The impulse for this new development at FLUX was provided by an increasing number of inquiries for relevant Ex applications from the petrochemical, oil and gas sectors as well as from countries with higher natural ambient temperatures, such as those of the Middle East or southern Europe.
The new (HT) versions of the FLUX commutator motor F 460 Ex and sealless drum pump FP 424 Ex S guarantee reliable operation for extended periods of use too. They also provide the maximum level of safety for pumping materials in explosion-risk areas with high ambient temperatures of up to 60 °C
Motor and pump will be presented to the world for the first time at the HI Technology and Industry Expo exhibition in Herning, Denmark from the 3rd to 5th of October 2017.

The new process device has a load capacity of up to 100 kg making it also suitable for larger pumps or stainless steel motors. The decoupling of the lifting and moving sledge is done with slip clutch and electronics so that tracking with the lifting sledge is no longer necessary. Airflow is regulated by a 2-way ball valve and the compressed-air hose is firmly attached. In addition, the process device has a standard chassis for euro-pallets.
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Emtying drums up to less than 1% residue (in drums without inliner)
VISCOFLUX mobile is a stand-alone system consisting of a mobile process device and a pump unit composed of drive motor, pump and follower plate with process seal, which is individually designed for each application. Its compact design makes the system so small it can even be transported in a lift. After the transport process is complete the system is quick to dismantle and easy to clean. The new stainless steel process device is suitable for Pharma, Food, and Cosmetic segments for transporting highly viscous media, such as tomato paste for soups, fruit purées, caramel cream or Vaseline. Users profit from virtually complete drum emptying up to less than 1 % residue (up to less than 2 % with aseptic bags). This also makes the expensive subsequent manual cleaning of the drums, which is otherwise required, unnecessary.

When accessing IBCs from above is impossible or very difficult, such as when containers are stacked or ceilings are low, the MINIFLUX enables pumping directly at the floor-level outlet. It is suitable for media with a viscosity of up to 1 000 mPas. In comparison to gravity draining via the IBC outlet tap the MINIFLUX enables a considerably higher delivery rate and delivery head. Depending on the media and motor, either up to 240 l/min can be transferred or a delivery head of up to 13 mwc can be achieved. This means that the media can be rapidly filled into the container or transported to an elevated container.
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The mechanical seal design separates the media area from the pump drive. This means the shaft only comes into contact with the product in the rotor area. The pump is only 136 mm long, weighs just 1.2 kg, is easy to handle and requires minimal space. It can be easily connected to the IBC with a union nut. Ideally the drive of the MINIFLUX is provided by a commutator motor or compressed-air motor.

Now available as an Ex versionThe drum emptying system VISCOFLUX lite is now available as an Ex version. It is designed for higher-viscosity media which are just capable of flowing. The new explosion-proof variant is now suitable for use in explosion hazard areas of zone 1 and for pumping the most varied flammable media (zone 0/1).

​The Ex version of VISCOFLUX lite opens new opportunities across a diverse range of industries, such as chemicals or surface finishing technology. For example it is suitable for supplying machinery and fast-running plant with lubricating greases in zone 1. Alternatively it can be used for pumping zone 0/1 flammable media such as various base materials for paints and lacquer manufacturing as well as numerous coatings and fillers.

Quick to install, conductive componentsContrary to the standard version of VISCOFLUX lite, the individual components of the Ex version (Ex-marking II 1 G IIB TX), pump centring plate and follower plate including process seal as well as the compressed-air hose are made of conductive or static dissipative materials. Comprehensive and precise potential equalization can be carried out over suitable connections for earthing wires. The system is quick to install, requires little space and due to its low build can also be used in working spaces with low ceilings.

Residual volume in drum up to less than 1 %To continuously and gently transport higher-viscosity materials which are just capable of flowing, FLUX engineers use eccentric worm-drive pumps. In combination with a follower plate, a vacuum is created during pumping causing the follower plate to lower. In doing so the process seal of the follower plate hermetically seals the remaining material thus preventing unwanted emissions and changes to the product.

Even if the pumping operation should be interrupted, a maximum degree of process reliability is guaranteed. Finally, almost no material remains on the wall of the drum. Users have the benefit of an almost complete emptying of the drum and thus an efficient utilisation of the material. As with the VISCOFLUX and VISCOFLUX mobile, with VISCOFLUX lite the residual material which remains in the drum is up to less than 1 %.

Launch at the ACHEMA 2015The VISCOFLUX lite in Ex version will be available from the ACHEMA 2015. Come and visit us during 15. and 19. June at our stand (hall 8, stand E10) and convince yourself of the qualities of this drum emptying system.

High flow rate and low air consumption for maximum efficiency During the pumping process the maximum flow rate of up to 20 l/min in conjunction with the low air-consumption provides maximum efficiency. What is more, contaminated media containing solids of up to 1.6 mm in size can be pumped without any problems. The suctionand pressure connections of the new design each have a hybrid internal thread (¼ NPTF,G ¼ ) and a ¾ NPTF external thread. This allows easy installation of the pump into existing processes and pipes. The Acetal conductive version is certified to ATEX Directive 94/9 EC for use in explosion-hazard areas. Thanks to an adapter plate the preceding model FDM 06 as well as other models can simply be replaced with the new FDM 07 air-operated diaphragm pump.

High performance and absolute reliability:
the air-operated diaphragm pump FDM 07 which meets the greatest demands.By means of a patented air valve the FDM 07 convinces with its 100 % sure start-up from any position. The design ensures completely oil-free running so that no servicing unit is necessary. Since no oil mist is created, unhealthy working conditions and contamination of the working environment are avoided. An additional advantage is the low operating noise. The integrated silencer minimizes the generation of noise at the air outlet, thereby substantially reducing the noise level in the workplace.

