Equipment Report

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., a leading manufacturer of handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) alloy analysis instrumentation, has launched the Thermo Scientific Niton XL3 Series.

According to Thermo Scientific, the analyzer’s typical time for a routine positive grade identification is less than two seconds, as much as five times faster than the company’s previous generation of instruments.

"The Niton XL3t features a 50 kilovolt, 2-watt X-ray tube, the highest powered X-ray tube ever offered in a portable XRF analyzer, as well as advanced electronics, which enable a host of new features directly benefiting the customer," John Shein, director of global marketing for Thermo Scientific Niton Analyzers, says.

The Niton XL3 Series is available in a range of configurations and with an assortment of optional features and accessories. It’s rugged Lexan EXL housing is waterproof and dustproof, making it suitable for scrap yard use.

The line incorporates 80-MHz real-time digital signal processing and dual embedded processors for computation, data storage, communication and other functions. It can also be equipped with small-spot analysis, allowing users to switch between full-area analysis for large samples and 3-mm small-spot analysis for small sample areas.

The Niton XL3 Series comes with the Niton Data Transfer (NDT) software, which allows users to produce certificates and reports, monitor or operate the instrument remotely from a PC or PDA.

More information is available from www.thermo.com/niton.

Liebherr Hydraulikbagger GmbH, a member of the Liebherr Group and the manufacturer of hydraulic material handlers, held a gala open house for its new assembly hall in Kirchdorf, Germany, Sept. 27.

The company hosted approximately 800 guests, including nearly 500 customers, as well as dealers and Liebherr employees.

The facility, which is dedicated exclusively to material handler production, represents a significant expansion of the firm’s manufacturing capabilities, allowing Liebherr to double its annual production of handlers.

Plans for the facility were approved two years ago, and construction began in May 2006. Production of Liebherr’s equipment began this past June.

At the open house, Willi Liebherr, chairman of Liebherr Group, noted that the new hall was a 22,000-square-meter (72,600-square-foot) facility, representing an investment of approximately $56 million. He said the group was adding a total of 240,000 square meters (792,000 square feet) of manufacturing space throughout its global network in 2007.

The event included a presentation by the management team of the Kirchdorf facility, a product demonstration and tours of the entire 325,000-square-meter ( 1.1 million-square-foot) facility, which underwent recent upgrades, including the addition of a fully automated paint booth system.

The product demonstration illustrated the machines’ range of capabilities, including the "pick and carry" capabilities of the log handlers to a quick coupler system that allows a scrap handler to switch from a grapple attachment to shear in minutes without the operator leaving the cab.

Bill Allen, president of Republic Crane and Equipment, Liebherr’s national distributor for the U.S. scrap industry, commented that the event was the highlight of his 20-year association with Liebherr. "When I first began representing Liebherr, they moved a few material handlers through a much smaller plant dedicated to other types of machines. To see them today producing thousands of machines annually and now dedicating such a massive and modern facility to material handlers is truly amazing."

According to Willi, the company was founded at the Kirchdorf location by his father in 1949.

The Liebherr Group is a diversified company producing construction and material handling equipment, aerospace components, refrigerators and other equipment. The privately held company has operations worldwide. Its 2006 revenues exceeded $6.4 billion.

All Erection & Crane Rental Corp., Cleveland, has added 45 new Peterbilt tractors and specialty trailers to its fleet in the past year, which it says broadens the company’s ability to offer door-to-door crane service.

According to All, ensuring that cranes arrive to its customers faster helps to make its customers more efficient and profitable.

All’s service model includes lift planning, logistics, transport and heavy hauling, operators, disassembly and 24/7 service from yards throughout North America.

"Having our own fleet of trucks and experienced drivers means that we can control the timing, delivery and assembly of any crane on any site—or move cranes easily between customers’ sites," Michael Liptak, president of All Erection & Crane Rental, says. "We deliver cranes, but more than that, we deliver ‘the complete package’ of services."

Vecoplan LLC, a leader in size-reduction technology, dedicated its newly expanded Archdale, N.C., headquarters at a grand opening Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007.

Tours of the enlarged, 60,000-square-foot facility were conducted during the event. A contingent of officials from Germany, where Vecoplan’s parent company is headquartered, joined the Archdale employees and the company’s vendors in the celebration.

"The decision to expand our building was driven by the continually increasing demand for our shredders and systems, especially our systems," Len Beusse, COO of Vecoplan, says. "Over the last five years we’ve had more and more customers that come to us for a total waste management solution, not just a shredder in a box," he continues. "This takes good people working in the highest quality facility. The need to expand our facilities is a testament to the quality of our machines, our people and the technical expertise that they deliver to the industries we serve."

The expanded facility includes approximately 10,000 square feet of office space and 50,000 square feet of warehouse space. The warehouse section includes a state-of-the-art test lab, a machine storage/showroom and a staging/shipping area. The area has also been configured to allow for future enlargement of Vecoplan’s manufacturing area.

In addition to the main building expansion, a 9,000-square-foot machinery components storage building was built at one end of the enlarged rear parking lot. This building can also accommodate future manufacturing needs.