Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation articles from February 2002

Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation archives from February 2002

Breathing with confidence. (Editorial Comments).
February 1, 2002... Perhaps never has indoor air quality -- IAQ -- been more on the minds of U.S. workers. Americans were rudely awakened last year to the ease with which terrorists could poison our air (the hijackers' interest in cropdusting, for example). The...

ASHRAE creates facility guidelines for managing extraordinary events. (Industry Newsline).
February 1, 2002... The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) released guidelines at its January show in Atlantic City to help facility managers prepare for and respond to extraordinary incidents. Spurred by the...

U.S. to test synthetic fuel for military use, consider at-sea production. (Industry Newsline).
February 1, 2002... The Department of Defense appropriation bill signed by President Bush last month included $3.5 million for Tulsa, OK-based Syntroleum Corp. to test synthetically made fuel in military diesel and turbine engine applications. The company will...

Toyota will open plant in Mexico. (Industry Newsline).
February 1, 2002... Toyota announced last month it had selected a 700-acre site outside of Tijuana, Mexico, in Baja California, as the location for a new manufacturing plant. The plant will make and ship truck beds for Tacoma pickup trucks, which are built at New...

Study predicts growth in outsourced pharmaceutical manufacturing. (Industry Newsline).
February 1, 2002... Contract manufacturing in the pharmaceutical industry is expected to enjoy double-digit growth for the near future, according to a study released last month by MarketResearch.com, New York City. According to the study, the current global...

IMPO Stock Watch: Other Energy Traders unfazed by Enron tumble. (Industry Newsline).
February 1, 2002... While Enron stock was hitting the skids last month, other energy traders like Williams Energy Partners L.P., Tulsa, OK, and TXU Corp., Dallas, TX, were returning double digits to their investors. Williams' ROI in 2001 was 81% and TXU's ROI was...

Japanese auto-parts maker to expand North Carolina plant. (Industry Newsline).
February 1, 2002... Japanese auto parts maker Aisin AW Co. said last month it will spend $160 million to expand its manufacturing plant in Durham, NC. The expanded facility is expected to employ 450 workers and be at full capacity in 2004. Construction will begin...

Correction.
February 1, 2002... In the December 2001 issue, incorrect figures were used in a Newsline chart showing the percentages of female engineers in engineering disciplines. The correct percentages are: Aerospace: 11.5; chemical: 16.3; civil: 9.5; Electrical &...

National Safety Council. (News Briefs).
February 1, 2002... The National Safety Council has launched a program called Awards for Outstanding Achievements in Safety and Productivity. The competitive program is open to organizations of all sizes that have shown significant improvement in safety...

Refiner BP. (News Briefs).
February 1, 2002... Refiner BP announced last month it is installing solar panels at 40 of its new BP Connect convenience stores in Orlando, FL. The panels will convert sunlight directly into electricity to power the store and gas pumps. According to the Florida...

Siemens Dematic. (News Briefs).
February 1, 2002... The Rapistan Material Handling Automation Division of Siemens Dematic, Grand Rapids, MI, said it has received a $90 million order from American Airlines to design, manufacture and install a baggage-handling system for a new terminal at New...

Occidental Petroleum. (News Briefs).
February 1, 2002... Occidental Petroleum announced in late December it was idling a Deer Park, TX, plant that makes chlorine and caustic soda, and laying off the plant's 270 workers because of poor market conditions. The Los Angeles, CA-based manufacturer said the...

Lockheed Martin. (News Briefs).
February 1, 2002... A system designed and built by Lockheed Martin to help detect biohazardous mail is being offered by the company to the federal government. The BioMailSolutions system is designed to filter, test and analyze micron-sized particles that could be...

Weiler Corp. (News Briefs).
February 1, 2002... Weiler Corp., a Cresco, PA-based manufacturer of power brushes, abrasives and maintenance products, was named one of the "100 Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania" for the second year in a row. Compiled by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business...

Calendar.
February 1, 2002... * Feb. 27-28 * Southern California Plant Engineering and Maintenance Show; Anaheim, CA; Professional Trade Shows, Inc.; 510-354-3131. * Mar. 18-21 * National Plant Engineering MRO and Management Show; Chicago, IL; Reed Exhibition...

Wireless targets. (Product News).
February 1, 2002... These wireless targets are designed for the company's geometric laser alignment systems. Two models are available that feature IR/F and a 1-in, measuring range. These targets are an option for transmitting alignment data to PDA displays or...

Litter solutions. (Products News).
February 1, 2002... The Smokers' Outpost product line keeps cigarette butts out of sight and waste in its place with the extended line of litter solutions. Available in a variety of models and colors, the Smokers' Outpost cleans up the appearance of any facility....

Mobile fluid handling. (Products News).
February 1, 2002... These mobile systems take the weight of oil, cans, filters, and tools off the backs of plant personnel and put them on wheels, where they can be moved to any part of the plant. Write in IMPO No. 93 or reply online at www.impomag.com

How's your IAQ? The Quest for Factory Fresh Air. Experts say recent IAQ-related accidents underscore the need to check and improve air quality, on the factory floor. Here are some considerations for making sure your plant's IAQ A-OK. (Cover Story).
February 1, 2002... Indoor air quality -- IAQ -- is a common concern for facility managers and occupants in commercial buildings. It has taken on even greater significance in light of the recent anthrax contaminations. For a variety of reasons, however, IAQ is...

