Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation articles from January 2003

Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation archives from January 2003

The whistle-blower culture. (Editorial Comments).
January 1, 2003... Time magazine named three whistle blowers as its Persons of the Year for 2002, two of them high-ranking corporate executives. They are Cynthia Cooper of WorldCom, Coleen Rowley of the FBI, and Sherron Watkins of Enron, three women who were...

Boeing enters new year shedding workers, projects. (Industry Newsline).
January 1, 2003... As of January 1, 2003, the Boeing Co. had laid off 30,000 of its workers since the September 11 terrorist attacks. The layoffs have been conducted with regularity: Some 820 workers, warned in October, will end their Boeing employment Jan. 1;...

OSHA exceeds inspection targets for FY 2002. (Industry Newsline).
January 1, 2003... The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said last month it exceeded its inspection goals for fiscal year 2002, which ended Sept. 30. U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao said the agency had both increased the number of serious...

Survey shows investors have low opinion of manufacturer disclosure. (Industry Newsline).
January 1, 2003... According to a global survey released last month by PricewaterhouseCoopers, manufacturers in the U.S. and other countries have a much higher opinion of their own investor-communication tactics than investors do. The survey, called "Making Good:...

Utilities form online training alliance. (Industry Newsline).
January 1, 2003... A group of electric utilities has formed a partnership to provide online training programs for utility technicians. In conjunction with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), energy providers Exelon, Entergy, Nevada Power,...

Honda breaks ground for $425 million plant expansion in Alabama. (Industry Newsline).
January 1, 2003... Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC, broke ground in November on a $425 million assembly line at its plant in Lincoln, AL. The second assembly line for the facility, it will increase employment by 2,000 workers (to 4,300), and double capacity...

Employment and wage estimates for selected U.S. manufacturing industries. (Industry Newsline).
January 1, 2003... Employment and Wage Estimates for Selected U.S. Manufacturing Industries (Year 2001) Median Mean Mean Employment Hourly Hourly Annual Food and Kindred ...

Safe panel access without shutting down. (Advertisement).
January 1, 2003... Lapp offers a full line of UL Recognized remote access ports which provide external access to equipment mounted inside a control panel. Remote access ports accommodate hundreds of different components and can be custom built to your...

EPIC[R] rectangular connectors make connections easier. (Advertisement).
January 1, 2003... Environmentally Protected Industrial Connectors are the ultimate NEMA 4, 4X, and 12 multi-pin connections for all power and control applications where reliability and durability are essential. The connectors allow for the quick...

SKINTOP[R] cord connectors designed for durability. (Advertisement).
January 1, 2003... The SKINTOP [R] line of liquid-tight, strain relief connectors designed for use with a wide range of cables and connectors in automated manufacturing systems. Available in PG, NPT and Metric thread size and international approvals such as...

OLFLEX[R] AUTO-X heavy duty continuous flex control cable. (Advertisement).
January 1, 2003... OLFLEX [R] AUTO -X, a flexible, oil and UV resistant multi-conductor cable is designed for continuous flexing applications. It can withstand temperatures of up to 90[degrees]C. AUTO-X has worldwide approvals including UL Type TC, CSAAWM, and...

OLFLEX[R] Tray 3D cable product line. (Advertisement).
January 1, 2003... Lapp's latest edition to the 3D cable line, the OLFLEX [R] Tray 3D CY is a spiral shielded, oil resistant, multi-conductor flexible cable with open wiring approval, ideal for any application requiring a continuous flexing, bending and twisting...

The ProMat 2003 material handling show. (News Briefs).
January 1, 2003... * The ProMat 2003 material handling show will be held in Chicago's McCormick Place complex Feb. 10-13. Sponsored by the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA), the event will host 700 exhibitors and occupy some 300,000 sq. ft. of floor...

Benteler Automotive Corp. (News Briefs).
January 1, 2003... * Benteler Automotive Corp., Auburn Hills, MI, will begin building a new manufacturing facility in Opelika, AL, this month. The 144,000-sq.-ft. plant is expected to be completed by September, and will produce chassis systems, safety and...

