Ceramic Industry articles from November 2003

Ceramic Industry archives from November 2003

Gearing up for the game.(Inside CI)(issue contents)
November 1, 2003... When asked about plant closings and layoffs, many of today's ceramic manufacturers are quick to point at the increasing--and unfair--competition from low-cost manufacturing regions such as China. How can we compete against $.60 to $1.00 per...

International calendar.
November 1, 2003... NOVEMBER 10-12 Combustion and Emissions in Furnaces and Kilns--An Industrial Approach, Days Hotel and Conference Center at Dulles, Herndon, Va., (703) 573-4500, (703) 641-9853, e-mail info@WeTrainIndustry.com * 11-14 Glass and Ceramics...

CPS installs new air mill for toll processing.(Ceramics In The News)(Custom Processing Services Inc. installs Netzsch-Condux jet mill)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Custom Processing Services (CPS), Inc., recently commissioned a new NETZSCH-CONDUX[R] CGS 100 fluidized bed jet mill (pictured on the cover of this issue) for its Reading, Pa., facility. The addition of this milling system enables CPS to...

WACKER hosts North American automotive press briefing.(Ceramics In The News)
November 1, 2003... A press briefing hosted by WACKER Chemical Corp. in September focused on technologies that help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) lessen incumbent vehicle noise, reduce weight, enhance safety features and make vehicles more attractive to...

Palmetto Brick receives merit award.(Ceramics In The News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Palmetto Brick Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of J.L. Anderson Co., Inc., was recently chosen by the Brick Association of the Carolinas as the Merit Award winner during the association's biennial design competition. Palmetto received the award...

GMIC workshop planned for May.(Ceramics In The News)
November 1, 2003... The Glass Manufacturing Industry Council (GMIC) is planning to hold a one-day workshop in Pittsburgh on May 20, 2004, at the end of the Glassman 2004 session. The workshop will be similar to the half-day event that was held in conjunction with...

American Minerals expands product offerings to include spodumene.(Ceramics In The News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... American Minerals, Inc. is currently offering spodumene through an exclusive representation agreement in the Americas with Sons of Gwalia Ltd. (Perth, Western Australia). According to American Minerals, it is the only distributor with large...

Aluminium Pechiney and Baotou Aluminium create joint venture.(Ceramics In The News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Baotou Aluminium Co. and Aluminium Pechiney have reached an agreement for the construction of a new production unit for high-purity aluminum at Baotou (Inner Mongolia), China. This project relies on patented Pechiney technology for segregation...

Harper signs license agreement with Fricke & Mallah.(Ceramics In The News)(Fricke & Mallah Microwave Technology)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Harper International and Fricke & Mallah Microwave Technology, Germany, have signed a licensing agreement to expand the marketing of microwave systems in the U.S. and Europe. Microwave processing has found increasing applications in advanced...

Electro Abrasives Corp.(People In The News)(appointed Kristine Ramming)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Kristine Ramming has been named president of Electro Abrasives Corp. by the company's board of directors. She is responsible for national and international sales, marketing and promotion of all the company's abrasive grains and powders. Ramming...

CeramTec North America.(People In The News)(promoted Jason Marlin )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... CeramTec North America (CTNA) recently promoted Jason Marlin to the position of corporate marketing manager. Marlin will handle all marketing efforts for CTNA's entire product line in both of its factories. He was previously marketing manager...

Herwig Scheidler.(People In The News)(retired after a 39-year career with Schott Glas)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Herwig Scheidler recently retired after a 39-year career with Schott Glas. Known as one of the fathers of Ceran[R] glass-ceramic cooktop panels for smoothtop ranges, he is the inventor or co-inventor of more than 50 patents related to system...

Adam W. Miller of MECO--The Manufacturers Equipment Co. recently received recognition as a Professional Engineer by the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers and the Ohio State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Adam W. Miller of MECO--The Manufacturers Equipment Co. recently received recognition as a Professional Engineer by the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers and the Ohio State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors. He...

Oak Ridge National Laboratory.(People In The News)(appointed Jeff Wadsworth)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Jeff Wadsworth, Ph.D., was recently named director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Wadsworth joins ORNL from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he served as a senior leader.

Air Products.(People In The News)(executive appointeed: William J. Cantwell, John Marsland and Glenn E. Beck)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Air Products recently announced a series of executive appointments: William J. Cantwell, vice president, Supply Chain; John Marsland, vice president, Corporate Development Office; and Glenn E. Beck, vice president, Global Information...

John P. Willi, director of quality assurance and engineering at Riverside Refractories, has received a 2003 ASTM Award of Merit and the accompanying title of fellow, the highest society recognition for individual contributions to standards activities.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... John P. Willi, director of quality assurance and engineering at Riverside Refractories, has received a 2003 ASTM Award of Merit and the accompanying title of fellow, the highest society recognition for individual contributions to standards...

Malvern Process Systems.(People In The News)(appointed Richard Ferraro and Lionel Rouzic )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Malvern Process Systems has expanded its sales team in the U.S. with the appointments of Richard Ferraro as sales manager and Lionel Rouzic as project engineer. Ferraro will coordinate and support the company's commercial activities in the...

Magnum Systems.(People In The News)(appointed Virgil Smit)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Virgil Smit has been appointed vice president of operations for Magnum Systems, Inc. He has 30 years of experience in operations management and received a master's degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas.

Allied High Tech Products, Inc.(People In The News)(appointed Belinda Crandall)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Belinda Crandall has been appointed product application specialist for Allied High Tech Products, Inc. She joins Allied with more than 20 years of professional sales experience and a technical background that includes active involvement in the...

