Autotex S Film Applied To Green Mobile Product

Fascia is supplying Poweroasis with membrane keypads produced from MacDermid Autotype's Autotex S for use in the Poweroasis Controller (D) - a 19in rack mounted diesel generator management unit. When deployed, this new product will typically reduce diesel consumption by at least 50 per cent and generator maintenance costs by 70 per cent. Poweroasis has identified the potential future growth for green telecoms.

For instance, there are presently more than 400,000 base stations globally powered by diesel generators, with this figure expected to increase by 50 per cent (ABI Research) over the next four years. Specifically, Poweroasis products and services reduce diesel consumption for remote mobile-phone base stations by supplementing or replacing diesel generators with wind and/or solar renewable energy and by intelligently managing diesel generators when present. Poweroasis identified Fascia Graphics in May 2009 through an internet search for local manufacturers of graphic overlays and membrane keypads.

Ivan Harris, chief marketing officer of Poweroasis, said: 'It was crucial that we also embodied our brand into the design to stand out from the other 19in units on the market. 'The general design was undertaken by our graphic-design company and then converted into engineering drawings by Fascia Graphics,' he added. As Fascia Graphics has established relationships with the leading suppliers in the market, it was able to suggest Autotex S, a new product launched by MacDermid Autotype. This hardcoated polyester film offers a unique stainless steel and brushed metallic effect for membrane keyboards, keypads and fascia panels.

Yet, unlike stainless steel, Autotex S does not show fingerprints and can easily be printed with clear display windows or contain secret-until-lit graphics, with the film offering excellent colour rendition and light transmission in clear areas. The benefits of Autotex S are not just cosmetic. It can easily be embossed, making it ideal for use with domed tactile membrane keypads or in applications where keys or panel areas need to have raised edges. Ultimately, it offers product designers an efficient and versatile method of developing striking and high-quality graphic products with the appearance of stainless steel.

Paul Bennett, managing director of Fascia Graphics, said: 'We have found Autotex S easy to handle throughout the manufacturing process. 'Its tough outer surface also offers excellent resistance to abrasion and a wide range of chemicals and solvents. 'Therefore it is ideal for the rigors of being mounted on a mobile-phone base station,' he concluded. The Poweroasis Controller (D) will be launched in January 2010. The company has targeted sales for its first year at a modest 1000 units, but the potential market is huge.

ABB Drives Promote Green Paper Making

Paper manufacturer UPM's plant at Shotton has achieved its goal of producing all its paper from recovered waste paper, rather than virgin wood, with the help of ABB variable speed drives. Known as the '100% Shotton' project, it has involved the building of a new recycled fibre plant, a sludge plant and modifications to Paper Machine 1 and Paper Machine 2. ABB General Purpose Drives are used mainly on pumps in the process, using variable speed to match pump speed to the production rate.

They are also used on chemical dosing pumps to accurately add chemicals to the pulp. Some conveyors on the process also use ABB variable speed drives. The drives help control the process better, adjusting the inputs to the plant to maintain the correct pressure and temperature conditions. The drives also make it easier to control the production rate. Additionally, they contribute to energy savings by reducing the power drawn.

Ray von der Fecht, Project Automation Manager on the 100% Shotton project, says: 'We chose ABB variable speed drives because ABB is a respected name, well known in the paper industry. Also, we know the products and the people. Overall, ABB offered a very good solution along with the best price. So well did the implementation phase go, that start-up of the system went according to plan, with the drives and automation system being switched on at the exact planned minute in the schedule'. 'It was like switching on a light', says von der Fecht.

One of the UPM's major criteria for the drives was maintainability. The drives had to be capable of being changed out quickly in the event of failure and also had to be easy to move. Interchangeable cards were also considered an advantage, allowing the company to keep dives running by simply changing some of the critical components. Compact size was also part of the demand, to save on space, improve efficiency and heat loss and cut cooling costs. The ABB drives scored on all the points. Another useful feature was their ability to communicate over Profibus, the industry standard for communication in paper production. The drives also feature input line chokes to reduce harmonics fed to the network and output filters to reduce the electrical stresses on the motor windings. High reliability was the most important criterion. Says von der Fecht: 'We have had good experience with the ABB drives'.