Product News

Firefighters battling bush blazes in Victoria are now better equipped to respond to incidents after more than 9,000 digital portable and mobile radios designed and manufactured by Tait Communications were commissioned in the Australian state. The cutting-edge radios have been rolled out to more than 1,200 brigades in the Country Fire Authority (CFA), one of the world’s largest emergency-services organisations. The CFA’s 56,000 members help protect 3.3 million Victorians and more than one million homes and properties. The installation forms a key part of an upgrade of the critical state-wide radio system, which is being managed by CFA, Tait Communications and local partner AA Radio Services. The project also represents one of the largest contracts of its kind for Tait Communications, a global leader in critical communications solutions for public-safety and utilities organisations. Tait was selected to provide P25 digital-capable radios as part of a US$29 million contract awarded in 2010. P25 is an international open standard for interoperable digital two-way wireless communications. The standard, which is also used by New Zealand Police, allows for improved communications within and between agenciesÑespecially emergency services. Tait has incorporated significant innovations in the radios, including greater water protection and the ability to filter out background noise from helicopters, trucks, sirens, hoses and machinery. The installation also paves the way for planned future enhancements of CFA’s communications, such as GPS location and crystal-clear digital audio. For the first time, a number of rural fire brigades in Victoria now have access to handheld portable radios for their critical communications, in addition to their vehicle-mounted mobile radios. This means that CFA volunteer firefighters are now better The radios will also allow CFA to communicate with other state emergency-response agencies as new digital networks become available, improving coordination of resources during large-scale incidents and disasters. As part […]

    So, you don’t want anyone tampering with the master electrics switch on your expensive equipment, but you also want it to safely identifiable- a solution is now available in New Zealand. A leading automotive electrics company has developed two security lock-out lever kits that are colour-coded to industry standards to clearly identify the difference between starter and battery security. Designed to suit Battery Master Switches 61070 and 61075, the colour-coded levers, Red for Battery Lock-out and Yellow for Starter Lock-out, enable the master battery switch or starter switch to be locked in the ‘OFF’ position to prevent unauthorised or accidental activation. Each kit includes a switch lever, lock-out mounting bracket and stainless mounting screws. Ideally suited to equipment used in the forestry, construction, mining and industrial markets, the powder-coated Lock-out Kits 61077R and 61077Y are available from leading automotive and transport outlets throughout New Zealand.        

  Plastics and Printing Technologies supplier Techspan Group, have just released their new and improved e-commerce website for online shopping: The new Techspan Group e-commerce website is now live. The website has just undergone a facelift and been redesigned with simple navigation access to all products. Five product groups: • Plastics Machinery • Plastic Welding • Ultrasonic Equipment • Process Heating Equipment • Industrial Printing Systems The new website (v.05) has a similar look and feel to the previous site, but with refined & improved features, more colour and a user friendly online shopping cart. The new website is easier and quicker to navigate to find what you are looking for. The ‘Quick Product Finder’ helps customers who know the product codes, to locate the product quickly. Just enter the product code and click ‘find’. The latest in high level 3D security authentication systems are employed for the highest level of privacy and security when paying online. The secure e-commerce functionality provides delivery times, prices, and enables customers to order and pay on-line. The site is also ‘customer account’ friendly and enables ordering by existing account holders on via their usual credit account. Up-to-date News items can also be viewed. Everything from advice about an upcoming event, new technologies or processes, company news, facts, and even Technical Tips can be found. A YouTube widget allows site access to all our our Youtube video uploads, featuring the latest video uploads. Social networking links are also provided for sharing interesting information with friends. Product information, datasheets, operation manuals, parts listings, videos, and MSDS sheets are all available on the new site. You can even view a staff profile and learn more about our team. The new site has already provided impressive results with online purchases, in New Zealand and in Australia. Much […]

A new flexible ultrasonic transducer which can squeeze into corners and conform to curved surfaces is set to revolutionise the inspection of composites and components with complex geometries. The Flex transducer series has already proved a success during trials within the aerospace sector, where composite materials are commonplace. The transducer is made of a thin but durable piezo-electric material that is soft enough to bend and can be shaped to suit curved geometry. By using a soft backing layer, the flexibility of the crystal is retained. At around 3mm high, Flex transducers are low profile. The Flex transducer series include single element (FFSC), dual element (FFTC), composite single element (CFFSC), and composite dual element (CFFTC) variations. Standard Flex transducers are 5MHz or 10MHz at sizes of 6mm, 10mm, 15mm and 20mm diameter. They can be used with any standard ultrasonic instrument.                  

  Selecting contactors and overloads for three phase electric motors is made easy with the Contactor Select App. By simply selecting the motor voltage and kW, the Contactor Select App will display the motor FLC (Amps) and suggest which contactor and overload to use. The Contactor Select App selects from the premier Sprecher + Schuh brand, with contactor and overload selection made easy by providing you with the exact product number and product photo of the contactor or overload you need. Useful for designers and electricians as a handy pocket reference tool, the Contactor Select App calculates full load current of three phase motors and allows correct product selection and overload settings to be made. While it is now available on the iTunes App Store and on Android devices, it is also available in a web friendly version at nhp-nz.com. So if you donÕt have an iPhone or Android phone, you don’t miss out!          

