Snips articles from April 2009

Snips archives from April 2009

Getting in shape using the 'five Ss' to save time in the sheet metal shop; so-called "lean" tools came out of manufacturing. The best-known example is probably Toyota's automobile production techniques.
April 1, 2009... At first glance that may seem not very applicable to the many sheet metal shops that perform custom work. But Toyota Motor Corp. started its lean journey in the 1950s when it had only one manufacturing plant to make several different types of...

BIM bam, boom: how building information modeling can help contractors work more efficiency inside and outside the sheet metal shop.
April 1, 2009... Building information modeling, often called BIM, is a revolutionary process helping to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the construction design and installation process. If you haven't heard about this industry-changing process from your...

The show goes on: AHR Expo holds up in down economy.
April 1, 2009... Chicago -- in a time when the nation is experiencing its worst recession in decades, the AHR Expo is doing pretty well. Estimated attendance was 54,000--almost 35,000 attendees and 19,000 booth staffers--for the Jan. 26-28 show at Chicago's...

Solving problems with hand brakes.(tech tips)
April 1, 2009... This month, SNIPS begins reprinting a series of articles from 1986 on troubleshooting hand brakes. It was suggested by a reader that we again showcase the suggestions of expert Vince Bellik on this always-timely issue. The first article in the...

New equipment speeds up N.H. sheet metal shop.(applications in the field)
April 1, 2009... The heart of Total Air Supply's sheet metal shop was a 30-year-old Engel Industries coil line. The front of it, production manager Rich Hagerty said, was "as solid and fast as anything you can buy today." But the back end was slowing...

Comcast center achieves green design with duct products.(applications in the field)
April 1, 2009... Towering over Philadelphia at 58 stories is the city's new Comcast Center, a high-performance sustainable building, with features that conserve energy and reduce impact on the environment. Designed to receive Leadership in Energy and...

Venture Tape completes Compac acquisition.(supplier news)(Venture Tape Corp. has acquired Compac Corp.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... Venture Tape Corp. has purchased Compac Corp.'s pressure-sensitive adhesive tape assets from Lamtec Corp. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. All Compac PSA tape products, which are used for the insulation, industrial and HVAC...

Xora, AT&T have new GPS product.(supplier news)
April 1, 2009... Mobile resource management company Xora is offering a new GPS system mat will aim to help AT&T Inc. customers lower their fuel costs. GPS TimeTrack In-Vehicle is the latest software from Xora. It can be used alone or with the mobile...

SteelMax to help 'Trick My Truck'.(supplier news)
April 1, 2009... SteelMax LLC is playing a part in the Country Music Television series "Trick My Truck." The cast of the show features big-rig truck mechanics who "steal" the rigs of truck drivers and customize them. The end result is a new and improved...

MultiCam celebrates 20 years of manufacturing.(supplier news)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... This year, MultiCam marks two decades in business. Founded in 1989, the company says it has installed over 7,300 CNC cutting machines in more than 50 countries worldwide. MultiCam officials say its philosophy for the last 20 years has been...

Thailand plant to produce scroll compressors.(supplier news)
April 1, 2009... Emerson Climate Technologies announced that it would be using its manufacturing plant in Thailand to handle production of aluminized Copeland Scroll Digital compressors for transport applications. Through the support of large transport...

Coleman promotion includes warranty, cash back.(supplier news)
April 1, 2009... As part of its spring promotion, Coleman customers can choose between a $1,700 cash-back rebate or 10-year parts and labor warranty. The promotional period began March 1 and runs through June 15. Qualifying equipment includes Coleman...

Ridgid contest ask for customer videos.(contractor news)
April 1, 2009... Ridgid is once again asking its customers to enter a video contest for a chance to win tools. The second annual Ridgid video contest challenges contestants to creatively show the Ridgid logo in their videos. The winners will be announced...

Contractor named to Daikin Network Alliance.(contractor news)
April 1, 2009... Pro-Tech Air Conditioning and Heating Service Inc. has been named as an authorized member of the Daikin Network Alliance. The alliance is a coalition of HVAC contractors known as DNA Dealers for Daikin AC, a manufacturer of ducted and...

Service Roundtable offers free business forms.(contractor news)(Service Roundtable Inc.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... The Service Roundtable is offering nearly 600 standard business forms and letters at its Web site. The forms are available to members and potential members. The group says that contractors can cut and paste any of the online forms or...

