Machinery and Systems
Product groups within the Machinery and Systems industries
Introduction
This hub is for organisations that design, integrate, validate or package machinery and systems - OEMs, test & validation teams, engineering houses & contractors, system integrators, printing (ink & 3D) and packaging machine manufacturers. Common requirements include rapid product selection, compact form factors, wide control ranges, robust communications to PLC/SCADA, and repeatability from lab to production.
Sub-markets we serve:
- OEM - OEMs need configurable building blocks that shorten design cycles and simplify BoM and compliance. We support custom ranges, process connections, comms, and pilot/production continuity, including UK based service to reduce downtime.
- Test & Validation - Validation teams depend on fast, accurate, traceable flow/pressure/dosing—plus portable verification for FAT/SAT and audits. Our approach emphasises multi range coverage and rapid stabilisation to accelerate test throughput.
- Engineering Houses & Contractors - Project based builders require reliable, specification compliant instrumentation with clear documentation and consistent lead times.
- System Integrators - Integrators need fit for purpose devices that are easy to wire, commission and support—noise robust electronics, signal isolation/conditioning, and clean comms to PLC/BMS.
- Printing (Ink & 3D) - 3D/additive and ink printing rely on inert gases, purge cycles, precise dosing/recirculation, and sometimes dew point control.
- Packaging Machine Manufacturers - Packaging lines benefit from repeatable dosing, clean utility regulation, inline flow indication, and panel friendly displays—all with integration ready I/O and approvals.
Product groups for build partners
Gas mass flow & pressure control
- Alicat MC Series MFCs – Fast (≈50–100 ms) control, 10,000:1 turndown, 98+ gases; control mass/volumetric/pressure from one device; ideal for OEM skids and test rigs.
- Alicat MCR (high flow) - Accurate control up to 5000 SLPM for purge, assist gas and blow off on packaging/printing lines.
- Alicat MCV (vacuum) - ¼″ metal face‑seal connections, helium tight positive shut off for vacuum tools and leak sensitive assemblies.
Back pressure & vacuum regulation
- Equilibar Research Series BPRs - Dome loaded, frictionless diaphragm; extreme turndown and fast, stable control for low flow labs and OEM loops
- Equilibar EVR precision vacuum - High resolution vacuum regulation from ¼″ to 4″; minimal hysteresis for chambers and central vacuum control.
- Equilibar IC (industrial high flow) - CF3M/1.4409 bodies, Class 150/300, NPT/tri clamp/flanged; bridges lab to production with the same control behaviour
Pressure reducing regulators
- Jordan Valve Mark 60 - Self operated sliding gate PRV; low offset, quiet operation for plant utilities and packaging/printing services.
- Jordan Valve Mark 66/660 - Air loaded PRV enabling remote/electronic set point; ideal when OEM skids need automated pressure selection.
Gas mixers
- Fusion Flow MXM (precision) - 2–10 channels, 200 SCCM to 50,000 SLPM, ±0.6% mix accuracy, ≈25 ms steps; remote UI and logging—great for R&D, sensor work, and resin/ink atmospheres.
- Fusion Flow IMX (industrial) - Up to 4 channels, to 3200 SLPM, 24/7 ready; compact, rugged mixer for production cells and pilot lines.
Pumps & dosing
- Fluid Metering Inc. (FMI) Q Series heads (Q1/Q2/Q3) - Valveless ceramic piston modules for pulseless, drift free micro to mL level dosing; extensive materials and wash gland options; pair with QV or QBLDC drives for OEMs.
- Longer WT600 2J (basic drive) - Multi head, RS 485/analogue control; up to 6000mL/min per head (tube dependent) for recirculation/flush in printing and packaging skids.
- Longer WT600 1F (dispensing) - Programmable volume/copy/pause/back suction for precise filling and adhesive/sealant shots.
Liquid flow & visual indication
- LX liquid turbines - All 316 SS, ±0.5% of reading, low ΔP; ½″–4″ threaded/tri clamp/flanged; IS pickup/display options—popular for coolant, water and solvent lines.
- Lake variable area meters - From Clear View low pressure visual indication to P Series high pressure (incl. phosphate ester compatible) meters; optional switches/transmitters.
Process displays & panel instrumentation
- Status DM3600A/DM3600U - Universal input, rate/total/batch, relay/analogue/RS 485 Modbus; panel friendly for OEM/integrator skids.
- Status DM4500F (pulse/frequency) - Rate/total/RPM/pulse count for turbines/pickups with relay, analogue and RS 485 options.
Typical applications we solve (how & why)
- OEM sub assemblies for gas/liquid control - Why: shorten NPI cycles; How: pre configured Alicat MFC/PC blocks with defined comms and Equilibar BPRs for stable upstream pressure; dosing with FMI Q Series where pulseless micro flow matters.
- Portable verification & calibration for test rigs - Why: reduce downtime and increase confidence; How: Alicat MB/MWB portable meters and PCU multi range kits cover sub sccm to high SLPM with NIST traceable accuracy.
- Fast, accurate leak testing - Why: consolidate instruments, speed cycles; How: single MFC/PC approach paired with stable pressure control
- Integrator friendly panels with clean comms - Why: cut FAT/SAT time; How: Status panel meters for local indication/batching, plus devices with Modbus/Profibus/EtherNet/IP; sliding gate PRVs for quiet utilities.
- Inert gas atmospheres & purge for printing (Ink & 3D) - Why: protect quality, stabilise processes; How: MXM/IMX mixers for on demand blends, MCR for assist gas, EVR for vacuum exchange, Longer pumps for resin/ink recirculation, FMI for precise additives
- Packaging line dosing & utilities - Why: accuracy and uptime; How: WT600 1F for programmable fills, LX turbines for low ΔP verification, Mark 60 PRVs for stable downstream pressure feeding actuators and heaters.