The American Society of Safety Engineers. (News Briefs).
January 1, 2003... * The American Society of Safety Engineers has announced its 2003 continuing-education schedule. The group's Certificate in Safety Management Seminars and Certification Preparation Workshops will be held January through May in Florida, Georgia,...

Edison Electric Institute. (News Briefs).
January 1, 2003... * According to the Edison Electric Institute, the use of residential Christmas-holiday lighting requires at least an extra 5% of electric power across the U.S. The Washington, D.C.-based trade group also said new holiday lights purchased each...

The Dupont Co. said it will close its Rubbertown industrial complex in Louisville, KY, within three years. (News Briefs).
January 1, 2003... * The Dupont Co. said it will close its Rubbertown industrial complex in Louisville, KY, within three years. The facility, jointly operated with Dow Chemical Co., produces neoprene synthetic rubber for autos, adhesives and other uses. The...

Calendar.
January 1, 2003... * Jan. 14-16, 2003 * Orlando 2003 Advanced Productivity Exposition; Orlando, FL; Society of Manufacturing Engineers; 800-733-4763. * Jan. 27-29, 2003 * AHR Expo; Chicago, IL; American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and AirConditioning...

Trends in material handling: the industry is responding to manufacturer demands for equipment that is less complex, but smarter, requires less maintenance and is more cost-effective. (Cover Story).
January 1, 2003... Today's economy requires that every investment a company makes yields a quicker ROI than ever before. As manufacturers replace and upgrade material handling equipment, they are looking for solutions that can meet this requirement. The material...

Steel belt drive. (Product News).
January 1, 2003... This high-power, lightweight stainless steel belt drive is designed for food and conveyor applications. Available in two sizes with improved material selections, the belt drives feature a triple-shaft sealing system necessary for harsh food and...

Gear drives. (Product News).
January 1, 2003... Crown gear drives provide directional motion change in power-transmission systems. Compact and sealed, these right-angle gear drives feature spiral bevel gears and non-magnetic stainless steel shafts. They are available in two-way and three-way...

Measuring sensor. (Product News).
January 1, 2003... The ODS 96 has been designed to utilize either infrared light, visual red light or laser light. Using the triangulation principle, the ODS 96 sensor can measure between 200 and 5000 mm. With its rugged solid metal body, hard glass lens and IP...

Cable ties. (Product Focus: Electrical Wiring Devices).
January 1, 2003... These fluorescent cable ties can be affixed to hoses for color-coding their application, time-in-service, or another variable. They are made from Type 66 Nylon and feature bright blue, orange, yellow, pink and green colors. Easy to use on land...

Wire amp connector and plug. (Product Focus: Electrical Wiring Devices).
January 1, 2003... The 4M20 male plugs and 4F20 female connectors now provide complete protection against dust and allow for continuous submersion in up to 6 inches of water when capped or merged. All connectors are molded in solid Hypalon rubber permanently...

Wire feeder. (Product Focus: Electrical Wiring Devices).
January 1, 2003... The LN-15 wire feeder has a light-weight, impact/abrasion-resistant case surrounded by a full metal roll cage, made of high-strength aluminum alloy tubing. This combination makes the LN-15 suitable for shipbuilding, construction and pipeline...

Electrical enclosures. (Product Focus: Electrical Wiring Devices).
January 1, 2003... These large-size, large-capacity snap bushings and dome plugs are suitable for channeling wiring cables, utility lines, liquid-carrying tubing and hoses neatly and securely. They are molded of state of-the-art high-impact Type 6/6 nylon and...

Shield connecting system. (Product Focus: Electrical Wiring Devices).
January 1, 2003... The 790 Series shield connecting system offers secure connections of standard shield cables to 10-mm copper busbars, mounted in either a parallel or perpendicular orientation or to panel-mounted commoning plates. Shield connectors can be...

Lock-out relays. (Product Focus: Electrical Wiring Devices).
January 1, 2003... Series 24 Type WL-2 and Type WL lock-out relays (LORs) feature manual-, electric, or self-reset capability. All models offer multiple decks and contacts and a selection of trip and reset coils, which allow them to be configured for their...

Circuit interrupter receptacles. (Product Focus: Electrical Wiring Devices).
January 1, 2003... The XGF-series line of GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) receptacles feature a test function that prevents the device from being reset in the event of reversed line-load wiring during installation. The XGF-series also contains a built-in...

