Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation articles from June 2002

Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation archives from June 2002

Local Non-Hero. (Editorial comments).
June 1, 2002... There are lots of good things going on in the field of power-generation. Our cover story this month, for example, highlights innovative methods for establishing cost- and energy-efficient alternative sources that can provide uninterruptible...

Perdue will pay millions in back wages to 25,000 workers. (Industry Newsline).
June 1, 2002... The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a consent judgment last month with Perdue Farms, Inc., that is expected to cost the Salisbury, MDbased poultry producer more than $10 million. The DOL said Perdue has agreed to change its current and...

Dow overtakes DuPont as No. 1 chemical company. (Industry Newsline).
June 1, 2002... Dow Chemical Co., has overtaken E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., as the largest chemical company in the U.S., according to an annual survey conducted by the American Chemical Society The Washington, D.C.-based trade group released the list last...

Steel tariff may be hurting U.S. auto-parts makers. (Industry Newsline).
June 1, 2002... According to an article in the Indianapolis Star, auto-parts makers in Indiana and Michigan have had difficulty finding steel, and have paid high prices for what they do get since the U.S. implemented a controversial steel tariff in April. The...

Honda explores home-based refueling for fuel-cell cars. (Industry Newsline).
June 1, 2002... Honda Motor Co. and a Latham, NY-based fuel-cell manufacturer announced last month they will collaborate on research into home-based hydrogen-vehicle refueling stations. Honda R&D Co. and Plug Power, Inc., said they plan to devise a system that...

Utility opts to buy town rather than fight it. (Industry Newsline).
June 1, 2002... An electric utility company has decided the best way to avoid potential health-related lawsuits stemming from one of its polluting facilities is to purchase the town next to the plant and pay its citizens to move away. American Electric Power...

IMPO stock watch: GE takes a tumble. (Industry Newsline).
June 1, 2002... Since December, General Electric stock, a benchmark for industry and investors, has declined in value by 25%. First-quarter 2002 reports boasted a 17% increase in earnings, but new accounting rules have eroded share growth by about 10 cents per...

Cincinnati machine. (News Briefs).
June 1, 2002... Cincinnati Machine has awarded $26,000 to 13 public and private schools in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky as part of its annual Education Support Program. The Cincinnati, OH-based maker of machine tool products funds special projects in local K-12...

Nice ball bearings. (News Briefs).
June 1, 2002... Nice Ball Bearings, Kulpsville, PA, recently celebrated its 100th year in business. The manufacturer of specialty ball bearings was founded by William Nice in 1902 as the Pressed Steel Manufacturing Co. The company's first plant was constructed...

International Organization for Standardization (ISO). (News Briefs).
June 1, 2002... Dr. Lawrence D. Eicher, Secretary-General of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), died March 21 in Geneva, Switzerland, as the result of emergency heart surgery. An American citizen, Eicher, 63, was appointed ISO...

After more than a year of talks, German automaker BMW has signed an agreement with Toyota Motor Corp. (News Briefs).
June 1, 2002... After more than a year of talks, German automaker BMW has signed an agreement with Toyota Motor Corp. under which the Japanese automaker will supply diesel engines for BMW's new Mini Cooper automobile. The agreement calls for Toyota to deliver...

Bacou-Dalloz. (News Briefs).
June 1, 2002... A safety-products plant in Reading, PA, that was slated for closure last year but kept open to meet the needs of World Trade Center cleanup workers, has closed, eliminating 50 jobs. The Dalloz Safety plant, operated by France-based...

American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). (News Briefs).
June 1, 2002... An article about safety and health efforts undertaken at the World Trade Center disaster site is available at www.asse.org/groundzero.htm, the Web site of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). Written by members of the Des Plaines,...

Siemens VDO Automotive. (News Briefs).
June 1, 2002... Siemens VDO Automotive said last month it will move about 55 jobs to its plant in Newport News, VA, from other plants around the country. The company, owned by Siemens AG of Germany, will make the Newport News plant a design and marketing...

Roof retrofit. (Product Round-Up: Roofing).
June 1, 2002... The EP Metal Roof Retrofit system, designed for deteriorating metal roofs, is a durable, lightweight roofing membrane system for use on standing and flat seam, or corrugated decks. Stevens Roofing Systems, 9 Sullivan Rd., Holyoke, MA 01040;...

Single-ply board. (Product Round-Up: Roofing).
June 1, 2002... High-Density Single-Ply Board is a low thermal rigid insulation board, composed of perlite and cellulosic fibers. The top surface has a polymerized emulsion coating, which increases bond strength. Johns Manville, P.0. Box 5108, Denver, CO...

