synchronous motors can deliver servo-level dynamics and agility. Based on state-of-the-art frequency inverters for motor-mounting, wall-mounting, or cabinet installation, Nord Drive Systems implement highly precise positioning tasks, safety applications, and sophisticated functions such as synchronisation, coordinated multi-axis operation, winding control, and flying shear. These systems are significantly more economic than conventional servo technology solutions since the purchase costs are much lower and since there is a much larger variety of available system components, including a very versatile gear program that allows for a wide range of custom-specific configurations. The frequency inverters feature a real-time microprocessor (cycle time 10 ms) and support free programming of drive-related functions according to IEC 61131 to relieve the workload of external PLCs. 200% overload reserve capacity ensures high operating safety, for instance in crane and hoist systems. Employing field-oriented control technology, these controllers achieve excellent consistency under flexible loads and from near standstill up to the motor´s rated speed, even without an encoder. Furthermore, the drives provide high starting torques and speed feedback can also be implemented. The top-of-the-range frequency inverter SK 540E from the control cabinet line integrates a universal encoder interface for SSI, BISS, EnDat profile 2.1, and Hiperface. Nord´s line-up of distributed inverter technology covers the performance range up to 22 kW, while cabinet devices range up to 160 kW. The German drive expert provides full-scale mechatronic drives, manufacturing geared motors and electronics units and programming logic functions in-house.
While solar panels can provide free power it’s necessary to have good quality charge controllers to maintain the performance of the storage batteries. The solar charge controller regulates the power collected by the panels to avoid damage to the battery through excessive charge or discharge at night. The best solar charge controllers can add as much as 30% to the life of a battery if they perform their job well. Leading battery accessory company, Projecta, has been at the forefront of this technology in New Zealand and Australia and it has now upgraded its range so they look as good as they perform. The new Projecta 20-Amp and 30-Amp solar charge controllers have been re-designed in a new all-white casing that blends into any caravan, motor home or boat interior. And, now included as part of the range is a remote control that allows the user to monitor and control their solar power system away from the controller. Ideal for automotive and deep cycle batteries, the streamlined Projecta solar controllers continue to feature 3-stage charging, which maximises battery life and performance. The in-built temperature sensor adjusts the output, guaranteeing a thorough charge in all conditions, preventing over-charge or discharge, thus ensuring the battery is always ready for use. The controllers are designed to be left connected to the battery indefinitely to keep them fully charged, monitoring its condition and performing a process called ‘float’ charge to maintain the battery in optimum condition. The convenient ‘low voltage disconnect’ function will disconnect the DC load before the battery voltage falls too low, preventing damage resulting from over-discharge. Once the battery is recharged, the DC load will automatically reconnect. Featuring ‘load control’ users can switch the DC load on/off without having to physically disconnect the load or appliance. When switched to ‘off’, the […]
An ever increasing number of Ermaksan cnc sheetmetal machine tools are being installed in New Zealand engineering workshops. Recently CNC Guillotines have become popular because of the ease of quickly setting the cutting parameters to produce a cut with the minimum of burr and twisting. The blade gap, blade rake, backstop, and cut length are set automatically from the information that was entered through the keypad or touchscreen into the controller. Compared to an NC guillotine the CNC system offers more graphical information and easier program creation, storage, and retrieval. Compared to nc systems, cnc controls also have better fault finding diagnosis information that is presented on the graphical display so servicing can be quicker and less costly for a trained maintenance engineer The Ermaksan cnc guillotines that are recently installed have been into jobbing sheetmetal workshops that need quick and accurate setup of their machines by any member of the staff. As the cnc interface is clear and easy