HSS seals for the metals industry

The reinforced, all-rubber HSS seals offer mills a high-performance solution that increases reliability and productivity
SKF is launching the HSS seals for the metals industry, the company's most recent addition to its line of industrial radial shaft seals. HSS seals offer rolling mills a reliable and easy-to-install solution for mill stand chocks.

This seal range features a new concept of seal reinforcement and is SKF's new preferred offer for large size bearing protection in metal-making assets.
“Seals are often perceived as commodity items. In reality, they are essential system components that help to ensure bearing and system performance, reliability and efficiency. When installed as part of an optimised bearing arrangement, HSS seals offer mills a solution to upgrade asset performance, boost overall mill reliability and productivity, and cut costs per tonne”, says Robert Blachfellner, SKF Global Product Manager Industrial Seals Segment.
HSS seals are available in nitrile rubber (NBR) and the two SKF developed materials SKF Duratemp (HNBR) and SKF Duralife (FKM), which have been successfully used for decades in demanding applications. The standard grade of these high-performance materials is used for the sealing lip, while the part of the seal body contacting the housing bore is made from a harder grade to provide improved stability in operation and during installation. This concept of reinforcing the seals allows split designs, which facilitates installation and replacement. The smooth outside diameter provides excellent static sealing and there is no risk of dimensional changes to the seals when exposed to moisture.
HSS seals also feature optional grease ports in the back that allow re-greasing between the sealing lips in back-to-back or tandem installations of two HSS seals in the application.
HSS seals can be customised to match specific shaft and seal housing dimensions without additional costs or extended delivery times.

PRECISA PREMIUM Series 321 LX Balances

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With the 321 series, Precisa is in today's mindset: offering active, modern thinking professionals the enjoyment of using well designed, even trendy, products in their working environment. In combination with the excellent quality and easy-to-use interface it takes the new Precisa experience in weighing to the next level.

Going beyond high performance and precision – Series 321 meets today's and tomorrow's user expectations regarding design, functionality and reliability of a modern weighing instrument. Swiss quality and a breathtaking look, combined with latest technology, make Series 321 the first choice for both laboratories and industrial weighing applications where ease-of-use, efficient measurements and reliable results are required.
The sophisticated user-interface utilises a new softTOUCH technology for its control. Touch pads, illuminated only when a function is active, guide the user and allow fast and error-free operation. The super-bright blueLINE VFD display takes easy reading to a new level.
321 features easyCLEAN – the easy wipe-off balance and draft shield design. The unique concept of the new draft shield, with 270° unobstructed view, allows tool-free dismantling and assembling in seconds and can be easily cleaned in your dishwasher.
The balance comes as standard with RS232 and USB interfaces and connects to the wide variety of Precisa accessories and communication adapters.
Features:
• Die-cast aluminium housing of the balance
• blueLINE high contrast blue vacuum fluorescent display
• Optional with fully automatic internal calibration system, programmable on time or temperature control (SCS)
• Clock with date and time
• Printout according GLP
• USB device and RS232/V24 bi-directional interface as standard
• Electronic anti-theft code
• IP65 protection against ingress of dust and water available
• Updates via Internet

Integrated Functions:
• Variety of measurement units
• Piece-counting
• Percent weighing
• Live animal weighing
• Density determination
• Plus/minus check weighing
• Formulation, weight by tantalisation
• Free unit calculation
• Statistics calculation and recorder function
• Automatic Reproducibility Test (ART)

A fleet of six UV16 pumps with booster

The vacuum drying method was applied after the dewatering with pigs. The considerable volume of 102.000m³ was evacuated down to 0,3 mbar (a) [29,905 in Hg (V] which corresponds to the Dew Point of -32°C in 6 days only. We have successfully completed 48” x 90 kilometres pipeline vacuum drying within 6 days without any major problem.” Four double stage vacuum systems with variable-speed-driven roots pumps as second stage (each 3000 m³/h [1770 cfm] capacity) and two standard double stage systems (each 2500 m³ / h [1473cfm] capacity) for the total maximal flow of 17 000m³/h [1002 cfm] were installed for the vacuum drying process. Some vacuum units were installed in 20 feet container, others simply placed on the unpaved ground. All vacuum pumps were protected with inlet filters and connected to the central manifold. When the pumps are not operated within a protecting container, heavier and special sturdy skid mounted units are usually used. But in this case, the transportation, which is the most dangerous matter, was safe within the containers. The special features of the Pneumofore vacuum system are the capability to evacuate water vapour, to be ready-to-use, completely air cooled and with unique efficiency. This solution was chosen due to the large volume in the pipeline, which had to be evacuated down to 0,3 mbar(a) [29,905 in Hg(V)] for the Dew Point of -32°C. The drying with this dedicated vacuum system was economically far more convenient than the previous drying technique with nitrogen. The vacuum drying has been promoted by the theory since decades, only in the last years the technology of pumps evolved to guarantee good results in water vapour suction capability. The total water vapour quantity, that the here described vacuum system fleet can evacuate, is 400 kg/h, because one UV16 H can handle more than 66 kg/h. The pipeline drying follows the dewatering process, which is executed with 'pigs' pushed by compressed air at the speed of 2 km/h [1.25mph]. Nowadays the pigs collect also data about the internal geometry of the pipeline, like constant diameter of oval shape, reduction in thickness and more. 

During the commissioning, the Pneumofore engineers instructed the local team about the vacuum pumps operation and maintenance. The routine operations on the vacuum systems, as well as the periodic checks are fast and simple. The air cooling was particularly appreciated due to the critical availability of cold water for cooling purpose.