Metal panels. (Product Round-Up: Roofing).
June 1, 2002... These curved perforated panels can be used on roofs to provide natural ventilation, light diffusion, sound control and other functions. They are available in painted or unpainted galvanized or Galvalume steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper...

Rubber roof repair. (Product Round-Up: Roofing).
June 1, 2002... Flexguard Cement and Flexguard Coating are part of a rubber-roof repair system that bonds firmly to weathered EPDM roofs to smooth the surface, lower building temperatures and create a longer life for buildings. Both withstand ponding water,...

Air cleaner. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... The TM 1000 TaskMaster Air Cleaner features a backdraft hood attachment. The attachment, which can be placed on the work table or floor allows exhausting of harmful pollutants. The attachment is suitable for applications where capture of...

Transducer output. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... The Absolute Quadrature output option available on Micropulse BTL-Z rod style linear displacement transducers interfaces directly to standard encoder inputs. Selectable position resolution and selectable pulse frequencies are included. Balluff,...

Bearing. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... Iglide Z polymer plain bearings are suitable for high load applications. They can be used in pivot points on bus and truck suspension systems, construction and material handling equipment. Its high temperature resistance allows for...

Is power's next generation on-site? (Cover Story).
June 1, 2002... Clint "Jito" Coleman As power interruption becomes less tolerable to manufacturers, the option of generating efficient back-up power at the point of use begins to make sense. The benefits are many. Industry's electric-power needs are...

'02 plant show offerings mature, but still have much to offer. (CMMS Solutions).
June 1, 2002... The fertile days of the 1990s have given way to a tighter CMMS/EAM marketplace. Every year I attend the National Plant Engineering MRO & Management Show in Chicago, I notice the absence of a couple of exhibitors from the previous year's event....

Monitor power usage for predictive maintenance. (Tech Check).
June 1, 2002... Unplanned shutdowns and downtime continue to be among the largest avoidable costs to manufacturing. And while they may never be completely avoidable, new technologies can help minimize their occurrence and impact. Preventive maintenance...

Power-management system assures uptime at Mercedes Benz plant. (Field Report).
June 1, 2002... When Mercedes-Benz USA International (MBUSI) began building a sophisticated plant in Alabama to manufacture its M-Class sport utility vehicle, the company sought an equally sophisticated system for monitoring and troubleshooting power-quality...

Gear rack. (Product Round-Up: Power Transmission).
June 1, 2002... The Browning line of gear racks features capabilities suitable for the packaging and machine tool industries. Worm, helical and bevel gears are produced in a variety of materials. Emerson Power Transmission, 1248 E. Second St., Maysville, KY...

Drum motor drives. (Product Round-Up: Power Transmission).
June 1, 2002... The line of drum motor drives with internal braking includes the RTM electromechanical brake. The clutch brake, engages the pulley shell when conveyor movement is required. Van der Graaf, 2 Van der Graaf Court, Brampton, Ontario, Canada L6T...

Helical-bevel gears. (Product Round-Up: Power Transmission).
June 1, 2002... The 90.1 series of helical-bevel gear products optimizes gear-tooth geometry, finishing and materials. It is available in 10 sizes; many sizes are interchangeable with other models. All 90.1 series models are available as triple- or...

Motor brakes. (Product Round-Up: Power Transmission).
June 1, 2002... This brake is available in a variety of enclosure styles including standard, waterproof/dust tight, washdown and marine duty. A four-post design is offered for heavy-duty applications. The post design is suitable for lighter duty. End mount and...

Transmitters. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... The TX1500 Series transmitters feature two-wire Operation Power obtained directly from the 4 to 20 mA loop, with no need for separate power input. This simplifies field wiring and eliminates the possibility of noise pickup from power lines....

Catalytic oxidizers. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... Catalytic oxidizers are designed to destroy volatile organic compounds and/or hazardous air pollutants at temperatures ranging from 500 to 650 degrees F. In operation, either a monolith or bead precious metal catalyst is used to promote...

Flat-Panel Monitors. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... Series 2430 Flat Panel Monitors with active matrix displays feature brilliant, sharp, bright color and a 170-degree viewing cone. They are designed to be wall-mounted, integrated into other equipment, or used as flexible stand-alone displays....

Condensing chiller. (Tech Bench HVAC).
June 1, 2002... Model EGR evaporative condensing chiller operates at a low condensing pressure and temperature. Water-cooled system components are included. McQuay Int'l., 13600 Industrial Pk Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55441; 763-553-5330. Write in IMPO No....