to understand there is little training required for staff to produce the required accurate cutting results. CNC Pressbrakes have also been a popular Ermaksan machine tool in New Zealand as they are accurate, quick to setup, and repeatable. These features are critical to jobbing workshops who need to be able to rely on their staff to produce the required work correctly and with minimum involvement from the management. Ermaksan recently has moved all their Pressbrake production to cnc types so that the entire Pressbrake range has either Delem or Cybelec cnc controllers. The current popular Pressbrake cnc controller is the Delem DA66T with touch screen and continues a long history of reliable and accurate cnc controls from the Netherland cnc system manufacturer. CNC CAM Software for sheetmetal profiling, punching, and folding is promoted by Revolution Precision Machinery to increase the […]
New Zealand Manufacturer recently asked Stephen Snedden, the inventor, where he finds his inspiration and when it all began. NZM: When did you become an inventor? SS: As a young boy tinkering in my father’s shed with go carts and motor bikes and school projects. Dad was always working out solutions for problems as a self-employed electrician in his good old kiwi Shed. NZM: What was the first thing you made? SS: At high school doing workshop technology I was encouraged to do night school Jewellery class with Peter Hook. During the School C year we had to make a flint lock pistol, a knife, and pouch and brass cannon. It became a competition between all the class mates to do the best job. I managed to get top in my school for the School C year for workshop technology and technical drawing must say the ability to investment cast small parts helped a lot, NZM: What is your latest project? SS: My latest project is a rotational mould for a boat trailer body that can carry my boat but is also multi use as it can be used for a Jet Ski trailer or as a kids Slide on the water’s edge. It can float and be used as a floater to play with or for accessing boats on the water. It has 500 kg of flotation and can easily carry 3 paddlers, as a canoe. I have noticed after researching that no one’s supplying floating jet ski trailers worldwide so I’m going to see if I can make the market, NZM: What are you passionate about? SS: My family. I’m passionate about being able to create what we can dream of, being able to vision a product and draw it and then simply apply this to make it […]
Want to add more interest and pizzazz to ordinary household items, hobby projects or even car wheels and accessories? Now there’s a new paint finish that mimics a real life chameleon – it changes colour when viewed from different angles or in a different light. The new Chameleon finishes are part of the Plasti Dip Enhancers range of easy-to-use paints that can transform household and workplace items and give them a new lease of life. Plasti Dip is not just any paint. It’s an ingenious way to cover almost any surface with a synthetic rubber coating that protects, insulates and revitalises. The multi-purpose air-dry, coating can easily be applied by spraying, brushing or dipping and, because it remains flexible and stretchy, it doesn’t become brittle or crack. And Yes its removable just like the rest of the Plasti Dip range. The Enhancers range was introduced to New Zealand last year with a series of bright Metaliser colours designed to go over the top of a Plasti Dip base coat to provide a coloured, shimmering, metallic finish that can differ depending on the number of coats applied and also the colour of the base. The new Chameleon colours can be created in the same way, but instead of delivering a single colour, special pigments in the top coat change the hue, depending on the light and the angle it is viewed from. Different effects are available, according to the Chameleon choice, which includes; Turquoise Silver Chameleon and Green Blue Chameleon. In addition to the Chameleon finishes, four all-new flat colours have been introduced to the already broad Plasti Dip range; Tangerine, Flex Blue, Black Cherry and Black & Blue. Like the rest of the Plasti Dip range, these new products are very easy to apply and can be used on a […]
This gauge is well-known for its accuracy, ease of use and modular design, making it the go-to tool for manual pit inspections. It has 4 extension arms for maximum flexibility. The Jireh Pit Gauge kit is of high build quality and includes 0″ – 0.5″ digital indicator; 3″ base; Blind side base (indicator can be transferred from 3″ base); 4 x 6″ extension arms; Extra contact point and a rugged plastic carrying case.
