Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation articles from April 2003

Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation archives from April 2003

Editorial comments.
April 1, 2003... Award Yourself In addition to budget support, quality programs need buy-in at every level. Obtaining it can be difficult, but buy-in tends to build as a company's culture unites in its belief that change is necessary. One way to encourage...

U.S. manufacturing sector in 'crisis,' according to NAM survey. (Industry Newsline).
April 1, 2003... Nearly three-fourths of National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) membership believe the U.S. is facing a manufacturing crisis, according to the Washington, D.C.-based trade group. Based on survey results it released in Chicago last month...

Boeing will redevelop part of Renton, WA, site. (Industry Newsline).
April 1, 2003... The Boeing Co. and the city of Renton, WA, have announced four development alternatives for Boeing's 280-acre property in the city, home to the company's largest production facility. According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, two of the plans...

'03 Shingo Prize winners announced. (Industry Newsline).
April 1, 2003... Administrators of the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing announced 25 finalists and 15 2003 recipients (winners) for the prestigious award last month. The Shingo Prize is considered the only industrial excellence award that focuses on...

GE/China turbine deal worth $900 million. (Industry Newsline).
April 1, 2003... General Electric Power Systems (GEPS) signed contracts last month with five Chinese power producers, under which the Atlanta, GA-based company will supply them 13 GE 9FA gas turbine-based systems, valued at $900 million. It was one of largest...

Isuzu to leave Indiana plant next year. (Industry Newsline).
April 1, 2003... Isuzu Motors Ltd. said it will sever its manufacturing ties with the state of Indiana next year, when it ceases to produce its Axiom and Rodeo sport utility vehicles at its plant in Lafayette, IN. According to a report in the Indianapolis Star,...

OSHA crackdown targets dangerous sites, repeat offenders. (Industry Newsline).
April 1, 2003... A new enforcement policy announced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration last month will target employers who have received "high gravity" citations. According to OSHA, these are issued when an employer's violations are...

Lapp USA, Inc.
April 1, 2003... Caption: Lapp USA, Inc., marks its one-year anniversary this month in its new, 130,000 sq.-ft headquarters facility in Florham Park, NJ (right). The totally renovated building includes 71,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space and 21,000 sq. ft....

Sta-Kon[R] terminals for quick, error-free wire termination.
April 1, 2003... Don't overlook these small but critical wiring components that can provide big savings in time--and virtually eliminate costly mistakes. * Full line includes ring and fork-tongue terminals, tab receptacles, splices, disconnects, pigtails....

DuraGard[R] connectors withstand 1000 PSI water spray.
April 1, 2003... Our Russellstoll[R] DuraGard line includes industrial plugs, connectors and receptacles designed to withstand the most severe washdown conditions. * Waterproof connections with no .extra boots or adapters. * Available for 20, 30, and...

Blackjack[R] grounding bushings save time, avoid awkward threading positions.
April 1, 2003... A real time saver -- especially good for grounding conduit in small spaces, tight corners and multiple conduit runs. * Patented design allows bushing to rotate to any position for faster, more positive connection to ground. * No...

Superior watertight protection with T&B Hub fittings.
April 1, 2003... This patented design provides unequalled sealing performance in a widerange of applications. * Sealing ring and grooved design outperforms standard O-ring designs, with a 360[degrees] seal even if conduit is misaligned. * Locknut...

Portable power crimper for large wire termination.
April 1, 2003... Our Battpac[R] LT compression crimping tool makes it easy to terminate large .wires anywhere in your plant, including awkward locations and confined spaces. * Tool weighs only 8 pounds, yet delivers 6 tons of crimping pressure. *...

Color-Keyed Compression lugs provide the right angle.
April 1, 2003... Cut installation time on those difficult but critical connections where space and accessibility is a problem: * For power distribution panels, switchgear, circuit breakers, motor control enclosures, etc. * Available in 45[degrees] and...