Dee Cramer purchases National Sheet Metal Co.(contractor news)
April 1, 2009... Dee Cramer Inc. has purchased all the assets related to the HVAC fabriction division of National Sheet Metal Co. located in Saginaw, Mich. Terms were not disclosed. Matthew D. Cramer, president of Dee Cramer Inc., said the purchase...

ACCA partners with office supply store.(contractor news)
April 1, 2009... Members of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America will receive discounts on office supplies through a new partnership with OfficeMax Advantage. "It goes without saying that everyone is looking for ways to reduce their expenses right...

Web site provides access to industrial ducting products.(internet news)
April 1, 2009... Ductwork Experts says it has opened the world's largest online store for the purchase of industrial ducting. The company is a distributor of Nordfab Ducting's original clamptogether Quick-Fit ductwork. The new site lets customers...

Coleman training series available online.(internet news)
April 1, 2009... Coleman Heating and Air Conditioning recently moved its entire library of ProficienTech training materials online. "Liberties Plus dealers now have access (to) all of the training video previously released as DVDs and the accompanying...

Emerson launches motor Web site.(internet news)(Website overview)
April 1, 2009... Emerson Climate Technologies introduced a new Web site for its Rescue EcoTech direct-drive blower motor. By logging on to EmersonClimate.com/RescueEcoTech, users can find information on the motor and its features. Officials say the Rescue...

Lochinvar site adds library, training information.(internet news)
April 1, 2009... The new Lochinvar Corp. Web site at www.Lochinvar.com now includes a resource library, a product catalog, training information and a company history page. The company said the site was developed in response to feedback and specific...

SPIDA discusses airflow at Chicago meeting.(meetings & conventions)(Spiral Duct Manufacturers Association)(Brief article)(Conference notes)
April 1, 2009... The Spiral Duct Manufacturers Association used its Jan. 25 winter meeting to hand out awards, name new board members and hear about the advantages round holds over flexible ductwork. In his presentation, "Keeping Spiral Duct on Top," Chris...

Danfoss to sponsor global energy forum.(meetings & conventions)
April 1, 2009... Danfoss will be a sponsor of the 2009 Energy Efficiency Global Forum & Exposition, April 27-29 at the Palais des Congres in Paris. Hosted by the Alliance to Save Energy, the forum is an international event that focuses on energy efficiency...

2009 Builders' Show sees smaller crowds.(meetings & conventions)
April 1, 2009... Crowds at this year's International Builders' Show were smaller than previous events. More than 60,000 people attended the National Association of Home Builders' Jan. 20-23 event in Las Vegas. More than 90,000 were at the 2008 show, which...

Workshop to address 'generational divide'.(meetings & conventions)
April 1, 2009... The National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers will sponsor a one-day workshop on "Crossing the Generational Divide." The session will be held July 28 at the Hilton Hotel in Woodcliff Lakes, N.J. To register, call (888)...

Continue marketing, even in a questionable economy.(contractor cents)
April 1, 2009... The economy is uncertain. Some people are focused on doing only the things that they have to do to get by right now. Others are forging ahead and not allowing the economic climate to affect how they act. You want to find those who are...

Florida.(regional news)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... A small fire at the Panama City Mall in Panama City, Fla., started in one of the mall's HVAC units. The Panama City News Herald reports that the Feb. 23 fire was minor and fire crews had the situation under control in about 20 minutes. The...

Iowa.(regional news)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... The HVAC program at Scott Community College in Bettendorf, Iowa, has been granted accreditation from HVAC Excellence. After a visit to the HVAC program Jan. 20, HVAC Excellence determined that both the program and staff at Scott Community...

Texas.(regional news)(Waco Inc.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... Waco, Texas-based the Dwyer Group has been named one of the "Best Companies to Work for in Texas" by Texas Monthly magazine. This is the second consecutive year the company has made the magazine's list. "We are so proud to wear this title...

Canada.(regional news)(Energy Saving Products Inc.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... A Jan. 27 fire destroyed the headquarters of Energy Saving Products Ltd. in Edmonton. The company reported that the fire occurred after hours and no one was injured. Energy Saving Products is the manufacturer of the Hi-Velocity small-diameter...

Tool publication.(books, software & lit)
April 1, 2009... Fluke has released the latest edition of its Fluke HVAC/IAQ News magazine. The 15-page publication offers information on Fluke's latest troubleshooting tools and has features on industry issues. In this edition, Fluke offers articles on how to...

Cutting catalog.(books, software & lit)
April 1, 2009... MultiCam has released this catalog featuring the company's cutting machines. Products include MultiCam's routers, lasers, plasma cutters and water-jet machines. Each product line in the catalog comes with product specifications and application...