Growth among New Zealand’s small businesses has levelled off in the last six months with the economy entering a more stable phase, according to a nationwide survey of small business operators. Thirty-two per cent of SMEs saw revenue increase in the 12 months to February – down from a five-year high of 39 per cent in September – according to the latest MYOB Business Monitor. More SME operators are reporting stable revenue, however, up from 38 per cent to 44 per cent in the latest survey of over 1,000 business owners and operators from around the country, conducted by Colmar Brunton. MYOB New Zealand General Manager James Scollay says the latest survey shows that the SME economy has reached a point of more manageable growth. “While we’ve come off the highs reached through mid-2014, the level of stability we are seeing off the back of that period is encouraging,” says Mr Scollay. “Rather than the brakes going on, the SME economy looks to be settling into a period of sustained growth – especially when you take into account businesses’ projections for growth this year as well as the work they have on in this quarter.” According to the March MYOB Business Monitor, 40 per cent of SME operators expect their revenues to increase in the next 12 months, while a further 43 per cent are projecting stable revenues. Just 11 per cent are expecting revenues to fall in 2015. In the current quarter, 37 per cent of SMEs are reporting more work or sales in the pipeline, while 13 per cent are seeing less. Regions settling back While the widespread effects of the rebuild continue to push Christchurch SMEs to the top of the growth table, revenue increases in the city have fallen off somewhat in the last 6 months. […]
Twenty-six young Kiwi are preparing to compete against the best of the best competitors from Canada, India, Malaysia, China, Australia and Korea in the inaugural WorldSkills Oceania regional competitions to be held April 13-17 at Wintec in Hamilton. So far, 105 international competitors are registered to compete in a total of 30 different skill categories at the Oceania competitions. The NZ WorldSkills team will compete in 18 skill categories ranging from aircraft maintenance to the various auto and engineering trades, carpentry, joinery, plumbing and heating and go through to floristry, hairdressing, restaurant trades and web and graphic design. Competition will be intense for the under-23 year olds who are at the top of their respective trades for their age in the country. They will pit themselves against demanding international standards to battle it out to win one of 18 spots in the final WorldSkills NZ Tool Blacks team that will go to Brazil in August to face off against competitors from 71 other countries. Each competitor has a personalised, hands-on mentoring programme to ensure they have the best shot at winning a medal. This includes “mental toughness” training developed exclusively for WorldSkills NZ competitors. Rural and provincial New Zealand is well represented in the 26-strong national team. One of the gifts of WorldSkills competitions is the confidence the kids gain in their own abilities. It’s helped by receiving the endorsement of a positive peer and skill group that’s with them every step of the way. How you can help support the Tool Blacks: • Come along and cheer the team on at Wintec in Hamilton,Thursday 16 April and on Friday 17 April from 9am –12noon. . • If you are interested in fundraising or sponsoring or donating to help get the Tool Blacks and their Skill Managers to Brazil in […]
Indian billionaire Nandan Nilekani says scale is a problem New Zealand companies need to overcome to crack the growing Indian market. Nilekani has been twice named by Time magazine as one of the world’s 100 most influential people and is the former chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) which is providing all 1.2 billion Indian residents with a unique identification number. He is also co-founder of Infosys Technologies, which has 100,000 employees. Nilekani understands scale, even in his philanthropic efforts. After losing a bid to get into politics last year, he’s poured US$10 million into a not for profit initiative, ekStep, which is developing a platform based on gamification to change the way primary school education is taught in India. The first iteration of the platform will be released next month and Nilekani said while it was aimed at resolving India’s literacy and numeracy problems, it could easily be rolled out in other developing countries. In his first visit to New Zealand, Nilekani said what struck him about the Kiwi companies he’d talk to was they weren’t used to dealing with scale because of the country’s small population. “Scale is not something you do after you have built your solutions. If you’re going to have an impact in India, you have to have scale, and solutions need to be made differently so they’re highly automated, low-cost, and developed so they can be used anytime, anywhere,” he said. New Zealand companies tend to be low volume and high cost and it needs to be the other way around to do business in India, which is a “price sensitive” market, he said. Developing scale is a mindset, said Reuben Abraham, chief executive of Indian think tank the IDFC Institute who, along with Nilekani, was in Auckland for the India […]
