As a startup enterprise developing a totally new class of high-technology materials and moving
them into production as quickly as possible, Nanophase Technologies explored every avenue for reducing engineering and construction
costs while expediting our first manufacturing lines. Minimizing costs was obviously very important in a company dedicated to
demonstrating the ability to be profitable in the emerging world of specialized nanomaterials, but doing things right was equally
important. As the engineer who designed and oversaw construction of our first nanomaterials production process, H. Glenn Judd was
open to promising new ideas, but unwilling to cut corners on quality or safety. In that regard, it was imperative to meet all the
requirements of a Class1 Div 2 hazardous environment for the production of nanocrystalline zinc oxide, which is used for a variety
of pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications, including sunscreen. In fact, Nanophase Technologies Inc. is the largest manufacturer
of nanoparticles for sunscreen in the world.
If you are looking for Turck Sensors, please call us on
(800) 894 - 0412 or email us at
info@clrwtr.com we
will do our best to help you find the Turck Cordsets that you are looking for at the lowest prices possible. If you are searching
for Turck Cables technical information (data-sheets) please use the Turck Datasheets or
Product Selection Guide page links.
In the past, Class 1 Div 2 wiring standards called for installing piping and pulling of wires through the pipes
to eliminate any exposed wiring. Installing hard wall piping from a control center out to each individual field instrument was
time-consuming and expensive, even in a relatively small process, and once the conduit was in place, a device could not be
relocated without first tearing out the pipe and moving it. The engineer was looking for an alternative connection method and
found it in the form of Quick Disconnect Cordsets developed to conform to
the requirements of Class 1 Div 2 and manufactured by Turck Inc. These are twisted pairs of wires designed for control connectivity
encased in flexible plastic with molded terminations at each end.
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A variety of cable configurations is available in different lengths and colors and capable of carrying from 24
to 110 volts from power source to field device. Because of the way the cables are terminated, it is impossible to plug one into an
incompatible power source. By using cordsets rather than piping, the amount to time required for control system installation can
be reduced significantly. Only a few minutes are needed to install a cordset, screwing the ends into pre-assembled receptacles on
the field device and remote I/O block in a field
Interlink BT Junction Box. Workers would need more than an hour to
install piping, pull the wires, and connect that same field device to the control center.
Working with Simone Engineering/FCX, a control system integrator based in Germantown, WI, we engineered a
solution for Nanophase with pipe running from the programmable logic controller (
Idec PLC) out to junction boxes near the process equipment. From there,
flexible cables were strung as far as 10 meters to connect each of 150 field devices generating both analog and digital inputs. The
connections are secure and not likely to come apart with motion or vibration caused by the process equipment. The overriding reason
for selecting the Turck armored cable cordsets was to reduce cycle time and accelerate the project schedule, and the results fully
justified their use in this challenging environment. The time required to install the control system on our new HP-1 coating
process was actually cut in half, enabling Nanophase to get into production three weeks sooner than would have been possible with a
traditional wire-in-pipe solution. Secondly, using cordsets was less expensive. The new system cut six man-weeks off the job of
installing field instrumentation an estimated saving of about $25,000. Since the cost of the materials was about the same with
either system, the money saved was a direct benefit.
Another benefit of using Turck Cables is their application
flexibility, offering quick disconnect of an existing hookup, if desired. Process alterations are much easier when field equipment,
including the instruments, can be relocated without having to repipe the entire installation. Instrument replacement is just as
easy. Because it is so easy to move things around just by disconnecting the cables, we use them extensively in our pilot plant
operation where components are constantly being repositioned. Since the HP-1 coating line went into operation in October, 2001, no
problems have occurred with control system connectivity or operation of the process.
Nanotechnology is an emerging science in which a material's characteristics can be tailored to specific
requirements by changing the size and shape of nanoparticles comprising the material. Thus, Nanophase zinc oxide materials are
available as dry powders and as stable dispersions in a variety of solvents, both aqueous and organic. These new materials can be
surface treated using a patented process and engineered to meet specific customer requirements for such diverse applications as
transparent coatings to protect against abrasion as well as ultraviolet and infrared radiation. A variety of unique performance
characteristics can be created by tailoring the nanoparticles.
As a leader in solving product problems through proprietary and patented nanocrystalline technology, Nanophase
products feature high particle and surface chemical purity and are manufactured to ISO-9001, USP, and cGMP standards. The biggest
benefit stemming from the use of Turck cordsets was the reduced cycle time and accelerated production schedule for a product with a
waiting market. I see no downside to their use in any environment for which they are certified. In fact, we plan to use them on
future Class 1 Div 2 installations.
It will be very helpful if you have the Turck Sensor part numbers ready, then our sales representatives
can provide you with a pricing and availability quote for the Turck Cordsets that you are looking for in seconds. If you do not have
the part numbers for Turck sensors, our application engineers will be able to help you figure out the Turck Cables part numbers and
get the price quote to you as soon as possible.
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