Capital Equipment News June 2015

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS

JUNE 2015

FLUID COUPLINGS

ower management company Eaton

has increased the functionality in its

lineup of UltraShift

PLUS automat-

ed transmissions with enhancements that

allow for compatibility with 2-speed axles.

Geared primarily to increase the appeal of

UltraShift PLUS among vocational custom-

ers, especially dump and heavy haul fleets,

the new compatibility provides a cost-sav-

ing alternative to torque converter automat-

ic transmissions.

The new features include enhanced gear re-

duction capabilities to maximize on/off road

capabilities. In addition, the option allows for

the elimination of gear boxes that are typically

installed behind an automatic design. The re-

sult is lower overall vehicle cost, excellent per-

formance and less drive line complexity that

typically brings about reduced servicing and

maintenance costs.

“We are always exploring new ways to expand

our breadth of transmission products to best

serve the commercial trucking industry,” said

Ryan Trzybinski, product planning manager

for Eaton. “Fleets that prefer to operate with

2-speed axles now have an attractive trans-

mission option to increase their efficiencies

and improve performance.”

EATON EXPANDS

UltraShift

PLUS Automated

Transmission Coverage

All makes and models of UltraShift PLUS may

now be specified with the 2-speed axle soft-

ware. Production begins in January 2015. The

standard UltraShift PLUS warranties, which are

dependent on application, remain the same for

the newest application expansion to Eaton’s

lineup of automated transmissions.

All of Eaton’s UltraShift PLUS transmissions

feature self-adjusting electronic clutch actua-

tion for fast, smooth engagements. Intelligent

shift selection software employs grade sensing,

weight computation and driver throttle com-

mands to make shift decisions for efficient, safe

and profitable vehicle performance.

Other benefits include:

• A Hill Start Aid feature to prevent rolling

while on steep grades and allowing for

smoother vehicle launches.

• Automatic, manual, and low mode

selections that offer drivers better control.

• A Creep feature for significantly improved

maneuverability with continuous low-

speed control.

• Six- and eight-bolt, as well as thru-shaft,

power take off options.

• An oil sight glass to easily check fluid

levels.

Eaton is a power management company with

2014 sales of $22.6 billion. Eaton provides en-

ergy-efficient solutions that help our customers

effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and

mechanical power more efficiently, safely and

sustainable. Eaton has approximately 102 000

employees and sells products to customers in

more than 175 countries.

he new Leuze RSL 400 safety laser

scanner family incorporates two au-

tonomous protective functions in one

device, saving end users money while still

ensuring quality of performance.

Available from Countapulse Controls, the

Leuze RSL 400 scanner’s most important

feature is that it has two independently ad-

justable configurations and two safety-related

switching output pairs (OSSDs). Together with

an operating range of 8.25 m and a scan-

ning angle of 270°, this feature allows two

different protection tasks to be performed

simultaneously with just the one device. Ger-

ry Bryant, managing director of Countapulse

Controls, the distributor in southern Africa for

Leuze sensors say that this capability means

that, in most cases, customers do not need

to acquire a second laser scanner, thus re-

ducing their capital investment. Not only are

the scanners easy to set up and configure,

but they are extremely easy to operate.

Functionality and user friendliness are key

attributes of the devices and upgrades can

be performed quickly and without electronic

and mechanical realignment, readjustment or

configuration.

“The RSL 400 range of laser scanners rep-

resents a drive towards high quality, com-

bined with simplicity. The goal is to encour-

age customers to embrace these scanners

and the advantages they offer in the safety

arena. A separate connection unit, with inte-

grated cable management, ensures uncom-

plicated mounting and the large, plain-text

display with electronic spirit level makes

alignment simple,” Bryant points out. The

Leuze RSL 400 scanners feature integrated

network connectivity. In the first connectivity

option, the Ethernet TCP/IP interface makes

it possible to achieve simple and convenient

configuration and diagnostics. In addition,

the devices can be controlled and configured

wirelessly, via Bluetooth, at distances of up

to 10 m.

In spite of their high quality performance and

innovation, the devices are extremely robust.

Engineered for operation in tough environ-

ments, the housings are impervious to dust

build-up, making them ideal for use in harsh

industrial applications.

Countapulse Controls has over 40 years’

experience in specialist sensing technology

and offers reliable, efficient and application

appropriate sensing, control and motion de-

tection solutions.

LEUZE RSL 400 LASER SCANNER