Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation articles from December 2000

Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation archives from December 2000

Editorial COMMENTS.
December 1, 2000... This Time It's for Real Get ready for Century 21. The real thing, of course, not the group you bought your house from nor the imagined 21st century of Jan. 1, 2000. For those able to think back that far, you'll remember that a sub-plot of...

OSHA releases final ergonomic standard.
December 1, 2000... The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) released the final version of its Ergonomics Program Standard last month. The controversial program, the goal of which is to eradicate the estimated 600,000 workplace injuries attributed...

Firestone announces more production cuts, layoffs.
December 1, 2000... Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., announced a new round of production cuts and layoffs last month due to poor sales. Three plants and 2,000 employees will be affected. The move follows an October announcement that reduced output at three other...

Southern utility agrees to U.S., New York pollution demands.
December 1, 2000... The U.S. Department of Justice, the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of New York announced an agreement in principle last month with Virginia Power that requires the Richmond, VA-based utility to reduce air pollution from the...

Coca Cola settles racial bias suit.
December 1, 2000... The Coca-Cola Co. said last month it will pay $192.5 million to settle a racial discrimination suit by black workers and allow an independent panel to review its employment practices. A lawsuit filed in April 1999 claimed the Atlanta, GA-based...

Honda's New Robot Claimed to be Most Human-Like Yet.
December 1, 2000... A new robot from Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is said to achieve an unprecedented human-like ability to walk and perform small, but significant human tasks. The new lightweight humanoid robot named ASIMO (for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility) was...

Mercedes to expand U.S. plant.
December 1, 2000... Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc., broke ground last month for a $600 million expansion at its Tuscaloosa, AL, M-Class sport utility plant. The expansion will double the plant size to 2.4 million sq. ft. and will double production capacity...

Engine maker lays off 350.
December 1, 2000... Diesel engine builder Cummins, Inc., said last month it would lay off 350 white-collar workers in order to survive lean times in the long-haul trucking industry. A spokesperson for the Columbus, IN-based manufacturer said the layoffs were the...

National Association of Manufacturers.
December 1, 2000... The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), Washington, D.C., has released a free booklet called "Energy Efficiency Toolkit for Manufacturers." The 20-page publication details eight steps manufacturers can take to reduce energy costs,...

National Safety Council.
December 1, 2000... The National Safety Council, Itasca, IL, reported that its 88th Annual Congress and Expo, held Oct. 13-20 in Orlando, FL, topped all previous attendance figures, making it the largest convention in the history of the safety and health industry....

American Society of Safety Engineers.
December 1, 2000... The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), Des Plaines, IL, has released a new handbook that explains how to safely handle hazardous material spills and releases. "Hazardous Materials Behavior and Emergency Response Operations" comes with...

U.S. Department of Commerce.
December 1, 2000... The U.S. Department of Commerce has launched a new Web site designed to help U.S. firms export their products. The site -- www.export.gov -- links all the export programs and services of the Federal Government in an organized format. According...

St. Onge Co.
December 1, 2000... A subscription-only Web portal from the St. Onge Co., a York, PA-based engineering and consulting firm, was scheduled to go online last month. They company release says that the portal offers access to "2,000 years of engineering expertise in...

Johnson Controls, Inc.
December 1, 2000... Johnson Controls, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, has launched an electronic procurement system for purchasing everything from office supplies to computers throughout its business offices and plants. The system is expected to eliminate 500,000 manual...

PROXIMITY SENSORS.
December 1, 2000... The Stoneface[TM] inductive proximity sensors' front face is made of an advanced thermoset plastic developed for resistance to weld slag, scratching, pitting and abrasion in MIG, TIG and resistance-welding applications. Stoneface sensors are...

WIRE STORAGE.
December 1, 2000... These round post units provide storage of heavy objects and have a shelf capacity of 800 lbs. The new wired units are interchangeable with most round post systems. Starter and Add-On Units come standard in a variety of shelf lengths and widths,...

GEARHEADS.
December 1, 2000... ServoFit[TM] precision planetary gearheads feature HeliCamber[TM] technology, based on advanced gear profile technology. All planet gears are hardened and ground to eliminate irregularities that cause speed fluctuations. Planet gears are...