Control cable. (Product Focus: Electrical Wiring Devices).
January 1, 2003... The OLFLEX Tray I with open wiring approval is an oil-resistant, flexible control cable, suitable for use in applications that require a cable to be connected from a cable tray to equipment on the manufacturing floor. It features high stranding...

Circuit breaker interlocked receptacles. (Product Focus: Electrical Wiring Devices).
January 1, 2003... The Russellstoll UniGard IEG 309 circuit breaker interlocked receptacles are available in all standard voltage polarizations. Offering fully protected power for a range of industrial applications, the new safety interlocks are suitable for...

Plug-and-Play Connectivity. (Product Focus: Electrical Wiring Devices).
January 1, 2003... Brad Harrison DeviceNet Plug-and-Play Connectivity using 600V-rated cabling can route both truck and drop cabling adjacent to 600V-rated power cabling for tray or raceway use. A variety of connectors can be configured using this new cable...

Impact wrenches. (Tech Bench: Tools).
January 1, 2003... The cordless impact wrenches are equipped with die-cast, aluminum gear housing. Easy to maneuver, they are suitable for driving and fastening. Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. 13135 West Lisbon Rd., Brookfield, WI 53005; 800-414-6527;...

Side-cutting pliers. (Tech Bench: Tools).
January 1, 2003... Two NE-type side-cutting pliers feature smooth, streamlined noses with knurled jaws. D213-9NETP has a groove at the hinge for gripping and pulling; D213-9NECR features a crimping die. Klein Tools, Inc., P.O. Box 599033, Chicago, IL 60659;...

Ratchet. (Tech Bench: Tools).
January 1, 2003... The 3/8-in. Flex Head Speeder Ratchet, constructed of one-piece forged steel features a flexible, narrow head that can be positioned in a range of angles to adjust hard-to-reach fasteners. The bent handle of the ratchet provides leverage and...

Jig saw. (Tech Bench: Tools).
January 1, 2003... The STE105 Plus is a variable speed jig saw with five-stage orbital blade motion. It features Vario Constamatic (VC) full-wave electronic speed control, so cutting speed remains constant under moderate load and only drops under heavy load. The...

Diamond Core Drills. (Tech Bench: Tools).
January 1, 2003... Diamond Core Drills feature 2- and 3-speeds for hand-held and rig-mounted drilling. The electric, hydraulic and pneumatic drills are equipped with safety slip. CS Unitec, Inc., 22 Harbor Ave., Norwalk, CT 06850; 800-700-5919; csunitec.com. ...

Wire stripper & cutter. (Tech Bench: Tools).
January 1, 2003... The JIC-4473 Wire stripper and cutter comes with interchangeable sharp, long-lasting blades. Place the wire in the stripping slot, squeeze and pull. The wire is stripped and cut to the length required. It comes with cushioned ergonomic grips....

Tubing cutter. (Tech Bench: Tools).
January 1, 2003... The RIGID Model 15-SI stainless steel tubing cutter, featuring the E1525 cutter wheel are designed for clean, accurate cutting of stainless steel tubing. The large knob gives the user control over feedscrew torque. Instead of traditional...

Fastening tool. (Tech Bench: Tools).
January 1, 2003... The Remington 479 can be used instead of a hammer to mount electrical junction boxes, conduit, and dry wall track. It utilizes a trigger on the grip to activate the tool. Desa International, 2701 Industrial Dr., Bowling Green, KY 42101;...

Modular conveyor system improves production-line agility, cost savings at auto-parts plant. (Field Report).
January 1, 2003... Production agility is vital to many manufacturers today, especially original-equipment auto-parts makers. Though many auto-parts companies have dedicated production lines for continuous runs of components and assemblies, these setups can...

Optically active coatings. (Product Round-Up: Maintenance Chemicals).
January 1, 2003... An optically active additive makes these coatings reactive to specialized ultraviolet light. At inspection time, structural or material changes or imperfections are shown clearly. NCP Coatings, 225 Fort Street, Niles, MI 49120; 800-627-1948;...