Cartridge Heaters. (Tech Bench HVAC).
June 1, 2002... Watt-Flex Split-Sheath Cartridge Heaters are available with leads for process heating. Options include stainless steel hose. Dalton Electric Heating Co., Inc., 28 Hayward St., lpswich, MA 01938; 978-356-9844. Write in IMPO No. 32 or reply...

Humidity Control Unit. (Tech Bench HVAC).
June 1, 2002... The Humidity Control Unit (HCU) is a desiccant dehumidification system that provides operators the ability to control humidity independently of temperature. The HCU is designed to treat makeup air, and works in conjunction with an existing A/C...

Air Dryer. (Tech Bench HVAC).
June 1, 2002... The Membrane Air Dryer provides pure, dry compressed air and an alternative to pressure swing and refrigerant dryer technologies. The unit has no moving parts, requires minimal maintenance, and operates without operator attention. Parker...

Multi-Wing Fans. (Tech Bench HVAC).
June 1, 2002... The 8 M Series Multi-Wing Fans are made of thermoplastic blades and a pressure die-cast aluminum hub. They feature a paddle-blade design. Crowley Co., Inc., 15030 Berkshire Industrial Pkwy., Burton, OH 44021; 800-311-8465. Write in IMPG...

Drive for HVAC applications. (Tech Bench HVAC).
June 1, 2002... The E7 AC drive for HVAC applications offers reduced size and cost with increased performance and quality. The unit features built-in network communications from Johnson Controls Metasys N2 and Siemens APOGEE P1, with optional interfaces for...

Water chiller. (Tech Bench HVAC).
June 1, 2002... The Ultracool process water chiller is suitable for process cooling that requires temperature control. It features customizing options. Ultrafilter, Inc., 3560 Engineering Dr., Norcross, GA 30092; 800-543-3634. Write in IMPO No. 36 or...

Electronic counting scale. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... The Mid-Range Super II electronic counting scale is said to offer high accuracy and internal resolution for counting. It is suitable for material handling, inventory control and packaging applications. The scale is available in two capacities:...

Pressure sensor. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... The subminiature Model S(H) pressure transducer operates at temperatures to 400 degrees F. The flush sensing diaphragm is suited for industrial process control, pharmaceutical manufacturing and lab material compatibility testing. Sensotec,...

Gasker makers. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... RTV silicone Gasket Makers & Adhesive Sealants are available in black, red, clear, blue and gray. PressureFlow cans are also available in these colors. The products are suitable for maintenance, enhancing the performance of heavy-duty...

Stationary bin tilter. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... A lifting-tilting work positioner is designed to provide ample toe clearance, allowing the operator to stand tight against the unit. A self contained 110v, 1.5hp pack is standard on both the 2,000-lb and 4,000-lb. capacity models. The tilter's...

Cordless screwdriver. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... This heavy-duty screwdriver offers 80 in./lb of maximum torque. It has an adjustable two-position handle, variable trigger speed, reversing capability, and a quick-release 1/4-in, hex chuck for positive bit retention. Other features include a...

Filter regulator. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... The Balston 12E series filter regulators are designed to capture rust and pipescale particles and continually remove all oil and water contaminants. It utilizes a rolling diaphragm design, which provides the same regulation accuracy of...

Transducers and transmitters. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... The non-incendive, 430 series pressure transducers and transmitters are designed for protection in hazardous environments. The three models, the 5V transducer, the 10V transducer and the 4-20mA transmitter, feature broad process pressure...

Labeling tool. (Show Review).
June 1, 2002... The ID PAL is a thermal transfer labeling tool for industrial applications. Featuring a top-loaded cartridge, built-in cutter and auto shutoff, it makes labels for almost any type of surfaces. The unit comes equipped with electrical and datacom...

Connector. (Show Review).
June 1, 2002... The liquid-tight, strain-relief Dome-Cap Connector fits a wide range of cord diameters. Users can insert their cord and tighten the dome-shaped nut to create a tight seal and relieve strain on the cable. Connectors are available in aluminum or...

Antimicrobial-coated steel. (Show Review).
June 1, 2002... AgION antimicrobial coated flat-rolled stainless and carbon steel suppress the growth of an array of destructive microbes including bacteria, molds and fungi. The antimicrobial compound is blended into a paint system, then applied to steel...

Industrial lubricants. (Show Review).
June 1, 2002... This complete package of industrial lubricants and services consists of Dow Corning and Molykote brands, which include the full range of synthetic and ultrapure hydro-cracked mineral-oil fluids, specialty lubricant compounds, greases, pastes,...