ABSORBENT MAT.
December 1, 2000... The new Caution-Yellow PIG[R] Mat is designed to alert workers to potential hazards like overspray and spills from machines. It absorbs water-based fluids, petroleum products and solvents. It is also chemical- and flame-resistant.

TORCH GUN.
December 1, 2000... The Lightning line of MIG-GMAW torch guns features a new contact tip that has two independent threads and requires a half turn to lock in tight. The guns, available in three models, are ergonomically designed. The aluminum-jacketed thick-walled...

BALANCING VALVE.
December 1, 2000... FlowGuard features a combination of a balancing valve and a flow indicator. The balancing valve is used to adjust the flow rate and the flow indicator is used for verification. It is equipped with union connections, and can be installed either...

DC MOTOR KITS.
December 1, 2000... The Micropulse[R] linear position sensor, with a selection of housing styles and outputs can be used as a drop-in, plug-in upgrade for pots, encoders and other linear feedback devices. They are suitable for linear position measurement, cutoffs,...

TENSION SENSOR.
December 1, 2000... The Model C tension transducer for web machine builders, press builders and converters features the new Through-Frame (TF) mounting style. The TF mounting style takes advantage of existing standard-size bore holes in a machine frame. TF...

GAS ANALYZER.
December 1, 2000... The UniGas 2000 is a hand-held flue gas analyzer for combustion analysis, boiler tuning and auxiliary testing. Oxygen and carbon monoxide concentrations are read by two electrochemical sensors to help determine compliance with existing...

LIGHTING FIXTURES.
December 1, 2000... FVS and eLLK Fluorescent Lighting Fixtures are suitable for conditions involving dust, water, corrosives and extreme temperatures. With a shatter-resistant nylon or polycarbonate lens, the FVS fixture offers protection from sudden impact and...

COMBUSTION ANALYZER.
December 1, 2000... The GPR980 series portable combustion analyzer spot checks and tunes flue gas from the combustion process. It displays critical combustion parameters: oxygen, carbon monoxide, and total combustibles content.

CALIBRATOR.
December 1, 2000... The Heise [R] PTE-1 hand-held calibrator is a portable pressure/temperature measuring device. The calibrator is available with interchangeable sensor modules in a variety of ranges and can be used to measure temperatures with either RTDs or...

SPRAY ADHESIVE.
December 1, 2000... The Marsh [R] Silicone Spray reduces friction and stops squeaks on moving parts, it can be used on plastic, metal, paper, rubber and most other surfaces. A light coating creates a removable bond and two coats creates a lasting bond. The paint...

CONTROLLER UPDATE.
December 1, 2000... The PS-5000 Series controllers now feature the "-D" option, that allows outputs to be set individually, based on the direction the resolver is rotating. The "-D" option, which can be programmed in three ways, can easily be turned ON using the...

THICKNESS GAUGE.
December 1, 2000... Three new probes are available for use with the company's PosiTector 6000 Series hand-held coating thickness gauges. The fully interchangeable probes are specifically designed for measuring thick coatings on ferrous, non-ferrous, or both...

Target Your Training.
December 1, 2000... How to determine and meet specific training needs. There are many reasons to establish a training program: compliance and regulatory issues, productivity problems, and others. Sometimes it's done without clearly justified reasons. But,...

FLOOD LIGHTING.
December 1, 2000... The AFS1 and AFS2 flood lighting includes advanced lighting ballast/lamp technology, engineered reflectors, curved housing and quality control processes. They are also available with optional barn doors, shield, partial and full hood as well as...

SHEET GASKETING.
December 1, 2000... The GORE-TEX GR [R] sheet gasketing is PTFE that is expanded in multiple directions to reduce the effects of creep relaxation after compression. It provides a tight seal in operating temperatures to control emissions.

PVC PARTS.
December 1, 2000... PVC Plastisol parts with open-molding process are created with a liquid Plastisol material that is poured into a flat aluminum mold and heat-cured. Plastisol can be altered to produce soft foam or a dense hard solid that stays flexible at very...

INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION.
December 1, 2000... This new PC-based control software for factory automation provides tools for OpenHMV [TM] (human machine interface). It includes high-resolution graphics, trending and logging capabilities. New communication drivers are also available. An OPC...

STORAGE SYSTEM.
December 1, 2000... The LIFESTOR [R] MasterTrak [R] overhead track polymer storage system combines high-density storage with corrosion-free shelving. The system features a roller assembly that eliminates binding and polymer shelf sections with clear epoxy...