Automatic applicators speed molding-maker's labeling. (Field Report).
February 1, 2002... Clifton Moulding Corp., manufactures molded wood products in various shapes, sizes and designs for the retail building-supply and home-improvement industry. At its Clifton, TX, facility, raw wood materials are processed by machines on 10...

Are support contracts worth the price? (CMMS Solutions).
February 1, 2002... I recently had a conversation with a company about its eventual need to replace a software application package. The company was probably going to stick with its current system for the next year or two, but was inclined not to renew the support...

Lab Coats. (Product Round-Up).
February 1, 2002... Statshield Lab Coats feature a "Hip-to-Cuff" grounding so hands are free. The lab coats are made of a non-static generating fabric of conductive nylon fibers woven to provide charge dissipation. The panel-to-panel conductivity prevents isolated...

Faceshield. (Product Round-Up).
February 1, 2002... This clear window faceshield and chin protector combination is made of thick impact- and scratch-resistant polycarbonate. It easily attaches to headgear. Full crown-to-chin protection reduces overhead glare and allows room for protective...

Footwear. (Product Round-Up).
February 1, 2002... ICEGRIPS high-traction footwear is designed to reduce slips and falls out-doors during the winter. They feature the Advanced Angle Tread design and fit over work shoes and boots. The 36 aggressive hex-head screws bite into ice and snow, and are...

Hydration system. (Product Round-Up).
February 1, 2002... The Flame Resistant WaterMaster hydration system has a front panel, back panel and yoke made of Nomex III A for flame-resistance coating. The unit includes an adjustable flame-resistant sternum strap and a wide-mouthed opening for filling it...

Air conditioning unit. (Product News).
February 1, 2002... The Moving Cooler is a portable air conditioning unit that isolates the condenser and evaporative air streams to produce a cooler environment. Large volumes of cold air can be directed for temporary spot cooling, backup and supplementary...

Dust-collection system. (Product News).
February 1, 2002... This 2-stage dust-collection system is designed to eliminate wood dust and chips generated by CNC routers, saws, sanders and other equipment in wood-working and plastic fabricating processes. The system consists of a Dustkop Model 7000 cyclone...

Storage tanks. (Product News).
February 1, 2002... Resin-Fab corrosion-resistant storage tanks offer an economical solution for chemical storage and process requirements. Resin-Fab is available in more than 1,000 standard sizes with capacities up to 70,000 gal. A complete line of accessories is...

Mobile PDA Interface. (Product News).
February 1, 2002... ProTeus II Mobile, the PDA interface for ProTeus II computerized maintenance management system, is a handheld maintenance software application that stores repair histories on the PDA. Technicians can create new work orders in the field, and...

Mobile drum lifter. (Product News).
February 1, 2002... The Model SL-1 size is suitable for drum-to-drum or other low product transfers and minimum space applications including mezzanines. Wide, 4-point wheel placement and tubular construction ensures maximum stability and safety. Gearbox allows...

Aluminum fittings. (Product News).
February 1, 2002... Kee Lite is a one-piece aluminum handrail fitting that attaches to smooth railing pipe. It features a bright finish and hidden set screws. Swivel design allows the handrail to be placed at any angle. No welding, threading, or drilling required...

Smoke control for fire-protection systems. (Tech Check).
February 1, 2002... Smoke-control systems are designed to control smoke during a fire in order to contain danger and allow the building to be safely evacuated. Until recently, smoke control has been managed by the building automation system (BAS). But the trend...

AC drive systems. (Tech Bench).
February 1, 2002... The company's small AC vibratory units handle from 5 lbs to 25 tons/hr.; high-speed units from 40 to 600 cu ft./hr. High-deflection feeders can handle up to 80 ft./min. of lightweight material. at www.impomag.com

AC/DC motor. (Tech Bench).
February 1, 2002... The Jones Punchline AC/DC Series is a space-saving solution for industrial equipment and machines for the material handling and processing industries. Model sizes range from 2.8-in. to 3.6-in. diameters. at www.impomag.com

AC drives. (Tech Bench).
February 1, 2002... The PowerFlex 4 AC drive provides powerful motor speed control in a compact, space-saving design. The unit is available in power ratings from 0.2 to 3.7 kW and in voltage classes of 115 and 230. It is designed to meet global OEM and end-user...

DC gear motors. (Tech Bench).
February 1, 2002... The TAM58-3E "Industrial Series" family of brushless DC gear motors, combines stator and rotor construction for constant speed. at www.impomag.com

Shelving. (Product Round-Up).
February 1, 2002... Wide-span shelving for storing wide, bulky loads can be installed in configurations ranging from a single unit to a sophisticated, multi-level picking system. There is no bracing and no hardware required. Wide Span is available with both steel...

Storage rack beams. (Product Round-Up).
February 1, 2002... Two storage rack beam sizes, one for light-duty load requirements and another for high-capacity applications, are available. They are fabricated of steel and have a durable polyurethane finish. These storage rack systems are suitable for...

Polymer storage system. (Product Round-Up).
February 1, 2002... The LIFESTOR MasterTrak overhead-track polymer storage system combines high-density storage with sanitary, corrosion-free shelving conditions. The system features polymer shelf sections with either clear epoxy zinc-plated mild steel or 16-gauge...