PRODUCT FOCUS
www.plantonline.co.za
Better, quicker, simpler: gas and vacuum
leak detection
COMTEST’s new Fluke ii900 is a handheld sonic industrial
imager that enables maintenance teams to quickly and
accurately locate air, steam, gas and vacuum leaks in
compressed air systems.
The straightforward, intuitive interface
allows technicians to isolate the sound
frequency of the leak to filter out
background noise. In a matter of hours,
the team can inspect the entire plant,
even during peak operations.
Specifically designed for industrial
maintenance teams, maintenance
leads, plant maintenance managers and
plant operations managers who rely
on compressed air, gas or vacuum in
their routine operations, this industrial
imager offers a new way to locate
issues using sound.
SoundMap is displayed in colour
over a visual image of the equipment
allowing for fast visual location. With the
visual image, it is easy to scan a large
area quickly and even possible identify
leaks from a distance.
Applications
The Fluke ii900 can be applied in the
following industries:
• Manufacturing: aerospace,
automotive, glass, machinery,
instrumentation and appliances,
plastic and rubber, mining and
mineral processing
• Process manufacturing: cement,
chemical processing, food and
beverage and pulp, paper and wood
The ii900 enables users to do more with
existing air compressors, such as:
• Delays the capital expense of
purchasing an additional compressor
• Ensures proper air pressure to
pneumatic equipment
• Lowers energy costs (optimisation
of compressed air budget)
• Reduces leak detection time
• Improves reliability on the
production line
The ii900 makes leak detection part
of a typical maintenance routine, for
example, the training of a maintenance
team is possible in a matter of minutes
and provides for the validation of repairs.
Finally, with minimal training,
technicians can start checking for
air leaks as part of their typical
maintenance routine. The ii900 means
a better, quicker, simpler way to check
compressed air leaks, and at the same
time conduct gas and vacuum leak
identification.
it is also unsafe for the operator holding
and guiding the slogging spanner. The
operator is then at risk of shrapnel and is
effectively at the mercy of the operator
swinging the hammer.
“The Slogging Hammer was
developed to overcome the hazards
associated with the traditional hammer
and slogging spanner method and to
improve operator safety when loosening
bolts and nuts. Other uses for this
tool include pin extractions, and with
an adaptor can be used with standard
impact sockets, tyre bead breakers, as
well as in the removal of coal picks and
other custom chisels.”
Safety features of the Slogging
Hammer include a built-in hand-grip,
which means there is no need for the
operator’s hand to be near the impact
zone and an eye-bolt prevents accidents
in overhead working conditions, when
tightened. No heavy lifting is necessary,
as only the shaft weight needs to
be managed. This tool is used easily
in confined spaces and in areas that
are difficult to access. The Slogging
Hammer provides greater direct impact,
ensuring that the job is completed
quickly and safely, with fewer blows
than with conventional methods.
When a Slogging Hammer is applied
in the Wheel Slogger variation, a single
operator is able to safely loosen, tighten
and torque wheel nuts for the quick
release and replacement of a damaged
tyre. The operator can be confident
that when the required torque for the
application, as prescribed by the OEM
manufacturer, has been applied through
the Wheel Slogger with its new torque
clip, the installed torque will be within
5% accuracy of a torque wrench applied
to the same joint. This system mitigates
the risk of damage to wheel studs
through over-tightening.
All torque settings on the tool are
controlled by OEM-specified torque
clips, which means that calibration is
not required, even after years of usage.
Standard torque settings are 450, 550,
600 and 650Nm, however, custom
torque ranges up to 1 000Nm can be
accommodated on request.
This system has been well received
by all sectors, and there is minimal
downtime and no need to incur the
costs of calling for assistance to
change wheels.
BMG’s extensive branch network
offers a technical advisory and support
service to ensure the suitable product
is selected and correctly used for each
specific application.
With minimal training, technicians can begin checking for air leaks as part of their
typical maintenance routine.
JULY 2019
27