MONTH IN FM
MAY 2021 49
FMJ.CO.UK
VIEGA LAUNCHES SMART PRESSGUN RANGE
Taking press connection technology to the next
level, Viega has upgraded its Pressgun suite of
products to make piping installations faster,
easier and safer – with the new generation
Pressgun 6 Plus and Pressgun Picco 6 Plus oΠering
smart digital capabilities for simplified service
processes.
Building on the success of the tried and trusted
Pressgun 5, the new models incorporate intelligent
connectivity that enables them to link wirelessly to a
smartphone and provide enhanced functionality, such
as information on battery levels, current pressings
and number of pressings remaining before the
maintenance interval is reached.
Accessed via the Viega Tool Services app, users can
also select the pressing mode, choosing between
the default Viega AutoCycle and Viega SmartCycle,
which presses the connection in two stages to allow
inspection prior to completing the pressing. Further
functions available in the app include usage controls
and anti-theš protection, which enable the tool to be
deactivated when it reaches a pre-determined number
of pressings or is removed from a set geographical
area.
Engineered for ease of use, the new generation of
Pressguns also benefit from an improved ergonomic
design. The Pressgun 6 Plus press jaw holder can also
be endlessly rotated 360°, while the Picco 6 Plus has a
rotating head of up to 180°. The compact dimensions
of both Pressguns make them an ideal tool for
confined and awkward spaces.
The battery life has been upgraded to last longer,
with the Pressgun 6 plus o¢ ering 35% more press
strokes compared to previous generations. The
Pressgun Picco 6 Plus is powered by a 12-volt
rechargeable battery system, enabling the machine’s
size and weight to be significantly reduced. Each
pressing operation takes around four seconds to
complete, which also saves installation time.
With a pressing force of 32 kN, the Pressgun 6 Plus
is suitable for metal press connection systems with a
dimension of 12mm to 108mm, for Megapress steel
pipe connections of 3/8 to 4 inches with the Pressgun
Press Booster, and for multilayer pipe systems of
12mm to 63mm. The Pressgun Picco 6 Plus, on the
other hand, can deliver a 24kN pressing force and
handle metallic press connectors dimensions from 12
to 35 mm, Megapress steel pipe connectors from 3/8
to 3/4 inches and plastic pipeline systems from 12 to
40 mm.
Thanks to their high-quality engineering and
brushless motor, Viega’s Pressguns are extremely wear
resistant. The service interval o¢ ers 42,000 pressings –
an equivalent to four years of usage.
www.viega.co.uk
TECHNOLOGY STRAND LEADS TO COMPANY LAUNCH
Three leading Midlands entrepreneurs have
joined together to launch a new venture – Strand
Technologies – producing technologybased
solutions for safety, security and control which
can be used across a range of industries.
Catherine Franks, Paul Ryan and Simon Bowden
all run and manage businesses within the door
hardware and automatic doors sector and have
previously partnered on other projects.
They have now launched Strand Technologies to
spearhead a range of products which can be used to
monitor and remotely control a variety of operating
systems including automated pedestrian entrances,
access control systems, industrial doors, gates and
shutters as well as road signage and refrigeration.
Catherine Franks is heading the company as
Managing Director, overseeing day-to-day operations
and aligning Strand Technologies entrance solutions
market alongside her existing business, Strand
Hardware.
Simon Bowden, who previously worked for GEZE
UK, Record and GU Automatic Doors, has taken on
the role of Commercial Director, managing sales and
new product development, while RTR founder Paul
Ryan, is Director for strategic support for business
development.
The business, based in Walsall - the home of Strand
Hardware, has iContact among its product range.
This is a device which can be applied to any electromechanical
operating system for remote monitoring,
control and diagnostic management.
By connecting the ‘black box’ to automatic
doors, industrial gates, shutters and barriers, it
uses ‘real time’ information to enable remote or
on-site diagnostics and operations via a digital user
platform.
iContact has a variety of application interfaces
including ‘virtual engineer’, safety reporting and
diagnostics, ‘Sentry’ for safeguarding public
buildings, and WebTAG for commercial and domestic
remote management of buildings.
Strand Technologies also has the Virtual Usher – a
range of products to manage volume and footfall
entering buildings using a tra¢ ic light management
process with a user platform to control occupancy
rates.
Said Catherine: “iContact was introduced to the
market some years ago and was probably ahead
of its time but it’s application has extended well
beyond its envisaged initial use. We are continuing
to develop the system to ensure that it can be fully
integrated against technology standards across the
globe.
“The pandemic has taught us that there is a need
for technology-led solutions to be applied in real
situations to enable e¢ iciencies and cost-e¢ ective
problem-solving. Strand Technologies gives us
opportunities to fully focus and develop these types
of products and systems to make life easier for the
end user.”
www.strandtech.co.uk sales@strandtech.co.uk 01922 332334
/www.viega.co.uk
/www.strandtech.co.uk
link
