Author: idextest

With more companies wanting to access their terminal management system using mobile devices and market demand for increased productivity and security, Toptech Systems in Longwood, Florida, recently introduced their new TMS7 terminal management system.

A terminal is an petroleum storage and distribution facility that usually serves as the step before petroleum makes it to a gas station. It’s a gas station for the gas station. Each terminal uses a software tool called a terminal management system to help them keep track of how much oil has been loaded, what’s been offloaded, and what drivers are authorized to load.

Building upon TMS6 whose original version was launched in 2004, TMS7 features several major improvements over traditional terminal automation systems, including improved productivity, flexibility, and security.

TMS7 is accessible in any web browser from any internet enabled device, whereas TMS6 had to be installed on each computer and it is not optimized for mobile use. Plus, to offer a more productive experience, Toptech engineers developed a user-friendly interface, superior security and a built-in user guide for each page of the system.

Additional features include:

– Multiple screens allow the user to create and save custom filters, plus hide and rearrange columns to quickly view relevant data.

– Powerful search feature (similar to the Google search bar) that allows customers to completely bypass the traditional menu and go straight to what they need.

– Export data more easily from key screens to excel (choose between XLSX or CSV). Users can export using their custom filters or they can export all the columns.

– Major and minor upgrades take less than 5 minutes. TMS7 enables users to upgrade their system with the click of one button. In previous versions of TMS, the upgrade process was long and complex, resulting in extended lane closures and business interruptions.

​

Recently, Toptech Systems completed the first TMS7 installation, which was an upgrade from TMS6 to TMS7. The customer is very pleased with the results and already working to place TMS7 in a second location.

To learn more, click here

An innovation recently introduced by Matcon enables manufacturers to increase output and improve efficiencies.

To overcome the issues of core flow, particle rolling, and mix segregation, Matcon, which provides Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) technology for powder, granule and tablet processing, recently announced the release of the new Manual Cone Valve for US markets.

In the past, IBC operators using butterfly valves for powder discharge often experienced product bridging (when the product seems to stick in one place) and would spend time hammering the sides of the bins to discharge powders, resulting in damage to the container. Additionally, IBC operators sometimes found the mixed product would segregate leading to consistency issues in the end product.

Designed for Food, Beverage and Chemical applications, the new manually operated Cone Valve promotes mass-flow discharge of free-flowing powders preventing segregation of powder mixes and ensuring product quality.

All materials move at the same time so there’s no particle rolling and hence the quality of the mix is preserved.

To watch a video of the Cone Valve technology in action, click here

The Manual Cone Valve can be easily retrofitted to any existing flanged IBC outlet, providing a cost-effective way of delivering superior powder handling capabilities to an entire IBC fleet.

To learn more about the product, click here

A leading designer and manufacturer of precision air-moving products, Gast Manufacturing in Benton Harbor, Michigan (USA), introduced new Sound Shield technology for vacuum pumps and air compressors last month.

Using their research from another project last year, Gast team members recognized the need for quiet compressors in medical, dental and lab settings. Applications include using compressed air for dental instruments, using compressed air to automate testing in pneumatic lab equipment, and many more.  They developed a new technology that eliminates assembly time cost and complexity of other less-effective sound dampening products.

Designed to be easily installed as an add-on during manufacturing or as an easy retrofit aftermarket upgrade, Sound Shield technology is a convenient, integrated, one-source solution to keep things quiet.

When equipped on a Gast 86R or 87R compressor or pump, Sound Shield maintains 95 percent of the air flow of a standard model. Maximum pressure, vacuum function and running temperature are not affected, maintaining product performance and life.

Gast Manufacturing’s Sound Shield technology dramatically reduces peak sound levels by delivering up to a 25% decrease in A-weighted decibels (dB(A)) and a 40% Sone decrease in perceived loudness to the human ear, offering improved sound quality.

“We developed Sound Shield as an easy, compact solution to streamline sound channeling processes and ultimately increase equipment user comfort, creating a more productive working environment,” said Bryan Kuntz, Sales Application Engineer, Gast Manufacturing.

To hear how the Sound Shield reduces noise, click here

Corken, Inc., a unit of IDEX Corporation (NYSE: IEX) announced today the release of the world’s first propane unloading compressor system designed to fully evacuate propane from railcars during offloading, saving up to $3.5M over the lifetime of a system. While conventional unloading systems abandon the final 230-400 gallons of propane in each railcar due to their inability to overcome the vapor pressure (30-40 PSIG) during the final stage of transfer, Corken’s new Propane Miser™ is the first PLC-controlled two-stage compressor system that effectively overcomes this barrier, safely and quickly achieving evacuation as low as 0 PSIG.

“Our team observed customers paying for millions of gallons of propane that they never actually get,” explains Art Laszlo, Corken President. “We felt it was our responsibility to engineer a system to solve that problem and the Propane Miser will do just that,” said Laszlo.

With up to 25% faster throughput and deeper evacuation than conventional compressors, terminal operators can optimize the Propane Miser to evacuate faster, deeper, or both depending on operational circumstances. As an example, a terminal operator who unloads 1,000 railcars per year, pays $.60 per gallon, and normally stops their unloading at 40 PSIG stands to save $250,000 per year.

“Our patent pending control system combined with the proven Corken D791 two-stage compressor resulted in what will be the most impactful solution in terms of operational savings that our industry has seen in decades,” said Blake Wallace, Senior Engineer.

The Propane Miser was officially launched on September 1, 2020. Visit Corken.com to use our Railcar Offloading Business Opti-MISER to calculate the potential savings Propane Miser could save your company.

Contact Corken at cocsalesdept@idexcorp.com for more information or to be introduced to an authorized distributor in your area.

ABOUT CORKEN

Founded in 1924, Corken’s exceptional reputation is built upon nearly 100 years of maintaining the highest quality products and customer service. This combined with a strong commitment to technological innovation has positioned Corken as a global leader in compression and pumping solutions. As a leading manufacturer of industrial compressors, pumps, bypass valves, and accessories, Corken specializes in custom compressor and pump skids designed for liquefied gas transfer, liquid transfer, air boosting, and vapor recovery applications for the process gas, energy, and transport industries.