Disconnects speed change-out of electric motors.
April 1, 2003... Color-Keyed[R] motor lead disconnects allow reliable and speedy change-outs without nuts, bolts and taping hassles. * Male and female disconnects meet or exceed the electrical and mechanical performance of bolted connectors * Re-usable...

National Manufacturing Week. (News Briefs).
April 1, 2003... Speaking at last month's National Manufacturing Week events, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Dan Evans released the Bush administration's "pro-growth" manufacturing agenda. Elements include Bush's plan to eliminate dividend taxes, as well as the...

General Motors Corp. (News Briefs).
April 1, 2003... In a move to shed non-automotive products, General Motors Corp. has put its commercial mortgage business up for sale. The nine-year-old division, part of the General Motors Acceptance Corp. financial group, originated $20 billion in commercial...

General Electric Co. (News Briefs).
April 1, 2003... General Electric Co.'s Specialty Materials business has completed its acquisition of Osmonics, Inc., a Minnesota-based manufacturer of water purification, filtration and water-handling systems. Osmonics operates eight locations in the U.S.,...

New York Blower Co. (News Briefs).
April 1, 2003... The New York Blower Co., Willow-brook, IL, has acquired TLT-Babcock, an Akron, OH-based unit of Babcock Borsig Power AG of Germany. TLT-Babcock manufactures fans, dampers and ash-handling systems serving industrial, mining and construction...

American Chemistry Council (ACC). (News Briefs).
April 1, 2003... The U.S. chemical industry will record "fairly solid" growth in sales and earnings this year, according to an annual industry assessment conducted by the American Chemistry Council (ACC), Arlington, VA. Based on industry-member responses to a...

Calendar.
April 1, 2003... * Apr. 15-17 * Quality Expo International; Rosemont, IL; Reed Exhibition Cos.; 203-840-5448; quality.reedexpo.com. * May 6-8 * Automated Manufacturing Exposition; Greenville, SC; Assn. for Manufacturing Excellence; 803-779-4005;...

Interval timers. (Product News).
April 1, 2003... C500 series timers are available for standard toggle switchplate applications. A controlled device switches off automatically after a pre-set time interval. The C500 series feature metal fronts, require no electricity to operate and are...

Tool-holding system. (Product News).
April 1, 2003... Triplit allows up to three tools mounted in a single lathe turret station. The additional capacity allows parts that require rechucking to be machined in one operation. A tool pre-setter is available and a tray snaps onto the front, furnishing...

Rewind hose reels. (Product News).
April 1, 2003... The N700 spring-rewind hose reel features a non-sparking, separate ratchet assembly that makes the reels safer to operate, and offers better access to the pawl and pin. A sealed arbor provides protection in dirty environments and for...

Budgeting for quality: improving quality on a budget is a challenge, especially in tough times. Here's how two manufacturers have improved their processes while keeping the cost of quality under control. (Cover Story).
April 1, 2003... A decade ago, W. Edwards Deming introduced his theory of quality in his book, The New Economics. Part of his theory involved what he called the System of Profound Knowledge. This states that any business can implement change by following a few...

Extending the Reach of Your CMMS. (CMMS Solutions).
April 1, 2003... Most CMMS solutions are used in a departmental manner: They support the informational needs of the maintenance department. As such, they are generally run within the physical confines of a maintenance office and related work areas. Users...

Industrial vacuum improves boat maker's air quality. (Field Report).
April 1, 2003... Shamrock Boats, Cape Coral, FL,. custom-builds fiberglass boats for sport fishermen and recreational boaters. Workers at the 27-year-old company both construct hulls by hand-lamination and mechanically applied fiberglass roll stock and resin....

Forklift. (Product News).
April 1, 2003... The Rider Counterbalanced Turret Explosion-Proof Forklift (ROTEX) features a left-right rotating turret attachment with tilt capability. The unit is suitable for narrow-aisle facilities. American Specialty Equipment, Inc., 15 Daniel Rd.,...