MEASUREMENT SYSTEM.
December 1, 2000... The LK Series CCD Laser Displacement Meter is a semiconductor laser-based triangulation measurement system. Applications include automotive, food and pharmaceutical processing and rubber and plastic molding applications.

ELECTRIC SURFACE PLANER.
December 1, 2000... The SP8/E5HP Series II electric surface planer is powered by a heavy-duty, five-horsepower totally enclosed, fan-cooled electric motor. The unit features an integral thermal protection switch that stops the motor in the event of excessive...

EXPLOSION-PROOF ENCLOSURES.
December 1, 2000... These Explosion-Proof Enclosures provide protection against ignition of hazardous atmospheres by eliminating the possibility of ignition by system components for the MINISCREEN[R] and MICROSCREEN[R] safety light screen emitters and receivers....

MOTION COMPONENTS.
December 1, 2000... These products are manufactured using Thermoset, Thermoplastic or Insert molding processes. Pumps and components can be built to customer specification. The complete product line includes protective devices for protection of hydraulic and...

MEDIUM-VOLTAGE DRIVES.
December 1, 2000... The standard ACS 1000 Water-cooled medium-voltage drive is pre-engineered to connect to any existing standard squirrel cage motor. MV drives are suitable for high-horsepower water and wastewater pumping applications.

SAND SPREADER.
December 1, 2000... The SnowEx Sand Pro Spreader is designed for snow and ice control. It features an independent spinner/auger controller and low-maintenance direct-drive system. The cab-mounted controller includes a digital display and audible warning...

SOUND-DAMPING BUMPERS.
December 1, 2000... The new series of Bumpton[TM] Protective Products features soft, clear polyurethane for sound bumping and a synthetic rubber adhesive that sticks to low-surface energy substrates, powder-coated paints and melamine finishes.

BLAST AND RECOVERY SYSTEM.
December 1, 2000... This blast and recovery system uses a wide range of abrasive media to remove coatings and other materials from steel and concrete surfaces. Blast and vacuum functions can be performed simultaneously. Applications include asbestos abatement,...

SIGNAGE.
December 1, 2000... The Innova LED Emergency Exit product includes a slide out, printed circuit board that holds all electrical components and the nickel-cadmium battery pack. The sign for exit lighting features a swiveling canopy that pivots to mount on a wall,...

HOLE DIGGER.
December 1, 2000... The 330H Pro Series Hole Digger features a 5-hp Honda gasoline engine and an enclosed spur gear transmission with an all-metal centrifugal clutch designed to slip upon normal overload or contact with buried obstructions. Auger extensions are...

Assessing the Value of Information: Is It Worth What it Costs to Obtain?
December 1, 2000... CMMS/EAM packages are powerful tools. They can collect and disseminate vast amounts of information. They can also provide a level of control and management that far surpasses any manual process. But is the information they provide always worth...

AIR CONDITIONING.
December 1, 2000... The MINI-SPACE XT 2000, available in air-cooled, water-cooled and chilled-water versions, provides temperature and humidity control as well as air filtration. The small footprint allows installation in confined spaces. The units can be...

TUBE CLEANER.
December 1, 2000... The RAM-6 Ream-A-Matic[R] Tube Cleaner is a rotary tube cleaning machine that removes both soft and hard deposits from smooth bore as well as internally enhanced tubes/pipes. The unit feeds high-pressure water through the casing to the cleaning...

DOCK LIFT.
December 1, 2000... The Pit-Mounted Dock Lift model 2500K cmes standard with a fivehorsepower hydraulic system. The platform is six ft. by eight ft. With a capacity of 5,000 pounds, this dock lift is suitable for any facility that must load and unload a wide...

PRESSURE GAUGE.
December 1, 2000... The new MINIGAUGE[TM] 3800 is a digital electronic pressure gauge at a mechanical gauge price point and features an isolated sensor. The isolated stainless steel sensor allows the gauge to be compatible with some process fluids. Typical...

ELECTRIC UTILITY SUITS.
December 1, 2000... The complete line of Jomac[R] brand electric utility suits meets the standards for arc and flame resistance. They do not leak, split, tear or pull apart through normal use. Their non-conductive hardware will not tear, split or separate from the...

