Rotron SW Minispiral regenerative blowers provide low-noise solutions for developing ideal air pressures and vacuums in office equipment and other applications with small design envelopes. These instrument-grade blowers perform quietly (to NC-47 office equipment specifications), feature lightweight construction at 1.9lb (0.86kg), and measure 106.2 x 46.5mm.

Their regenerative air technology generates pressures or vacuums using a spinning, non-contacting, oil-free impeller. Blower design and simple operation contribute to cleaner, safer, more reliable, and virtually maintenance-free pneumatics. These blowers can be specified in three DC versions offering maximum flow variability and in AC versions available in voltages ranging from 24-230AC, depending on model. They incorporate a glass-filled moulded phenolic blower housing, cover, and impeller and a shaded pole motor with ball bearings promoting up to 30,000h of service life.

SE Minispiral blowers can achieve maximum flows up to 9 SCFM and pressures and vacuums up to 20 IWG, depending on blower style. All versions are ISO 9001 and CE compliant and can be customised as sealed units or with a range of options and accessories to satisfy application requirements.

Perkinelmer's 16-element thermopile array features increased sensitivity, providing improvements in temperature resolution, thus enhancing energy conservation by up to 30 per cent in HVAC applications. The company claims that Cool Eye offers greater flexibility as a result of microcontroller integration and is easier for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to integrate into their overall system.

An online construction information management system is helping JS+P Architecture manage its project information processes. JS+P developed the system in conjunction with ICON, a provider of a software system available online that ensures construction management information is accurately recorded, including surveys, health and safety and CAD libraries.

The ICON system - which is used by John Lewis, Boots, Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Asda - has a range of utilities to help with the management and collation of data for large building projects, ensuring a seamless link throughout a project; from the roll-out phase to ongoing property management. Nic Williams, director of JS+P Architecture, said: 'We needed to develop a management information system that would create confidence in the accuracy of the information being accessed, amended and transferred by everyone involved in a project. 'The ICON system - upon which our own information exchange is based - was an ideal platform upon which to build.

'We have made amendments, such as directory structures, but it is incredibly versatile and we can use the system as we would like it. 'Our information exchange has made it faster and easier to update vital information and keep our customers constantly informed.' The JS+P information exchange enables viewing and transfer of detailed material for specific projects. It also helps the design team collaborate more easily, share information and keep administration to a minimum, while improving cost control.

Williams added: 'Key benefits include improved communication, updated information, round-the-clock accessibility for everyone concerned, reduced risk, audit trails and improved delivery timescales. 'Anyone with internet access and an approved log-on code can use our exchange and we provide it as a complementary service to our clients on appropriate projects.'.

From the softest shimmer of colour to brighter and deeper tones, this new and carefully researched collection answers the call for understated, contemporary colours with a light, bright, spring-fresh appeal. All these colours are finely grained with a subtle, polished finish. This new series also offers a more feminine counterpoint to the masculine shades of the original Concrete Block collection. Earth Brown is the first of a new collection from DuPont Zodiaq made with 50 per cent pre-consumer recycled glass. It is a natural shade of brown with the option of an accredited proportion of SCS-certified recycled content.

A rich and sparkling matrix offers intrigue and sparkling light play, with a sophisticated sheen and the easy-care of a polished finish. Midnight Black is a finely grained texture with a sleek, polished gloss. DuPont Zodiaq has also added a touch of gloss to six best-selling matte shades. The new choices are: Silver Grey, Espresso Brown, Slate Grey, Terracotta, Olive Green and Tornado Blue. DuPont Zodiaq is a premium decorative surfacing material that combines the strength and beauty of natural quartz in a palette of creative and versatile colours with superior consistency of structures and tones. It lends itself to a wide range of horizontal and vertical applications.

EMKA's 1000 series of quarter-turn insert locks now includes many long-term technical developments and a large number of variant types. The 1000 series offers IP65 and IP54 protection levels against dust and water for applications ranging across steel/GRP/plastic/multi-layer enclosures, cabinets, lockers, machine guards, access panels, covers, roadside cabinets, industrial desks, workstations and secure waste containers.

The 1000 quarter-turn series features a range of different lock inserts including triangle, square, double bit and key type. Key lockable options include barrel locks, wing handles, T and L handles as well as a key captive version. Tamper and vibration-proof specifications are met by a 'safety' variant with a number of insert options. Special inserts may be provided throughout the range to suit custom requirements with standard housings in a variety of lengths to suit material thicknesses or door depths.

Many locks permit padlock operation and there are also a number for high-security applications or to suit specific key requirements; for example, automotive and railway applications where ASSA and KABA standards are specified. A selection of standard cams is another feature of this series, which combined with various housing lengths can offer standard configurations to suit applications up to 92mm long. Special cams are also possible as are specific custom designs.

These 1/4 turn locks are suitable for many situations and have finishes to suit outdoor or hazardous environments; for example, stainless steel for salt spray and polyamide for wet environments. All key barrels have front plates in stainless steel and are shuttered to reduce ingress of dust and water. While originally introduced to offer a single-point locking solution, multi-point locking has also been introduced in the 1000 series to enable two-point or three-point closure using heavy-duty latches and cam-operated rods. Other developments include powder coating in custom colours and the addition of customer logos on certain housings.

ABB has extended its suite of low-voltage AC drive service contracts, allowing further options for end-users seeking to plan and budget their maintenance during the life of the drive installation. One of these options is Drive System Analysis, which helps uncover hidden faults by determining the condition of the drive.