  Modern machine tools run at such a speed during machining that the auxiliary times, e.g., loading and unloading, are becoming increasingly important for total performance. Robots are providing the needed acceleration here. Various robot manufacturers are presenting such solutions and can record substantial growth in this segment. In addition to speeding up work, the link between robot systems and machine tools can also enable completely automatic operation without the involvement of people. Two concepts are above all being pursued for automating tool machines: on one hand, the integration of a robot into the machine tool, and on the other hand the complete automation module including robot on the machine.   Robust robots work in machine tools New robot concepts are available for integration of robots in machine tools that can cope with the adverse ambient operating conditions of shavings, grinding dust, coolants and other corrosive media. Teams of robots and machine vision systems also contribute to the efficiency of automation “behind” machine tools.For example, they handle tasks of quality control, but also take care of further processing and finishing of workpieces. CNC machining is also more widespread, in which inexpensive robot solutions take the place of expensive 5-axis CNC machines. To this end, manufacturers have developed the stability in robots required for machining the hardest materials. Servo stabilisers are mounted on individual robot axes in part to accomplish this. They promise reproducible machining, during which the required dimensional tolerances are maintained. In addition, improved control technologies are provided, which are based on CNC-controlled movement planning. Machine vision monitors aluminium weld seams Together, robots and industrial machine vision are providing increasingly more optimised positioning solutions, for example for welding operations. Quality inspections of weld seams are becoming increasingly more precise and faster, thanks to machine vision. This task has already […]

The new slimline LED ‘Probe’ Inspection Lamp.     Home handymen and professional tradespeople will light up when they see the new ‘Probe’ LED Inspection Lamp, an advanced, compact lamp which produces a powerful light to illuminate those difficult-to-access spaces. Stylish in its design and using the latest high intensity SMD L.E.D’s, the ‘Probe’ produces an intense even spread of light from its long, slim lens and has the unique feature of providing L.E.D illumination from the tip so that it can provide light in restricted areas. The lamp is constructed from a soft, rubberised material for non-slip, comfortable handling, the lens is shatterproof polycarbonate and the power pack is a lithium-ion battery, capable of providing two hours continuous use before re-charging is required. The lithium-ion battery contains no memory effect when charging and has a longer shelf life. For storage and recharging, the lamp fits neatly into the supplied 240V docking station. Also included for convenience and flexibility, is a 12/24V recharging plug and socket, which fits directly into the light making it ideal for trades people on the move. Whether it’s a mechanic or handyman checking the brake pads on a vehicle without removing the wheel, an electrician working on a complex switchboard, an auto electrician working under a dash, or a boatie inspecting a dark hatch, the slimline ‘Probe’ has few rivals when it comes to shedding light in the darkest confined spaces.              

  The Fluke 985 Particle Counter is a rugged, highly accurate meter that measures airborne particles to troubleshoot and monitor indoor air quality (IAQ). The 985 is ideal for HVAC and IAQ professionals to verify clean room classifications and conduct HVAC filter testing and IAQ commissioning and investigations in hospitals, labs and other sensitive environments. The Fluke 985 Particle Counter features: * six particle size channels with a range of 0.3 µm Ð 10 µm, assuring accurate measurements * rugged, ultra-lightweight, ergonomic design for easy single-hand operation * in-device storage of 10,000 records for easy access to historical data * ten hours of standard-use battery life to last a full workday. The 985 has a large 8.89 centimetre (3.5 inch) QVGC colour display with backlight and intuitive icons plus a large font option for easy navigation and viewing. It features configurable settings for the display, sample methods and sample size alarm. Data can be presented in traditional tabular or as a trend graph and exported to a USB memory stick or directly to a PC via a USB or Ethernet cable. The meter meets ISO 21501, JIS B9921 and CE standards. The 985 comes with a cradle for charging and USB and Ethernet communications, ENET CAT5E cable, USB-A to MINI-B cable, 12 VDC power supply, zero count inlet-filter, filter adapter, sample inlet protective cap, hard case, getting started manual and user manual CD.    

The inherent difficulty with applying a metal skin to a steel frame, whether it be skinning to a vehicle or changing the cladding of a building, is the method of application. The traditional methods have been either pop riveting or welding, both of which leave unsightly heads or distortion from heat. More and more often manufacturers and architects are turning to structural adhesives for a solution to this problem. Permabond have a wide variety of adhesives to replace permanent fixing. Their most popular is a two part, non-mixing adhesive that is applied one part to each surface. It will remain inert until the surfaces are brought together giving a handling strength in 2 to 4 minutes and a strength three times that of epoxy. The on part life of the components prior to bringing together can be up to 2 hours. Another product that has found favour with a number of manufacturers is PermabondÕs single part, heat cured epoxy. This has been used in many instances where heat is an issue, usually with the need to powder coat the finished article. The adhesive is applied to one of the surfaces then lightly clamped in place while baked to cure the adhesive. After the adhesive is cured, the finished product can be powder coated and the joint will easily withstand the temperatures involved in the process. More traditional two part epoxies are a specialty of Permabond, from the more well-known 5-minute epoxy to adhesives that will withstand 140 ¡C continuously and some that are flexible once cured. The epoxies tend to be packed in 1:1 ratio cartridges for easy application with a dispensing gun and mixer nozzles. nextSTEP Tel Homersham Ltd 0800 659 888 or 03 358 8309  

Johnson and Allen’s provide, for the first time, a fully self contained AC Field output; offering an excellent “skin effect” which out-performs existing DC portable units in defect detection. The Jay-Pac or Jaysn-Pac utilises the all new AC-Eazy powerbelt. The AC-Eazy powerbelt can be ordered alone if you have an existing 110volt electromagnet, or as the complete kit with the preferred Jay or Jayson yokes. The system uses a high powered lightweight Lithium battery (only 1.250kg) to power the custom-built design of wave form generator. The AC-Eazy powerbelt is made of thick, high quality leather, and also comes as standard with Aerosol holsters and a holder for the electromagnet giving both hands free. Extra aerosol holders and a leather accessory case can also be added. The system can power a “Jay” or the slightly lighter weight and longer reach “Jayson” electromagnets for a full day of typical inspection.