Power supply. (Product News).
April 1, 2003... The S8VS switch-mode power supply provides lifetime and run-time predictive maintenance information on an LED display. The unit features overload and overvoltage protection. Omron Electronics LLC, 1 Commerce Drive, Schaumburg, IL 60173;...

Flowmeter. (Product News).
April 1, 2003... The thermal mass FlexMASSter ST98 Flowmeter Series with sensor delivers gas-flow measurement and supports high-temperature processes. It features flex-circuitry design. Fluid Components International, 1755 La Costa Meadows Dr., San Marcos,...

Marker. (Product News).
April 1, 2003... The 100-P is an oil-based paintmarker available in 12 permanent colors. It is suited for marking on a variety of surfaces, offering resistance to abrasion, water and sunlight. The marker features precision-valve action, aluminum-barrel and...

Hot box. (Product News).
April 1, 2003... The Zero Ground-Clearance Sahara- Hot Box accommodates loading and unloading with a hand-pallet jack. Two-side mounted steam-heating coils and an air-circulation blower promote fast heat-up of drums. Benko Products, Inc., 5350 Evergreen...

Lead screws. (Product News).
April 1, 2003... For vertical applications, these non-ball lead screws can be designed to self-lock and prevent back driving, without an external brake. The sliding friction between the nut and the screw converts rotary input motion to linear. Kerk Motion...

Color-Keyed Compression lugs provide the right angle. (Product Focus).
April 1, 2003... Cut installation time on those difficult but critical connections where space and accessibility is a problem: * For power distribution panels, switchgear, circuit breakers, motor control enclosures, etc * Available in 450 and 900...

Portable power crimper for large wire termination. (Product Focus).
April 1, 2003... Our Battpack[R] LT compression crimping tool makes it easy to terminate large wires anywhere in your plant, including awkward locations and confined spaces. * Tool weighs only 8 pounds, yet delivers 6 tons of crimping pressure. *...

Superior watertight protection with T&B Hub fittings. (Product Focus).
April 1, 2003... This patented design provides unequalled sealing performance in a wide range of applications. * Sealing ring and grooved design out performs standard 0-ring designs, with a 360[degrees] seal even if conduit is misaligned. * Locknut...

Wash units. (Product Focus).
April 1, 2003... ANSI-compliant Swing-Down Eye and Swing-Down Eye/Face Wash units provide space savings and flexibility, fitting into any work environment. Available in universal counter or wall-mount design, the units operate by pulling down the swing arm 90...

Identification system. (Product Focus).
April 1, 2003... The Hazcom Identification System (THIS) labels provide information that help employees protect themselves against chemicals in the workplace. A starter kit provides all of the materials a company needs to set up a hazcom identification training...

Floor warnings. (Product Focus).
April 1, 2003... The Lamba line of floor warnings signs include two warning-code package systems for three cones and five cones in either green or yellow. The four-sided design is available in English, French and Spanish. American Allsafe Co., 99 Wales...

Fall prevention. (Product Focus).
April 1, 2003... The KeeGuard fall-prevention railing system for flat roofs is a freestanding counterbalanced modular guardrail system that installs without drilling or penetrating the roof membrane. The streamlined design eliminates the T-cross and places the...

Fire and security control. (Product Focus).
April 1, 2003... UniNet 2000 enables operators to integrate diverse fire and security building systems into a customized, graphics-oriented platform. The system features a history manager that provides access to stored events using complex filters and...

Immersion heaters. (Product Round-Up: Heaters & Blowers).
April 1, 2003... Immersion heaters are available in screw-plug, flange and over-the-side styles for process industries. Standard features include MgO-heating elements and moisture- or explosion-resistant enclosures. Durex Industries, 190 Detroit St., Gary,...

