Specialty Equipments new Bare Bones drum filler can fill four palletized drums in four minutes. Palletized filling is useful whenever drums are to be stored or shipped on pallets, and the new filler is said to be ideal for low-volume or batching operations that fill four 55-gallon drums sequentially. The same machine will fill IBCs or pails on a pallet, too. A digital weight meter with easy-to-read display and operator prompting is included, with a 5,000-pound capacity scale base and four NTEP approved load cells. Options include a hydraulic raise/lower arm (handy for filling IBCs or pails), powered conveyors, and much more. Web: www.specialty equipment.com

Coolcut Emulsifiers Launched

Additives International has launched a new line of six emulsifying bases for biostable semi-synthetic fluids. Trade-named Coolcut, these bases are designed for formulating low-, medium- or high-oil semi-synthetics and come with or without extreme pressure additives. All six Coolcut products provide excellent lubricity through the addition of oil, a corrosion inhibitor and fungicide, says the company. The bases are field tested and suitable for cutting and machining of both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including aluminum. Contact: Greg Jorjorian, (800) 708-9657. Web: www.additivesinter national.com

Entry-level Palletizer

FKI Logistex has rolled out a line of lower-speed, cost effective case palletizers, the GS100 family. These low-price, entry-level case palletizers are fully automated, and ideal for organizations looking to convert from manual palletizing, as well as larger, multi-line operations where high-speed palletizing is not cost-justified. Capable of speeds up to 30 cases per minute (and priced from $52,000), the series offers the same heavy-duty construction, flexibility and reliability are found in FKI Logistexs other palletizers. Web: http://palletizers. fkilogistex.com

Need to Ship Hazmat?

Vessels meeting both DOT and ASME code, and custom-designed and manufactured to CFR 49 for shipment of hazardous products, now are available from Custom Metalcraft. The vessels are available in various material and weld finishes, from a 2B finish with welds as is, to a No. 6 finish with welds ground smooth and ribbon-polished for sanitary conditions. Custom Metalcraft specializes in the manufacture of custom, stainless steel process equipment, transportable storage units and material handling systems. Phone: (417) 862-0707. Web: www.custom-metalcraft.com

Test Grease Efficiently

Many industrial applications increasingly demand higher speed and temperature capabilities of greases. This often requires extensive laboratory and field tests – a big challenge for manufacturers of high-tech greases for bearings. To test the lubrication ability of greases under high speeds, high temperatures or a combination of both, the SKF Quality Technology Center offers a new high-speed grease tester, the RHF 1. The rig makes it possible to run test batches up to a speed of 75,000 rpm, and, when using SKF hybrid bearings, can achieve speed characteristic values (n*dm) of up to 3.6 million. E-mail: christian.roth@skf.com. Web: www.qtc.skf.com

Shhh! Lubes at Work

Etna Bechem Lubricants and partner Carl Bechem GmbH now offer a second-generation Noise Damping Lubricants Kit, to aid automotive component suppliers and OEMs in silencing the annoyances of automotive interior noise. The kit contains a range of synthetic, silicone-free specialty lubricants, all developed to combat the slick-slip noises, squeaks and rattles caused by vibrating stress in vehicle interior components. Included are synthetic greases, wax emulsions and PFPE dispersion products, which perform in temperature extremes ranging from -40 degrees C to 200 C. Applications include closure mechanisms, door checks, cupholders, ashtrays, switches, vents, sunroofs, visors, trims and seat systems. Contact: Mark Mandle (800) 229-3862. Web: www.etna.com

Flash Point in a Jiff

Herzogs Cleveland Flash Point HFP 370 analyzer combines versatility with absolute simplicity, and has the precision needed to increase laboratory productivity with improved repeatability and reproducibility. The analyzer assures compliance to ASTM D 92 or equivalent methods, and has multiple safety features. The HFP 370 has real-time screen display to see test progress, and can store 550 tests, 20 sample specifications, and up to 20 test methods. To enhance automation, add the six-position sample changer at any time. Web:www.paclp.com

ASTM Goes Digital

ASTMs entire library of technical information now is available in digitized format. This new information repository means users can access nearly all of the ASTM literature spanning more than 140 technical committees and 100 years. The online resource includes 945 special technical publications, over 50 manuals, 13,000 journal articles and 40,000 papers and chapters. Users can locate a few articles or chapters, or the entire library related to a particular topic. Users can search for full text – by author, symposia, committee, abstract or title. Subscription options mean you can access the complete digital library, or a portion of it, or just the individual papers, chapters and books as needed. Web: www.astm.org

PRO Cites Advances

Platinum Research Organization has announced additional funding for the development of new high-performance lubricants, which it will use to target end-uses including mold release, anti-corrosion coatings and micro electromechanical systems (MEMS). Some of these products are ready for field-testing now, said Pranesh Aswath, Ph.D., of the University of Texas, Arlington. The MEMS application, he added, will involve creating a new lubricant for state-of-the-art silicon lithography-based technology. The futuristic aerospace, medical and automotive systems using MEMS must be lubricated at the time of manufacture, but oil based lubricants are not practical for use in the super-clean, vacuum environments; instead, the company is applying its patented PRO chemistry to the challenge. Web: www.platinumresearch.com

Soy Grease Meets

NLGI Spec Environmental Lubricants Manufacturing has created a soybean-based lubricating grease that earns the rigorous NLGI GC-LB certification. Greases that meet this standard are used for automotive applications and can be used in high-speed bearings. The new grease was designed to have the high dropping points and resistance to water wash-out needed to meet NLGIs requirements for automotive uses. Mike Jensen of ELM said, to the best of our knowledge this is the only vegetable oil based GC-LB grease listed on the NLGI web site. The grease is marketed under the brand name SoyLube. Web: www.elmusa.com

Learn Not to Burn

Any production facility can be devastated by fire, so its imperative to select the right fire-resistant hydraulic fluid, says Supresta, especially for critical equipment. A new online video demonstrates how the companys Fyrquel fluids compare in fire resistance to other fluids; they are extremely difficult to ignite and inherently self-extinguishing. The synthetic fluids also have excellent lubrication properties, are highly oxidative and thermally stable, are easily maintained for long service life, and easily biodegrade, the company says. To see the video: www.supresta.com/ selfextinguish.php