COOLANT RECYCLING SYSTEM.
December 1, 2000... This portable coolant recycling system incorporates a high-speed centrifuge. The machine tool can be recharged with cleaner coolant that has been processed from the system's dirty tank through the centrifuge. The centrifuge polishes the coolant...

Regular Inspections Help Single-Ply Roofs Survive the Elements.
December 1, 2000... Would the foremen in your plant allow a piece of equipment to run without maintenance or inspection for years at a time? Probably not. Now consider the roof of your plant. It's always "running" as it is constantly exposed to the weather: wind,...

BUSHING BEARING.
December 1, 2000... The composite-lined FluoroNyliner bushing bearing provides low-friction linear and rotary operation under harsh conditions. It operates without lubrication in contaminated and vacuum conditions.

COUPLING ADAPTERS.
December 1, 2000... These rigid, clamp-type shaft-coupling adapters are for shaft mating problems from machine upgrades or repairs. Male ends are machineable, tapered; threaded or keyed. The clamp-type female end uses four clamping screws.

ELECTRIC CYLINDERS.
December 1, 2000... The ActionJac[TM] series-CC Electric Cylinders are enhanced ball and acme screw actuators. These indoor/outdoor cylinders can handle compression and tension loads. They feature an internal brake, and pilot guide.

SPEED REDUCERS.
December 1, 2000... Compact, right-angle speed reducers feature a choice of nine gear ratios. The units are available with die cast housings, hardened steel helical gears, steel shafts and sintered bronze bearings. The design yields units suitable for same or...

SELF-LUBRICATING BUSHINGS.
December 1, 2000... The new JU and JX series of bushings are self-lubricating and withstand a wide temperature range. They offer low friction and wear and are designed for low vibration and noise. The JU and JX types are alternatives or replacements in retrofit...

LINEAR ACTUATORS.
December 1, 2000... The RS linear actuator is now available with an optional linear slide attachment for heavy, overhung or off-center loads. The new attachment can be furnished integrally with a new RS linear actuator assembly or retrofitted to an existing RS...

AC INVERTERS.
December 1, 2000... Nano Series AC inverters feature a small footprint for a 1 HP programmable drive. Motor speed can be controlled by either the inverter's built-in keypad, an external potentiometer or analog signal. These inverters also include adjustable ramp...

LINEAR-GUIDE BEARINGS.
December 1, 2000... The new Redi-Rail linear-guide family is a low-friction slider in a lightweight package. An aluminum rail provides rigidity and the raceways are a hardened steel shaft pressed into the assembly. Adjustable rolling-element bearings match...

MOTOR.
December 1, 2000... The Big 6 low-speed, high-torque motor features a metric mounting flange and a heavy-duty 50-mm shaft. The Geroler element is a modified gerotor that incorporates rollers into the outer gear of the motor.

MOTOR DRIVE SERIES.
December 1, 2000... The Space-520 is a self-contained three-phase torque controller. It uses a four-quadrant complementary control technique and is intended to drive three-phase brushless motors. It is available in three current ratings.

New Test Equipment Improves Productivity, Market Reach for Fan and Blower Maker.
December 1, 2000... The New York Blower Co. (NYB), La Porte, IN, designs and builds fans and blowers for a variety of commercial and industrial applications, such as ovens and pollution-control systems. Founded in 1889, NYB has kept pace with customer needs by...

DIAPHRAGM INSTRUMENTS.
December 1, 2000... The diaphragm-type instruments detect small changes in differential pressure and eliminate fluid migration between high and low pressure areas. The Series 1516 provides differential pressure readings. Series 1831 and 1833 have larger...

ANALYZER/SENSOR.
December 1, 2000... The Liquisys analyzer monitors parameters like pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, chlorine, and suspended solids, as well as turbidity. The CUS 31 sensor can be installed directly into the waterline. It features self-calibrating...

TUBE ID MEASUREMENT.
December 1, 2000... The new id.mike produces a tube ID measurement that uses three-point measuring technology. Applications include determining what size cleaning equipment to use, calibrating torque-controlled motors and measuring the tube sheet hole ID.

STICK MULTIMETER.
December 1, 2000... The Test-Pro[R] 400 Series of rugged and compact digital multimeters feature interchangeable snap-on heads to measure: DC voltage, AC voltage, temperature, frequency, resistance and humidity. Deluxe leadsets with removable probe tips permit the...