The hygiene-conform measurement guarantees a high reproducibility combined with a theoretical accuracy of +/- 1 pulse per measurement. The volume per impulse for pumps with an outside diameter of 21 mm is: 7.5 ml; for pumps with an outside diameter of 26 mm: 12.5 ml. In practice, factors affecting measurement accuracy are to be allowed for, such as: Viscosity, pressure, hose diameter, temperature, volumetric flow rate and wear.

Also ideal for use with drum emptying system VISCOFLUX mobileThe indirect measurement method was especially developed for FLUX series F 550 and F 560 eccentric worm-drive pumps with bearing flange. It is not only an optimum addition to the 3A and FOOD versions, but is also suitable in all cases where frequent cleaning is essential. Combined with the drum emptying systems of the VISCOFLUX family it is the ideal measurement process e.g. for fats, tomato purée, caramel cream, Vaseline, or the base substances for manufacturing latex milk.
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Batch fills are also possible – via pulse transmission to an evaluation system.The IP 65 protection class certified bearing flange with impulse generator supplies four pulses per shaft rotation. For this purpose there are four magnets seated in the coupling each of which switches a reed sensor in succession. Every time this happens the nonsensitive low-maintenance sensor emits a pulse. This pulse can then be transmitted to an evaluation system. Final evaluation and control is made either via the electronic evaluation unit FLUXTRONIC®, a control cabinet or a stored program control system (PLC). This means that the bearing flange with impulse generator can also be utilized for batch filling. Furthermore the bearing flange, which is available in stainless steel, convinces with its compact design and details such as removable wiring or socket with cover.

​Depending on the pump variant, flow rates of 12 to 60 litres per minute can be adjusted with the stepless speed adjustment. For example, at the highest speed, a 200 litre drum can be emptied within just three minutes. Using the lowest speed, even ten 200 litre drums can be emptied with just one battery charge. When the replaceable lithium ion battery has run flat, it can quickly and easily be exchanged and recharged within just 30 minutes.

​FBM-B 3100 battery motor — for even more mobility and flexibilityThe COMBIFLUX pump is especially suitable for transferring smaller volumes, e.g. out of narrow-openings and difficult to access containers. It is available in three variants made of the materials polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride or stainless steel. Due to the modular design, the FEM 3070 collector motor previously enabled different containers to be emptied one after the other with different COMBIFLUX pumps. The new FBM-B 3100 battery motor now provides even more mobility and enables new applications. Because its independence from mains electrical power supply this makes the FBM-B 3100 especially suitable for applications where cables are problematic or not desired, or mains supply is unstable or not available at all, e.g. outdoors.

The new brushless battery motor has no carbon brushes which makes it a maintenancefree drive. Combination with other features such as high delivery rate, independence from mains electrical power supply and replaceable storage battery means a clear benefit to the user in terms of flexibility and economic efficiency.

Granted the iF Product Design AwardThe new FBM-B 3100 battery motor has won the world-renowned iF Product Design Award 2014.
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German premiere in AprilThe new FBM-B 3100 battery motor is available now. Its German premiere will be in April simultaneously at Hannover Messe (hall 15, stand G43) and PaintExpo (hall 1, stand 1123).

Therefore, transport costs are reduced and resources are saved. Drums suitable for sea containers therefore play an important role, particularly for companies, which deliver in large quantities to Asia, Africa, Australia and America.
The follower plate and process seal of the drum emptying system VISCOFLUX mobile is designed for opening diameters of lidded drums with 560 mm and 571 mm as standard. During the fluid transfer process the process seal adapts to beadings and slight dents. The wall of the drum is stripped so that it is almost entirely residue-free, meaning that residual quantities of less than 1 % (less than 2 % for drums with aseptic bags) can be achieved.
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In contrast to ISO lidded drums, special sea container drums have a single drum rim that tapers slightly, resulting in a smaller opening diameter. The challenge lies in configuring the follower plate and process seal so that they can reach into the narrow drum opening without exerting great pressure. On the other hand, they must bear enough tension to allow for the drum wall to be stripped properly. This has been achieved by reducing the size of the follower plate, whilst at the same time marginally strengthening the process seal. The result: The gentle drum emptying system VISCOFLUX mobile can now also achieve the same outstanding results with drums suitable for containers as with a standard ISO lidded drum.

In the 1960s the Stuttgart-based FLUX-GERÄTE GMBH built up their own pump manufacturing facilities in Maulbronn. Since then the company has continuously developed itself. The range of products was extended vastly, the production appropriately enlarged, and areas such as research & development and sales & marketing were also established in Maulbronn.
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With the new extension works the company is now paving the way for further growth. Due to the always growing product range and the increasing international demand, greater storage capacity is necessary to ensure the high readiness for delivery typical of FLUX. "The new warehouse is an important and necessary investment for us, which will help secure the expansion for the future", said the managing partner Klaus Hahn, to which he added, "we hereby clearly demonstrate our commitment to the Maulbronn location."

In 1950, the world's first electric drum pump was named FLUX. In the meanwhile, the undisputed pioneer in the area of drum pump technology possesses outstanding know-howand experience in many other areas of pump technology. The comprehensive product spectrum now ranges from different pump types with motors, flow meters and accessories up to subsystems for plant construction and special system solutions. The internationally operating family company with its seven subsidiaries and numerous representatives delivers its products in more than 100 countries world-wide.