Software simplifies gasket selection

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Oct 31, 2005

Novus Select is a versatile gasket selection tool that encompasses both soft gasketing materials from the Novus range and semimetallic gaskets including spiral wound and Camprofile.

Novus Sealing has released the Novus Select software, a versatile gasket selection tool that encompasses both soft gasketing materials from the Novus range and semimetallic gaskets including spiral wound and Camprofile.

Novus Select is a novel program that is versatile and very easy to use.

It can operate as a basic guide but can also be used as a bolt stress calculator and can allow the user to create variables within the flange assembly, extremely useful when evaluating the viability of gasket designs within pressure vessels and pipe-work systems.

Novus Select can be used by engineers with confidence as a tremendous attention to detail has ensured that material safety margins have been applied in accordance with the latest research and testing.

Novus Select can also be used without fear of massive cost increases as all recommendations are based on the most economic material for the service, given the appropriate safety factors rather than a premium material most suited to the supplier.

Novus Select is the brainchild of Dr Gavin Smith, Technical Director of Novus Sealing and something he has long been waiting to develop.

"I am very proud of the Novus Select program as I believe that it will fill a large hole in the industry by providing reliable advice at the touch of a button".

"Previous attempts at selection software have often proven complicated and decidedly very unfriendly to use and in most cases did not include metallic gaskets - an obvious omission for the modern process engineer, therefore Novus Select is designed for all aspects of industry from trade suppliers and gasket convertors through to process engineering managers and plant designers".

Access to the software begins through a simple window that allows the user to select a medium together with relevant pressure and temperature details.

Select then offers the user a range of options within the soft gasket (compressed fibre) and semimetallic range; uniquely, Select offers the user the most economical material or gasket suited to the service.

The user can then refine the selection by applying various standards such as BS number, water approvals, fire safe, oxygen approvals and so on until the ideal type is arrived at.

The Select user can then switch to the next window that allows a new level of sophistication where the simple entry of the flange details both standard and nonstandard will generate bolt torque figures for installation.

For the designer both bolt yield characteristics and lubrication types are variable to provide a comprehensive information tool that allows a significant degree of flexibility for most eventualities in pipe and vessel flanges.

Finally, a third window provides probably one of the easiest measurement conversion programs available.

A further Select innovation is that Novus Sealing has designed Select to be continually expanded and updated to include more standards and an increasingly powerful design program.

Updates will be delivered to your desktop via e-mail through a registered user programme and later on all the information will be available from the Novus Sealing website via downloads; feedback is also welcomed.