WELD-MONITORING SYSTEM.
December 1, 2000... This weld-monitoring system consists of an industrial-duty linear displacement transducer (LVDT) and the Model WM9100 weld meter. This system detects missing or upside-down nuts or studs, measuring weld "set-down" to determine correct part...

Loading-Dock Safety and Efficiency Are Upgrade Priorities for Fuel-Tank Maker.
December 1, 2000... When Kautex-Textron, an Avilla, IN-based manufacturer of plastic fuel tank systems, decided to make across-the-board loading-dock upgrades at its distribution facility, it looked for the best. "Excellence has been the foundation of our business...

LINEAR-POSITION SENSOR.
December 1, 2000... The Micropulse[R] linear position sensor can be used as a drop-in, plug-in upgrade for pots, encoders and other linear feedback devices. They are suitable for linear position measurement,, cutoffs, and machine tools. Micro-pulse sensors are...

VIBRATION METER.
December 1, 2000... The Model 205 is a hand-held, digital meter used to monitor and record vibration on blowers, fans, motors, turbines, pumps, and other industrial rotating machinery, It provides vibration severity analysis, vibration trending and condition...

TRANSMITTERS.
December 1, 2000... The LPN-H is a relative humidity sensing module with a loop-powered output signal. Two versions come in an aluminum connection head. The relative humidity sensor and temperature-compensating sensor protrude from the head inside a protective...

VALVES.
December 1, 2000... The new explosion-proof valves are designed for use in hazardous areas. These valves are available as direct-acting solenoid or externally controlled (air or hydraulically). These valves operate from vacuum to 500 bar and are available in 2/2...

COUPLING.
December 1, 2000... Acetal shut-off valves have been added to the insert side of the Sixtube[TM] coupling. The Sixtube provides one disconnect for up to six lines. The polypropylene inserts are available for non-valved versions of the Sixtube, providing chemical...

DISC COUPLING.
December 1, 2000... An advanced-design stainless steel disc coupling features discs with optimized profile and thickness. It also provides the torsionally rigid, no-backlash operation with no wearing parts that would require lubrication or maintenance.

TOXIC GAS DETECTORS.
December 1, 2000... The TX-2000 Series are pocket-size gas detectors that can monitor toxic gases or oxygen in hazardous locations. The instruments include an electrochemical sensor, a digital display, audio/visual alarms, two-alarm points and push-button...

PROTECTIVE WORKBOOT.
December 1, 2000... The Generation 2000 new design for its family of PVC protective workboots incorporates an advanced sole with much greater surface contact and a lowered toe spring design. The sole's ribbed design provides slip resistance and new sole tread...

SHOWERHEADS.
December 1, 2000... The Act-O-Matic showerheads use a pressure-compensating flow control that provides a consistent flow at low pressures. The chrome-plated all brass showerheads incorporate a self-cleaning spray disc that eliminates sand and other particles....

LADDER PLATFORM.
December 1, 2000... The Comfort step [TM] is a simple-to-use heavy aluminum platform that makes standing on a ladder comfortable and safe. it weighs five pounds and slips over two rungs of an extension ladder. The Comfort Step [TM] has a non-skid surface and lower...

PUSHBUTTON SWITCHES.
December 1, 2000... The new pendant pushbutton switches make the control of overhead equipment safer. They feature internal "snap-action" switches that can be wired to electrically interlock opposing operations. The switches have a built-in cable clamp that...

SERVO ACTUATOR.
December 1, 2000... The AR Series of servo actuators integrates the servo amplifier, servo driver and controller into a single unit. The product features an electronic gear, absolute and incremental encoders supported by the amplifier and a built-in brake control...

TAMPER BAND APPLICATOR.
December 1, 2000... The I-Band tamper band applicator is constructed of stainless steel. The Entry Level System includes an I-Band applicator, a stainless steel conveyor and a model EZ-30-IR heat shrink tunnel. Applications include beverages, processed foods,...

FILLER.
December 1, 2000... Designed to run a consistent volume of product, the automatic positive displacement filler can fill chemicals, food products or pharmaceuticals. Special features include a variable-speed motor that allows the operator to slow down or speed up...