Sheet metal products.(books, software & lit)
April 1, 2009... Sheet Metal Connectors has released its latest product catalog. The publication provides descriptions, specifications and charts for each highlighted product. Products included in this catalog include a number of sheet metal accessories such as...

Welding catalog.(books, software & lit)
April 1, 2009... To celebrate its 80th anniversary, Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. has released its 2009 fullline welding and cutting equipment catalog. Miller's free, color, 96-page catalog provides specifications on Miller MIG welders, TIG welders, stick...

Business book.(books, software & lit)
April 1, 2009... The Secrets to Successful Contracting by Joe Catinella aims to provide business fundamentals as well as serve as a guide to starting, operating and managing a contracting company. The book includes contracting business principles, procedures...

Refrigerant white paper.(books, software & lit)
April 1, 2009... "Refrigerants for Residential and Commercial Air Conditioning Applications" addresses the increasing regulations affecting refrigerants used in various applications. The Emerson publication aims to guide the industry through the 2010...

Tool management software.(books, software & lit)
April 1, 2009... Software developer Dynamic Systems has released this new tool manager software in an effort to help contractors track down and locate their tools. CheckMate ToolRoom is based on bar code technology. The company provides barcode systems to the...

Load-calculation manual.(books, software & lit)
April 1, 2009... Load Calculation Applications Manual is the latest book from ASHRAE to help designers improve the performance and efficiency of design as it relates to load calculations. The book focuses on two methods for calculating cooling loads in...

Grease duct guide.(books, software & lit)
April 1, 2009... This new Grease Duct Selection Guide contains information for the proper selection of grease ducts for various applications. The guide provides specific information on installed space requirements, construction, clearances, code acceptance,...

Coil line brochure.(books, software & lit)
April 1, 2009... Greenheck's latest brochure covers the company's line of custom and standard cooling and heating coils. Detailed information is provided on engineered replacement and OEM coils for chilled or hot water, DX evaporator, heat reclaim, condenser,...

Mist Recycler.(new products)
April 1, 2009... Excess moisture in the air stream can significantly reduce filtration system efficiency, experts say. With this in mind, Nordfab Ducting has designed its new Mist Recycler to remove much of this airborne liquid near the pickup point. This...

Welder.(new products)
April 1, 2009... Esab Welding & Cutting Products has added a new multipurpose welder in its X-Series line. The MTS 3500i is a multi-process, fourth-generation inverter power source that offers welding capabilities for MIG, TIG or stick welding. The MTS 3500i's...

Tape dispenser.(new products)
April 1, 2009... This company now offers a foil tape dispenser. Thanks to a secondary wheel, it automatically captures the paper backing from foil-faced tape as you pull it through the dispenser. It accommodates 2- and 3-inch-wide tape. [ILLUSTRATION...

Plasma cutter.(new products)
April 1, 2009... Hypertherm is unveiling the Powermax45, a portable half-inch plasma cutting and gouging system. The Powermax45 is a single-gas system (air and nitrogen) designed for both hand-held and mechanized applications. With a recommended half-inch cut...

Roll former.(new products)
April 1, 2009... This new 17-station TDCF/T-25 flange roll former with clip-maker option is the latest from Standard Sheet Metal Machinery. The freestanding T-35 duct-flange roll former has the clip rolls on the reverse side with slit-to-width and cut-to-length...

Thermostats.(new products)
April 1, 2009... The precision differential thermostat series from Selco features a differential between 9[degrees]F and 14[degrees]F. The half-inch automatic reset disc thermostats are suitable for temperature control in heaters, commercial food equipment,...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
April 1, 2009... 15-18 The California chapter of the Sheet Metal, Heating and Air-Conditioning Contractors' National Association will bring its 43rd annual convention to Napa, Calif. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in workshops,...

Wholesalers & mfr. reps. directory.(Directory)
April 1, 2009... The following is a paid directory of distributors, wholesalers and manufacturers representatives, listed by state. To have your company included in this list, please call Sally Fraser at 248-244-6240. We urge our readers to contact these...

Manufacturers representatives.(Directory)
April 1, 2009... New England (ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT) Maine Northern Machinery Sales Serving CT, NH, ME, MA, RI, VT. Distributor & Service Center VICON Plasma Cutting Systems, VICON Rollforming Machinery & Coil Lines. Intelicad and...

It takes a village of sheet metal workers.(Editorial)(Column)
April 1, 2009... Get up and do something. That's the topic for this month's Editor's Page and the subject of a recent letter that we received. In fact, the letter, which you can read at the end of this page, is what prompted this month's column. ...