Data Logging System. (Show Review).
June 1, 2002... The 2686A Data Logging System features a 120-channel system with universal inputs, an ATA Flash memory, and precision temperature capability. The chassis design includes five slots for any input module combination and a sixth for an additional...

Circuit breakers. (Show Review).
June 1, 2002... The 1658-F Series is a small, lightweight, thermal circuit breaker. Except for its terminals, it does not have exposed metal parts that could conduct current or heat. It features a push-button manual reset, and a trip-free mechanism that allows...

Severe-duty motors. (Show Review).
June 1, 2002... These severe duty motors feature cast-iron construction, regreasable ball bearings and oversized rotatable cast-iron conduit boxes. The motors use SR inverter spike-resistant wire, making them inverter-ready. Designed for a wide range of...

Engineering courses. (Training Aids).
June 1, 2002... The American Society of Mechanical Engineers offers courses within the bioprocess, safety assurance and regulations, risk management, chemical, and utility and power industries. Course titles include Piping Fabrication, Mechanical Tolerancing...

Training CD. (Training Aids).
June 1, 2002... The Gas Apparatus Training CD is a resource for teaching equipment selection and safe operating techniques. It consists of 18 modules, requiring an average 30-minute completion time. Module subjects range from physics and properties of gases to...

Recordkeeping regulation. (Training Aids).
June 1, 2002... Two videotape training programs, "OSHA Recordkeeping for Managers and Supervisors" and "OSHA Recordkeeping for Employees" help companies comply with OSHA's revised recordkeeping regulation. The programs cover the revisions in the regulation,...

Seminars. (Training Aids).
June 1, 2002... The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) offers employer discounts on RSES seminars. Send two employees at the regular seminar price and get a 10% discount for all employees from your company after the second regular price. RSES...

Training facilities. (Training Aids).
June 1, 2002... The Source, a Cooper Lighting Center training facility, is now open in the corporate division headquarters in Peachtree City, GA. It is comprised of application areas, showrooms, an auditorium and a Fundamentals/Technology room where students...

Roofing training. (Training Aids).
June 1, 2002... Log on to www.garlandco.com and get AIA/CES learning units and Health, Safety and Welfare units in the roofing industry. The online presentation is called "Roof Systems Overview." The site also offers a glossary of roofing terms. The Garland...

Marking Systems. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... The Model 5200 Series features a high-density, on-demand thermal/thermal-transfer printer that provides text, in-spec bar codes and graphics. Three applications are available: air blow, flex-tamp and tamp-blow. Weber Marking Systems, Inc., 711...

Vacuum lifter. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... The APF-Series vacuum lifter features vacuum-pad attachments with articulating pads that conform to the curvature of a television screen and have a low-profile that fits between the screen and a box. It provides an ergonomic handlebar with...

Urethane chairs. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... 4L and 4M Series ergonomic chairs have comfortable seats and backrests of molded urethane for easy wash-down and added durability in harsh industrial settings. The chairs' self skinned urethane resists damage from water, lubricants chemicals,...

Corrosion inhibitor. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... 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...

Flatness Measuring Kit. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... The Laser Microgage Flatness Measuring Kit checks machine beds, fixtures and slides. The kit consists of a laser transmitter mounted onto a precision turntable. The turntable allows the laser beam to rotate. A digital receiver, provides a...

Work benches. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... These benches are big enough to accommodate two people working side by side. They feature heavy-gauge steel or laminated hardwood tops with a choice of channel-steel flared legs or adjustable legs. Pre-engineered selections include benches with...

DIN Connector. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... The DIN Connector features silver-plated, copper contacts. The DIN connector, which resists harsh environments, also contains four auxiliary contact positions. Anderson Power Products, 13 Pratts Junction Rd., Sterling, MA 01564; 978-422-3600....

Lighting fixture. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... The Telescoping Staggered Strip (SST) is a lighting fixture specifically designed for general fluorescent and cove applications. The unit comes in a two-lamp configuration; accessory asymmetric reflectors are also available. It has a high-gloss...

Water-containment system. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... Vac-Curb water-containment system converts asphalt- or concrete-covered areas into a wash pad. Adding a Cyclonator filtration system, it turns the pad into a closed-loop recycling wash rack without discharge. Stainless steel forms bolt down to...

Lift tables. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... Backsaver lift tables are available in a range of configurations, designed for machine feeding, work positioning, order picking, pallet loading and other applications. The units include tabletops with ComfortEdge to eliminate sharp corners and...

Optical encoders. (Product News).
June 1, 2002... A family of optical encoders has been introduced that satisfies moderate to high-end accuracy requirements. It includes both Incremental and Absolute models that feature high resolution and low inertia. Both are available in a variety of...