AUTOMEC ANIKA '94
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Part 2 of our report on the world's largest automotive trade fair
The Diesel-Cat from Dinex (Reader reply No 66) is an oxidation catalytic converter comprising a stainlesssteel body (with lock-formed end caps) and a metal S-form filter unit. Dinex says the elasticity of the metal walls makes the filter more resistant to vibration than ceramic versions; it also presents a greater surface area. The Diesel-Cat is available in two sizes, depending on engine capacity. It is said to reduce HC and CO emissions by more than 75%, can be fitted to any diesel exhaust, and needs no maintenance. Price ranges from L1,500-Z2,000 (exVAT).
Also launched at Automechanika was Exsorbet (Reader reply No 67) an absorbent material designed as an alternative to the traditional clay-based products for dealing with oil-based liquid spills. Exsorbet is made in the USA and meets the requirements of the American Environmental Protection Agency. It is being evaluated by the German TOY type approval agency. The peat mossbased product is lighter than the clay product and is said to absorb up to 10 times its own weight. Once used it remains clean to the touch and is safe to dispose of at landfill sites or by burning.
Impressive claims were also made for the new DayStarter range of truck and bus batteries (Reader reply No 68). Following three year's market testing in Sweden, these US made batteries will go on sale in the UK by the end of the year. Claimed benefits include low levels of gas production and electrolyte loss, leading to a long service life with minimal maintenance; good resistance to knocks and vibration; and low internal resistance. The casing is made of polypropylene with compartment separation by heavy-duty, micronorous polythene. DayStarter batteries come with a three-year guarantee.
The Big D low-level fifth wheel coupler (Reader reply No 69) debuted at the show following a 12-month development programme. It is designed to suit the latest megacube trailers, set up 24mm lower than anything else in the Big D range and, say the manufacturers, lOmm lower than its closest competitor. The reduction in height also saves weight.
The Ultra Low costs £300-350 (ex-VAT), depending on the application. Also new from Big D is the SAS (self-aligning swivel) swivel arm coupler. The trailer's air and electrical connections are packed into a tough synthetic casing. This is said to protect the hoses from dirt and damage while reducing the chance of tripping over individual suzies. Again cost is dependent upon application; most models cost £250-350 (ex-VAT). Availability is ex-stock; Big D guarantees delivery within 24 hours.
Swedish Lorry Parts (Reader reply No 70) specialises in replacement parts, many made from its own tooling. At Automechanika it launched Volvo parts including fuel tank strap fittings, A-frame rubber bushes for air suspension and, for the first time, polyurethane anti-roll bars. All parts come with a 12-month guarantee. SLP exports to 42 countries with five outlets in the UK.
Disposing of used engine coolant containing anti-freeze is becoming an increasingly important environmental issue. Recycling is one answer; with this in mind Robinair has developed four coolant recycling systems (Reader reply No 71). Two of them simultaneously drain a vehicle's coolant and replace it with new or recycled fluid: one has an all-in-one operation which drains, fills. flushes and pressure tests the system: the other is an automated version which only recycles. Typical -drain and fill"times are said to be reduced by 50% and 40 gallons of coolant can be recycled in less than an hour. Because the units are plumbed into the engine's coolant system, no cutting is necessary.
Water recycling is also growing in importance. Among new products at the show was the Bio-Oximat from German manufacturer Activa (Reader reply No 72). It is intended for use on waste water from service stations, vehicle washers and repair shops. Treated water can be reused for further washing or other working processes. The system can process up to 25,000 litres per hour using three separation tanks. Micro-organisms are used to break down the emulsions biologically: the manufacturer says that the filters need to be changed once a year at a cost of about £200. Activa is looking for a UK distributor for the Bio-Oximat, which is priced at about £11.250 in Germany.
Hose clamp and connector specialist Norma (Reader reply No 73) is combining zero or low permeation hoses for the DIE sector with its Jet plastic quick-connector. Replacing the more conventional hose clamp, this connector follows the trend towards push-in connections which leave less room for user negligence.
However Norma is still devleoping tradi tional worm-drive hose clamps, including a constant-tension version which maintains the required pressure on the hose joint regardless of temperature-related expansion and contraction. To overcome the common problem of over-tightening, Norma has introduced a torque control cap—it fits over the clamp's standard hex-head screw and sheers when the pre-determined tightening torque is reached. To remove the clamp the remains of the cap can be prised off, allowing the clamp to be undone in the usual way.
Edwin Trisk Systems, best known for its mobile infra-red paint curing equipment, has released an air-drying unit, Hydromate (Reader reply No 74), which is designed for use with the latest waterborne paint systems. It is said to produce a controlled air supply to ensure complete and uniform drying over selected areas without "veloci ty bruising". Hydromate uses a standard spray gun air supply at a quoted consumption rate of 201fut. It is designed to operate at one metre from the panel surface with a maximum coverage of 3x1.5m. At this coverage setting the makers claim an average drying time of 10 minutes for a waterborne base coat. Cost is about £600 including the stand.
Sata exhibited its new Multi-Top spray pump (Reader reply No 75) which allows two sprayers to work at the same time. The pump's picloup is placed in the paint reservoir. The unit sucks it up and propels it up to the guns. Air and paint pressure controls for both guns are mounted on the machine; the guns operate at a maximum hose length of 10m. Price is between £1,200 and £1,300, depending on specification.