Cover Story
Security applications
In addition to collecting , storing and transmitting important information about the valve , the Rackon-X can also provide essential security functionality . “ An interesting application is fuel transportation ,” explains Mr Coombs . “ Specialised companies move products such as gasoline and gas in tanker trucks from production sites to refuelling stations , etc . A customer approached us because fuel was being stolen from their tankers . They knew some drivers were stopping mid-route and removing fuel , but couldn ’ t prove it . Because tankers carry many cubic meters of cargo , it ’ s very difficult to determine if the load has been tampered with at the final destination . The Rackon-X offers a unique solution because it records every opening and closing of the tanker valve , so it ’ s simple to see if there has been an unscheduled opening of the valve en route , what time this happened , for how long , and the owner is immediately alerted . Given how many tankers are on the road worldwide every day , transporting everything from nitrogen to milk , this is a large and well-established transportation application .”
Smart web interface , tamper-proof
Despite its revolutionary wireless design , installation of the Rackon-X is no different than regular pneumatic actuators . “ The ease of installation extends to the X-Easy , the smart web interface OMAL provides to read and review the information collected . No sophisticated software is required to access your data ; a simple but secure password-protected log-in provides direct access .”
Security is important in all electronic systems , and the Rackon-X includes a unique anti-tamper system . Mr Coombs explains : “ Of course , the actuator can ’ t prevent someone trying to tamper with it , but it can record the event and alert the user .”
Top Italian quality
OMAL Group valves and actuators are fully designed , machined , assembled and tested
All OMAL valves and actuators are fully designed , machined , assembled and tested at its facilities in Italy .
at its facilities in Italy , with over 25 engineers employed in its engineering department . The Group has divided its product range into two companies : OMAL and Actuatech . The first company offers a variety of valve types ( ball , butterfly , angle-seat , high-pressure ), whereas Actuatech develops and manufactures pneumatic and electric actuators both for OMAL and for third parties . The company also manufactures heavy-duty actuators in various sizes , usually in very large dimensions . “ We are one of the few companies specialising in both valves and actuators . As a Group , we sell over 400,000 actuators yearly ,” explains Mr Coombs . “ As a specialised actuator manufacturer , Actutech is the preferred partner for many reputable valve manufacturers , for whom we re-label actuators for their complete assemblies . So while we sell directly to the market , you can also find our products under many other labels .” “ Our company has forty years of experience in developing and manufacturing actuators . Our experts have developed specific technical solutions that offer longer-life actuators compared to other companies . TUV Germany has approved all of our actuators for more than one million cycles ; double the industry norm of 500,000 cycles . Our expertise includes both scotch yoke and rack and pinion pneumatic actuators .”
10 Valve World February 2023 www . valve-world . net