Category: Company News

After years in the sewers, ADS is bringing its game above ground. 
 
A unit of IDEX that provides flow monitoring systems that help water and sewer system operators detect underground blockages early, ADS has a new solution for monitoring flooding on the surface. Based on similar technology to the sewer applications, the ForeSITE™-UL (Ultrasonic Level) monitoring technology system includes a smart device that continuously measures the surface level of water.  

The devices can be positioned over waterways, streets, underpasses, storm water outfalls, or any other area prone to flooding. The system can also monitor surface water levels in lakes, reservoirs, lagoons, rivers, streams, irrigation canals and tidal gates. 

If water levels rise, ForeSITE-UL sends messages and sounds alarms that a flood event is eminent. Alerted early, authorities can act to help prevent loss of property and life in the community. Early detection of rising flood waters can also reduce safety hazards to municipal workers and the public. 

An Increasing Concern 

Many stormwater management systems in urban areas are outdated and in need of repair or replacement. Surface water infrastructure such as dams, levees and water treatment plants are also aging. Upgrading old infrastructure is a significant challenge due to high costs and the challenge of disrupting existing systems. 

Until costly infrastructure improvements are made, local authorities can benefit greatly from early detection of emerging issues. 

As with all ADS solutions, ForeSITE-UL offers a range of different support options, from self-installation to full turnkey installation, monitoring, and data analytics services. This gives system operators optimal flexibility for managing their collection infrastructure in a manner that best fits their goals, budget, and staffing situations. 

With a battery life of four years, the system provides measurements at user-prescribed intervals with high accuracy. Data is logged and communicated via cellular infrastructure.

The ForeSITE-UL employs ADS PRISM™ suite of cloud-based, end-to-end software for aggregation, data storage, visualization, and analysis. PRISM provides virtual real-time information to system operators facilitating data-driven decision making.

When electric vehicles catch fire, the aftermath can pose a significant risk for firefighters and towing services. After it appears the fire is extinguished, lithium-ion batteries can reignite. When safely removing a vehicle, it is important to first cool the batteries. But how?

Recognizing this risk and the need for a solution, our colleagues at Vetter in Zulpich, Germany, developed the Vetter E-Vehicle Isolation System (EIS).

“EIS is gaining a lot of interest. How to contain and transport extinguished electric vehicles is heavily discussed by the towing industry and fire brigades right now,”

Vetter Marketing Product Manager Simona Schweiger said.

Here’s how it works…

Packing Up the Vehicle

After extinguishing the fire, the electric vehicle is raised with lift pads, supporting materials or a crane, and the EIS is positioned under the vehicle. The electric vehicle is lowered and the lifting straps, which will be required for lifting it later, are fitted.

Various lashing straps are now used to attach the EIS to the vehicle. The straps ensure that the tarpaulin is fitted securely and is adjusted to the contours of the vehicle. This reduces the water consumption to a minimum.

Flooding & Cooling the Battery

The water supply is then connected to the upper hose connection and the water level gauge to the lower connection. Then the EIS is flooded until the vehicle’s battery unit is under water. The water level gauge provides information about the water level in the EIS. After the car has been filled sufficiently, the water supply is turned off.

Transporting & Storing the Vehicle

After reaching the storage site, the electric vehicle, wrapped up in the EIS system, can be stored in the open air or in a hall with an appropriate ventilation system. The EIS filled with water should be stored for at least 72 hours to prevent the lithium-ion batteries from self-igniting. With the help of the intelligent water level gauge, it is possible to check the current water level at any time and top up the water if necessary.

Storing & Reusing the EIS

The EIS can be used multiple times. After it has been checked and cleaned, it can simply be folded up and stowed away in the emergency vehicle. When the fire brigade or towing services are once more called out to a fire, the E-Vehicle Isolation System is ready for use again.

Interested in understanding more about how pumps work? Our IDEX colleague Chad Wunderlich is your guy.

An engineer who manages distributor development at Viking Pump, Chad has been part of teaching in-person “Pump School” sessions and producing educational videos for years from their headquarters in Iowa (USA).

In Viking’s older videos, you’d typically only see Chad’s hands. That changed a couple of years ago, when Digital Media Manager Joe Barloon suggested positioning Chad on camera as a presenter. And so, the “Pump Report” was born on YouTube.