Cabot Supermetals.(People In The News)(appointed Charles Wickersham )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Cabot Supermetals has appointed Charles Wickersham R&D manager, thin films. He is responsible for directing research and development, focusing on the thin film markets of semiconductor, optics, magnetics and flat panel display applications. He...

BOC.(People In The News)(named Steve Hope vice president of its global glass market)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... BOC has named Steve Hope vice president of its global glass market sector. He assumes responsibility for developing the global glass market sector strategy and for commercializing business opportunities that support BOC's long-term growth....

Sturtevant, Inc.(People In The News)(appointed W. Sturtevant English, Jr.)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The board of directors of Sturtevant, Inc. recently appointed W. Sturtevant English, Jr. senior vice president and general manager. He is the fifth generation of his family to manage the 120-year-old material processing equipment manufacturer.

Non-destructive sonic testing of refractories.(Refractories Review)
November 1, 2003... It is important to carefully monitor and control the manufacturing variables of refractories to insure that products of uniform and consistent quality are produced and shipped. I would like to remind refractory manufacturers and users about...

Movin' and shakin': with a new facility and 35 years of experience in the U.S., Russell Finex Inc. continues to provide high-quality products and services while developing innovative equipment for the ceramic industry.(Investing In Ceramics)(Company Profile)
November 1, 2003... Russell Finex Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Russell Finex Ltd., a UK-based manufacturer of filtration and separation equipment. Russell Finex opened its U.S. facility 35 years ago to expand into the underdeveloped North American market....

Maximizing temperature uniformity: choosing a periodic kiln with good heat transfer capabilities can help you increase your product quality and reduce losses.
November 1, 2003... A kiln's primary task is to transfer heat uniformly and efficiently throughout a load. However, the way a kiln is designed can greatly affect its heat transfer capabilities. The wrong type and/or placement of burners, inadequate firing control...

Making a strategic equipment investment: an eight-step process can help you ensure that your equipment purchase boosts your company's performance and profit while building long-term customer value.
November 1, 2003... The purchase of capital equipment is a strategic investment. It can boost a company's performance and profit while building long-term customer value. But how can ceramic manufacturers ensure that the purchasing process is handled correctly? ...

2003-2004 Equipment Digest.(Abrasive Wheels-Furnaces, Tube)(Directory)
November 1, 2003... ABRASIVE WHEELS. Ceramic materials ere normally ground with superabrasive diamond wheels; however, conventionally bonded silicon carbide wheels can also be used in some applications. The grindability of a specific ceramic material depends on...

2003-2004 Equipment Digest.(Gas Analysis Instruments-Pressure Casting Machines)(Directory)
November 1, 2003... GAS ANALYSIS INSTRUMENTS. See INSTRUMENTS, GAS ANALYSIS. GAS COMPRESSORS. See COMPRESSORS, GAS. GAS DETECTORS. See DETECTORS, GAS. GLAZING MACHINES. Glazing machines are semi- or fully automatic machines designed for both dip and...

2003-2004 Equipment Digest.(Process Control Equipment-Zeta Potential Analyzers)(Directory)
November 1, 2003... PROCESS CONTROL EQUIPMENT. See COMBUSTION CONTROLLERS; CONTROLLERS; CONTROL PANELS, ELECTRIC; CONTROL PANELS, ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC; AND DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS. PROCESS CONTROL EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS SPANG POWER ELECTRONICS 9305...

50 years of screen heating and other screening innovations: as Midwestern Industries celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2003, the company is still pursuing new ways to revolutionize the screening industry.(Special Section: Brick & Clay record)(Company Profile)
November 1, 2003... Fifty years ago, an electrician named Vern Riesbeck used an electrical transformer to apply a low-voltage current to screens to eliminate blinding from wet or damp materials. Today, screen heating and many other innovations developed by...

All in the family: through a firm commitment to quality, customer service and its employees, family-owned Lee Brick & Tile has positioned itself for continued success.(Special Section: Brick & Clay record)(Company Profile)
November 1, 2003... Independent, family-owned manufacturing companies are becoming increasingly scarce in today's economy as the cost of doing business steadily increases. However, some family-owned companies have continued to thrive despite the challenges. Lee...

Size that really matters.(International Business)(estimating size of international markets)
November 1, 2003... Does size matter? If you're investing time, capital and effort into developing your business in a foreign market, you'd better believe it does. One of the most common and damaging mistakes companies make when entering foreign...

Sample handling unit.(New Products)(Micromeritics Instrument Corp.)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Micromeritics Instrument Corp. A patented low-volume liquid sample handling unit is available for use with the company's Saturn DigiSizer[R] 5200 laser particle size analyzer. This low-volume system requires only 1/5 or less the liquid...

Bismuth trioxide.(New Products)(Clark Manufacturing Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Clark Manufacturing LLC This company has developed a patent pending direct oxidation technology that produces high-purity, brilliant yellow nano-sized bismuth trioxide particles. (The process is also capable of producing bismuth trioxide...

Ceramic directory.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... Business Data International Inc. The English edition of China Ceramic Directory 2003/2004 lists more than 1280 leading ceramic and pottery enterprises, research institutes, associations, importers and exporters in China. The directory...

Furnace system.(New Products)
November 1, 2003... Harper International The Vertical Screw Furnace System[TM] reduces energy consumption by up to 30% over conventional furnace designs. Its continuous operation delivers added savings over batch systems, with reduced material handling and...