After editions marked by the backlash of the pandemic, the year 2024 marked the return to great heights for Eima in Bologna. A success also enjoyed by Comet which did not miss the appointment with its audience.
The International Exhibition of Machinery for Agriculture held at Bologna Fiere from November 6 to 10, in fact, confirmed itself as the most awaited event in the European agricultural and gardening scene, even setting an all-time attendance record with more than 346,000 visitors surveyed during the 5-day exhibition.
The huge success of the general public was matched by the great appreciation for the Comet stand: our attendance at the “home” fair cannot in fact be missed, with thousands of people joining us from all over Europe to admire our new agricultural range and participate in our upcoming events at Eima 2024.
An aperitif buffet on the morning of November 6 officially opened our booth, while a well-attended cocktail with dinner with our key customers and partners enlivened the afternoon of November 7.
It was our innovations, however, that were the real stars and main attractions of the Comet booth at Eima 2024, with a focus on the new sensor technology dedicated to diaphragm pumps.
Among the innovations presented, a highlight of this edition of Eima was Campus, a computerized diagnostic system developed and patented by Comet that monitors pump operation in real time.
Campus detects the working data thanks to a series of sensors, and then transmits them to a server that processes and returns all the useful information to operate in a conscious and targeted way on the pump, so as to increase its performance and avoid possible breakdowns or downtime, with consequent cost reduction for the end customer.
The system consists of a control unit provided with a microprocessor with analogue and digital inputs, which processes the data which will then be transmitted to a graphical interface and/or a system of visual/sound indicators and alarms.
The system is able to communicate through current connections:
Comet’s Campus diagnostic system monitors pump operation through 3 different sensors:
Campus can count duration and number of events and allocate them in an accessible internal memory or, in one version, on cloud or remote server.
An internal hour counter records operating times and signals the need for maintenance based on preset thresholds.
Battery level is monitored and reported to the user.
Alarms, warnings and available data can be sent to a smartphone for the configurations with equipment allowing this.
The diaphragm is the pump’s beating heart and a good diaphragm has as its main characteristic resistance to the constant stresses and the multitude of chemicals with which it comes into contact.
To meet these requirements, Comet has developed and presented at Eima 2024 Chemguard, a new diaphragm consisting of an innovative material that prevents possible chemical aggression even in the most demanding uses: PSK by Comet, or a polymer with special treatments making it stronger and more durable.
Among its benefits, Chemguard provides maximum chemical compatibility and increases resistance to abrasion and corrosion in the toughest applications, such as liquid fertilizers.
On display at the Comet booth at Eima 2024 was the new BPX 25 range of low-pressure spraying pumps. Comet has, in fact, created the new BPX25, a positive displacement piston/diaphragm pump with all-plastic wet-parts, for maximum resistance to abrasion and corrosion, an unlimited range of power drives, combined with maximum ease of maintenance, thanks to the new external manifolds and valves, which can now be inspected with a standard hexagonal or Allen wrench.
The large audience in Bologna also got a close look at the BPX, P and MP range of low-pressure spraying pumps.
The new BPX range is the natural evolution of the glorious BP-K line, a true milestone in the history of Comet spraying pumps. The BPX project is based on the aim to provide all possible state-of-the-art plus without changing the essential features of the previous BP-K. Therefore, the BPX range allows customers to upgrade to the latest spraying technologies with minor impact on design and stock, resulting in huge savings for OEMs, after-market professionals and end users.
The P- and MP-ranges, on the other hand, are built on the same mechanical concepts as the BPX-range. They arise from synergies with our best partners and represent a very important step forward towards more sustainable spraying technologies.
In addition to the new range of Argo, the 2-way manual control units with pressure relief valve, at Eima 2024 Comet presented the new Olympus and Spartan control units with an innovative modular system.
These two control units feature a new lever and knob design. They also have a new knob operating principle, which now turns idle without axial shift for greater protection from dirt and less jamming.
Available with nylon and polypropylene versions, Olympus and Spartan establish themselves as an innovative modular system characterized by a single distributor unit and 2 control options:
Olympus and Spartan have the following technical characteristics:
- Wet-parts: made of polypropylene and AISI 316-L steel or polyamide and AISI 316-L steel.
- Pressure reset lever.
- Constant pressure unloader valve.
- Maximum flow rate: 100 l / 1'
- Maximum pressure: 50 bar
- Up to 3 taps (diaphragm) or 3 taps or 2 taps and a pressure gauge (piston).
You can simply replace the diaphragm control with the piston one by removing the fork and installing the new control, without disassembling the distributor from the pump.
The diaphragm regulator provides maximum accuracy and precision in flow regulation. The diaphragm separates the pumping chamber from the transmission, thus preventing the pumped fluid from coming into contact with mechanical parts, minimizing any possible breakage.
The piston regulator is very efficient and smooth for low flow rates and for use with high operating pressures. It is the right compromise if you want to aim for an effective product at fair price.