November
2007 |
| What's
in this Issue?
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| BPE
DIMENSIONS & TOLERANCES: Major changes in progress |
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Frank ‘Chip’ Manning, Chair, BPE Subcommittee
on Dimensions & Tolerances
Some
major changes are being worked on within the Dimensions and
Tolerances subcommittee and will be in the future ASME BPE
standards. All subcommittee meetings are open to the public
and the opportunity to become involved in these new changes
is better than ever.
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BPE Concentric & Eccentric
fittings - The committee has a full task
group looking at Concentric & Eccentric fittings to
evaluate shortening the overall length allowing for better
drain ability and reducing dead legs in bioprocess systems.
So far the concentric reducers have been evaluated and
in most cases cut in length to 50% of the old dimensions.
Current work is now being done on eccentric fittings with
testing done on internal angles and pressure drop issues.
We are also evaluating the DIN standards to see if their
current dimensions can be incorporated thereby allowing
some harmonization.
- Hygienic
Clamp & Ferrule assembly
- A current task group is looking at the hygienic
clamp and ferrule assembly for a more precision fit up
as well as preventing gasket intrusions. This task group
has accomplished putting together a full nominal dimensional
of all sizes of hygienic ferrule faces through size 6
inches. This was the start for accomplishing the difficult
task of a hygienic and repeatable joint when assembled.
Currently we are developing absolute pressure point dimensions
for each size of clamp so that when assembled to the ferrule
assemblies they repeat the same pressure and grip point
where by giving a joint free of intrusions or a depression
where cleaning can become an issue.
- Nominal
1" "New" size clamp and ferrule assembly
- The hygienic fitting task group has been developing
a "new" 1" size fitting and clamp assembly.
Currently the 1" hygienic clamp assembly is using
a 1.5" clamp and a fitting with a 1.5" end connection
that has a 1" water bore with a wide face filled
with a 1" modified gasket. This setup allows for
a large area to be filled by the elastomer or rubber gasket
being used thereby allowing a space for harboring un-cleanable
areas. The task group has designed a nominal 1" ferrule
and will use a 35MM clamp available currently in DIN standards.
This will allow process engineers to design 1" systems
with a fitting assembly that will be completely cleanable.
The
Dimensions and Tolerance committee is responsible for all
process components dimensions, tolerances, pressure ratings,
marking and packaging. We continue to evaluate and work towards
bettering the process components used in the critical industries
of biotechnology, pharmaceutical and personal care. Remember
our standard is a "living document" and it is never
too late to join and participate in real critical issues for
today's ASME BPE. Contact: Chip Manning at cmanning@vnecorp.com
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