Conventional product development cycles typically involve design, prototyping, testing, design modification, re-testing etc., to achieve a pre-production version. ADAMS version 9.0 software, developed by US company Mechanical Dynamics Inc., enables all these functions to be conducted in the virtual domain of the computer, significantly reducing development cost and time tomarket. 

ABB is launching its first micro drive, taking the power rating of its extensive AC drives range from 2.2kW down to 0.37kW, in 200V and 240V single phase and three phase.Simple operation, accurate speed control, easy installation and fast commissioning are features of the low cost ACS 100. Measuring 80mm wide, the drive is the only one in its class with a detachable front mounted control panel.

ABB is breaking into the highvolume, low cost small drives arena with the launch of its ACS 100 AC drive rated from 0.37kW to 2.2kW.

The world’s 1001st “AquaClean” machine has now gone into service in Germany. It was delivered to “Monika’s Textilpflege” in Badburg, a town between Cologne and Aachen. The washing system was developed by the Electrolux-Wascator company for the wet-cleaning of textiles in water. It is already being used in 28 countries all over the world as a profitable and environment-friendly supplement to dry cleaning.

Three new DigitalFlow gas ultrasonic flowmeters have been introduced by Panametrics, Inc. Each uses digital signal processing and the company's patented Correlation Transit-Time technique for accurate, drift-free measurement. They can be used under a wide range of conditions without impeding flow. Maintenance is minimal even in difficult situations because the flowmeters have no orifices to clog and no moving parts to wear out, the company reports.

Swedish Electrolux-Wascator has entered an agreement with the American company Global Technologies to develop a new cleaning technology. Based on the trademark Dry Wash process and the use of liquid CO2 as a cleaning solvent the new technology is aiming at reducing the environmental impact of current dry-cleaning processes.

A new microprocessor based system that combines public address, alarm and communications capabilities for offshore operations has been introduced by U.S. company GAI-Tronics Corporation.  The MarinEx system is designed to meet the routine and emergency communications and safety needs of the offshore oil and gas production market. It will be exhibited at the GAI-Tronic DAC Limited booth [# 824-8] at the Offshore Europe 97 exposition in Aberdeen, Scotland, 9-12 September. 

The extension of its data collection capacity by SSC Satellitbild AB to include the Japanese JERS-1 satellitewill allow companies faster andmore reliable access to a variety of remote sensing information for geographic information systems. 

Thermal and mechanical stress causes cracks in metallic structures. Such cracks have a tendency to grow bigger and the damage can be very disastrous in recovery boilers, which are vital pieces of equipment in the pulp and paper industry. Wall tube leaks of the furnace can lead to substantial boiler damage and unexpected shutdowns.  One way to avoid damage is to use the continuous Savcor CI-system (Cracking Indicator) to detect growing cracks.  "When compared with the conventional method, i.e. periodic visual and audible inspection, the new system can extend the life time of process equipment significantly," says Kaj Lindström of the Finnish company Savcor-Consulting Oy, a specialist in corrosion and preventive maintenance.

A new grade of paper, Triple White, in three layers and with low grammage, is the response of Swedish manufacturer Stora Gruvön to the demand for lighter-weight packaging from such critics as consumers, manufacturers, politicians and environmentalists. "We have succeeded in combining low grammage with optimal characteristics in respect of runnability, strength and printability," explains Peter Malmqvist, Product Manager. At 70-120 gsm, this paper is just as suitable for prepacking food products as for carrier bags, envelopes, ream-wrapping and other flexible packaging. At present, Stora Gruvön is the only producer of this type of three-layer packaging solution in the world.