Rotary-lobe blowers. (Product Round-Up: Heaters & Blowers).
April 1, 2003... Positive-displacement rotary-lobe blowers are available as bare blowers in a variety of drive-shaft configurations or in the Omega-pak blower package. They feature flanged-inlet and flanged-outlet ports. Kaeser Compressors, Inc., P.O. Box...

Cartridge heaters. (Product Round-Up: Heaters & Blowers).
April 1, 2003... Watt-Flex Split-Sheath Cartridge Heaters can deliver heat to the tip, making them suitable for applications, such as injection-molding. When used in molding probes, the units minimize gate freeze-off. They can be zoned to create custom...

Electric-blower heaters. (Product Round-Up: Heaters & Blowers).
April 1, 2003... The SuperDragon line of industrial-grade and portable electric-blower heaters are suitable for applications requiring high-pressure air flow and high-volume heat applications. Two thermostats and pneumatic tires are included; high-capacity fans...

Box & cover assemblies. (Product News).
April 1, 2003... Pre-fabricated electrical box and cover assemblies include 48 combinations of boxes, brackets and covers. Each comes with a square box, a pre-installed grounding pigtail, and bracket and cover options. Covers are available in single- and...

Free electrical designers reference software. (Product News).
April 1, 2003... A fully integrated set of electrical calculation modules and design procedures for engineers, designers, contractors, inspectors and instructors is now available free from Littelfuse. EDR -- Electrical Designer's Reference -- performs a variety...

Portable hoist. (Product News).
April 1, 2003... This portable hoist with integrated variable-frequency drive controller attaches to I-Beams using adjustable trolleys. Motorized trolleys for horizontal and vertical movement are also available. A non-rotating cable keeps loads from spinning....

Containers. (Product Round-Up: Storage Equipment).
April 1, 2003... The L-Series 4548 container, constructed of high-density polyethylene, is suitable for applications involving bulky, lightweight products such as aluminum components, beverage preforms, blowmolded bottles, plastic-molded components, snack-food...

Pallet Rack systems. (Product Round-Up: Storage Equipment).
April 1, 2003... Pallet Rack systems use high-strength steel for storage of palletized items. Upright frames are fabricated and welded into rigid units. Standard finish for uprights is gray-baked enamel. Beams are available in various lengths and capacities and...

Storage and retrieval. (Product Round-Up: Storage Equipment).
April 1, 2003... The MegaLift vertical-lift module (VLM) is an enclosed system of vertically arranged trays, an ergonomically designed extraction platform and computerized controls. The Flexi-space feature allows random storage of products. The...

Vertical Carousels. (Product Round-Up: Storage Equipment).
April 1, 2003... The freezer vertical carousels provide high-density storage with access to items via a system of vertically arranged rotating carriers. The carriers bring the item position to the operator at a suitable height for picking. A controller links...

Joints. (Product News).
April 1, 2003... CLEAN-IN-PLACE joints are silicone-lined metal expansion joints and flexible connectors, engineered to protect a piping system from vibration and thermal expansion and contraction. They are designed with a smooth inner surface with no...

Connector system. (Product News).
April 1, 2003... The TL 3 HT is a four-way connector system that consists of housings with 8-mm spacing. The housing is made of a high-temperature-resistance plastic metal, and the receptacle is steel, nickel-plated with a crimp contact termination. ...

Tool backpack. (Product News).
April 1, 2003... The ToolPak-4Panel is a backpack for tools that features ergonomic shoulder straps for carrying items hands-free. Four fold-out tool panels feature more than 60 pockets to hold tools in place. Two outside pockets are for bulky items. ...

Safety light curtain. (Product News).
April 1, 2003... C 4000 series safety light curtain is a self-contained, non-contact, control-reliable machine-safeguarding device designed for point-of-operation, perimeter, entry/exit and area-machine safeguarding applications. Emergency stops and safety...

