WORLD PUMPS April 2011Business news4

www.worldpumps.com

The Pump Industry Awards was held in March. As a preview of next month’s review, we turn the spotlight on one of the companies short-listed for the prestigious ‘Technical Innovation of the Year’ award. Thisaward, sponsored by World Pumps, aims to highlight some of theoutstanding developments in the pump industry during the past year.We also highlight the award’s chosen charity ‘WaterAid’, which will be the recipient of funds raised during the traditional grand charity raffle.

Pump Industry Awards: short list profile

Edwards’ new nEXT turbomo’ -

lecular vacuum pump has been

shortlisted for the prestigious

‘Technical Innovation of the

Year’ award at the 2011 Pump

Industry Awards. The accolade

is given to the most innova-

tive pump, pumping system

or other pump related product

introduced onto the market

within the last 12 months.

The turbomolecular vacuum

pump is used in scientific

instruments, including electron

microscopy and mass spectrom-

etry systems and is integrated into

the equipment to create the right

environment for scientists to

perform detailed material analyses.

The compact design means the

pumps fit together neatly in high

product density applications.

The nEXT pumps use technology

designed to offer high perform-

ance and reliability in a compact

size, as well as easy user service-

ability. The pumps also feature a

green mode which helps users

reduce their carbon footprint

and save energy costs. A key

design feature of the product is

a compact metal spring damper

which supports the lower

mechanical bearing. This aims to

reduce vibration transmitted to the

pump body and as a result the

pumps do not need high-speed

balancing during manufacture or

service. It also enables pumps to

be serviced by the user in situ

which minimises downtime and

significantly reducing operating

costs; ordinarily turbomolecular

pumps are returned to a service

centre for service.

Edwards’ nEXT pumps are also

available in a variant suitable

for sensitive electron micro-

scope applications. For these

applications, ‘L’ variant pumps

have an even lower vibration

signature and reduced levels

of radiated magnetic field.

“We are delighted to be

shortlisted for this coveted

award which recognises the

greatest developments in the

industry over the past year,”

says Ian Olsen, global market

sector manager - Scientific,

Edwards. “Edwards is committed

to investing in new technolo-

gies and since its launch, the

nEXT has been extremely well

received by customers. Being

shortlisted further demonstrates

that our innovation is among

the best of 2011 and we are

honoured to be recognised by

our industry peers.”

WaterAid celebrates its 30th anniversary

An important part of the evening is the grand charity raffle and auction

on behalf of the British Pump Manufacturers Associations chosen charity

WaterAid. Since 2006, BPMA has

raised £9,153 for WaterAid through

the raffles at the Gala Award

Dinners. This year WaterAid is

celebrating its 30th anniversary and

has reached over 14 million people

with access to water and sanitation

since it was established in 1981.

Over 884 million people are

without access to water and

2.6 billion people have no place to

go to the toilet. WaterAid's mission

is to transform lives by improving

access to safe water, hygiene and

sanitation in the world’s poorest

communities. For further informa-

tion about WaterAid’s work, visit

www.wateraid.org

Technical innovation finalists

Sponsored by World Pumps

Edwards’ new nEXT turbomolecular ’vacuum pump

Some of the benefits WaterAid brings to people can be gathered by the smile onthis woman’s face in Malawi. WaterAid/ Layton Thompson

The other finalists in the ‘Technical Innovation’ category are:

• ABB: variable speed drive with sludge pump control

• Hardide coatings: tungsten carbide-based CVD coating

• KSB: PumpMeter

• Mouvex: SLP251 Pump

• SPP Pump: FireEye

• Sterling Fluid Systems: SIHI Detect

• Warren Rupp, Inc: AirVantage, energy saving technology

For a full list of finalists and winners visit

www.pumpindustryawards.com