Another is Drive Total Care, which provides all the materials needed for preventive maintenance and repair. The suite is built around an entry-level Basic Service Contract which includes 24/7 support via telephone, guaranteed on-site response times for a field service engineer to visit, and spare parts support. Customers can then add a further six bolt-on options to this Basic Service Contract, each offering a different level of support.

These options are: Upgrade, which includes drive commissioning and retrofit options; Advanced Service, which comprises three options: Drive System Analysis, which helps uncover hidden faults by determining the condition of the drive, Lifecycle Management, which provides an audit that highlights the exact condition of the equipment and its revision status, and Harmonic Surveys, whereby ABB can provide a detailed harmonic survey, detailing recommendations on corrective actions; Spare Parts, which allows spare parts to be stored at a location convenient to the customer, thereby avoiding the need to tie up capital; Repair and Reconditioning, which covers inspection, cleaning, fault finding and repair to help maintain control of costs while offering an efficient spares supply service; Maintenance, which covers planned preventive maintenance, telephone support and training; Drive Total Care, a fully inclusive materials option that provides all preventive and repair materials within the contract scope.

Igus UK is giving away free cable-carrier and continuous-flex cable samples as part of its sample test drive programme. The programme is aimed at OEMs that want to evaluate the performance of Igus products before purchasing. It includes a free technical consultation with Igus on-site so that the optimal cable carrier or continuous-flex cable can be specified. Igus conducts more than 2,000 tests on its Energy Chain cable carriers and Chainflex continuous-flex cables every year. These tests focus on push/pull forces, coefficients of friction, wear rates, drive forces and speeds under a wide range of conditions.

Chiltern Dynamics has published a new Technical Information Sheet: Acoustic Testing - Achieving Compliance, which is available free of charge. Acoustic testing became mandatory in England and Wales in 2003, when Approved Document E was last updated. It requires new buildings and buildings formed by a material change of use to achieve a reasonable level of sound insulation between dwellings. There are two ways of complying: either to build to Robust Details, or to conduct on site pre-completion sound insulation tests.

Chiltern Dynamics Operations Manager Tom Gregory said, 'There is a level of apprehension about acoustic testing on site, but if the design specification is followed, and a good standard of workmanship is maintained, there is very little chance of failure. Robust Details are equally strict. If developers deviate from the specification, or if workmanship is poor, then on site testing may have to be conducted anyway.' BS EN ISO 140-4:1998 and BS EN ISO 140-7:1998 describe the procedures for conducting airborne and impact sound insulation testing.

According to Approved Document E, testing bodies should be third-party accredited (ideally though UKAS). Members of the ANC (Association of Noise Consultants) Registration Scheme are also regarded as qualified. Most building control officers will require evidence of competence on submission of the sound insulation test reports. Chiltern Dynamics' new Technical Information Sheet TI - 0912 covers test procedures and requirements and looks at different types of construction, highlighting where the weak points may be in terms of sound insulation.

Based on Tarkett's Safetred Spectrum range, the new tile is a heavy-duty vinyl flooring that combines superior slip resistance and ease of maintenance with attractive design. Safetred Spectrum tiles are ideal for any environment where safety underfoot is required, such as social housing, changing areas and schools. Their unique tile format gives them real advantages over traditional sheet flooring, particularly in smaller spaces such as domestic kitchens and bathrooms. Each Safetred Spectrum tile is 500 x 500mm and comes packaged in boxes of 16, giving up to 4m2 of coverage.

Tiles are quick and simple to install, as they are light in weight and less bulky to work with. Individual tiles are also more stable and easy to cut to the desired shape. As no welding is required, they are fast to fit and create little installation waste. These benefits combine to give customers valuable economies in use. Flooring contractors and installers will appreciate the convenient packaging of the new tiles as individual boxes may be easily lifted and carried by a single person, thus also reducing labour requirements. Boxes of tiles can be neatly stacked together, making both storage and transportation simple.

Manufactured at Tarkett's plant in Lenham, Kent, the new Safetred Spectrum tiles are readily available through the company's Express Service and will also be carried at selected flooring distributors. As with all of Tarkett's Safetred ranges, the new tiles feature the Tarkett Safety Clean PUR surface protection, providing improved stain resistance and reduced cleaning costs. With an R10 slip resistance rating, tiles are manufactured to EN13845 ensuring slip performance is sustained throughout the product's life. The new tiles feature a backing made from recycled flooring.

This not only increases dimensional stability, but also reduces the product's environmental impact by minimising the use of natural raw materials and recycling old flooring that may otherwise have gone to landfill. And the Safety Clean PUR surface protection reduces the amount of water, energy and chemicals needed for cleaning by as much as 50% which reduces the consumption of resources. Safetred Spectrum tiles are available in 9 colour options, each designed to complement any interior environment. The tile format offers architects and specifiers greater freedom to create detailed designs, even in small areas, as different colours can be mixed and matched.

The new regenerative power supply modules (RPS modules) for the L-force 9400 Servo Drives from Lenze, the specialist in drive and automation technology, can also be used as intelligent master stations with central control functions. The two RPS modules, which have power ratings of 15 and 27 kW, can therefore be integrated very flexibly into distributed drive solutions.

Lenze is using hardware components from the servo controller range for the new devices. This solution offers clear advantages: the RPS modules have the same interfaces as the controller series - such as the CAN-based system bus, for example - and their functions can easily be extended with the function block editor of L-force Engineer, just like a drive controller. In this way the RPS modules can take on higher-level control functions of an axis grouping, operate as the central coordination point for the controller or collate and bundle a wide range of status signals for the controller. Extensive analysis options in feed-in and regenerative feedback modes are also supported, of course - for example in the form of current performance data or recent peak values.