A guide to tube and pipe fittings: ten types examined. (Tech Check).
April 1, 2003... System leakage most often occurs at the connections. This is why selecting, installing and maintaining fitting connections is an important component of plant operation. In energy costs alone, a few small leaks in a facility using air at 100...

Adhesive Patch. (Tech Bench: Buildings & Grounds Maintenance).
April 1, 2003... Zip Patch is adhesive-impregnated fiberglass that cures to a hard, waterproof surface. It is suitable to repair punctured or abrasion-damaged surfaces and adheres to metals and concretes. Devcon, 30 Endicott Street, Danvers, MA 01923;...

Pressure washer. (Tech Bench: Buildings & Grounds Maintenance).
April 1, 2003... The Semi-Pro pressure washer can produce pressures from 2400 to 4000 psi. Units are powered by Honda GX or Robin-Subaru engines with a choice of AR or General pumps. The line features an aircraft-grade aluminum frame with lifetime warranty....

Polyurea-hybrid coating. (Tech Bench: Buildings & Grounds Maintenance).
April 1, 2003... VFI 540/540FR polyurea-hybrid coating is spray-applied to repair and protect roofs. Color finishes naturally age. The coatings are suitable for sloped and aluminum or copper roofs. Volatile Free, Inc., P.O. Box 344, Brookfield, WI 53008;...

Wall & ceiling systems. (Tech Bench: Buildings & Grounds Maintenance).
April 1, 2003... These wall and ceiling systems feature fiberglass-sandwich composite panels, hardware and accessories with antimicrobial surface. Designed for controlled and clean-room environments, the systems include patented ceiling tiles and large panels...

Rider scrubber. (Tech Bench: Buildings & Grounds Maintenance).
April 1, 2003... The SR5730 compact rider scrubber features floating side squeegees that follow the contours of the floor surface. Other features include: modulated brake system; speed-sense programmable speed controller; dual-vacuum shutoff system; and...

Corrosion inhibitor. (Tech Bench: Buildings & Grounds Maintenance).
April 1, 2003... BrightCoat Cold Galvanize is a corrosion inhibitor with a shiny zinc-rich coating that protects ferrous metals. It restores hot-dip galvanizing and protects rusted or welded surfaces. It is suitable for use on chain-link fences, outside storage...

Vacuum. (TechBench).
April 1, 2003... The CWR 75SS vacuum performs maintenance, spillage removal and wet/dry collection tasks. It collects powders, liquids, chemicals, and allergens. It can be used in cleanrooms and manufacturing areas. The system may consist of up to three...

Sump pump. (Tech Bench: Building & Grounds Maintenance).
April 1, 2003... The KaiSump converts a wet vacuum into a disaster and flood recovery system. Secure the discharge line to a drain and pump will continuously remove water without worker assistance. Kaivac, Inc., 401 S. Third Street, Hamilton, OH 45011;...

Goodway technologies corporation GVC-2200V Vapor-Steam Cleaner. (Tech Bench: Building & Grounds Maintenance).
April 1, 2003... The GVC-2200V Vapor-Steam Cleaner operates on 115 V. The unit heats tap water in its boiler to 330[degrees]F, producing a dry vapor-steam with an adjustable pressure of 0-90 PSI and an output temperature of 290[degrees]F. When vapor-steam...

Goodway technologies corporation VAC-2D-HEPA industrial HEPA vacuum. (Tech Bench: Building & Grounds Maintenance).
April 1, 2003... Built with heavy-duty components, the VAC-2D-HEPA Dry HEPA Vacuum is ideal for dry-only fine particle recovery applications in even the most demanding of environments. The unit produces a static water lift of 83' and an air displacement of 150...

Welding vacuum system. (Tech Bench: Building & Grounds Maintenance).
April 1, 2003... Model 55 MW vacuums coolant and chips from welding operations into a collection container. The user can pump out the liquid into the machine tool or into a drum for disposal. VAC-U-MAX, 37 Rutgers St., Belleville, NJ 07109; 800-VAC-U-MAX;...