While some inquiries from the videos have led directly to sales, the approach is more about brand building. Chad explains to viewers in simple terms how different kinds of pumps work, including Rotary Lobe, Vane, Circumferential Piston Pump, Internal Gear and External Gear pumps. And he explains concepts, like how to calculate flow rate.

“You never know what’s going to be a hit,” Chad said.

Some of their most popular videos include:

• “Flow vs Pressure”
• “What Causes Pumps to Cavitate? And why is my pump so loud?”
• “Internal Gear Pumps and How They Work”

“It’s been a soft sell approach to have our name out there,” Joe said. “It’s more about showing that we’re a knowledge leader in pump technologies.”

Joe Barloon, Digital Media Manager

The videos have also helped new employees learn about the company during the application and on-boarding process. Even students will watch and reference their videos when researching science projects, with the Viking Pump videos appearing first in many common pump related video searches.

“People will watch a three-minute video more than they’ll read a three-page script,” Chad said.

With pumps of myriad sizes and specifications central to so many IDEX products, consider learning a little about these concepts, regardless of your role. You can check out the entire playlist of Viking Pump videos on YouTube.

You might not equate emergency response with comedy. But a series of Instagram and LinkedIn videos featuring IDEX Fire & Safety (F&S) products has tens of thousands of followers busting out laughing.  

F&S recently established a partnership with veteran-owned coffee shop Fire Department Coffee, a longtime champion of first responders, firefighters and veterans.  

The Illinois-based coffee shop showcases IDEX F&S products in fun, comedic skits on their large social media channels. Their videos feature products such as the SAM Smart Nozzle and HURST Jaws of Life Cutters. 

Polymer Precision Engineering Enlists International Leader to Help Save Christmas

This year, the team at Polymer Precision Engineering (PPE) in Blackburn, England, has given hundreds of volunteer hours to their local foodbank. The time commitment coupled with regular donations of essential food and toiletries has supported a vital community service for those in need.

The winter holidays are one of Blackburn Foodbank’s busiest times of the year. So, PPE organized a special donation drive over the months of November and December to collect essential items. To distribute the items, they called on a legendary figure known for spreading hope and joy… 

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/precision-polymer-engineering-limited_ppe-christmas-video-2023-in-support-of-blackburn-activity-7138855091305869312-zrQM?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Fluid Management Donates to the Families of Instituto

Fluid Management employees joined Instituto del Progreso Latino in Chicago on Saturday, December 9, for their annual Family Toy Drive to benefit children who often don’t receive gifts during the holidays due to financial hardships.

The effort to support Instituto was a two-part volunteer event. Employees first collected and wrapped over 100 toys at their facility. One week later, seven employees attended the Toy Drive in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago to serve as Santa’s helpers. They built gingerbread houses with the kids, passed out toys to families and facilitated a drive-through pickup option. In addition to collecting gifts and donating their time, the team also donated $10,000 USD to Instituto through the IDEX Foundation.

IDEX Health & Science Coordinates a Special Delivery

Employees at the Oak Harbor IH&S site north of Seattle brought some early holiday cheer to their local community food bank. Volunteers assembled holiday baskets for North Whidbey Help House, which the local team has supported for many years. They also helped load up vehicles to deliver the baskets to those in need.

In response to the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, the IDEX Foundation is making a $50,000 USD donation to ShelterBox, a charitable organization provides aid kits to victims of natural disasters worldwide. The typical ShelterBox kit includes a durable tent, cooking equipment, water filtration, solar lights, blanket and mats. Freezing winter temperatures have made shelter a particular concern in this disaster.
While IDEX does not have facilities in Turkey or Syria, we have employees whose families have been directly impacted, including several who have family members who died amid the building collapses. We extend our deepest condolences to the IDEX team members who have lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy.

“After learning that some of our own employees’ families were suffering so greatly impacted by the devastating earthquakes, we knew the IDEX Foundation should contribute to the worldwide relief effort,” IDEX Foundation President Derrick Goddard said. “This happening during the winter is especially cruel. The need for shelter and warmth is great, which is why we selected ShelterBox as our charity in this instance.”

As of Sunday, February 12, rescuers were still trying to find people alive in the wreckage of buildings that collapsed in Turkey and Syria following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake and its powerful aftershocks on Monday, February 6. More than 33,000 people are confirmed dead and tens of thousands injured.