12 February 2018 Kiwi company wins patent infringement action in China BFM Global has announced that it has prevailed in a Chinese patent infringement action against two counterfeit product manufacturers in China. Proceedings were commenced by BFM against two patent infringers, one in Guangzhou and the other in Suzhou, China. It was recognised that BFM had a strong case to litigate, and that their Chinese BFM fitting patents were infringed by the two defendants. The court supported BFM’s robust patents, and ordered the defendants to never copy again. Directors and shareholders were made to sign personal undertakings to this effect with serious consequences, including prison terms, for reoffending. The defendants’ tooling, moulds, raw materials and finished products have been destroyed. Damages have been paid to BFM by the defendants as compensation for the infringing acts. BFM Global has seen international success with the BFM fitting connector system, exporting to more than 40 countries around the world. New Universal 3 Series PD pump SPX FLOW has announced the release of a new series of positive displacement (PD) pumps, the Universal 3 Series, from its Waukesha Cherry-Burrell brand. The pumps are designed with key features, including a robust front-loading seal design to deliver new levels of sanitary performance and increased up-time. Through its Waukesha Cherry-Burrell brand, SPX FLOW has 60 years of experience in the design, manufacture and application of PD pump technology. “The new Universal 3 Series pumps possess many of the best features of previous well-respected and proven Universal pump designs and continue a tradition of excellence in terms of efficiency, reliability and productivity” says Vipul Mistry, global product manager – pumps, SPX FLOW food & beverage The innovative, new pumps are 3-A certified and can be cleaned-in-place (CIP) as standard. Connection of the rotor and shaft is completely sealed from the product zone to prevent any contamination and reduces the risk of internal corrosion. The front-loaded seals are easy to maintain, reduce maintenance times and are available in a choice of materials and types; including single and double mechanical and O-ring versions to suite a wide variety of process applications. The pumps further provide the versatility of bi-directional flow capability and 3-way mounting for easy integration into process systems. Designed for operating up to 500 psi (34.5 bar) pressure and 300°F (149°C) temperature as standard, the Universal 3 offers customers exceptional robustness for long life operation. The values vary depending on the pump size and rating option. Key features include a heavy duty stainless steel frame, double tapered bearings, positive lubrication of bearings and the use of a wave spring to extend outer seal life. Shorter, large diameter shafts made from 17-4PH stainless steel reduce overhung loads, improve seal life and provide greater torque capacity; which enables the pumps to be used in higher pressure applications. Manufacturer delivers strong message at Metco Network Evening While the inaugural Kaeser Compressors Network Evening in Wellingtons’ Hutt Valley would be expected to generate local interest, it was the comments of director Paul Jessup that delivered as much discussion as the Metco’s new Seaview premises. Metco is owned by Paul Jessup and Brent Greer, two men with a firm grip on running an engineering component supply operation in the digital machine age. Building on its established presence in the Japanese market supplying friction window stays, the company has leapt from strength to strength, necessitating a recent move to the new expanded Seaview premises. Metco joins a growing list of New Zealand companies that have turned away from the commodity driven markets of yesteryear, ignored the third world competition bleating and got on with building niche operations using our unique Kiwi strength of rapid turn around and a solution based approach. The results speak for themselves with a portfolio of 600 customers including the Defence Force, Parliament and Rocket Labs. The amount of digitally controlled equipment is stunning and listening to Mr Jessup’s description of the expandable potential gave the attendees a heartening glimpse of what is possible. Metco’s roots and mainstream activities come out of traditional brake pressing cutting and folding industry, with the adaption of the latest digital technology. “This technology is leading edge,” said Mr Jessup. “The machines are a good example of how New Zealand Industry could be positioned, developing and applying the next era of machine tools. The potential of automated laser welding is a prime example. We have the ability to think outside the square and the innovation and efficiency to rapidly deliver it. However, there is absolutely no political drive or backing to support our potential. The machine tool operations you see in front of you would be considered a trade in any other country, but here it is not recognised and there is absolutely no training capability offered by the technical education sector to satisfy it. The bums on seats mentality of the sector is costing this country dearly.” Metco have given up looking for outside training and now recruits, trains and develops its entire specialised staff itself. Digital technology provides infinite scalability meaning the team can quote in numbers from 1 to 1 million, but the key to success in Mr continued page 13 N E W S
EN-Feb18-eMag
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