Solid film lubricants. (Product Round-Up: Maintenance Chemicals).
January 1, 2003... Everlube products include solid film lubricants with Molybdenum Disulfide and PTFE solid film. These lubricants can handle corrosion, wear, and lubrication. Morgan Advanced Ceramics, 225 Theodore Rice Blvd., New Bedford, MA 02475; 508-998-9012;...

Corrosion inhibitor. (Product Round-Up: Maintenance Chemicals).
January 1, 2003... This organo-phosphate test for monitoring OP levels in boiler and cooling water systems uses a table that combines a pH adjuster and buffer mixture together with a screened xylenol orange indicator. The microburette for adding the thorium...

Repair mortar. (Product Round-Up: Maintenance Chemicals).
January 1, 2003... SEALTIGHT MEADOW-CRETE H2 for horizontal applications is a two-component, trowel-applied corrosion inhibitor. It is also a polymer-modified and shrinkage-compensated cementitious repair mortar. It is designed for repairs of concrete, both small...

Transducer. (Product News).
January 1, 2003... The PX2650 Series low differential pressure transducer can be used in HVAC ducts and clean rooms. The amplified voltage provides immunity to electrical noise. Units are fully protected from incorrect wiring and operate from an unregulated power...

Work shirt. (Product News).
January 1, 2003... The CheckMARK work shirt features a new emblem design, upgraded buttons and a button closure at the neck The shirt is made from ARASoft, a soil-release fabric that provides a breathable finish and wicks away moisture. Aramark, 115 North First...

Transporters and Rotators. (Show Preview: ProMat 2003).
January 1, 2003... The Container Transporter/Rotator combines three functions in one machine. It can be used to transport containers from a staging area, to a work cell and back again. Lift and tilt are controlled independently. The unit can be used with "drop...

Container. (Show Preview: ProMat 2003).
January 1, 2003... The FlapNest 2115 Series container has an attached lid and all-plastic hinges. Enhanced security features secure with strapping, tie wraps and snap-in clips. A leak-resistant lid eliminates contamination. IPL Products Ltd., 640 Lincoln St.,...

Chain hoist. (Show Preview: ProMat 2003).
January 1, 2003... The ShopAir chain hoist is designed to be used as a work station or production-line hoist, and comes with a two-lever pendant for load spotting. It features an enclosed, non-ventilated cast-aluminum alloy hoist frame that thermally protects the...

Automated Guided Vehicle. (Show Preview: ProMat 2003).
January 1, 2003... The FlexiMate Automated Guided Vehicle moves materials in industrial and service environments. The battery-operated unit performs repetitive tasks and can execute a variety of logistical assignments. Its program memory stores up to 17 routing...

PC with rugged casing. (Show Preview: ProMat 2003).
January 1, 2003... The DNeT IPC 6/215 industrial PC unit features a sealed case of robust construction suitable for use in production, logistics or any environment which requires the extra protection of a sealed case. It stands up to extreme mechanical...

Workstation Systems. (Show Preview: ProMat 2003).
January 1, 2003... The modular, ergonomically designed Arlink Series 8000 Workstation Systems feature the definite-positioning system. Each workstation can be configured in a variety of heights and lengths. These workstations are available in six standard...

Variable-speed drive cuts compressed-air costs, helps ensure consistent quality. (Tech Check).
January 1, 2003... To most industrial operations, compressed air is a vital utility. It runs essential tools and machinery, provides power to material handling systems and clean air to processes. Yet choosing the right compressor can be difficult, especially...

Power Press Safety. (Training Aids).
January 1, 2003... Train with the new Power Press Safety Program and eliminate power press injuries and incidents at your site. The program includes basic operations of power presses; the importance of machine guards and engineering controls; and best safety...

Emissions control. (Training Aids).
January 1, 2003... Technical Training Services released its 2003 program schedule. It includes a complete course description and enrollment information. Fifteen technical seminars are offered throughout the year covering various topics of boiler and power plant...

Education tutorial online. (Training Aids).
January 1, 2003... The company has added an education tutorial, to its Web Site. Topics include: Gas Vapor in Air Mixtures; the National Electric Code; and Monitoring Flammable Vapors & Gases in Industrial Processes. Each topic is located in a separate, printable...